Vacation Fun Spot: Galveston Island

Imagine you are lying on the beach, soaking up the rays. The smell of salt air and sound of the waves are lulling you to sleep. Its a great picture and one many of us cherish throughout the year just waiting for vacation time. During the year you research and collect brochures trying to find just the perfect place. Here's my vote for a great vacation spot.

Galveston Island TX is a family friendly fun spot with year-round activities for your family to enjoy. They have come a long way back from the destruction of Hurricane Ike. While some areas are not quite repaired, most are up and running, ready to fill your days with fun. Here's a starter list of "must-sees" and "must-dos" to include in your itinerary.

• Moody Gardens - consists of many venues and fun things for you and the kids. The hotel and 18-hole seaside golf course are just the beginning. Moody Gardens also includes
• Palm Beach - white sand beach, concession stands, cabana rental, 18ft tower slide and wave pool.
• Colonel Paddlewheel boat - cruise around Galveston Bay on an authentic 1800s replica paddle-wheeler. Dinner cruises also available.
• Aquarium Pyramid - largest of the 3 pyramids. Displays life from four distinctive ocean environments. The South Atlantic exhibit showcases five species of penguins. The North Pacific houses playful seals and Squirt, the famous blind Sea Lion. The Caribbean exhibit has sharks, sea turtles eels along with thousands of tropical fish.
• Rainforest Pyramid - a 10-story glass pyramid. The entry overlooks a giant Amazon River otter exhibit while a tree-top path explores monkeys, sloths and other free-roaming tree dwellers. The walkway also features a variety of butterflies in a live exhibit.
• 3D Theater - realistic 3D images on a 6-story screen and the 4D Special Effects theater will immerse you in a unique short-film theater experience that is a thrill for all ages.
• Ridefilm - Strap on your seatbelt and hold on! Ridefilm technology offers the ultimate in high-impact, immersive simulation. Each 18-passenger ride is surrounded by a seamless 180° wraparound screen that fully encompasses each viewer's peripheral vision. High quality images and awesome sound combine to make you a part of the action.

During the Thanksgiving - Christmas Season you can enjoy the Festival of Lights. Includes over 100 lighted scenes, outdoor ice rink, live entertainment and holiday films.

Lone Star Flight Museum - Next to Moody Gardens and Galveston Airport, the Lone Star Flight Museum is home to one of the finest collections of restored aircraft and aviation exhibits in the nation. Over 40 restored aircraft are displayed and most are in working condition. The collection includes WWII Fighters, Bombers, Liaison Trainers, and Executive Planes.

Ferry Landing - take a 15-minute ride from the Galveston Ferry Landing across the bay to Bolivar Peninsula where you will find great fishing and crabbing spots. In summertime, the service operates 24/7 with five ferries making the trip approximately every 10 minutes. You can drive on or walk on. Here's an interesting fact. All of the boats are double-ended with a pilothouse on each end, and the Captain changes from one pilothouse to the other to go in the opposite direction.

Railroad Museum - one of the largest railroad collections in the Southwest. At the base of The Strand District in a building that once was the Union Passenger Depot. You will see more then 20,000 railroad items, including more than 40 engines and cars.

The Strand - For shopping, you will want to stroll through the shops on The Strand, an historic district turned into a 36-block area in downtown Galveston packed with gorgeous Victorian buildings, most of which have been turned into stores, restaurants, and art establishments. On the first weekend in December join the revelry of 19th Century England for an event called Dickens on the Strand. You will enjoy the family festival including parades, non-stop entertainment on the festival’s stages, plus strolling carolers and roving street musicians, bagpipers and entertainers. Additionally, costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with tasty culinary delights and Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and gift items.

1894 Grand Opera House

Located in the downtown area, the Grand Opera House presents more than 25 productions each year, including Broadway musicals, comedy performances and productions featurning well-known artists of stage and screen.

Current Events

Galveston celebrates Mardi Gras for two weekends in February with parades, live entertainment, balcony parties and more than 50 festive events.

May brings the opening of the new Pleasure Pier built on an 1100-ft pier jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico. It will feature 16 rides including a vertical lift steel coaster and a 100-ft ferris wheel. And then, there is always the beach......