New to the Island? If so, then first, get oriented with a trip to one of the two Galveston Island Visitors Centers. If you envision more of a beach playday, the 2027 61st Street Visitors Center is for you. If you're thinking you want to explore Galveston's historic shopping and arts district, head to the 2215 Strand Visitors Center. Operated by the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, both locations offer a wealth of brochures, free maps of the Island, and friendly guides ready to point you in the direction of whatever fun you have in mind ... and maybe even some fun you didn't know existed.

Other than the beach, two top destinations for Galveston visitors is the 242-acre Moody Gardens and the newly-opened Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark. Part theme park, part educational and rehabilitative facility, part pleasure garden, Moody Gardens is a vacation all by itself, and Schlitterbahn is the first waterpark of its kind that is open year-round!

The best way to connect to Galveston's past is by an excursion through one of its historic districts, or a tour of one of the historic homes that are open to the public. Stroll through the 36-square-block area of downtown Galveston, exploring the enticing shops on The Strand, the waterfront district, and the docks for the cruise lines), and the trendy Postoffice Arts District. Pick up one of Galveston Historical Foundation's excellent brochures. For a self-guided walking or driving tour of the East End Historical District (east of 19th Street) or the Silk Stocking District (from 23rd to 26th streets, between Avenues K and P).

Museum's abound, whether you fancy land, sea, or air - from the art deco Railroad Museum at the foot of The Strand, to the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum on Pier 20, to the Lone Star Flight Museum (next to Moody Gardens), the Mardi Gras Museum, the Texas Seaport Museum on Pier 21 featuring the Tall Ship Elissa and the Galveston County Historical Museum round out the Island's collection.

Galveston has shopping for most everyone's tastes, whether you like upscale, artsy, or beach trendy. With a city this historically minded and individual in its tastes, expect to find wonderful antique and curio stores; look for treasures both downtown and on Broadway.

With all this touring, lucky you, you've worked up an appetite. Dining is a Galveston highpoint. The specialty is fresh-cooked, fresh caught Gulf Coast cuisine - available both in traditional and nouvelle settings - but you'll find restaurants for every mood and palate, from upscale continental, to hip fusion, to authentic Tex-Mex, to down-home barbecue.