All of that adds up to plenty of gorgeous spring days, perfect for boating, paddling, or hiking or birding.
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If you enjoy beaches, sun, and surf then Galveston, TX is a must-visit for you. The real question isn't if you should visit Galveston, it's when is the best time to visit Galveston TX.
Galveston is a wonderful city with a lot of attractions beyond the gorgeous beaches and sun. You will also find historic architecture, unique museums, and amusement parks to explore. Plus, with so many great vacation rental homes on the island, you're sure to find the perfect place to stay, too.
So when's the best time to visit Galveston?
The mild weather around Galveston makes it a top year-round vacation destination in Texas. The best time to visit varies depending on which activities you enjoy. Each season offers different choices for things to do, see and enjoy.
Let’s dive into what you can expect from each season so you can decide when is the best time for you to visit Galveston.
Summer Is Best for Fun in the Sun

If you are planning a summer vacation, Galveston is a great place for families, but know that if you go during the peak months, you may find lots of others will have had the same idea and it’ll be busy.
There’s lots to do at this time of year, though, so it’s still a great time to visit! If you visiGalveston in the summer, you’ll be able to…
Hit The Beach
If you love the heat and crave those warm beach days, the summer is the perfect time for you to visit! The summer temperatures often exceed 90 °F with even higher heat indexes due to the high humidity.
Here’s a look at our favorite beaches in Galveston.
Cool off at Schlitterbahn Waterpark
Gulf breezes and refreshing surf make the beach an attractive option, even at the hottest times of the year. Looking for even more water fun? Cool off at the Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, which has been described as a "mile of fun." This makes for a great family day out with rides, water slides, swimming pools, a swim-up bar, and more.
Check out the AIA Sandcastle Competition
Summer is when Galveston hosts the annual AIA Sandcastle Competition, which has been a tradition for over 35 years. If you enjoy making sandcastles or marveling at other people's creativity, then this is a great rain-or-shine event.
Fall Is Best for a Good Weather & Less Crowds

The best time for hitting the Galveston beaches is in August or September. Since so many people are going back to school, the summer vacation rush is over, and you can take advantage of a time with fewer crowds. Fall in Galveston offers a great mix of nice weather but a quieter atmosphere.
The weather is still plenty warm, and watching a Gulf sunset from the deck of your private beachfront vacation home is an experience you won't soon forget.
While there are not quite as many tourists in the fall, there are still a variety of fun events attended by locals, people who live within driving distance, and guests.
These fall events include:
Galveston Island Shrimp Festival

Galveston Island Shrimp Festival takes place in September and offers a full weekend of shrimp-based fun. Place in a 5K fun run, sample some authentic Texan gumbo, and watch the competition heat up in the shrimp gumbo cook-off.
ARToberFEST
ARToberFEST is a fine arts festival that takes place annually in October. Head down to shop for art, jewelry, and home decor at more than 100 artist booths. Live music and food trucks add to the fun to make this a can’t-miss event.
Oktoberfest
Also taking place in October is Oktoberfest. This iconic German festival gets a Texan twist and features live music, traditional Bavarian food, and lots of events and entertainment. Admission is free, and the event is family-friendly.
Lone Star Rally
The Lone Star Rally takes place in November and is a popular event that draws in visitors from near and far. There are countless car and bike shows throughout the event, plus a rodeo and live music from national and regional bands.
Go Bird Watching & Fishing
While Galveston bird watching is great year-round, fall is of special interest if you want to see the fall migration of birds as the birds travel to their winter homes. Fishers will enjoy catching and cooking fresh flounder. Keep in mind that flounder season is usually closed from November 1 through mid-December, so this is best enjoyed in early fall.
Winter Is Best to Escape the Cold

The holiday season is a magical time to visit Galveston since there are so many festive activities. With such mild winters, you may not experience a "white Christmas," but you can still enjoy spending time outside looking at the holiday decorations and lights on this "Winter Wonder Island."
The winters in Galveston are mild, with highs around 60 °F and lows near 50 °F. Galveston's warm winters are a welcome escape for our neighbors in the north.
Explore The Quiet Beaches
Winter is another great time to avoid crowds at the beaches especially in January or February when tourists aren't usually visiting in large numbers. The weather may be a bit brisk for sunbathing, but winter storms often make beachcombing at this time of year well worth the stroll on the sand.
Holiday in the Gardens
Popular Galveston winter special events include the Festival of Lights and ICE LAND at Moody Gardens. There’s so much to do here — zip down ice slides, stroll among trees adorned with lights, and test your skating skills on the ice rink.
Dickens On The Strand Festival
The Dickens on The Strand festival transports visitors to the Victorian era with a whole host of street performers. Look out for bagpipers, carolers, jugglers, and many other costumed performers along The Strand.
Holiday with the Cranes
It's also when the birder's-bucket-list Sandhill Cranes come to roost on the island, and the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council hosts their annual Holiday with the Cranes celebration.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras! Galveston also takes place across two weekends in February and March and is a guaranteed good time. See the parades and dance to live bands and DJs at what is said to be the best party in Galveston’s annual calendar.
Spring Is Best to Refresh & Renew

