Museum Housing World's Largest Collection of Southwestern Artifacts Now Open
A new museum showcasing the world's largest collection of Southwestern historical artifacts opened in June 2015 in Galveston, showcasing 70,000 rare items spanning more than 400 years. The Bryan Museum features a variety of rare pieces from the pre-Columbian period to the present, including the Joel Robison sword, used to aid in the capture of Santa Anna after the Battle of San Jacinto in April 1836; the only medal awarded for bravery by the Confederate government; an original copy of the Nina Expedition of 1812; and original correspondence from the pirate Jean Lafitte. The museum is also home to Maxfield Parrish murals, which were painted in 1914 and have only been on exhibit four times throughout history. The murals were painted to decorate a room in Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney's Long Island estate. The Bryan Museum is located at the former landmark Galveston Orphans Home at 1315 21st Street. www.thebryanmuseum.com

Galveston to Become Homeport for Carnival's Newest Ship in 2016
In 2016, Galveston will become home to the newest ship in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet when Carnival Breeze is repositioned to the Port of Galveston on May 8. The ship will offer year-round cruises, departing every Sunday on three different seven-day itineraries: western Caribbean cruises calling at either Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, or Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isle Roatan) and Cozumel, and a seven-day Bahamas/Florida route with stops in Nassau, Freeport and Key West. Expanding “Fun Ship” cruising options in Galveston, Carnival Breeze offers such innovations as a multi-dimensional cinema experience called Thrill Theater, the Bonsai Sushi full-service Asian restaurant and WaterWorks, an aqua park that includes a 312-foot-long slide, a 150-gallon PowerDrencher tipping bucket, the DrainPipe funnel-style attraction and a splash area for younger cruisers. In March 2016, the Carnival Liberty will also be repositioned to Galveston, joining the Carnival Freedom that began sailing from Galveston in February 2015.

Disney, Royal Caribbean Return to Galveston in 2016
In November 2016, the Disney Wonder will return to Galveston, bringing the magic only a mouse and his friends can bring to children and adults alike. The ship will begin sailing from the island on Nov. 10, offering a lineup of several seven-night and four-night itineraries through the end of the year. In addition, Royal Caribbean will continue offering year-round sailings from Galveston, with the Navigator of the Seas departing January through November and Liberty of the Seas departing in November and December 2016. Sailing from Galveston provides the added value of pre- and post-cruise entertainment with the island's historic downtown district of restaurants, shops and attractions located just steps from the Galveston Cruise Terminal. For a longer pre- or post-cruise stay, Galveston offers a wide variety of attractions, including 32 miles of beaches, historic sites and adventure attractions like Moody Gardens and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park. www.galveston.com/cruising

Experience Mardi Gras at the Beach
If you're looking for a unique Mardi Gras experience in 2016, grab some beads and hit the beach! Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, offers the unique chance to experience sand between your toes and gorgeous beach sunsets while taking in the revelry and lavish parades known to dominate Galveston Island during carnival season. The island's 105th Mardi Gras celebration will be held Jan. 29 through Fat Tuesday Feb. 9 and is expected to draw more than 300,000 attendees for 30+ concerts, 22 parades, 20 balcony parties and five elegant masked balls. And, this island-style Mardi Gras has plenty of personality, including traditional Mardi Gras revelry, family friendly events, lavish formal balls and parties, and DJ laser shows. www.mardigrasgalveston.com.

Tour A Sunken Flower Garden off the Galveston Coast
When you think of Galveston, images of sun and surf or the island's many exciting attractions might come to mind, but you probably never imagined a sunken treasure called the Flower Garden Banks – a spectacular coral reef nestled 100 miles off the coast of Galveston. This untapped undersea wonder received its name when discovered by fishermen in the early 1900s. Today, divers travel from across the world to see this abundant, colorful reef, which contains more coral than what is found off the Florida Keyes. Deemed a national marine sanctuary, the Flower Garden Banks is one of the healthiest coral reefs in the western hemisphere. Private dive charters are offered out of Galveston May through October. For more information and details on dive charters, click here.

