Gulfview Retreat/Guide to Galveston Island

Alan
Gulfview Retreat/Guide to Galveston Island

My favorite places to eat.

Great steaks, seafood, salads…short walk from GVR.
54 locals recommend
Saltgrass Steak House
1502 Seawall Blvd
54 locals recommend
Great steaks, seafood, salads…short walk from GVR.
A favorite breakfast and lunch spot for the locals..a few short walks from GVR.
129 locals recommend
Shykatz Cafe & Bakery
1528 Avenue L
129 locals recommend
A favorite breakfast and lunch spot for the locals..a few short walks from GVR.
Family-run Mexican restaurant on the Seawall. Cash only. Popular with families.
19 locals recommend
Gorditas Mexico
712 Seawall Blvd
19 locals recommend
Family-run Mexican restaurant on the Seawall. Cash only. Popular with families.
Popular with locals…casual.
162 locals recommend
Shrimp N Stuff
3901 Avenue O
162 locals recommend
Popular with locals…casual.
Popular downtown restaurant--seafood, steaks. Wonderful Cuban dishes at lunch.
151 locals recommend
Rudy & Paco Restaurant and Bar
2028 Postoffice St
151 locals recommend
Popular downtown restaurant--seafood, steaks. Wonderful Cuban dishes at lunch.
Great food; very popular for breakfast and brunch (get there early on weekends). Lots of breads/cookies/cakes to go.
271 locals recommend
The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
512 14th St
271 locals recommend
Great food; very popular for breakfast and brunch (get there early on weekends). Lots of breads/cookies/cakes to go.
Another popular eatery in the Historic East End 14th Street corridor. Breakfast, great sandwiches, and dinner entrees. Casual.
213 locals recommend
Mosquito Cafe
628 14th St
213 locals recommend
Another popular eatery in the Historic East End 14th Street corridor. Breakfast, great sandwiches, and dinner entrees. Casual.
Fun seafood restaurant at Crystal Beach…huge shrimp dinners summer and oyster dinners in the winter months. Plus plenty special dinners for the kids.
170 locals recommend
Stingaree Restaurant & Marina
1295 N Stingaree Dr
170 locals recommend
Fun seafood restaurant at Crystal Beach…huge shrimp dinners summer and oyster dinners in the winter months. Plus plenty special dinners for the kids.
One of the few restaurants where you can dine out over the water…very popular at lunch and dinner!
130 locals recommend
Jimmy's on the Pier
9001 Seawall Blvd
130 locals recommend
One of the few restaurants where you can dine out over the water…very popular at lunch and dinner!
Very popular Seawall diner for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grab a booth near the windows. Children's specials.
198 locals recommend
Miller's Seawall Grill
1824 Seawall Boulevard
198 locals recommend
Very popular Seawall diner for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grab a booth near the windows. Children's specials.
Closest Starbucks on East End, across from the Cruise Terminals.
19 locals recommend
Starbucks
102 Kempner St
19 locals recommend
Closest Starbucks on East End, across from the Cruise Terminals.
Some of the best barbecue on the Island. Very small seating area; can call in an order-to-go. Brisket is highly recommended.
25 locals recommend
Leon's World Finest Bar-B-Que
5427 Broadway Avenue J
25 locals recommend
Some of the best barbecue on the Island. Very small seating area; can call in an order-to-go. Brisket is highly recommended.
Best Vietnamese food on the Island in my opinion. Eat-in or takeout. Very casual. Lunch or dinner.
19 locals recommend
Pho 20
2101 Broadway Avenue J
19 locals recommend
Best Vietnamese food on the Island in my opinion. Eat-in or takeout. Very casual. Lunch or dinner.
Casual "hole in the wall" that has best breakfast tacos on the Island. They are huge, and delicious! Various daily lunch specials. Not open for dinner.
La Estacion Restaurant
2428 Avenue H
Casual "hole in the wall" that has best breakfast tacos on the Island. They are huge, and delicious! Various daily lunch specials. Not open for dinner.
Relatively new to the "downtown" Galveston restaurant scene, this place has become extremely popular for both lunch and dinner. Extensive menu, includes salads, burgers, sandwiches, and other entrees. Gets crowded, especially on weekends.
124 locals recommend
Gypsy Joynt
6105 Market St
124 locals recommend
Relatively new to the "downtown" Galveston restaurant scene, this place has become extremely popular for both lunch and dinner. Extensive menu, includes salads, burgers, sandwiches, and other entrees. Gets crowded, especially on weekends.
Large bakery just north of Broadway. Very popular for cupcakes, danish, breads, cookies and for their special cakes which can be ordered.
43 locals recommend
PattyCakes Bakery
704 14th St
43 locals recommend
Large bakery just north of Broadway. Very popular for cupcakes, danish, breads, cookies and for their special cakes which can be ordered.
Great food; reasonable prices. Good for pick-up or for eating there.
17 locals recommend
Coastal Grill
1827 Strand St
17 locals recommend
Great food; reasonable prices. Good for pick-up or for eating there.
Outstanding restaurant right at the Harbor. A bit more expensive than some other seafood restaurants on the Island but everything is incredibly fresh.
174 locals recommend
Katie's Seafood Market
1902 Wharf Rd
174 locals recommend
Outstanding restaurant right at the Harbor. A bit more expensive than some other seafood restaurants on the Island but everything is incredibly fresh.