Spring in Galveston can be a great time to recharge your batteries. Spring is often one of the more pleasant times to visit Galveston. During the spring season, the average temperatures run from the low 60s to the low 80s. April and early May have the lowest chance of precipitation.
All of that adds up to plenty of gorgeous spring days, perfect for boating, paddling, hiking, or birding.
Check Out Our Local Flora
Galveston is known as "Oleander City" thanks to the subtropical plants that thrive here and show off beautiful blooms between April and October. These and other spring blooms brighten the island as the days grow longer and the temperatures start to get warmer.
Go on a Tall Ship Adventure
ELISSA is one of few Tall Ships of her kind still sailing today, and stepping aboard this 1877 vessel is a unique experience. Pay ELISSA a visit to learn about Texan history, including following in the footsteps of the many immigrants who arrived in the US through Galveston in the 1880s.
Galveston Island Beach Revue
Galveston Island Beach Revue signals the end of spring and the return of summer. This beauty contest dates back to 1920 and is thought to have been the inspiration for the Miss Universe pageant. Come enjoy the festivities at this family-friendly event.
Galveston Historic Homes Tour
The Galveston Historic Homes Tour also takes place each spring in May, when you can explore the stunning Victorian homes, including the 1895 Moody Mansion.
Relax & Unwind
In addition to the other year-round activities, spring is a good time to shop, golf, and visit local spas as well as relax on the beach.
Year-Round Attractions & Activities in Galveston

As you can see from our tips above, there’s no bad time to visit Galveston. You can visit our slice of paradise on the Gulf of Mexico any time of year to enjoy our thriving art scene, beaches, shopping, and family-friendly activities.
Let’s explore some of the best year-round attractions in Galveston, Texas:
Galveston Railroad Museum
This family-friendly museum features educational, fun, and interactive exhibits about railroads and trains. It's also a great event venue hosting public and private events.
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum
For those interested in our industrial history, Galveston has another unique museum, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum featuring a self-guided tour of exhibits covering the role oil and gas play in society and our daily lives.
Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens is one of the top attractions in Galveston with its Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids, Colonel Paddlewheel boat cruises, a Discovery Museum, and seasonal activities.
The Grand 1894 Opera House
Catch a performance at The Grand 1894 Opera House in The Strand District. The building earned its spot on the National Register of Historic Places due to its charm and cultural significance and is "The Official Opera House of Texas." Other historic landmarks in Galveston include the Historic Pleasure Pier, Moody Mansion, and Bishop's Palace.
Galveston’s Best Beaches
In Galveston, you can visit the beach throughout the year. You can actually take a sneak peek by looking at their live webcams. The best local beaches include:
- Jamaica Beach: Located on the West End, this beach is ideal for those looking for great nature and quiet days on the sand.
- Babe's Beach: A 15-block stretch of beach west of 61st Street on Seawall named after a local senator, A.R. "Babe" Schwartz, who was committed to preserving local breaches.
- Seawall Beach: This beach has drawn locals and tourists for over a century. The longest continuous sidewalk runs alongside it for 10.3 miles.
- East Beach: This is a local entertainment and recreation hub on the east end of the island that features a boardwalk, pavilion, stage for live entertainment, playground, and more.
Bird Watching
Visit Galveston Island for incredible bird watching throughout the year. However, you may prefer to visit in the fall or spring, depending on the birds you want to see. There are birds in the wetlands year-round, thanks to the mild winters, but some birds only pass through during their seasonal migration cycle.
Galveston Island State Park is another must-see for nature lovers and beachgoers since this 2000-acre state park includes a beach area as well as hiking trails. If you enjoy fishing, bird watching, trail biking, beachcombing, or just fresh air, this is the spot to be.
Don’t Overlook the History of Galveston, Texas
From its time as a privateer stronghold to serving as a bustling immigration port second only to Ellis Island to being the birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston holds a special place in Texas and US history.
The island is located just 51 miles away from Houston making it a great destination for a city getaway. Due to its prime coastal location, Galveston was the largest and wealthiest city in Texas during the 19th century. To this day, it is still a popular coastal resort city with plenty to see and do all year.
History buffs will find plenty to explore in Galveston. The city's historic districts include 60 different structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places as having architectural significance. You may enjoy strolling in Historic Downtown Galveston or one of the city's other six designated historic districts.
It's Always a Great Time to Visit the Gulf Coast
Most of the year, the weather on the Texas coast is nice enough to enjoy outdoor activities like boating, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and bicycle riding. The city also has charming historic buildings, delicious local restaurants, unique museums, and a thriving art scene.
Plus, West End vacation rental homes like those from Sand `N Sea make the perfect home-away-from-home no matter the weather.
There's something for everyone in Galveston!