Galveston springs back just in time for a break

Ashley Webb

The Signal Staff

When people hear the name Galveston these days, most immediately think “Ike.”

“It is hard to believe that a town that was once wiped out by heavy rains and 74-mile-per-hour winds can now pride itself with 90 to 95 percent of businesses open,” said Christine Hopkins, public relations manager, for Mitchell Historic Properties.

With spring break just weeks away, Galveston, Texas, is back on the map and ready for tourists and college students.

The Island’s rich history, family traditions, easy-to-access relaxation, and the enduring sound of breaking waves brings visitors to Galveston’s beaches generation after generation.  The warm Texas breeze makes Galveston one of Texas’ premiere spring break destinations, where visitors can soak up the sun on the Island’s 32 miles of beach access.

Galveston’s attractions range from the historic and intriguing to the modern and adventurous. In addition to spring break specials, traditional tourist attractions include: the 1892 Bishop’s Palace, the “haunted” Moody Mansion, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum and the oldest house in Galveston, the Michel B. Menard home. The Lone Star Flight Museum allows visitors to fly in original war planes and experience a truly historic flight.

With the economy down and pockets a little tight, Galveston has filled the Island with affordable things to see and do. For the time being the city has removed parking meter fees on The Strand, making this season’s vacation a bargain. Visitors can find a variety of free and inexpensive activities from hula dancing lessons to volleyball tournaments on the beach. Even the luxury hotels are offering specials and packages so everyone can find what they need for a relaxing spring break getaway.

A few activities taking place during March in Galveston include: “Hairspray” at the Grand 1894 Opera House; Beach and Surf Exploration Day at the Galveston Island State Park March 20; and the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association tournament March 21 at Stewart Beach.

In addition to all its usual activities, Moody Gardens features new spring attractions including the premiere of  “Happy Feet 4D,” an outdoor ice skating rink, plus the family attraction “Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island.” Visitors are encouraged to share their own immigration experiences at this exhibit.

“The coolest way to have fun during spring break is to slide into Schlitterbahn Galveston Island,” said RoShelle Gaskins, public relations manager of the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. The indoor water park opens March 6 and offers free parking, free tube rentals and free life jackets with the purchase a of ticket.

For all the college party animals, Galveston offers a plethora of hot bars like H20 Pool and Bar, which boasts distinctive outdoor settings with a contemporary vibe and is located at the San Luis Hotel. The Float, one of Galveston’s first pool and patio bars, offers daily specials that include Open Mic Night Saturdays, daily happy hours from 4 to 7 p.m. and, more importantly, College Night every Wednesday.  Yaga’s Café has a series of local bands every weekend to enjoy while quenching your thirst with dollar drinks every Friday. There are also a number of bars and night clubs located just off The Strand on Postoffice Street.

St. Patrick’s Day falls during Spring Break this year. Many Galveston bars will celebrate with the traditional green beer. A popular event is BarCycle, a pub crawl through downtown on bicycles, which takes place the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day.

Galveston Island, or G-town as some call it, is back and ready for spring breakers of all ages.