Galveston Island is packed with many popular tourist attractions including museums and historic sites. Visitor can poach various types of entertainment facilities from this popular getaway destination in the US. And visitors do not have to be puzzled in finding these fun-filled activities. In each and every corner, you will find there are lots of free things to do for all ages. The best part is you don’t need to spend much money while enjoying these fun and free or almost free activities.
Galveston Island is located at the south part of Houston. Visitors love to feel the vibrant energy of this small city. There are lots of exciting things keep happening on a daily basis to entertain visitors of all ages. No matter what’s your age and where your interests lie, get ready to dive into the world of super exciting things according to your taste.
From rich culture, excellent landscapes, and historic districts to beautiful beaches— all are dazzling with elegancy to allure each visitor. So, here is the list of top free things to do in Galveston, Texas. So, pack your bag and start the journey to this magical island city and hoard lots of sweet memories along with your kids and family.
1. Port Bolivar Ferry
Address: 123 TX-87, Port Bolivar, TX 77650
Phone: (409) 795-2230
Hours: Operates 24 hours a day.
Port Bolivar Ferry ride is totally free and a must-to-do thing in Galveston. The Galveston to Bolivar ride gives access to watch dolphins. Total time duration of the tour is about 20 minutes. This ferry ride is one of the top free things to do in Galveston. Kids love this ride very much.
To reach the ferry, you can either walk on or directly drive your car to the area. Nearby parking area is available. During summer, the trip becomes more enjoyable. Feeding seagulls on the ferry is another fun thing.
2. Saengerfest Park
Address: 2302 The Strand #000, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 761-4102
Hours: Open 24 hours for 365 days.
This small park is located in the historic district. Saengerfest Park is operative since early 1990. Several live shows keep happening here. Seating space is also very large. Visitors love to chill on the wooden benches.
So, go, explore and enjoy this free and fun outdoor attraction. The comeliness of nature will surely make your visit a peaceful experience!
3. Pier 21
Address: 2100 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (855) 474-3721
Hours: Open 24 hours for 365 days.
Pier 21 is popular for fishing, spotting dolphins and watching other marine life. You can also see several boats are docked in a row. The nice surrounding is very charming. Birdwatching is common here as many types of migratory birds keep strolling here.
Spending one or two hours in your leisure time in Pier 21 will allow you to enjoy everything you need for a romantic and unforgettable getaway.
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4. Fort Travis Park
Address: 900 TX-87, Port Bolivar, TX 77650
Phone: (409) 934-8100
Hours: Open everyday from 8 am to 8 pm.
The historic Fort Travis Park was established by the Republic of Texas in the year of 1836. The park is very close from the ferry. And its location is on the Bolivar side of the Galveston Island. History diggers won’t want to miss this site.
Entrance fee to Fort Travis Park is free. So, you can explore the entire land without any impediment. Visit the site with your family, spend some time in fishing, observe the exciting working nature among the harbour workers’, stroll the nearby area with your pet, check out the historic bunkers and have a nice picnic in this historically rich Fort Travis Park.
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5. The Strand District
Address: 502 20th St, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 795-7777
Hours: Open 24 hours.
Your list of free things to do in Galveston will not complete without visiting the Strand District. This place is popular among visitors for experimenting the fine and delicate art works in old historical buildings, exploring each corner (which is packed with historical memories) of the district by walking and for exploring various restaurants and museums.
Several fine shopping stores are also available in this nice area. But you can’t buy anything at free of cost, right? But at cheap price, there are many nice stuffs available.
This popular spot is famous for amazing restaurants, premier entertainment facilities, and the shopping stores include antique shops, cultural centers, boutique stores and galleries. You can hover around the Victorian-era buildings.
In peak season, opportunities are more and the area faces heavy traffic. If you visit in peak seasons, parking can be little challenging.
The location of the Strad District is in Downtown Galveston. In weekends visitors can access free parking. The Victorian-style architecture make visitors amazed with their subtle works.