Shopping

One of the largest antique shops in Texas--furniture, architectural and lighting fixtures, pottery, paintings, glassware, and much, much more.
23 locals recommend
Antique Warehouse
423 25th St
23 locals recommend
One of the largest antique shops in Texas--furniture, architectural and lighting fixtures, pottery, paintings, glassware, and much, much more.
Closest 24 hr pharmacy, a very short drive from Gulfview Retreat.
28 locals recommend
CVS
2425 Broadway Avenue J
28 locals recommend
Closest 24 hr pharmacy, a very short drive from Gulfview Retreat.
Interesting used book store in Downtown Galveston near the Strand…lots of Texana! An enjoyable place to browse!
7 locals recommend
Galveston BookShop
317 23rd St
7 locals recommend
Interesting used book store in Downtown Galveston near the Strand…lots of Texana! An enjoyable place to browse!
Galveston's largest liquor store. Wines from around the world, Texas craft beers, and good selection of deli foods/snacks for cocktails/cheeses.
18 locals recommend
Spec's
2711 61st St
18 locals recommend
Galveston's largest liquor store. Wines from around the world, Texas craft beers, and good selection of deli foods/snacks for cocktails/cheeses.
One of 2 best ice cream shops on the Island..great flavors! Very popular.
54 locals recommend
Hey Mikey's Ice Cream
2120 Postoffice St
54 locals recommend
One of 2 best ice cream shops on the Island..great flavors! Very popular.

Sightseeing

Popular IMAX Theatre, Aquarium, exhibits, and gardens.
620 locals recommend
Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd
620 locals recommend
Popular IMAX Theatre, Aquarium, exhibits, and gardens.
Free ferry to Bolivar Peninsula…fun to take the kids, feed the seagulls, explore Bolivar, grab lunch. Gets VERY CROWDED during summer season.
29 locals recommend
Bolivar Peninsula
29 locals recommend
Free ferry to Bolivar Peninsula…fun to take the kids, feed the seagulls, explore Bolivar, grab lunch. Gets VERY CROWDED during summer season.
Historic Galveston home.
180 locals recommend
Moody Mansion
2618 Broadway Avenue J
180 locals recommend
Historic Galveston home.
Galveston history.
121 locals recommend
Galveston Historic Seaport - Home of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
8
121 locals recommend
Galveston history.
If you are interested in birding and hiking, take the drive to Anahuac Wildlife Refuge. Allow several hours.
9 locals recommend
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
4318 Farm to Market Road 1985
9 locals recommend
If you are interested in birding and hiking, take the drive to Anahuac Wildlife Refuge. Allow several hours.
Great excursion for the family. Old Navy ships.
74 locals recommend
Seawolf Park
100 Seawolf Park Boulevard
74 locals recommend
Great excursion for the family. Old Navy ships.

