Must See Sights and Landmarks in San Luis Pass Area

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Kempner Park is a neighborhood park that is free and open to the public. It has a meandering walkway, lots of shade from numerous oak trees, an historic fountain that dates to 1896 and the Albert Kuhn Memorial Pergola. You’ll also find the stunningly, beautiful 1880 Garten Verein, a dance pavilion that hails from Galveston’s late 1800’s German community."

"Novice fisherman, or those who just want to experience a true Galveston tradition, will enjoy the 61st street fishing pier. It’s open 24/7 from March until December (although hours vary depending on weather conditions), and offers fully rigged rental rods at the rate of $8 per day, including bait. If rods, reels, and bait aren't your thing, you can grab a hot dog and a beer as you watch the fishing action or marvel at the beautiful sunset, but note that there’s a $10 entry fee to get on the two-level pier."

"If you are looking for what to do in Galveston with kids, add a visit to the Galveston Children’s Museum to your checklist. Primarily established for children of all age grades, the museum thrives on bringing entertainment and education to Galveston’s kids. Galveston Children’s Museum is filled with lots of fun things to do and see for children, and it has thousands of interesting exhibits ranging from artworks to sculptures, structures and toys all meant for kids."

"For a fun and educational experience to add to your things to do in Galveston with kids, there’s nothing like the Galveston Children’s Museum. Featuring a number of engaging and interactive activities, kids can learn about science and creativity through safe and educational hands-on experiences. Kids might build a robot or explore wood-based construction."

"This favorite among the top Galveston museums has exhibits that encourage creativity and education. Examples include Our Town’s fishing boat, Building Zone’s materials and Now Starring You’s puppet theater. Children can also build, create art and see how physics works."

"If you are a history enthusiast and wish to learn more about the city, add a visit to the Galveston County Historical Museum to your list of fun things to do in Galveston. Galveston County Historical Museum is one of Galveston’s best historical attractions, which offers visitors the opportunity to have a very comprehensive view of local history. Filled with lots of information about Galveston, its wars, and other interesting events, the museum features many exhibits from different periods and themes of the county’s history."

"The Galveston County Historical Museum is a fun stop for any history buff but also offers excitement for anyone who wants to learn more about Galveston. The museum offers visitors the chance to explore the many exciting historical pieces and learn more about wars and other events that took place in Galveston and near Galveston during the tour. Galveston is filled with so much interesting history and the historical museum aims to tell as much of it as you want to hear."

"This museum is located in the 1919 City National Bank Building and includes exhibits on the 1900 Storm, Native Americans during the time that Cabeza de Vaca occupied the Island in 1528, and the Galveston architecture of Nicholas Clayton. Unique features include a lighthouse lens and actual footage from the 1900 Storm taken by Thomas Edison’s assistant."