6. Rosenberg Library
Address: 2310 Sealy Ave, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 763-8854
Hours: Monday 9 am to 6 pm; Tuesday through Thursday 9 am to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday 9 am to 6 pm; Closed on Sunday.
Let’s mug up some knowledge about the history of Texas. Rosenberg Library is the oldest operating public library in Texas. Don’t worry, this library is also free for public. The library was established in 1904 and later Moody Memorial Wing was added in 1971 with the main building.
Rosenberg Library features a history center, a children’s library, a computer lab and galleries that feature house museum collections.
A trip to this local library is a great fun option for free things to do in Galveston. Visitors love to spend at least 1-2 hours by wandering inside the library. If you decide to visit the library, invest at least 2 hours here. Learning about local history and culture are a good option in this old library.
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7. East End Lagoon Nature Preserve
Address: Boddeker Rd, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 797-5112
Hours: Open 24 hours every day.
East End Lagoon Nature Preserve covers 685 acres of land and water and it’s located on the eastern end of the Galveston Island.
The outdoor facility gives everyone the chance to experience many interesting explorations regardless of their age. With unmatched beauty surrounding the entire terrain, plan for a perfect day outing and enjoy deep relaxation that is far away from busy city life.
Also, this nature preserve is a good option to enjoy beautiful landscape, and the lagoon, and man-made attractions are good for strolling, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and picnicking.
8. The Galveston Seawall
Address: Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 797-5198
Hours: Open 24 hours every day.
The Seawall is a perfect spot for side-walking and cycling. Galveston Seawall was constructed to protect the island from rising sea waters from the Gulf of Mexico. With the long stretch of 10 miles, the Seawall is actually 17-feet-high.
Capturing sunrise or sunset views from this place, gives visitors a mind-blowing charm and sooth to the restless eyes.
Also, the surrounding area is brimming with many beautiful shops, eateries and restaurants to give an absolute treat for outdoor enthusiasts while exploring this outdoor landmark.
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9. East End Historical District
Address: 1501 Post office St, Galveston, TX 77550
Hours: Open 24 hours every day.
Located in Eastern Galveston, Texas, the East End Historical District was founded in 1971 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and is one of the best free things to do if you’re a hardcore history lover. Though the attraction is more than only showcasing the past.
It’s a non-profit organization and offers great educational value to the community and promotes cultural tourism and neighbourhood awareness.
Encompassing 150 acres of area of the large 19th century residential land, the historic district allows you to explore the largest concentration of 19th century residential architecture in Texas.
Complete with exciting walking tours, Victorian Christmas Homes Tour, and Christmas Lights Contest— East End Historic District is sure to keep you and your crew enthralled at every step of the way!
10. Galveston Bookshop
Address: 317 23rd St, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 750-8200
Hours: Open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
Now, this is one of the most interesting places in Galveston, not for its attraction, but for its amazing collection of various types of interesting books that include general interest used books and comics.
Though everyone is not bibliophile, but it’s for sure that comic books and interesting facts related books are loved by all ages. When you’ll go to Galveston Bookshop and will purchase any book, it will cost you, but the plus point is you don’t need to spend much upon it.
If you really don’t want to buy any book, at least go there and explore their collection. Trust me, you won’t stop yourself from buying at least one piece!
11. Turtles About Town
Turtles About Town is another free attraction that Galveston has to offer. Add the much-needed fun in your trip while exploring and enjoying the many and colorful turtles’ statues with your little ones.
Carefully observe the artistic creativity done by the artists. The attraction is a community art project, and the mission behind the project is to protect endangered sea turtles on the Upper Texas Coast.
So, get ready to encounter 61 colorful Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle statues that are scattered around Galveston Island, Texas since 2018. The turtle encounter activity is indeed one of the best free things to do in Galveston with kids.
12. Galveston Island Brewing
Address: 8423 Stewart Rd, Galveston, TX 77554
Phone: (409) 740-7000
Hours: Monday through Thursday 2 to 8 pm; Friday from 2 to 9pm; Saturday from 12 to 9 pm; Sunday from 12 to 8 pm.
