Sun, surf…and turkey? Absolutely! Bringing your family together for the holiday can be stressful, but when you make it a destination holiday you can take a lot of the worry – will Aunt Susie notice that I didn’t dust the baseboards? – out of the equation. This holiday season, spend your time making memories for a lifetime. Leave the cleaning, prepping, and maybe even the turkey roasting to the experts! Read on to discover why your family should spend Thanksgiving in Galveston.
Is Galveston a Good Choice for Thanksgiving?
Yes! Galveston Island is more than just a summer tourist spot. It’s full of eco-adventures, museums, attractions & shopping that locals and visitors alike can enjoy all year long.
Galveston is known for it’s summer beach days, but we think our island really shines in November, too. Temperatures are no longer hot, hot, hot, and fewer crowds mean our favorite attractions and museums are easier to navigate. Waits are shorter (if not non-existant) for places like 1892 Bishop’s Palace and The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. Plus, lots of attractions offer special holiday events or programs.
Galveston also offers an amazing array of restaurants and shops just waiting to be enjoyed during your long holiday weekend. Stroll art galleries & antique shops, dine at delicous local Galveston restaurants, or get a jump start on your Christmas shopping in the unique shops in The Historic Strand District.
Where to eat for Thanksgiving in Galveston
The Thanksgiving feast is the centerpiece of the holiday. From turkey to pumpkin pie, gathering your family around a table for a meal is a quintessential part of the American Thanksgiving experience. Your Galveston Thanksgiving celebration can easily incorporate all of your favorite traditions, and maybe spark some new ones!
Dining together for your Thanksgiving celebration can be as blissfully simple or joyfully choatic as you’d like when you book a beach house rental. Keep it traditional and cook together in the fully-equipped kitchens (our larger beach houses are great for this), or start a new holiday tradition of ease & simplicity when you take advantage of one of Galveston’s Thanksgiving buffets.
If you choose to go the traditional family chef route, grab your supplies at Krogers, Walmart or Randalls, all convenienly located mid-Island. There are also specialty shops like Maceo’s Spice & Import Co and Katie’s Seafood Market for the more adventurous holiday chefs among us. (Don’t worry, Sand `N Sea beach houses have all of the pots, pans, dishware, etc. that you’ll need to prepare your family feast.)
Or, make it a holiday vacation for everyone on your list! Take advantage of the delicious Galveston Thanksgiving buffets and take-and-bake options from some of our favorite island restaurants and caterers. Scroll down for our full insiders guide, and don’t miss these top 3 choices for Thanksgiving dining in Galveston:
The San Luis Resort Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet
Be sure to make your reservations early for this popular Galveston Thanksgiving brunch buffet. Featuring seafood, a carving station, gumbo, pasta, salads & charcuterie, and traditional Thanksgiving dinner sides, as well as a waffle station, omelets, breakfast sides and a full dessert bar. (5222 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77551)
The Grand Galvez Thanksgiving Buffet
Another popular Galveston Thanksgiving buffet, The Grand Galvez also books quickly, so book your table and plan to enjoy their traditional holiday buffet, complete with carving & seafood stations and a wide range of sides. (2024 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550)
Mosquito Cafe – Heat at Home
This local favorite makes Thanksgiving dinner at your beach house easy with take & bake options for a full dinner. Size up or down depending on your guest list and let everyone partake in the fun of the holiday. (628 14th Street, Galveston, TX 77550)
#localtip – Order your pies, quiches, babkas & more from PattyCakes Bakery right across the street from Mosquito Cafe. Park once, gather goodies twice, and earn the coveted title of “best family holiday event planner” without even breaking a sweat!
Where to Stay for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is best when enjoyed with family and friends, and getting out of town for your holiday weekend is a great way to focus on what really matters – each other. Skip the weeks of cleaning, wiping cobwebs off folding chairs, or worrying about shoveling out your kids’ bedrooms to accommodate the grandparents. Book a beach house that everyone can enjoy, and the pre- & post- holiday housekeeping that comes with it!
Sand `N Sea offers lots of options for groups large or small. Our private beach houses on Galveston’s West End easily accommodate your whole family – pups included in our dog friendly homes!
Choose from beach houses with amenities like:
- Beachfront Gulf views
- Bayfront with great fishing
- Elevators
- Hot Tubs
- & more
The Sand `N Sea family has been welcoming guests for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and all of the holidays in between since 1974. Local & trusted for almost 50 years, we are here 24/7 to ensure that your family vacation is stress free and memorable for all the right reasons. We’re thankful for the generations of families that have trusted us with their beach vacation, and look forward to welcoming you to the beach soon!
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