I’m moving to Galveston from Houston and I love my current flower garden. The area in Galveston I’m moving is more prone to flooding. And while we get flooding in Houston the way my house is I don’t experience flooding. Although my Gerber daisy got destroyed this year during the heavy heavy rain. I’m a pretty novice gardener and I’m debating on just throwing plants in pots, raising the bed slightly or planting more thirsty plants. Idk any Galveston Gardeners out there have any flower suggestions for plants that are pretty low maintenance while also being able to handle rain and flooding. Or should I just throw my babies in a pot so I they can have better drainage?

Hi everyone,

I am originally from the Houston area and wrestled on teams/clubs throughout high school and college. Generally, I am interested in finding an adult wrestling club/organization on the island, so I can roll and get back on the mat (and get back into shape lol).

Does anyone have any suggestions on good clubs or teams? Or would my best bet be looking at League City?

is there any place on the island to buy guitar strings pls help

Hi! Husband and I are going to try and take some maternity photos in Galveston this weekend (no professional photographer, just going to wing it) we are mainly taking the photos on the beach, but I want to take a specific photo in Hotel Galvez. Are we allowed to just go in there and snap a photo, or will we be asked to leave? We've gone in the hotel before to go to the bar and have taken photos with our phones, but given I'll l be more dressed up it might be more obvious.

Also if any of you have any suggestions on some locations on the beach/strand to take photos let me know!!

Thank you in advance!

It’s cliche but you find ups and downs of every place you live.  You must figure out how to work them in or just avoid them all together.  I grew up in the Gulf of Mexico and was determined one day I’d live on an Island.  Here I am living on Island Time.  It’s completely different than I’d imagine I think I didn’t realize I’d be looking for a solitary island by this time in life.  

I know quite a few born on islanders (BOI’s) and I always ask would you trade it for something else and they all have said not ever they are content with the island despite its ups and downs.   

I have a few dislikes, the iron fist management of the island, the prices of things, how close we are to the plants, how quickly we can be isolated if things go Ary, the wild things they do at the UTMB research center, that I don’t have more grass to frolic in on the east end, and despite the dramatics of them there’s always a secondary reason.  

The iron fist of the island loves tourists' monies but doesn’t invest a whole lotta that income into its’ dedicated locals.  They don’t maintain our neighborhood roads and fail at fixing a necessity of things that should be fixed.  We discovered years ago that an entire portion of the island's kids don’t eat on the weekends because they don’t have access to resources to ensure they are fed regardless of situation.  You can fix this by attending city meetings and voicing your opinion.  Joining volunteer task and getting out there finding resolutions where others don’t. Problems don't get fixed by being quite.

There are so many perpetrating restaurants and seafood markets that don’t get their seafood from the Gulf.  To me that’s blasphemy as if you want to do that cool but it should be mandatory that you note or mark that what I’m spending my money on isn’t from the Gulf I expect it to be harvested from.  I mean if I wanted fake seafood, I could get that anywhere else in America because force me into it on the Gulf.   

There are the locals that will complain about the most outrageous things like the seaweed on the beach imposing on their fresh air.  That tourists shop at Walmart. That the bikers are loud and obnoxious.  I mean they will find an argument for so many things it’s mind boggling.  

Then, there are the phenomena that are so breathtaking the rest is all forgotten.  Like our sunrises and sunsets.  The moon’s reflection in the gulf on calm waters.  The feel of sand in your toes strolling the beach whilst the waves crash.  The relaxation of finding a beach drive up to just sit and absorb the breeze when you are having a bad day.   

While there are negatives everything can be spun into a positive if you change your point of view.  Like my own UTMB what the hellz are you doing investigating those strange diseases truth is we are a learning hospital how cool is it that we are ahead of America's in so many forthcoming discoveries.   Doesn’t mean it still doesn’t scare me for isolation sakes, but I think it’s brilliant.  I also was floored to find out that we have a program that will fly immigrants and parts of their immediate family to our renowned burn center and house them at our McDonald’s house until they are well enough to take back to their country.  They do this with very little fuss its based solely on a recommendation because our burn center is pretty amazing.  

