100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die

Catch Your Own Fresh-Caught Catch of the Day in Galveston

There is a feeling of satisfaction and achievement when you reel in your own “catch of the day.” Did you know you can fish from several rock jetties on the Seawall or opt to fish from the public fishing piers? Families have been fishing from Galveston Fishing Pier, 9001 Seawall Blvd., for nearly 50 years. They offer a guided fishing service to help you choose your rod and get started. Another popular option is the 61st Street Fishing Pier. Or if you want to fish on the bay-side of Galveston, grab your fishing rod and head to Seawolf Park on Pelican Island. If you’re going to fish further west, take a ride to the Galveston Island State Park on FM 3005. All these options offer tranquility you can only enjoy while fishing.   

The bonus about fishing on Galveston Island is something is always in season. Remember to pick up your fishing license and have it with you while fishing. Then, put that fish on ice and celebrate the day with an ice-cold Red Stripe at Marina Bar & Grill. Here’s the best part; Marina Bar & Grill, 715 N. Holiday Drive, will prepare your fish for you. They can grill, blacken or fry it with their housemade beer batter. Most people add their french fries. If you’d prefer to dine inside, then take your catch to BLVD. Seafood, 28th & Seawall Blvd. Both restaurants require fish fillets and charge a fee for preparing the fish.    

About the Author

Christine Hopkins is co-author of “100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die.” She is a BOI or “Born on the Island” and loves sharing her local tips. You’ll find her riding her cruiser along the Seawall on beautiful days. Purchase her book on the official website and receive a signed copy offering a “bucket list” of ideas. 

Photos provided by BLVD, Marina and the Fishing Pier added to DropBox

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nmi07sf7lvt87jd/AAA4wybj7tMaMHpeZ9bxSFYta?dl=0

Marina Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GYBMarinaBarandGrill/

BLVD Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/blvdseafood

Galveston Fishing Pier - https://www.facebook.com/GalvestonFishingPier

Photo: Getty Images

Eat Where the Locals Do and Support Charity at the Same Time

Every trip to Galveston should include a great meal, and, of course, there are plenty of locally-owned restaurants that should be on your list. If you’re craving seafood, there’s no shortage of dining options. The family that’s known best for their seafood in Galveston is the Gaido family so add Nick’s Kitchen & Beach Bar to your list. Or, if you’re in the mood for a tasty burger or, better yet, a muffuletta, there’s a place for that too. For burgers and salads, head to Yaga’s Cafe, and for that muffuletta, the only place to go is Maceo’s Spice & Import Co. 

And, if you can benefit a local charity, that’s even better. Beginning Sept. 21 through Oct. 4, more than a dozen restaurants are participating in a special Dine Out for Charity event benefiting The Grand 1894 Opera House, the Galveston County Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House Galveston, Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County, Family Service Center Galveston, and Teen Health Center, Inc. Galveston restaurants, including Maceo’s, Nick’s, and Yaga’s, are offering a pre-fixe meal and donating a portion of their sales to charity. So it’s a win for you and win for these charities. 

Try out these local Galveston favorites and pair your meal for charity with a refreshing Red Stripe beer:

Maceo’s Spice & Import Co, 2706 Market 

Nick’s Kitchen & Beach Bar, 3802 Seawall

Yaga’s Cafe, 2314 Strand

About the Author

Christine Hopkins is co-author of “100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die.” She is a BOI or “Born on the Island” and loves sharing her local tips. You’ll find her riding her cruiser along the Seawall on beautiful days. Purchase her book on the official website and receive a signed copy offering a “bucket list” of ideas.  

Photos provided by Maceo’s, Nick’s and Yaga’s

Maceo’s Facebook: facebook.com/maceospice

Nick’s Facebook: facebook.com/NicksGalveston/

Yaga’s Facebook: facebook.com/yagascafe

Photo: Getty

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Cruise Along the Seawall Like the Galveston Locals Do

You made it to Galveston and realized you’d love to take a bike ride just like the locals do along the Seawall. But you didn’t bring your bike. You’re in luck; there are a couple of bike rental companies that can fix you up. Rent a bike at Island Bicycle Company at 1808 Seawall or Zipp E-Bikes downtown at 2311 Mechanic. Honestly, there’s nothing better than cruising down the Seawall in Galveston with the wind blowing through your hair while getting a little sun and enjoying a Gulf view. Along the way, there are these cool benches that are part of a project called Project SIT (Seawall Interpretive Trail) that have interesting tidbits of history, nature, and other fun facts related to Galveston.

Here’s a couple of suggested stops… Grab a cold Red Stripe at Murdoch’s, 2215 Seawall. It’s always breezy on their, well, breezeway. Enjoy the view of the water in one of their Adirondack chairs. You can pick up a souvenir of your trip while you’re there too. If you want to grab a bite literally on the beach, make sure to stop at Flip Flops Beach Bar & Grill, 731 Seawall, for their Gulf Coast Burger and served with freshly cooked fries. The avocado, fresh pico, and house-made Flip Flop sauce on the burger will pair perfectly with that cold and delicious Red Stripe beer after a long bike ride. Tip: There’s a beach volleyball court too.

About the Author

Christine Hopkins is co-author of “100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die.” She is a BOI or “Born on the Island,” which gives her “street cred” among locals and visitors as a Galveston expert. You’ll find her riding her cruiser along the Seawall on beautiful days.

Buy the book at 100thingsgalveston.com/buy-online

Photo: Island Bicycle Company

Photo: Red Stripe Beer USA

Photo: Float Pool Bar

Photo: Float Pool Bar

Photo: Float Pool Bar

Check Stand-up Paddleboarding Off Your Galveston Bucket List

If you’re planning a visit to Galveston Island, you have to spend some time at the beach. One of the locals’ favorite ways to enjoy the beach with some social distancing in mind is renting a stand-up paddleboard. You’ll find SUP Gulf Coast at 29th and Seawall Blvd. And they’re happy to give you a quick lesson. Mornings tend to be a bit calmer for stand-up paddleboarding in Galveston. And, even if you can’t perfect the technique, you can just sit on your board, like I do, and enjoy the tranquility of the waves while the pelicans supervise.

After a few hours of paddleboarding, make sure you walk across to Float Pool Bar at 2828 Seawall. Order the Float Original Tacos and take your pick of fish, shrimp, chicken, or beef. You’re on an island, so you might as well choose seafood. By the way, the cilantro-ranch on the tacos is fantastic. Another local favorite is their Messy Nachos. The key is to remember to top off your day at the beach with a chilled Red Stripe. The upper-level deck at Float Pool Bar in Galveston is the perfect spot to enjoy the Gulf View and savor your Red Stripe beer. Cheers to you!

About the Author

Christine Hopkins is co-author of “100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die.” She is a BOI or “Born on the Island,” which gives her “street cred” among locals and visitors as a Galveston expert. You’ll find her riding her cruiser along the Seawall on beautiful days.

Photo: Getty