The Strand
The Strand
4.5
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Strand is a charming historic district in Galveston, lined with ornate late 1800s buildings and filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, bars, and more. Here, you try some old-school candy at La King’s Confectionery, shop for souvenirs, visit the Pier 21 theater, take a horse-drawn carriage, or learn about history at the Railroad Museum. Explore the area on a segway tour, or uncover its dark side on a ghost tour. Plan your visit during Mardi Gras in February when The Strand is taken over with parades, music, and parties. – Tripadvisor
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
221 within 3 miles
Attractions
93 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- CanukvisitorBurlington, Canada4 contributionsRelaxing tripOne of my favourite places to visit. The Tremont House hotel was fabulous. Even though we arrived on the weekend of the biker's rally we really enjoyed our time here and could have spent more than 2 nights to see everything. It is a bit tricky if you don't have a vehicle but we managed.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 November 2023
- AdelineF48236New City, New York10 contributionsVaried experiences in GalvestonWalking along the beach was very enjoyable. Don’t miss the Henry Moore sculpture memorial to those lost in the 1900 hurricane. Our trip to the Visitor’s Center was helpful. We were given a brochure off the self guided tour of historic homes downtown as well as a booklet guiding us to the dozens of wooden sculptures made from trees destroyed in hurricanes. That was a special treat. Visit the historic Hotel Galvez and try to have a meal there.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 21 April 2024
- BryantBluffton, South Carolina6 contributionsMini New Orleans shopping areaBeautiful old shopping district in Galveston, about a 5 block walk from Tremont hotel and Cruise terminals. Staying in the city for just 1 night, we thought this was the best area to roam and were not disappointed. It reminded my partner of downtown NewOrleans with the architecture, shops, and lovely atmosphere. The bars and restaurants were not very crowded which made it easy to see it all!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 May 2024
- Natalie1204Kolkata (Calcutta), India7,884 contributionsQuaint, historicDefinitely one of the prettiest little seaports / beach towns I’ve seen. The place is charming and reeks of history. It can be a bit challenging to find parking over the weekend, but on a week day, you should be fine. If you’re in Galveston, you must go downtown, and if you like history/seaports, then visit, even if you’re in the Houston or Texas city area. It’s quaint and reeks of charm and historyVisited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 May 2024
- Nancy D8 contributionsEnjoyable shopping experienceFun place to go to shop, eat and enjoy the beautiful architecture. There is a variety of shops to explore and no shortage of restaurants. Note - stores have steps in order to enter. Parking on street requires payment through an app or at a kiosk.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
3,135 reviews
Excellent
1,554
Very good
1,059
Average
437
Poor
66
Terrible
19
Disneylovers2000
Canada177 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
We found this to be a nice way to spend a morning having coffee and going for a walk but most of the stores have the same sort of tourist items in them. We found that after being on one side of the street, that the stores on the other side offered pretty much the same fair. Stopped at the beef jerky store, expensive but delicious. You are able to purchase alcoholic beverages and stroll the street and stores while consuming them, be beware, public restrooms are not available anywhere except in one building at the VERY end of the street. This was a turnoff. Did it once, probably wouldn't go back if we ever returned to the area.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AKzoom
Houston, TX61 contributions
Jan 2020
Lucky for us- a wide choice of dining selections, creative art galleries to explore, hotel accomodations, entertaining services and a good variety of unique purchases are available along a very walkable area in Galveston. Rest a moment on a bench, taste yummy ice cream and chocolate. Life along The Strand continues growing as more people make this a destination.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul G
Tucson, AZ3,772 contributions
Mar 2021
Not a extensive area therefore it is quite easy to walk and enjoy all that The Strand has to offer.
The many restaurants, shops and attractions all combine to insure a welcome mat for all.
There is parking available, however, you must use a credit card ( no cash) in both lots and on the street. Be aware that they take parking very seriously and if you do not pay or stay over the alotted time, you WILL BE TOWED.
The many restaurants, shops and attractions all combine to insure a welcome mat for all.
There is parking available, however, you must use a credit card ( no cash) in both lots and on the street. Be aware that they take parking very seriously and if you do not pay or stay over the alotted time, you WILL BE TOWED.
Written 6 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James S
11 contributions
Feb 2020
Worth a one-time visit. A couple of blocks worth of quaint shops and eateries. Several good restaurants and pubs. Very little parking. If spending only three or four nights in Galveston Island I would recommend one afternoon/evening at the Strand and then spend the rest along the seawall and many beaches.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EFW2014
Woolwich, ME1,516 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This area is nice, old buildings and such. Looks like it’s cool to walk around with an open beer. Almost all the shops sell it! I found the shops to be a bit pricey. One snap was selling banana boat sun screen for $15!
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda P
55 contributions
Oct 2019
Local here. The Strand is a lot of fun--There are stores and restaurants for everyone; my personal favorites are The Witchery, La King's Confectionary, Galveston Bookshop, Skinsational Body Products and Taquilo's (a Tex Mex restaurant). I also took a lantern light ghost tour in The Strand last October and the history of the buildings is fascinating!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ORTravelMom
Eugene, OR290 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
The pros: the strand has some lovely preserved/rebuilt architecture. Many restaurants of all kinds, many with outdoor seating. Many many small shops with almost anything you can imagine.
