Galveston vacation (Houston, Orange, Center: renting, how much, restaurant)

[alpnkckr7]

We will be spending a week at Jamaica beach in June. It's me my wife and our 2 kids. I'm just wondering how the fishing is around that area. I was also wondering what attractions we should do around Galveston and what are some good places to eat?

[DanielWayne]

The Strand is fun. Lots and lots to do around there. A little bit of everything around there. Parking can be challenging though.
Moody Gardens is very fun, but be prepared to open your wallet for every nit picking thing. We just take in one attraction per visit when we go.
The new pleasure pier - haven't been there. I heard it's fun, but again you shell out lots of $$$.
Galveston has a relatively new, and very large fishing pier. I haven't been there in over 5 years so I can't remember how good it was. http://www.galvestonfishingpier.com/
If you like history, the old historic mansion tours can be really fun. Galveston has some fantastic preserved architecture from another century.
Up the interstate a bit is the Tanger Outlet Mall. They have a reconditioned tool store so I was able to handle it while the better half did her shopping.
And if you are willing to drive about 1/2 hour you can visit the Kemah Boardwalk and Space Center Houston.

Gaidos is a really old restaurant in Galveston good enough to periodically draw us there from the north end of the county. If you find time it's well worth the visit.

[CptnRn]

I've vacationed in Galveston previouisly and was not all that impressed. For a Texas beach area I recommend Port Aransas. Great fishing from the rock Jetties that extend far out into the gulf. But that is another 4.5 hour drive to the West.

Curious what attracted you to travel to Galveston I took a look at some of your other posts. Since you will be traveling from around Lafayette, LA I suggest you consider driving East to the Perdido Beach area near Orange Beach, AL. The drive is about 70 miles further East for you but the gulf water is much cleaner and bluer, more like Florida. The sand is nicer too. Texas coastal beaches are pretty much brown water as the gulf currents push the Mississippi River discharge West into Texas waters and the beach sand contains a lot of that silt.

My brother has sent us photos and its amazing how much nicer those beaches are. He has stayed at this place and recommends it highly.

Perdido Beach Resort.
27200 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Orange Beach Alabama
(800) 634-8001
Escape to Paradise on the Gulf Coast at Perdido Beach Resort

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

I've vacationed in Galveston previouisly and was not all that impressed. For a Texas beach area I recommend Port Aransas. Great fishing from the rock Jetties that extend far out into the gulf. But that is another 4.5 hour drive to the West.

Gotta agree. I really couldn't imagine spending a week in Galveston on vacation unless I was renting a beach house. I spent a weekend there and that was plenty. Keep in mind the water isn't like it is further to the east. Rather than blue or emerald, the water is gray or brown due to silt.

Like Cpt said, the further west/south you go, the nice the Gulf gets. The beaches on South Padre are fairly nice, but that is a long drive and it is an out-and-out tourist trap.