Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in San Luis Pass

"Why You’ll Love It: One of the most historically significant homes of the Victorian eras in the USA, this lavish home, is also known as The Gresham House. It was built in an ornate style with colored stone, stained glass windows, bronze sculptures, and lush furnishings including a fireplace lined with silver!. Taking from 1886 to 1892 to build, the 17,420 square feet residence is opulent."

"Built as a private residence, the Bishop's Palace, also referred to as Gresham's Castle, is often described as one of the most significant Victorian mansions in America. It was completed in 1893 after seven years of construction. Highlights include its castle-like exterior, complete with turrets and towers and sculpted granite, limestone, and sandstone."

"The unique pyramids at Moody Gardens each contain their own unique set of exhibits, including an aquarium, a rainforest, and a museum. Onsite, there’s also a golf course, theaters, ziplines, a rope course, and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. A visit to Moody Gardens is one of the top family activities in Galveston for both tourist and locals alike!"

"If you intend to visit Moody Gardens, make sure to allot an entire day here. This complex is huge and deserves hours of your attention. Complete with an aquarium, botanical garden, playground, pools and two theaters, this educational oasis makes for a perfect visit for all ages."

"Moody Gardens is a huge complex with things to do for the whole family. It can easily be an all day outing, or you can target just one of the many attractions here and spend a few hours. The most dominant features are the three glass pyramids."

"Galveston Historical Foundation brought Elissa from a scrapyard in Greece in 1978. The 1877 Tall Ship Elissa was fully restored and it has been floating as Galveston museum ship ever since. Elissa is one of only 3 ships of its kind in the world and it has been welcoming over 40,000 visitors annually."

"The ship was built in Aberdeen, Scotland, and transported commercial goods for over 90 years. Today, she offers a glimpse into the historic sailing industry. Board Elissa’s decks and admire her 19 sails."

"Another of Galveston's fine old structures is the Grand 1894 Opera House, a splendidly restored Victorian theater that has withstood multiple hurricanes. It still hosts a full lineup of musical and theatrical performances, along with a selection of fun shows for kids of all ages. The Grand 1894 Opera House has been the official opera house for the state of Texas since 1993."

"The theatre has been magnificently restored and is ranked among the nation’s finest historical restorations. The Opera House is designated as the official Opera House of the State of Texas by the 73rd Legislature. The theatre is also open for self-guided tours daily."

"You easily can spend more than a couple hours at Seawolf Park, between touring the USS Cavalla SS-244 submarine and learning about the other three WWII vessels on-site. The park also features one of the island’s most popular piers and offers great fishing opportunities. If you have any luck fishing, stick around to use the community grill to fire up your fresh catch of the day!"

"Navy powers in 1944 during World War II. It is situated on Pelican Island, just north of Galveston, Texas, United States. Seawolf Park is quite unique in that, it has a submarine, the ruins of a merchant’s vessel, and also many more in a museum area. The park has a picnic area and a minimal charge is allowed to fish mostly on the pier."

"Have you ever wanted to get inside of a submarine without leaving Galveston?. Visit Seawolf Park in Galveston, Texas, and that opportunity is before your eyes. But, this is only the start of the fun offered for visitors of all ages who plan a trip to Seawolf Park."

"The Strand is one of the first places to visit in Galveston. View historic 19th-century homes, learn more about the history of Galveston, visit a museum, shop ‘til you drop at one of the area’s Galveston boutiques. You may also socialize at one of the bars, or stop by for a bite to eat at one of the mom-and-pop diners located along The Strand, a five-block historic area located nearby the pier."

"The Strand is located in Galveston’s historical downtown district. With an array of intriguing shops, galleries and museums, this is where you can get some of the most eccentric souvenirs. The old-fashioned candy parlor is a great place to visit if you have a sweet tooth."

"On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger stood on the balcony of the building and declared that all slaves were free, marking the date of the historic Juneteenth celebrations in Texas. Ashton Villa was not only the first mansion built on Broadway Boulevard, it was the first mansion built on the island and one of the first brick residences in Galveston, according to Galveston.com. Constructed in 1859 by James M. Brown, a wealthy businessman, the three-story home was built in the Victorian Italianate style and features ornate verandas adorned with cast iron accents."

"Built in Victorian Italianate style, Ashton Villa was one of the first brick structures in Texas when it was constructed in 1859. European craftsmen and slave labour were used to build this home for Colonel James Moreau Brown, a prominent hardware merchant and banker. Today the Villa is home to the Galveston Island Visitors Centre."

"NOAA is an acronym that stands for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an organization focused on managing fishery species and characterizing their various habitats. NOAA Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory puts on a lot of work to conserve various marine species including sea turtles. The laboratory offers a sea turtle tour every week for interested visitors who wish to see and learn more about sea turtles."

"16708 San Luis Pass Road, Jamaica Beach, Texas 77554sapmtx@gmail.comhttps://jamaicabeachcoffee.com/. West Galveston's premiere coffee and wine bar offering a wide array of wines, hand crafted coffee beverages, fresh baked treats and gourmet ice cream. Hours may vary seasonally."

"West Galveston's premiere coffee and wine bar offering a wide array of wines, hand crafted coffee beverages, fresh baked treats and gourmet ice cream. Hours may vary seasonally. Please call ahead to confirm."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. If you’re looking for a fun evening activity that doesn’t involve going to the movies, why not head to Tin Cup’s Caddy Shack instead?. This driving range along Stewart Road also has a full-service bar on-site, so you can sit out on the open-air deck to enjoy a few drinks."

"Offering An On-Site Rainforest, Botanical Garden, Aquarium, And Convention Center, Plus A Spa, A Gorgeous Beach, Free Wi-Fi, Three Restaurants And Two Lounges, Moody Gardens Hotel Spa And Convention Center Is A Destination Unto Itself. The 428 Rooms Of The High-Rise Moody Gardens Hotel Are Packed With Amenities. Rooms Evoke The Tropics With Hues Of Emerald And Merlot In Carpets, Curtains And Bedding."

"Moody Gardens Hotel is the best option for families visiting the area. It is part of the Moody Gardens amusement park, which has a rope course, zip lines, 3D and 4D theaters, an aquarium, and a seasonal water park. This means that there is plenty to keep the kids entertained during your stay."