Hotel Galvez & Spa, the only beachfront, historic hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast, unveiled a $1.8 million upgrade to its 224 guest rooms last December. In addition, Hotel Galvez’s downtown sister property, The Tremont House, completed an upgrade to its popular rooftop bar last December, expanding its seating areas to accommodate more guests. The bar offers views of Galveston’s historic downtown and harbor from the roof of the six-floor hotel.
Expect Galveston to sport a brand-new beach makeover for the 2017 summer season. The island’s East End Historical District recently completed a $19.5 million beach nourishment project to stretch along the seawall from 12th to 61st streets, offering four miles of upgraded recreational space for visitors to enjoy. This new area will join “Babe’s Beach,” a newly created 15-block beach along the seawall west of 61st Street that opened last year.
One of the largest and most diverse aquariums in the U.S., the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid is in the process of a $37 million, multiphase renovation to be unveiled in late May. Expect a variety of new exhibits and surprises, including the addition of jellyfish and tropical penguins.
Thrill-seekers are in luck. Galveston recently became home to the world’s tallest water coaster. The new ride, MASSIV, opened at Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark last summer, offering one of the most daring experiences across the globe. At 81 feet and six-and-three-quarter inches tall, MASSIV sends riders on several downhill and uphill thrills before blasting them into a refreshing pool. The entire ride lasts about 60 seconds.