Best things to do in Galveston with kids

Everything is bigger in Texas — the sites, the food and the family adventures. When you’re setting sail for a Western Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises® from Galveston, Texas, make sure you have a few days before or after your trip to make the most of the area. There are so many exciting places to visit with the whole family that offer a big Texas adventure.

Read on to learn about the top 12 attractions for family-friendly activities in Galveston. The city has something for everyone, and your family is sure to love this seaside destination.

When you envision Texas, you probably don't think of giant pyramids and gardens along the Gulf Coast. But at Moody Gardens, your family can explore everything from an aquarium with tuxedo-clad penguins and sharks to a Rainforest Pyramid packed with over 1,700 varieties of tropical plants and animals like Saki monkeys, sloths and a full rainbow of parrots.

The Discovery Museum is packed full of interactive exhibits for kids — like BODY WORLDS RX where kids can learn more about the human body by moving plastic bones. There’s even the Palm Beach water park, offering lazy rivers, wave pools and thrilling slides. Families can stay in the on-site hotel or stop in for the day. 

If your kids are seeking a thrill, Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier has exhilarating rides perfect for a wide range of age groups. Spend hours riding the Iron Shark Roller Coaster with a 100-foot vertical drop, playing midway games or noshing on amusement park treats like M&M topped funnel cakes from Carousel Court Sweets or fresh wafe cones from Sweet Scoops Ice Cream.This park even offers a 5D theater, which is a unique experience that combines roller coasters with movies.

If you’re taking one of our cruises out of Galveston during the summer, you’ll likely want to cool off from the Texas heat. Get soaked and have a blast with the whole family at Schlitterbahn Waterpark to beat the heat. This is a large water park featuring numerous slides, wave pools and lazy rivers— like the MASSIV Monster Blaster, a record-breaking water coaster that’s over 80 feet tall or the Treasure Island Kids Pool where the smallest kids can climb aboard a pirate ship. 

If you’re looking for indoor things to do in Galveston, the children’s museum offers hands-on exhibits and activities designed to engage and educate kids. Plus, it’s located within the Moody Gardens’ Moody Mansion, making the visit a two-for-one. Some exhibits you’ll nd in the museum include a miniature town that kids get to run, a full medical clinic to learn about anatomy and a Lego wall to let your imagination run wild.

There’s over 32 miles of beaches in Galveston, so it’s hard to know which oceanside spot to choose for your vacation. One of the top beaches for families is Stewart Beach, located by the historic Broadway Avenue. This beach has family-friendly amenities like full restrooms, showers, lifeguards, chair and umbrella rentals and picnic areas. Build sandcastles in the soft white sand the beach is known for or spike a volleyball over the nets. 

The Bryan Museum offers a unique collection of art and exhibits about Texas and the American West. You can see everything from ancient Native American artifacts to twenty-rst century memorabilia — including a collection of Frank Reaugh’s Western art, a Confederate soldier’s violin-shaped gun and personal items of Vivian White, one of the most famous cowgirls. It’s the perfect place to learn all about Texas history, specically its Wild West heritage that you’ll see through paintings, a collection of guns and the original 1863 map of the area. When you want a break from the exhibits, step outside to enjoy the gardens. 

All aboard! Kids (and adults!) who love trains will adore the Galveston Railroad Museum, which features interactive exhibits and historic trains like restored Santa Fe diesel engines that will feel like traveling back in time.

Hop on board the Harborside Express and take a historic train ride. Or, if your cruise is in November or December, the train transforms for an immersive Polar Express ride where you can sip hot chocolate and see the Christmas lights. 

History comes to life at Seawolf Park where you can spot the best anglers on the island and early twentieth-century naval vessels. Located on Pelican Island, Seawolf Park is a combination of a park, historical site and shing pier that used to house the Galveston historical immigration station. Take your family here and enjoy a playground, picnic areas, a World War Two submarine (USS Cavalla) and one of the only three destroyer escorts in the world ( USS Stewart). You can also see the remains of the WWI tanker S.S. Selma.

Raccoons, armadillos and marsh rabbits, oh my! All of those creatures and 300 species of birds like pelicans and sandpipers call this state park home, and your nature loving kids will love exploring this part of the island. Spend the day setting out on nature trails, bird-watching, shing, hiking, biking and enjoying beach activities. The park provides everything you’ll need for a fantastic beach day with chairs, umbrellas and cabanas for rent. If you’re looking to explore the sea more, rent a kayak or paddleboard.

Texas may be famous for its barbecue and cowboys, but historically, it also had pirates! In fact, one of the most famous pirates to sail the Gulf Coast lived in Galveston for a while. Kids who love swashbuckling adventures will love learning all about the pirates who came to Texas and Louisiana in this interactive exhibit. 

Downtown Galveston is home to four districts, the most famous of which is the Strand. The Strand is a picturesque shopping and dining destination home to some of the best restaurants and stores, like the Antique Warehouse or take an old time photo at Buster’s. On top of that, it has some of the largest and most well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country. Your family can explore this side of Galveston history and sample classic Texas cuisine. Slurp down some Cajun-style oysters at the Black Pearl Oyster Bar or try a wide array of jerkies at the Beef Jerky Outlet.

Trees can be art, too! After Hurricane Ike, Galveston lost many of its famous canopy trees, but local artists transformed the damage into wood sculptures — turning a tragedy into beautiful art. Take the whole family on a self-guided Galveston tour through the East End Historic District to better understand the island's past and present through these unique tree sculptures.

Galveston is an exciting city to explore before or after your cruise. There are endless opportunities for family adventures in Galveston and on your Princess® Cruises ship. Set sail with the whole family and start seeing the world with Princess.

Explore kids & teens activities available on a cruise from Galveston