Arts & Culture

Plays, concerts, theatrical events, touring companies at this totally-restored Opera House in Downtown Galveston.
99 locals recommend
Grand 1894 Opera House
2020 Postoffice St
99 locals recommend
Plays, concerts, theatrical events, touring companies at this totally-restored Opera House in Downtown Galveston.
One of the most interesting gallery spaces on the Island..some traveling exhibits of prominent Texas/Southwestern artists.
20 locals recommend
Galveston Arts Center
2127 Strand St
20 locals recommend
One of the most interesting gallery spaces on the Island..some traveling exhibits of prominent Texas/Southwestern artists.
Grand old Galveston mansion turned into a museum devoted to the history/art of Texas and the Southwest. Call for hours before you go. Very interesting collection.
116 locals recommend
The Bryan Museum
1315 21st St
116 locals recommend
Grand old Galveston mansion turned into a museum devoted to the history/art of Texas and the Southwest. Call for hours before you go. Very interesting collection.

Entertainment & Activities

Old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop on the Strand. Popular with kids and families.
163 locals recommend
La King's Confectionery
2323 Strand St
163 locals recommend
Old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop on the Strand. Popular with kids and families.
A short walk from Gulfview Retreat…the kids will love the rides, which go out over the ocean.
662 locals recommend
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall Blvd
662 locals recommend
A short walk from Gulfview Retreat…the kids will love the rides, which go out over the ocean.

Essentials

Largest grocery store on the Island; full deli and bakery, pharmacy on site.
135 locals recommend
Kroger
5730 Seawall Blvd
135 locals recommend
Largest grocery store on the Island; full deli and bakery, pharmacy on site.
Italian grocery which sells homemade pastas, excellent sandwiches to go.
56 locals recommend
Maceo Spice & Import Company
2706 Market St
56 locals recommend
Italian grocery which sells homemade pastas, excellent sandwiches to go.
Fresh seafood right off the boats! This is where many of the best restaurants buy their seafood…Gulf red snapper, grouper, shrimp, crab, and more.
174 locals recommend
Katie's Seafood Market
1902 Wharf Rd
174 locals recommend
Fresh seafood right off the boats! This is where many of the best restaurants buy their seafood…Gulf red snapper, grouper, shrimp, crab, and more.

Everything Else

You may fall in love with Galveston Island and want to consider purchasing a home or condo…VJ Tramonte is the man to call!
Joe Tramonte Realty Inc
1802 Broadway Avenue J
You may fall in love with Galveston Island and want to consider purchasing a home or condo…VJ Tramonte is the man to call!
Golfing at Moody Gardens Golf Course
85 locals recommend
Moody Gardens Golf Course
1700 Sydnor Ln
85 locals recommend
Golfing at Moody Gardens Golf Course
Birding/walking/kayaking.
104 locals recommend
Galveston Island State Park
14901 FM3005
104 locals recommend
Birding/walking/kayaking.
Oldest medical school in State of Texas, 24 hour Level ! Emergency Room at John Sealy Hospital.
8 locals recommend
UTMB Health
301 University Blvd
8 locals recommend
Oldest medical school in State of Texas, 24 hour Level ! Emergency Room at John Sealy Hospital.
Family-run hardware store on Broadway at 20th Street…when you don't feel like driving to WalMart or Home Depot.
Chalmers Hardware
2002 Broadway Avenue J
Family-run hardware store on Broadway at 20th Street…when you don't feel like driving to WalMart or Home Depot.
Popular cruises Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival--Mexico/Honduras/Caribbean.
22 locals recommend
Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 1
2502 Harborside Dr
22 locals recommend
Popular cruises Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival--Mexico/Honduras/Caribbean.