Galveston is a historic beach town nestled on the Gulf of Mexico with 32 miles of sandy beaches, historic landmarks, popular amusements like Moody Gardens, museums, and fun outdoor activities. For budget-conscious travelers, there are variety of ways to enjoy everything that this island paradise has to offer without breaking the bank. You can even book a budget-friendly Galveston hotel.
Purchase a Galveston Island Pass
Adventure doesn’t have to come with a high price tag in Galveston. With a Galveston Island Pass, visitors to the city can save up to 40 percent off of major attractions. Save money on attractions like the Lone Star Flight Museum, kayak tours, Moody Mansion, Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid, the Grand 1894 Opera House, cool tours, and more. It’s a great way to save money, and the pass is valid for 30 days if you’re planning a long stay in Galveston.
Sunrise on Galveston Beach
Image by Dave Hensley via Flickr
Have Fun at No Cost
The Lone Star state is well known for its free Galveston Bolivar Ferry. Take a 20-minute ferry excursion from Galveston to Port Bolivar. Get a scenic vista of the historic downtown district and watch the graceful dolphin swim while aboard the ferry. At the Galveston Island State Park, visitors can participate in a wide variety of free outdoor fun, such as kayak torus, nature field trips, bird walks, beach explorations, and fishing clinics. Stroll along the nation’s longest sidewalk at beachfront Seawall Boulevard. Swimming at the beach, playing beach volleyball, and watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets doesn’t cost a penny.
Galveston Pleasure Pier
Image by Larry Goodwin via Flickr
Grab a chair and blanket and head to Saengerfest Park in the downtown area for a free concert or movie under the stars. These events run from March through October. Stroll along Strand Street for a day of free fun while viewing the beautiful Victorian architecture and art galleries. At Strand and 23rd Street, there is a free park with live entertainment and life-size outdoor chessboards for an intriguing game of chess. For a list of free festivals in Galveston, check out Fest300.com.
Clean Beaches on Galveston Isle
Image by Galveston.com via Flickr
Stay Mid-Week and Save
Rates for accommodations in Galveston are significantly lower mid-week. Save money by booking a hotel Sunday through Thursday. Relax in comfort with a stay at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort where you’ll find poolside cabana rentals, fitness room, laundry services, and cozy rooms. Book a seaside room at the Holiday Inn Resort Galveston-On the Beach Hotel. There’s an outdoor adult pool, children’s pool, and plenty of fun at the resort’s Arcade Island. The Four Points by Sheraton offers affordable accommodations and is just across the street from the beach. Rooms include king-size beds and Internet access.
Hotel Galvez
Image by Galveston.com via Flickr
Galveston
Image by Anthony Acosta via Flickr
Compare Airline Costs to Fly to Galveston
To find the best deal on airline tickets to Galveston, consider using online comparison sites, which will help you find ways to travel to Galveston on a budget, whether activities, accommodations, or flights. Just enter your departure and return date, and these sites pull up prices from a wide array of airlines. This way, you can compare airline costs and score the best deal.
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Historic Galveston
Image by Galveston.com via Flickr
Image by Galveston.com via Flickr
Author Bio:
Deb Vanden Heuvel is a freelance writer who enjoys writing travel articles for hotels, airlines and travel agencies.
Blog Post Type: Expert Opinion Piece