Hotels in Galveston

Galveston: Gulf Coast Island City on a 32-Mile Barrier Island

Galveston sits on a narrow barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, 50 miles southeast of Houston via I-45. The city was founded in 1839 and by the 1880s ranked as the largest city in Texas. The 1900 Galveston Hurricane — the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, killing an estimated 6,000–12,000 people — reshaped the island permanently. Engineers responded by constructing the Galveston Seawall, a 17-foot-high, 10-mile concrete barrier completed in stages from 1902 onward. The East End Historic District preserves more than 1,500 Victorian-era structures, while The Strand commercial district hosts galleries, antique shops, and the annual Mardi Gras Galveston festival each February.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster in three zones: along Seawall Boulevard facing the Gulf, in the Historic Downtown/Strand area, and near Moody Gardens on the western end of the island. Seawall properties offer direct beach access; downtown hotels place guests within walking distance of the 1894 Grand Opera House and the Texas Seaport Museum.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: The island is car-dependent; no commercial airport serves Galveston directly — Houston Hobby (HOU) is 45 miles north.
• Hurricane season: June through November brings elevated storm risk; travel insurance is advisable.
• Beach conditions: East Beach and Stewart Beach charge small parking fees in peak season.
• Ferry: The Galveston–Port Bolivar Ferry, operated free by TxDOT, runs 24 hours and connects the island to Bolivar Peninsula.