The cons: the weather is a little warm in August to feel really comfortable walking around outside. We saw a significant number of publicly drunk, unkempt, unstable appearing folks in the afternoon/evening. Shops close fairly early in the evening.
In the end we actually enjoyed post office street more. But perhaps some of that is our taste as we don’t love a lot of tchotchkes and prefer restaurants with a little less fried food. But to each their own.
The cons: the weather is a little warm in August to feel really comfortable walking around outside. We saw a significant number of publicly drunk, unkempt, unstable appearing folks in the afternoon/evening. Shops close fairly early in the evening.
In the end we actually enjoyed post office street more. But perhaps some of that is our taste as we don’t love a lot of tchotchkes and prefer restaurants with a little less fried food. But to each their own.
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marinementors
Fort Lauderdale, FL84 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We spent several hours walking the streets in the old town. The architecture was stunning on many of the buildings. We found zero free parking so a spot down on Pier 21 was $10 daily. Many shops and restaurants were open. We walked the Pier area as well, and up and down 3 streets. The visit was enjoyable and once Cruise ships return I image it would be very busy.
Written 27 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carl H
13 contributions
Jun 2022
If going on a cruise out of Galveston consider adding a day to see this Island up close as well. The strand is an old original building area with architectural beauty holding various variety of shopping , dinning beverage indulging pleasures. Wandering in and out of these stores one will find so much of either souvenir based goodies or one of a kind take home fun you will find the food or drink offerings a needed break along your steps. Clean conditions for such a rustic local. Just off the Strand but walking distance is a rail museum one would not expect there. The cruise ships are just behind the Strand and also a simple walk to take pictures and admire the grandeur of many! We had some great Mexican food on the strand at a little hole in the wall and a cold beer. When we were there the city trolly was down due to an event but this trolly takes you to the cities boardwalk fun ride location across town. This is an old town and for those who like history would be worth that extra day stay.
Written 2 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
Spring, TX67 contributions
Oct 2020
Today we stopped at The Strand after visiting the Galveston State Park for hiking. Sunday was free parking but we accidently paid so pay attention to what day it is! There are so many restaurants and shops to visit on the Strand it is well worth the visit with just the family or relatives or friends visiting. Very nice, like visiting Old Town Spring. Allow enough time to venture off into areas off the main Strand as there are all kinds of things to experience.
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes there are. If there is a specific place, check the website for the hours.
Written 13 October 2021
audreynguyen2
Pearland, Texas
What's the name of the white building in the very first picture of the Strand Galveston, TX? Thank you!
Written 24 June 2019
As previously mentioned, the old Santa Fe Railroad Station which houses a train museum is where the Strand dead ends at 25th St. and is a large white building.
Written 27 June 2019
Is there a local city bus that runs from downtown pad the Baymont hotel?
Written 8 October 2018
I believe there is a city bus but I'm not sure about routes or stops. Uber is an option if you don't have a vehicle and there are group bikes available for rent up and down the Strand !
Written 9 October 2018
Are the shops on The strand open on Sundays? If so, how late?
Written 29 July 2018
The weekends are the busiest, I'm almost certain their open late.
Written 30 July 2018
Are the shops on The strand open on Sundays? If so, how late?
Written 29 July 2018
Jennifer,
I believe the shops are open 7 days a week. If cruise ships are in port, everything will be open for sure. I didnt spend much time on The Strand in the early evening, other than dining, but the touristy shops were still open.
Written 2 August 2018
We plan to hang out after our cruise for a few hours. What do we do with our luggage?
Written 5 September 2017
I have heard that the terminal has storage across the street. I don't know positively as I haven't used it, ask on board the ship. They will know. I have also heard there is storage somewhere on the Strand, Chamber of Commerce should know the answers to this, sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Written 5 September 2017
I read something about a golf cart tour of the strand. How do I get more info on that? Where, what time, and cost.
Written 20 July 2017
There's a nice visitor center across from the Rosenberg Library. They can tell you all you need to know.
Written 21 July 2017
I read something about a golf cart tour of the strand. How do I get more info on that? Where, what time, and cost.
Written 20 July 2017
Ditto...didn't see any golf cart tours, just the horse and carriage tour. Not sure the price on that, but it looked like there was a sign on one of the corners.
Written 23 July 2017
Is The Strand safe to walk at night from the Tremont? We will be two women alone.
Written 20 May 2017
As with any area. Stay focused on your surroundings. However, we were there around 9:30 - 10 p.m. walking to a restaurant about a block over from the Strand. It was virtually isolated; there is some street lighting, but walk at a medium to fast pace and you should be fine. There is some security in the area, but limited. Best time is during daylight hours; more pedestrian traffic as well as vehicles. If you're looking for dinner at one of the nicer restaurants about a block East of the Strand, there is parking available near them and they are usually busy, but not over crowded. Seating should be a short if any, wait. Sit at your table and enjoy the beautiful lights reflecting off the water. Nice, relaxing atmosphere. There are 3-4 restaurants fairly close together and are just a short walk from the parking lot. ENJOY!!
Written 27 May 2018
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