A Visitor’s Guide to the Galveston Seawall

Photo Credit: Jesse Stephens

Stretching for more than 10 miles along the coast, the Galveston Seawall is home to beaches, piers, shops, and eateries. Most businesses, like restaurants and retail shops, are actually across Seawall Boulevard from the beachfront.

This is a great spot to go to spend time outdoors in Galveston or to dine at breezy restaurants with a view.

Visit the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

Photo Credit: JSvideos

The Historic Pleasure Pier is one of the top attractions along the Seawall. Jutting into the water, the amusement park offers thrilling rides, classic midway games, and carnival foods.

You’ll need a ticket to enter, or you can upgrade to the all-day ride pass to access over a dozen attractions, from kid-friendly bumper cars to high-flying roller coasters.

• Eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co at the entrance.
• Ride the 200-foot-tall Texas Star Flyer swing for thrills.
• Hop on the giant Galaxy Wheel at sunset for views over the Texas Gulf Coast.

Beach Hop

Photo Credit: Mark Taylor Cunningham

Galveston has  miles of beaches, and the Seawall connects most of them. From the popular and family-friendly Stewart Beach on the East End to quieter stretches to the west, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico views.

With over 10 miles of sidewalk along the seaside, it’s also easy for beachgoers to walk and bike from one to the next.

• Family-friendly Stewart Beach has amenities like restrooms, chair rentals, and snack concessions.
• Low-key Babe’s Beach stretches for 15 blocks west of the 61st Street Pier.
• Privately owned Porretto Beach offers umbrella rentals, jet skis, and chairside food delivery.

Ride Bikes and Surreys

Photo Credit: Gina Fericks

Biking along the seawall is a great way to enjoy the sea breezes as you take in the scenery. Several Seawall bike rental companies offer classic and E-bike options to suit everyone.

Surrey bike rentals are another fun way to cruise along the Seawall. They’re fun for families and hold two to six people.

• Pedego Electric Bikes, 728 Seawall Blvd Suite B, Galveston, TX
• Salt Water Gift Shop, 1728 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
• Island Bicycle Company, 1808 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX

Drop a Line From the 61st Street Fishing Pier

Photo Credit: Galveston.com via Flickr CC2.0

Whether you want to go fishing or just enjoy the ocean scenery, the 61st Street Fishing Pier is a fun spot on the Seawall. You need an admission pass to access the fishing spots at the end of the pier, where there’s also a little drink bar.

You can walk out pretty far onto the pier before getting to the paid zone, though, and this is a great spot to watch the sunset.

Best Time to Visit the Galveston Seawall

With sun-soaked summers, mild winters, and year-round festivals, Galveston is pretty perfect in every season. Different times have their pros and cons, but you’ll always find something to do here, no matter what the weather is like.

Spring in Galveston

Spring is a beautiful time in Galveston, with temperatures averaging in the mid-70s for highs and mid-60s for lows. The water is usually around 72 degrees, so it can be cold for swimming early in the season, but it’s a great time to enjoy lots of sunshine and little rain.

Summer in Galveston

Summer in Galveston is hot, averaging 85 degrees midday but cooled a little by sea breezes rolling through. This is an ideal time for a dip in the warming Gulf and local water parks. Afternoon showers can occur, but they’re usually short-lived at this time of year, so you can always duck into museums, shops, and attractions like Moody Gardens while you’re waiting for it to clear up.

Fall in Galveston

Thanks to cooling temperatures and lower crowds, Fall is another mild and lovely time to visit the city of Galveston and the Seawall. The water temps are usually still warm enough for swimming early in the season, while air temps average in the upper 70s for highs and upper 60s for lows. With the nice weather, fall in Galveston is also a popular festival season, so there’s lots to do around town.

Winter in Galveston

Winter in Galveston is a bit chilly for beach days, but the perfect time to enjoy holiday festivities and explore other zones of the island, like the  Strand Historic District. You can also still go for walks and bike rides along the seawall on warmer days. Afternoon highs average in the low 60s in winter.

Best Restaurants on the Galveston Seawall

Photo Credit: The Spot

There are so many restaurants along the 10-plus miles of the Seawall, so you have plenty of options for where to eat. The largest hub of restaurants are between the Historic Pleasure Pier and the 61st Street Fishing Pier, and this is also where you’ll find a lot of chains and family-friendly eateries like the Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Locally owned and lesser-known eateries are often the better option as far as quality and reviews, though, so consider visiting some of these spots while you’re in town. The Seawall also has fun beach bars right on the water and across Seawall Boulevard.

• Miller’s Seawall Grill, 1824 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
• Salsa’s Mexican Restaurant, 4604 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
• BLVD Seafood, 2804 Avenue R 1/2, Galveston, TX
• Gaidos, 3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
• The Spot, 3204 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX

Bonus Travel Tips for the Galveston Seawall

The Galveston Seawall is one of the top destinations on the island and a hub of activity. The tips below will help you prepare to spend time on sand!

• Parking along the Seawall is available for a small fee, though it's usually cheaper to buy an annual pass if you visit for more than a couple of days. The  city’s parking guide is a helpful resource.
• Pack sun protection or pick some up at a local  Galveston grocery store, and consider bringing or renting an umbrella for long days on the beach.
• Take a drive along the entire Seawall Boulevard on your first day to scope out your favorite spots and soak up the scenery.
• Head toward East End beaches like Stewart Beach for amenities like restrooms and chair rentals.

Book Your Galveston Getaway

With beaches, restaurants, piers, and 10-plus miles of sidewalks, the Galveston Seawall is one of the top tourist destinations on the island. Our Galveston vacation rentals are just a short hop away from all the fun, offering Gulfand Galveston Bay views and all the comforts of home.