The now-trendy resort town of Galveston is located on a barrier island just two miles off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. It's not just well-known for its 32-mile-long beach shaped by wind and waves, but also for its charming Victorian architecture scattered throughout the downtown historic districts.
Once one of the wealthiest cities in Texas and the "Wall Street of the South," Galveston was nearly swept away by a devastating hurricane in 1900, which killed more than 6,000 people. In 2008, Hurricane Ike made a direct hit, damaging 75 percent of the city's homes and causing more than $3.2 billion in damage. But, the city's 17-foot seawall (a must for strolling), which was built after the 1900 storm, held up to Ike, preventing total devastation, and the waterfront town of Galveston has once again returned to its former glory.
With its visitor-friendly historic district and a host of attractions, ranging from a massive water park to an indoor rainforest with 1,000 species of exotic plants, Galveston offers cruisegoers enough to do to fill a couple of pre- or post-cruise days. Very few ports are as walkable as Galveston; the downtown area of the city is literally right across the street from the terminal buildings. The proximity of the port to many sightseeing-worthy venues is a definite plus. For example, several neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places are within walking distance, including the Strand District, where you'll find plenty of shops and restaurants amid Victorian iron-front buildings, and the East End District, where you'll spot exquisite gems like Bishop's Palace.