Shopping and Having Fun in Galveston, Texas

Galveston, Texas, offers 32 miles of beautiful beaches where adults as well as children of all ages may build sand castles, picnic, wade in the Gulf of Mexico, fish, surf, or swim. A large portion of the beach is topped by a seawall that was built to protect the town from hurricane damage. The seawall and adjacent boulevard are great places to bike, walk, roller skate and cruise. It is certainly the attraction of the fun in the sun that brings multitudes of families back to Galveston year after year, but Galveston also has a lot to offer those looking for cultural, shopping, and dining experiences.

Galveston was home to one of the United States foremost architects, Nicholas Clayton. He designed many building in Galveston, including the Bishop's Palace that was home to Bishop Bryne of the diocese of Galveston, before the official diocesan office was moved to Houston and the Galveston-Houston diocese was born. The Bishop's Palace was originally built as a private residence in 1886 at a cost of $250,000. The architecture is still ranked among the top 100 most historic homes in the United States and daily tours are held for a nominal fee. The home offers a stunning look at stained glass windows, beautifully painted ceilings, and a glimpse into the historic past of Galveston.