Museums / Tours
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum
| Houston, the world`s petroleum capital, the Offshore Energy Center (OEC) operates its facility, the Ocean Star. Take a leisurely, self-guided tour through the retired Ocean Star jack-up rig which now serves as a museum and educational facility. From geological exploration, to drilling, to oil and gas production, you will see offshore drilling equipment, exhibits and videos on three levels of this refurbished offshore drilling rig. | |
| Location: | 1900 Harborside Dr. Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Phone: | 409-766-STAR |
Rosenberg Library Museum
| The Rosenberg Library Museum is located inside the historic Rosenberg Library in Galveston, Texas. The Museum offers exhibits and special displays throughout the library, with four large gallery exhibits on the fourth floor (previously labeled "third" floor). The Rosenberg Library represents Galvestons past, present, and future, a unique institution serving as the principal repository of Galvestons historical heritage and providing technological and traditional services, all as a continuing source for the community, its children and its childrens children. The Museum Department maintains and exhibits artifacts that document the history of Galveston and the Republic of Texas, as well as the Library`s fine art collection. Permanent and alternating exhibits are displayed in the Lykes, Hutchings, Harris and Hallway Galleries on the fourth floor (previously labeled "third" floor), and throughout the building. | |
| Location: | 2310 Sealy Ave. Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Phone: | 409-763-8854 |
The Bryan Museum
| The Bryan Museum, located in the historic Galveston Orphans Home, houses The Bryan Collection, one of the world`s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork relating to Texas and the American West. Assembled by J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan, the collection spans more than 12,000 years, with pieces ranging from ancient Native American cultural artifacts to modern twenty-first century objects. With approximately 70,000 items in total, the collection includes 20,000 rare books; more than 30,000 documents in Spanish, German, French, and English; three dozen saddles; over 250 antique firearms; several hundred spurs; a large collection of fine art, religious art, folk art, and portraits; exceedingly rare maps and artifacts, such as "cowboy" chaps; Native American stone tools and arrowheads; and a Spanish mission bell. Set in an exquisite Renaissance Revival-style building surrounded by beautiful landscaping in a historic neighborhood, The Bryan Museum is also Galveston`s premier venue for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. | |
| Location: | 1315 21st Street Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Phone: | 409-632-7685 |
Galveston Railroad Museum
| alveston Railroad Museum is a complex of historic facilities and unique attractions. Towering at the head of the Strand, the vast Railroad Museum boasts one of the largest restored railroad collections in the southwest, and one of the five largest in the country, with numerous railroad memorabilia and exhibits, including more than 40 pieces of locomotives and rolling stock. South East Texas` most popular railroad museum, there is something here for everyone! Throughout the year, experience lavishly restored trains, engaging exhibits, and unique special events. Most Saturdays, the Museum offers rides aboard the "Harborside Express" train between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. boarding every 20 minutes. | |
| Location: | 2602 Santa Fe Place Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Phone: | 409-765-5700 |
Seawolf Park
| Seawolf Park is located on Galvestons Pelican Island on a former immigration station site. The park offers one of the islands most popular fishing piers, picnic sites and a playground. The park is also home to tourist attractions, including the WWII submarine the USS Cavalla and one of only three destroyer escorts in the world, the USS Stewart. The remains of the WWI tanker S.S. Selma, the largest concrete ship constructed, can be seen northwest of the park`s fishing pier. | |
| Location: | 51st Street Galveston, TX 77573 |
| Phone: | 409-797-5114 |
Texas Seaport Museum/ELISSA
| Share the adventure of the high seas at the Texas Seaport Museum, home of the celebrated 1877 tall ship ELISSA. Explore the decks of this floating National Historic Landmark which has also been designated one of America`s Treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Walk ELISSA`s decks and imagine the days when daring sailors challenged the world`s oceans. In the adjacent museum and theater, witness the story of ELISSA`s dramatic rescue from the scrap yard and her meticulous restoration. Located in the historic port of Galveston, the Texas Seaport Museum also tells the story of a rich legacy of seaborne commerce and immigration. Look for ancestors with a one-of-a-kind computer database containing the names of more than 133,000 immigrants who entered the United States through Galveston, “‘The Ellis Island of the West”‘. Join the Museum`s staff and volunteers as they bring the past to life through special exhibits and educational programs. | |
| Location: | 2200 Harborside Dr. Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Phone: | 409-763-1877 |
1892 Bishops Palace
| Galveston`s grandest and best-known building, the Bishop`s Palace is an ornate delight of colored stone, intricately carved ornaments, rare woods, stained-glass windows, bronze dragons and other sculptures, luxury materials and furnishings, and impressive fireplaces from around the world (including one lined with pure silver!). Built by lawyer Colonel Walter Gresham and designed by Nicholas Clayton, Galveston`s premier architect, this Victorian castle was cited by the American Institute of Architects as one of the 100 most important buildings in America. The home was built from 1886 to 1892. If you can only visit one of Galveston`s architectural treasures, the exquisite Bishop`s Palace is the one to see. | |
| Location: | 1402 Broadway Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Phone: | 409-762-2475 |
1895 Moody Mansion
| Restored to its turn of the century splendor, the 28,000 square-foot, four-story structure was completed in 1895. Today, our guests visit 20 rooms on a tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The Moodys established one of the great American financial empires. Based on cotton, it grew to include banking, ranching, insurance and hotels. W.L Moody Jr. bought the home from the heirs of the original owners soon after the great hurricane of 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Moody and their four children celebrated the first of more than eighty Christmas seasons in the house in December of that year. The house remained home for Moody family members until 1986. Today, its rooms are filled with the furnishings and personal effects of the family. The philanthropic legacy of the Moody family of Galveston is carried on today by the Moody Foundation and the Mary Moody Northen Endowment. Both charitable foundations are major forces in health care, education, historic preservation, and the arts. | |
| Location: | 2618 Broadway Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Phone: | 409-762-7668 |
Artist Boat
| Artist Boat provides inspiration and education through unique coastal experiences! During your adventure you will discover that the coast is unique, beautiful, and alive from the seat of your kayak! Paddling destinations include: Galveston Island State Park, East End Lagoon, Christmas Bay, Drum Bay, Cypress Swamp, Armand Bayou, and Artist Boats own Coastal Heritage Preserve. Explore Galveston Bay and the unique wonders found at each site by joining us on an adventure at each location. | |
| Location: | 2767 Avenue O Galveston, TX 77554 |
| Phone: | 409-770-0722 |