We sailed from Galveston so we only got to see the beach but it was clean , water was warm and everyone was nice.

We just returned from a week on Galveston Island, staying in a beach house (Jamaica Beach). We had a good week with our kids, but should inform those that are accustomed to Florida's white sand Gulf Coast beaches - you will NOT find that in Galveston. The island is very large - somewhat farmland (yes, you're in Texas folks!) and somewhat beachy, though the beach itself is very narrow and surrounded by a concrete seawall off a four lane busy road. The beach, during our stay, was literally covered in seaweed and infested with mosquitos. We were lunch for those critters and it was a major complaint everywhere we went.

The kids were entertained with the Strand District shopping, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Island Bowl, Goofy Golf and Movies; however, it was pretty much the same entertainment they get at home.

Restaurants were average overall. We ate at Joe's Crab Shack (a bit touristy), Rainforest Cafe (always a hit with the kids), Salsa's Mexican (pretty good, but lacking in spice), Hard Rock Cafe in Houston (GREAT!), Cafe' Michael Burger (really good), Papa's Pizza (good pizza and calzones), and Fish Tales (average).

All in all, we had a nice vacation, but will probably not go back. The beauty of Florida's Gulf Coast is our preferred choice.

My husband, myself, daughter & grandson flew into Hobby airport on Sept 17th. Got our rental car & drove to Galveston Island. The weather was hot, but pleasant. Thank goodness for all air conditioned places! We had a great time, seeing something of interest everyday. Moody Gardens is a full day to enjoy. Some places of interest we saw were, Battleship Texas along with the San Jacinto Monument, located east of Houston. Nassau, Johnson Space Center, Ferry over to Bolivar Island, Lonestar Airplane Museum, short cruise around the island on the Colonel, Suspension Bridge across the Houston Ship Channel,and Seawolf Park. Also drove to San Antonio to see the Alamo, the Alamodome, & Riverwalk.
Found several good places to eat naming Kelly's Country Kitchen & Coral. Of course never forget to walk along the Gulf to find shells & get your feet!! Great time! Flew out on the 24th, wishing for more time in Texas! Nice place to vacation!!

We recently spent 5 nights in Galveston and had an enjoyable time; however want to warn others of potential problems with downtown parking lots. We parked on the lot on the West corner of 20th & Harborside, across the street from the Peanut Butter Wearhouse. We put $5.00 in the box for the appropriate space, and when we returned 2 hrs. later our vehicle had been booted and a sign posted that we would have to pay $60.00 to have the boot removed. After 2 cell phone calls to the operator of the parking lot, he stated that it was up to "his man" who collects the fees as to whether the boot would be removed. After much discussion in the middle of the afternoon sun, the young man who was collecting the parking fees decided to do the right thing and remove the boot without further compensation as we told him we would NOT pay anything else. (I was ready to call the police and the television station if he did not comply.)The next day we asked one of the harbor police officers if they had heard of any problems regarding this lot, and he said that it has been a continuous problem and some vehicles had even been impounded. We will NEVER park on such lots again. The owners want people to be honest, but yet they are not honest with the customers. If you are going to Galveston, would recomend parking at one of the street meters.