Galveston

A barrier island off the Texas Gulf coast, the city of Galveston is has become one of America's top cruise and tourist destinations. Offering miles of beautiful beaches, superb restaurants and seafood, art galleries, antique stores, lively entertainment, a fantastic portfolio of Victorian architecture, there is possibly no better place to step ashore.

It is difficult to believe that in 1900 Galveston was all but devastated by a hurricane, which claimed around 10,000 lives. Fortunately most of the historic buildings on the east end of downtown survived, and today the city is protected by a sea wall built post the disaster. Galveston citizens are only too pleased to welcome visitors to their wondrous city, and in fact they have produced countless attractions to suit all tastes, from fascinating museums to harbour tours with dolphin watching, excellent theatre to a unique fun family waterpark and a paradise for shop-a-holics.

The city's annual events are definitely worth making time for. The annual Mardi Gras, the famed Jazz and Blues Festival, a beach festival, bike rally, and Victorian-styled Christmas festival all take place on the Strand, Galveston's hub of entertainment. Even getting around Galveston is fun, whether it be on a horse-drawn carriage, aboard the 'Treasure Isle Tour Train', or a paddlewheel steamer.