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All 55 Galveston Attractions »

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum

Harborside Drive & 20th St, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550
409/766-7827
Ranked #7 of 41 attractions in Galveston
4.5 of 5 stars 58 Reviews
Type: Museums
Owner description: The Ocean Star is a retired jackup drilling rig that offers a fun, hands on way to learn about the offshore oil and gas industry in a comfortable and...... more » Owner description: The Ocean Star is a retired jackup drilling rig that offers a fun, hands on way to learn about the offshore oil and gas industry in a comfortable and accessible facility. The museum features three floors of models, exhibits, equipment and interactive displays illustrating the story of offshore exploration and production. This self guided museum is open seven days a week and offers visitors the unique opportunity to board an actual offshore rig. Welcome Aboard! « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children
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58 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    23
    29
    5
    1
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Date Rating
Raleigh, North Carolina
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 23, 2012 NEW

A very unusual museum. I doubt you'll find anything else like this anyplace in the world. More

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See 4 more reviews by Ed P for Galveston
Houston, Texas
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

When I bought the ticket (USD8), the guy didn't mention that the rig site area was closed for maintenance. He only mentioned it to us after we asked if whether we were allowed to be on the derrick. I would probably be more fascinated with the museum if I wasn't working in the oilfield. To me, the main point of... More

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 8, 2012

This was a very interesting place to bring the kids. Lots of interesting info and visuals. Doesn't take too long to see it all. More

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See 3 more reviews by Carol D for Galveston
Oxford, MS
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 26, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

One of the few oil industry museums built on an oil drilling rig. Intro movie and 3 floors of exhibits about the oil industry, the rigs, ships and equipment. Very informative. Outdoor access was restricted on the day we went but the information inside was very well presented. I didn't get a sense that we were being 'sold' on how... More

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1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 24, 2012

We went on a family vacation to Galveston, my son-in-law works offshore so he wanted to take the kids to the museum. While there I looked around the gift shop and found my husband some wrench ware utensils that look like tools but is cutlery. Five years later it still looks like new and is the talk of the lunch... More

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USA
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 18, 2012

This is a great way to learn about the offshore oil industry! Three floors of artifacts, exhibits and a film on this actual drilling rig is an experience not to be missed. You'll never fill up the gas tank in your car quite the same again, as you gain an understanding of what all goes into that tank full of... More

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See 13 more reviews by KiwiUsa for Galveston
Austin, Texas
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed April 18, 2012

On the positive side, there was a senior discount. The museum was quite detailed, and if you are interested in the oil drilling business there is a lot to see and read. But this museum was built by (and for?) for the oil industry, so you're not going to see anything that might reflect poorly on that industry. As far... More

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See 9 more reviews by RedSand for Galveston
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 12, 2012

Enjoyed learning and seeing what it's like on an oil rig. Very cheap to check out too. Right next to cruise pier on Harbor Drive, so very convenient. Has a lot of amazing models inside on all the different rigs that have been built, very entertaining 60-90mins. More

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Florida
Top Contributor
55 reviews 55 reviews
Reviews in 41 cities Reviews in 41 cities
50 helpful votes 50 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 5, 2012

The $8.00 per adult tour starts with a movie about off shore drilling. They don’t get into the politics of off shore drilling, just the mechanics of it. The museum is three floors (handicap accessible) and very well done. We spent over an hour viewing all the self guided exhibits. The timeline wall was extremely interesting. If you’re in Galveston,... More

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See 2 more reviews by Jen1955 for Galveston
Longview, Texas, United States
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 5, 2012

The museum has three levels and two outside areas, though one was closed due. They have an hall of fame depicting many people who were important in the oil industry. There are also many scale replicas of drilling rigs, tankers etc that kids may find interesting. I grew up in a family that has worked in the oil industry so... More

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See 4 more reviews by Micah W for Galveston

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