1892 Bishop's Palace
1892 Bishop's Palace
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Bishop's Palace (a.k.a. Gresham House) is a contributing building in the East End Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance in the area of architecture. Architectural historians list the Bishop's Palace (Gresham House) as one of the most significant of Victorian residences in the country. It is owned and operated by Galveston Historical Foundation.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,350 reviews
Excellent
852
Very good
391
Average
78
Poor
20
Terrible
9
TravelingforFunTexas
Texas285 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We took the 1.5 hr Sat morn Basement to Attic Tour and loved it! Our docent shared alot of great info & history while escorting us through. Having access to the top floor & attic was a treat. It’s a beautiful place inside & out, and amazingly a 1900 Storm survivor. Even our young teens enjoyed it. There was a steady flow of visitors, but never too many that you couldn’t walk through easily.
The Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) owns the Bishop’s Palace, and has truly done a great job with it ever since they took ownership. We were never pushed for $$, but saw for ourselves: they need donations. The roof is in need of replacement - leaks are causing damage. Preserving history requires expensive specialty materials & workmanship. Don’t feel bad paying any amount for touring or donating!
The Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) owns the Bishop’s Palace, and has truly done a great job with it ever since they took ownership. We were never pushed for $$, but saw for ourselves: they need donations. The roof is in need of replacement - leaks are causing damage. Preserving history requires expensive specialty materials & workmanship. Don’t feel bad paying any amount for touring or donating!
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TnTDean
Oak Grove, MO124 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
We visited Bishops Palace in the East End Historic District. The day that we went it was slow which was good for us I do not think it would be very enjoyable if it was crowded you are given a device for an audio guide to her and for me I actually did not care to stand and listen to the 3 to4 minute explanation about what the room was used for or maybe something that was in the room. For some that might make it very enjoyable for me it would’ve just made it a very long two or I’ll only needed about less than an hour it is enjoyable but you really must be a museum type person to get the “full fun factor” . I wasn’t very thrilled with the $14 admission fee I thought it was a bit pricey.
No signs for parking , so we had to park on a side street .
The house was absolutely beautiful and very ornate and amazing to think that it was built so long ago and withstood natural disasters.
I think this would be a place for 40 or older, history lovers, home builders. I would not suggest children or teens.
No signs for parking , so we had to park on a side street .
The house was absolutely beautiful and very ornate and amazing to think that it was built so long ago and withstood natural disasters.
I think this would be a place for 40 or older, history lovers, home builders. I would not suggest children or teens.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A2coolcity
Fishers, IN977 contributions
Mar 2022
This is a MUST SEE experience while visiting Galveston. All of the major guided tours will take this stop. Why pay extra when you can see it yourself? We loved the impeccable detail that was placed into every aspect of this craftsman's paradise. There is so much great history of the building and it's various occupants and how it survived the 1900 Hurricane that killed over 6,000 individuals to be one of the worst natural disasters in our nation's history.
The staff and exhibits of this historic home are top notch - professional and polished.
You'll be glad if you take sometime to step back into history and enjoy this remarkable work of architecture and construction.
The staff and exhibits of this historic home are top notch - professional and polished.
You'll be glad if you take sometime to step back into history and enjoy this remarkable work of architecture and construction.
Written April 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brittany S
1 contribution
May 2023
Very disappointing experience! My husband and I took our mothers for an early Mother’s Day outing. In a group of four we were given one tour guide device that presents through a speaker. We literally had to huddle together and faces touching the other to be able to hear the guide. This device is made for one individual to place up to their ear! We were so frustrated trying to hear! We ended up taking turns listening in each stage. Spoke to front desk and they were not allowed to give out additional devices. They said it is a common complaint yet orders are from management. Hardly anyone touring and we saw plenty of devices. $15 dollars per person yet cannot enjoy history of the house. Not a good experience at all. Management please do different!!! If you go tour pay separately so you can request your own device….
Written May 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi183765
Wentzville, MO63 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Positives: Beautiful, old home everyone visiting the area should see. The windows, woodwork and designs are breathtaking. The tour is a self-paced audio tour so you can visit at your own pace (or to fit your time schedule).
Could Improves: The home was once truly opulent but now needs a bit of TLC (visitors can leave donations, so that helps!). There was the strong sent of sewage wafting through the entire home during our tour, strong enough it made it hard to concentrate. The docents were not overly friendly or helpful. The audio tour was on a building provided device that wasn’t overly clean.