Galveston Island Brewing offers free brewery tours every Saturday at 1 pm. The prominent features of this premier craft brewery of Galveston, TX, include an onsite tap room, gaming areas and a playground.
The brewery boasts 18 taps, which can be enjoyed only when you’re willing to pay.
So, it’s a good place to tour, specially, when you’re exploring the surrounding area on any Saturday. So, when the time is right, embark on a journey to Galveston Island Brewing. And the paid options are always there to serve you with their best hospitality.
13. Old City Cemetery
Address: Avenue K Rear, Galveston, TX 77550
Old City Cemetery in Galveston is a spooky attraction and is only recommended for those who love to explore and have the courage to visit such places. Though, a cemetery is a great place to learn much about the city and the people.
Established in 1839, the Old City Cemetery is the earliest burial ground in the region and one of the seven burial grounds in the Broadway Cemetery of Galveston.
So, a historic walk through the cemetery is some of the most adventurous and unearthly experiences you are going to have. If you have the courage, must join the spooky and fun ghost tour of the most haunted place in Galveston.
14. Galveston Island Visitor’s Center
Address: Chamber of Commerce, 2228 Mechanic Street, First Floor Lobby Inside the, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 797-5000
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.
Located in Strand District Office Space, the visitor center is a tourist information center in Galveston, Texas, and it’s some of the most visited spots among tourists. This attraction is the gateway to all the island has to offer.
So, start your journey from this right place, collect all the helpful information and enjoy safe and fun trip in this budget-friendly getaway destination.
15. Galveston’s Own Farmers Market
Address: 3304 Market St, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (832) 819-1561
Hours: Operative only on Sunday, from 9 am to 1 pm.
The Farmers Market is a good place to go on any Sunday morning during your stay in Galveston to learn the vendors’ selling tactics, meeting new people, and buying some fresh fruits, vegetables, oil, meat, eggs, if you’re interested to have them.
The market is a family friendly place and also offers pet friendly environment where visitors can take their leashed and well-behaved dogs. Moreover, the market has a free parking area.
So, to support the local vendors, or to just stroll around and enjoy new people, nice vendors, fresh edible products— for any reason the Farmers Market is a nice place to burn one or two hours.
16. Award Winning Audio Tour
Explore Galveston’s bold history through the award-winning audio tour Galveston has to offer. The best part is there’s no need to spend a single penny when you enjoy this free attraction or activity.
Let’s explore the island your way through Galveston Unscripted, it offers a history podcast and the self-guided audio tour of Galveston. This fun, free and unique exploration opportunity allows everyone to build some epic memories!
17. Fort San Jacinto Historic Point
Address: Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Hours: Open 24 hours every day.
Explore Fort San Jacinto Historic Point, Galveston’s one of the popular historic landmarks, located at the former site of Fort San Jacinto, and the spot offers a perfect local place to have a nice picnic with family and friends.
Erected by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this historical marker is also popular as a birding location, and easily encountered shorebirds include Ruddy Turnstone, and Least Sandpiper. There is also a small pond where you might have the opportunity to see wildlife such as herons and egrets.
18. Galveston Arts Center
Address: 2127 The Strand, Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 763-2403
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 12 to 5 pm.
Galveston Arts Center is an arts organization that offers free and latest exhibits, educational programs to its visitors. The mission of this art center is to promote and support contemporary visual arts through these fine exhibits.
If art is something that encourages you to go and enjoy artworks done by professional artists, this attraction with diversity is a perfect option for you to enjoy Galveston’s another one of the best free attractions.
FAQs
1. Where to see dolphins in Galveston for free?
The Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry offers to see dolphins for free to the visitors. This unique ferry ride takes total 30 minutes if it’s a round trip.
2. What are the cheap things to do in Galveston?
Galveston Island has many free things to explore, and the most popular ones are exploring Pier 21, having Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry ride, excavating history in The Strand Historic District or in Old City Cemetery.