Though I don’t love that a route that is normally ten minutes when the island is hosting tourist it’s now an hour or more, I find ways to enjoy the moment.  I slow down, turn the up radio. note the oblivious tourist that don’t require their children to exit to the right instead of directly into traffic on the seawall I completely stop and mind the children to safety.  Or the folks who get caught in a non-crossing zone in the middle with kids in tow looking like their lives are over and surely, they choose a horrid spot to cross.  Bikers, who get almost completely shafted because they along with foot goers have the right of way on the Island.  

How about the fact that almost no one who visits is aware we have a very active wolf and coyote packs that aren’t afraid of people, and they roam the island at all hours.  It should be posted honestly as folks should be more mindful of their children and pets though the coyotes may be cool to see they are hungry and anything can be a quick meal.   The rats oh my lord. The beach distracts from the fact that there is an entire ecosystem here and we are part of it.

The rich historic value of the Island that’s always missed or forgotten.  I notice in shows/movies dated how often folks knew Galveston by name and its purpose.  We hosted a great port of all sorts of goods, imports, and immigrant entrance.  Jean LaFitte’s contribution to the Island though we also loved him over in Louisiana he was one of the Gulfs most notorious Pirates I think it's funny how over in Louisiana we are determined to find his buried gold and the Island swears its buried here.  Let’s not forget our ties and origins with the mafia and cartels that used our ports for smuggling.   

I fell in love with the Dicken’s on the Strand, the decorations for Halloween and Mardi Gras. I adore Rosenberg Library it was our very first visit as tourist and there was no turning back the moment, we took in all the wonder it offers.  Our Children’s Museum hidden in the basement of a historic building and fun filled moments for our kiddos.  The historic buildings all over the Island filled with wonder and mystery. The hidden spots to sneak in have a delicious bite to eat, the best hugs even from a friendly face, those moments are worth so much more than being bothered by the influx of people on the Island.  

Can’t leave our saddest mysteries that give us the most haunted spots in America.  We lived with a very tall ghost for many years he’d walk on my feet at night, so we had to move our bed out his way.  All he’d do was pace back and forth he wasn’t much of a prankster just a walker.  He didn’t bother us, so we didn't’ bother his pace we accommodated he was here before us after all.  We have amazing Cemeteries, and the history is mind blowing.  I remember the first time someone mentioned how many layers deep some where and how most of the Island built on top of them over time.  Or how in the worst of the worst cue the storm of 1900 creativeness had to be used to dispose of the fallen.  The ghost, previous people, spirits etc. are fine with me as long as they stay in their own space ya know? But I hadn’t given it much thought prior to moving to the Island as to how it would affect me long term as it has taken a huge toll on my health.  I am a unique person so those kinda things affect me more than others.  This is something though you should investigate or research before implanting yourself onto the Island.  I failed on this aspect.   

Gosh, I can’t leave out our Farmers Market.  They connect some of my missing dots all the time.  We have several neighborhood gardens that our local kids tend and harvest to sell at the market.  Teaching kids to feed themselves should always be part of their curriculum.  The fact that we can bring fresh to the streets, schools, needy, is an amazing thing to me.  

The Island has so much to offer for the so many it’s all about finding your own Island time and going with it.  I moved my son here his senior year and it was the best decision I’ve ever made in his life.  He loved the Islands lure embraced it and turned it into his own, he’s Island famous. He’s the essence of Island Time.  

Visit, stay awhile, find your own Island Time and share it with the rest of us.  There’s always a new take on something that we didn’t know we needed to hear or see! Remember to take the things that seem unbearable into something in stride, and you’ll always be ahead of the rest living your own best life on the Island.   

Hope to run into you sometime on the Island ;)

 this was kinda a spin off of all the Pros Cons request I think I’ll just keep updating this post and sharing when someone ask ☺️ I know I missed something’s and apologies for grammar mistakes 🥹

My husband and I are thinking about moving to Galveston in a few years. We’ve taken a vacation there during most seasons and my husband loves the area. He’s been going since he was a kid. Do you guys have pros and cons of moving there?

I have always wanted to move to Galveston ever since I was a little girl. I don't know what it is about Galveston but I just want to be there. My family thinks I want to move only for the beaches but that's not the case.