Step Back in Time on Historic Galveston Island
Fly above the island in a historic World War II aircraft. Take a tour of a Victorian mansion. Walk the streets of Galveston's charming historic downtown district, where businessmen once developed this port city into “The Wall Street of the South.” There are so many experiences in Galveston that will take you back in time as you explore a town home to a very rich history and one of the largest collections of well-preserved Victorian architecture in the country. From daily tours of museums and historic properties, like Bishop's Palace and Moody Mansion, to “warbird” rides at the Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston offers the excitement of adventuring where history lives.

Family Travel in Galveston
Families looking for a vacation experience where everyone – from grandma to grandchild – can be satisfied will head to Galveston Island this year. With a wide variety of attractions, Galveston is a family vacation destination that offers adventure, relaxation and education all in one place. Galveston is home to 32 miles of beaches and thrilling attractions like Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement Park. Family-friendly adventure resort Moody Gardens, a non-profit educational facility, is home to a new interactive SpongeBob Squarepants attraction this year. Historic downtown Galveston offers unique shopping and entertainment, dolphin tours and a variety of museums. New in 2016, visitors to Pier 21 can see marine life on a one-hour eco boat tour offered by Cruise-N-Time. Families visiting the island's public beach parks can partake in new amusements like helicopter rides and horseback rides at Stewart Beach. For details on the beach parks, visit www.galvesetonbeachinfo.com. While the island's center is full of activity, the island's West End is a peaceful paradise where an abundance of beach house rentals are available to accommodate families of all sizes.

What Makes Galveston Artsy?
The Texas Commission on the Arts recently announced the designation of the Galveston Downtown Cultural Arts District as an official cultural district. Downtown Galveston is home to a thriving arts scene for both the visual and performing arts. The district is home to two theaters – The Grand 1894 Opera House and the Island ETC Theater – as well as more than 20 art galleries, displaying fine art, sculptures and photography in beautifully restored historic buildings. The area is also home to a wide variety of antique shops, boutiques, museums and culinary gems as well as year-round festivals and art events, such as ArtWalk – held every six weeks.

Galveston Island – Nature Tourism & Birding Hotspot
Because of Galveston's natural resources and year-round warm weather, the island is one of the top locations for nature and birding enthusiasts in the United States. Located on the trans-Gulf migration route, Galveston is a central location for novice and expert birders, offering more than 300 species of birds that reside and travel through Galveston during fall and spring migrations. Many birds find rest on Galveston Bay, a productive estuarine eco-system with busy harbors and salt marshes. Nature-tourists exploring Galveston can go birding, dolphin watching, fishing, kayaking, and camping or tour national wildlife refuges and nature parks. An annual event, FeatherFest (www.galvestonfeatherfest.com), attracts birders from across the country to Galveston each April for birding and nature photography workshops and field trips.

Military Travel
Few destinations have weathered the test of time through war, colonization and natural disaster and lived to tell the tale like Galveston. Steeped in American history, the island offers veterans and history buffs alike the chance to discover remnants of its fascinating past. Those interested in aviation history can explore one of the finest and most rare collections of restored war aircraft in the world at the Lone Star Flight Museum. For a bit of naval history, guests can visit Galveston's Seawolf Park, the berthing place of the USS Stewart and USS Cavalla, a memorial to the lost submarine USS Seawolf. Also visible from Seawolf Park is the SS Selma, a concrete ship launched the same day Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, officially ending World War I. Military history can even be uncovered at Galveston's magnificent hotels, like the San Luis Resort, which was built on top of the former government reservation Fort Crocket. Fort Crockett's four batteries are still visible today, one of them now home to a public park located along the beachfront on the iconic Seawall Boulevard.

