Given its frequently exuberant and occasionally tumultuous history, it is little wonder that Galveston, with origins dating to the first landing of Europeans in 1528 (to say nothing of the resident Akokisa and Karankawa indians at that time) is a destination of many layers and personalities.
Claimed as “St. Louis” by a French explorer in the late 1600s, this island escape, first settled by the debonair pirate Jean Laffite (who designated it as “the colony of Campeche” in 1817) would eventually be named after Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish colonial governor and general. Later, Galveston would earn recognition as the “Playground,” “Wall Street” and “Ellis Island of the South,” with an identity that was “part Southern, part Texan.” Throughout time, however, resiliency has been its chief hallmark, signified by Galveston’s rebirth after the devastating Great Storm of 1900, periods of decline, and in 2008, Hurricane Ike, the third-costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
Not surprisingly, the spirit of adventure is unassailable here—a birthright, really—that paired with a deep appreciation for arts and culture, makes for a winning combination for groups.
“Groups of all kinds love Galveston for its unique blend of options, one example of which is the pairing of our thriving arts scene with exciting opportunities for outdoor adventure,” says Meg Winchester, director of the Galveston Island CVB. “There aren’t many tropical islands where you can parasail over the Gulf of Mexico during the day and then see a Broadway show at a charming historic theater in the evening.”
In one of the top tourism destinations in Texas, the concept of a hard day’s work is all relative. PageBreak
Adventure Time
What better way to break for lunch or conclude a day on the exhibition floor than by stepping out for a breath of sea air? Located just steps from the seawall lining the Gulf of Mexico—at 10.4 miles long, the world’s longest continuous sidewalk—the Galveston Island Convention Center at San Luis Resort’s beachfront location is hard to beat.
Also on Seawall Boulevard are leading group properties such as the Hilton Galveston Island Resort (also part of San Luis), and The Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel, while across the island, Moody Gardens enjoys its own enviable waterfront location on Offats Bayou. Bottom line: Galveston delegates are never far from the water and the island’s many outdoor pursuits, which range from strolling and biking along the seawall to ocean adventures.
Fishing is among the “liquid refreshments” available to groups, with options ranging from dropping lines from the piers, beaches and bay to daytime and overnight offshore trips. Get Hooked Fishing Charters and Angling Adventures are among the many local operators that work with groups. If you fish alone, Texas law requires a license for all anglers between the ages of 17 and 65.
Kayaking and harbor tours are popular options, along with surfing. Ohana Surf and Skate is Galveston’s longest-running surf camp, offering flexible camp options for kids and teenagers, and private and group surfing lessons and board rentals for all ages.
Back on land, Schlitterbahn Waterpark operates year-round, heating certain sections in the colder months, while Moody Gardens is enhancing its already plentiful amenities menu with two exciting new attractions. Opened just last month, the new five-tier Sky Trail Explorer Ropes Course, billed as the tallest such challenge on the Gulf Coast, stands 71 feet tall at its height and features 48 obstacles suitable for all skill levels. The new Moody Gardens Zip Line, meanwhile, takes participants on a thrill ride 60 feet above the complex’s Pyramids and tropical gardens. Both rides are available for event rental.
Corporations, associations and private groups are also drawn to the top-class Moody Gardens Golf Course, which with its dedicated team offers planning assistance for customized tournaments, outings, charity events and group get-togethers. The island’s other course at Galveston Country Club is private, but open to non-members for special events and golf outings.
One of the top birding locations in the U.S., Galveston offers seasonal tours and programs for bird-watching enthusiasts and nature lovers. Held in early April, the annual FeatherFest festival is an opportunity to see more than 200 winged species. The free 15-minute ferry ride from Galveston to Port Bolivar is an ideal way to view bottlenose dolphins, brown pelicans and other wildlife in the Bolivar Peninsula.PageBreak
Artful Endeavors
As if the Great Storm of 1900 did not set Galveston back enough, its neighbor to the north, Houston, eclipsed the former shipping powerhouse in 1917 by creating its own port. Into this void came entertainment, best symbolized by the Balinese Room. Perched at the end of a 75-foot pier, this legendary nightclub featured such stars as Sinatra and the Marx Brothers in its swinging heyday, before the Texas Rangers axed all the fun in Galveston in 1957.
The Balinese was finished decades before Hurricane Ike swept it away in 2008, but like Galveston itself, the music, dancing and spirit of fun could never be fully extinguished. From the stage to the canvas, the performance and creation of art is a vital part of the Galvestonian personality, imparting a memorable sense of place for groups.
Exemplified by its annual Mardi Gras! celebration (see sidebar), Galveston’s artistic and cultural side is found throughout the island’s main visitor and group areas. Reinvention is a common theme, with creative corridors such as the Post Office Street Arts & Entertainment District, located within the famed Strand National Historic Landmark District, featuring over 25 historic buildings revitalized as art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, restaurants and more.
Every six weeks, the art galleries take center stage as part of ArtWalk, a free-flowing street party enjoyed by groups and locals alike. Post Office Street is also home to one of the state’s finest stages, The Grand 1894 Opera House. Originally built by the community, this national historic landmark was saved from neglect by the community starting in 1974, making it one of the city’s spiritual hearts and most enduring symbols of survival. Designated the “The Official Opera House of Texas” in 1993, this elegant heirloom, home to The Galveston Symphony Orchestra, can accommodate from 50 to 1,000 people for events.
Located across from the historic Tremont Hotel, Island ETC (East-End Theater Company) is an elegant, 200-seat venue presenting a year-round calendar of plays, musicals, concerts and film festivals. Groups can rent the fully equipped performance space for independent productions, special events and conferences.
Part of the Pier 21 entertainment and dining area in Galveston’s Historic Strand Seaport Area, the Pier 21 Theater features daily showings of three theatrical presentations depicting the essential stories of Galveston’s past and how it came to be: The Great Storm; The Pirate Island of Jean Laffite; and Galveston: Gateway to the Gulf.
Longtime Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman furthers his own exuberant relationship with Galveston and Texas this fall with his seventh consecutive edition of Meetings Focus Texas.