Maybe I like the deep and multifaceted history of the island or maybe it's learning more of what Galveston has to offer, butI would like to know what y'all think! Are there any hidden gems y'all enjoy 😉

https://www.houstononthecheap.com/galveston-restaurants-open-thanksgiving-day-2024/

I'm considering taking a weekend in January to go camping on the beach side of the state park for my husband's birthday. The tent sites says 8 person capacity, but have a tent platform on them. Are you expected to only use the platform? Or can you also stake tents around it? Any knowledge about how bearable it is with the colder weather at that time of year?

TIA!

Grew up on the island and in the 70s, we had a buddy whose parents owned and ran the restaurant. They had an incredible shrimp Étouffée and the place was pretty popular.

Can't find anything about it now.

This cat is my best friend. He follows me to work some nights. The last I saw him he was following me, and the he got tired and hissed at me and ran under the wedding chapel on Broadway. I went to find him when I got off, and he didn't come when I called him.

I've been searching for days.

Has anyone seen him?

y'all locals have any idea what restaurants will be open? probably not that many but I am thinking about driving down as I am spending Thanksgiving solo this year and it looks like it will be 75°. I would appreciate any suggestions! Tks! (there's always IHOP on the seawall 😄)

2024-11-22 07:04:44

Five workers were injured during an explosion and fire at a container terminal in Galveston on Thursday, according to city officials. Galveston officials confirmed the incident happened at about 3 p.m. at Texas International Terminals on Old Port Industrial Road. Officials said the incident occurred while the workers were doing maintenance work on equipment at the facility. The Galveston Fire Department said that the fire was no longer active once crews responded, and no leaks were found. The workers were taken to the hospital with injuries. Galveston FD said three workers sustained burns, while the other two had non-burn-related injuries. Authorities said there is no danger to the public as firefighters gather information at the scene. It's unclear what led to the incident, but an investigation is ongoing to ensure all safety protocols were taken.

https://rsoe-edis.org/eventList/details/766672/0

I recently moved to Galveston and am interested in Warhammer 40K? Is there a local Warhammer / tabletop gaming scene here?

So I’m on Avenue S near Queens. Heard six gunshots last night at 8:30 followed by three Cops roaming the streets slow in their cruisers. Anybody know what happened? This is the first this has ever happened while I’ve been down here….

Moving from clear lake, will be moving in end of December. Very excited.

Looking for a place to go dancing on a Thursday night.

Staying on an island is SO cool... I'm ALWAYS within walking distance of the beach!

Hi,

I live close to 21st street and Ave P. My roommates and I have noticed there is a pole right across from Hotel Galvez that vibrates sometimes. The pole has no sign and sometimes vibrates and sometimes does not. We can’t not find any logical explanation for this.

Does anyone know what’s up with this pole?

We have pretty much ruled out wind, the trolly, road traffic, underground waterways, thermal expansion, AC ground vibration, and cruise ships ( maybe). It is under a power line, but that should have fairly consistent current.

Apparently the Hotel Galvez did an investigation and could not find the cause.

The island is known to be haunted by the dead spirits of the 1900 storm, but this is a last resort theory lol.

Thanks in advance!

Here's a thought, with the Colonel being sold they should consider placing Battleship Texas at the dock at Moody Gardens. There's already a critical mass of visitors to the pyramids and hotel/convention center, and the parking and infrastructure in place to accommodate additional traffic. Far less likely to disrupt other businesses in this location.

https://www.galvnews.com/news/groups-opt-to-sell-moody-gardens-colonel-paddlewheel-boat/article_d08fb9a2-c975-59f7-8f81-6c6faa7dfacc.html

Me and some friends are visiting shortly after Christmas and staying until Jan 2. Any recommendations are appreciated!

Anyone know of a store or restaurant that sells cooked whole Thanksgiving turkeys? I can't cook it myself due to arthritis in my hands. I've seen the meal packages Randalls & Kroger offer, and I don't like the sides. I'm buying everything a la carte but can't find anyone who sells just the turkey. I checked with both stores and you have to buy the entire package.

29th & Broadway… they are repainting the building and I’m curious what’s coming??

I’m moving to Galveston in a few months but I’ve only ever been once, any recommendations on places to hang out or things to do?