Explore Galveston's Culturally Rich Cuisine
With its history as the second busiest immigration port in the U.S., Galveston is unsurprisingly a melting pot. And this pot has boiled over into the island's vibrant food scene. Although tucked deep in the heart of south Texas, Galveston's culinary flair is influenced by nearly every part of the world. And, for lovers of fresh Gulf seafood, your taste buds will never get bored because no two restaurants prepare this island specialty the same way. In this historic beach town, independent, family-owned restaurants are the majority, offering unique flavors you can only find on the island. The award-winning Gaido's Seafood Restaurant has been family-owned and operated on the island for more than 100 years and serves up some of the best seafood on the island plus the best pecan pie in Texas. Other award-winning restaurants include The Steakhouse, Shearn's Restaurant and Rudy & Paco Restaurant – known for its Central American twist on steaks and seafood. Rudy & Paco is included on OpenTable's list of top 100 “Best Restaurants in America.” In 2015 Galveston celebrated the opening of several new eateries, including Hey Mikey's Ice Cream, Riondo's Ristorante Bar & Grill and an upscale Shrimp 'N Stuff location. Additionally, Galveston's iconic Seawall Boulevard is now home to two new restaurants including BLVD Seafood and Ocean Grille & Beach Bar plus the completely reinvented Pelican Club. Galveston Island Brewing began offering free, behind-the-scenes tours of its craft beer brewery. For more on Galveston food, view our Galveston Island Food Guide.

Small Beach Town Tranquility Meets Big City Thrills
Imagine an island with miles of beaches lined with palm trees, spectacularly restored Victorian homes, charming historic districts and world class adventure attractions. Now, imagine it in … Texas? A world away from the stereotypical idea of a Texas vacation, Galveston Island offers a truly unique and picturesque view of the Lone Star State on the Gulf Coast. And, while Galveston offers all the views and relaxation anyone could want, it's just a 45-minute drive from Houston. The fourth largest city in the nation, Houston offers big city amenities like luxury shopping, professional sports and some of the country's best cuisine, arts and culture. The close proximity of Galveston and Houston makes it easy for travelers to capture the benefits of both destinations during one vacation.

An Affordable Beach Destination for Meetings & Conventions
If the views from your meeting space consist of traffic, concrete or other buildings, the answer to your problem is simple. It's island time! Leave the stiff and boring behind for the excitement of Galveston Island's beachfront facilities in one of Texas' top tourism destinations. Located just 50 minutes from Houston, this 32-mile-long island offers more than 5,000 sleeping rooms, replenished beaches and a variety of world-class attractions to make meetings and conventions far from ordinary. And, those on a budget can join the more than 5 million visitors that flock to Galveston annually to experience the laidback lifestyle of a seaside city without the high price tag of most beach destinations.

Texas' Premier Destination Wedding Location
In Texas, you can have a tropical destination wedding on the beach without losing the crowd. Located just 50 miles from Houston, Galveston Island is the state's premier location for destination weddings, offering 32 miles of beaches and beautiful event venues that are easily accessible on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The island is home to AAA rated four-diamond hotels such as the historic, beachfront Spanish Mission-style Hotel Galvez & Spa, the beachfront San Luis Resort and the Moody Gardens Hotel off Galveston Bay as well as the elegant European-style Tremont House in downtown Galveston. In addition to hotels, the island is home to well-preserved historic mansions, beach homes and other sites that make perfect wedding and reception venues.

Haunted Travel
As the location of the 1900 Storm, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, Galveston is a thrilling place to encounter the paranormal. The island's ghostly past makes it one of the nation's top destinations for haunted travel, with a 103-year-old “haunted” hotel, storied harbor, cemeteries and Victorian mansions from a bygone era. Year-round, visitors can explore Haunted Mayfield Manor in the historic downtown district or go on chilling ghost tours with resident supernatural expert, Dash Beardsley. In October, the spooky thrills are even bigger with ghost tours offered by the historic Hotel Galvez, said to be haunted by a ghost bride, as well as the Galveston Historical Foundation, which offers spooky events and tours through the island's many historic sites and mansions.