Craft beer is a big deal on Galveston Island. Events include the popular annual BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival, hosted each Labor Day weekend by Moody Gardens and venues around Galveston.
Founded by former tugboat captain Mark Dell’Osso, Galveston Island Brewing is the largest of several local operators. With a prime location one block from the beach at the island’s west end, the brewery features a taproom, free tours on Saturdays and several event spaces. The Barrel Room and a scenic outdoor area are two major highlights of the venue's group offerings.
Many of the century-old oak trees lining the streets of Galveston’s historic East End were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. Like the island itself, however, several found a remarkable renaissance as works of art.
Via the self-guided or Tree Sculpture Tour, groups can discover nearly two-dozen sculptural animals, birds and figures including Mermaid Holding Clam Shell, Lion King and Birds of Galveston, featuring 17 birds sculpted on the branches and small plants and animals carved around the trunk.
Founded in 2003, Artist Boat is dedicated to “protecting our Gulf Coast through land conservation and fun, educational, inspiring adventures that spark creativity, awareness and action.”
Groups of 25 can book the guided interpretive Eco-Art Kayak Adventure, which involves paddling to places of natural significance around Galveston Bay.
Groups booked into Galveston in February 2019 have an opportunity to tie into the 108th edition of Mardi Gras! Galveston. As the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the nation behind St. Louis and front-runner New Orleans, this 12-day end of winter bacchanal attracts some 300,000 revelers with concerts, parades, balcony parties and masked balls. Among the hottest tickets are the Tremont House Mardi Gras Ball and San Luis Salute gala, hosted by Landry’s Inc.