Could Improves: The home was once truly opulent but now needs a bit of TLC (visitors can leave donations, so that helps!). There was the strong sent of sewage wafting through the entire home during our tour, strong enough it made it hard to concentrate. The docents were not overly friendly or helpful. The audio tour was on a building provided device that wasn’t overly clean.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula P
Green Bay, WI111 contributions
Apr 2022
We needed an indoor activity on a rainy day during our stay and was glad we decided to do this. $15 was a little steep for admission I thought; especially since you're only there about an hour. The tour is self guided and they give you a mini-iPad that you can go at your own pace and listen to historical facts that correlate to different numbered stops in the house - that was a very nice benefit.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJTravelerTexas
Texas8,977 contributions
May 2022
The Bishop's Palace, also known as the Gresham Castle, is a beautiful and well-maintained Victorian mansion. We purchased a ticket that included both this residence and the Moody Mansion and saved a few dollars. Persons interested in architecture, Texas history and culture, and religion would enjoy visiting the Bishop's Palace. There is sufficient parking on the street. To avoid crowds, an early arrival is suggested.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul P
Dallas, TX475 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
This is a great house tour. The size, scale and detail in the home are incredible. Very impressive. The tour is self-guided with an audio player. The narrator talk both about the original owners and the time the home was owned by the archdiocese.
The tour covers 3 floors with the stairs up from the basement being a bit narrow and steep. I would not recommend for those that are mobility impaired.
The tour covers 3 floors with the stairs up from the basement being a bit narrow and steep. I would not recommend for those that are mobility impaired.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelissaWP
Shorewood, IL436 contributions
Aug 2022
We arrived here on a Tuesday late morning and it was not crowded with free parking on the street. We spent $30 for the self-guided audio tour for two of us, which was pricey in our opinion for the experience. It's a beautiful palace and fascinating tour. Staff were friendly too.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ellenbee56
Bechtelsville, PA708 contributions
Dec 2019
On a recent trip to explore the Houston, TX, area, we devoted two days to visiting Galveston. Being a fan of historic homes and grand furnishings, I had to visit here. (We also toured the Moody Mansion, reviewed separately.) Tours of this residence included the first and second floors of the beautiful Gresham house. The furniture is a bit sparse here, which allows you to fully appreciate the beautiful interiors. In particular, the many fireplaces are works of arts, each one different from the next; the woodworking throughout is equally gorgeous. One negative on this tour: We did not care for the audio guide device provided here. Only one was given for two of us to share, which didn’t work well. It didn’t have a good sound (a bit tinny) and required us to stay very near each other and also to listen over other visitors nearby playing theirs. We much prefer the kind you hold up to your ear. Other than that, our tour of just under one hour was quite enjoyable.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Storyteller252904
Austin, TX
I visited the Bishops Palace several years ago, and I was treated to wassail and cookies... I was given the recipe, but I lost it in Hurricane Katrina... Is there any way you can share the recipe with me again>
Bonnielars
Houghton, MI82 contributions
I do not work there, you would need to contact the Bishop’s Palace directly. Good luck.
Jonathan J
Dayton, TX
My wife and daughter are going to take the late tour and I was wondering if they can take my ir camera on the tour
Natalie1204
Kolkata (Calcutta), India4,471 contributions
yes absolutely...I took tons pictures there :)
Itraveldou
Jackson, Ohio214 contributions
How long should a person allow foir the tour?
RustyH228
Texas City, TX19 contributions
Allow up to two hours.
Janice Wert
Vicksburg, MS26 contributions
Do you get to visit all the floors in the home?
RustyH228
Texas City, TX19 contributions
First and second floor with a small gift shop.
Tour times and cost
TxTrans
Tomball, TX86 contributions
I believe it was $12. It is a self guided tour. You should check their website for hours.
shiltoncarol
Goole, UK59 contributions
Will be visiting Galverston in the summer with my granddauter who uses a wheelchair for distance, but who can walk and manage stairs slowly. One of the reviews said no strollers. Would their be somewhere to park the chair while we walked round?
Zzardvark
880 contributions
You can contact Historic Galveston that operates the house to check specifically, but they indicate that they are specifically not handicapped accessible. From my experience, there are a lot of stairs. The entrance is in the basement, so you have to go down and you then have to get up stairs to the first second and third floors. Also, these are very grand houses, so the staircases are huge. I think it would be very difficult to navigate. I would recommend contacting the Moody Mansion which is down the street. The entry and bathrooms are in a grade level building off the parking lot. It's then one level of stairs to the first floor and one to the second. I think this house would be more manageable as at most, you'd need one set of stairs up.
1892 Bishop's Palace (Galveston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about 1892 Bishop's Palace
- 1892 Bishop's Palace is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking 1892 Bishop's Palace tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 1892 Bishop's Palace tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience 1892 Bishop's Palace:
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- Restaurants near 1892 Bishop's Palace:
- (0.19 mi) Mosquito Cafe
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- (0.35 mi) Original Mexican Cafe
1892 Bishop's Palace Information
Excellent Reviews | 851 |
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Very Good Reviews | 390 |
1892 Bishop's Palace Photos | 783 |