Galveston

Galveston is, hands down, Texas’s best vacation destination. This charming, kitschy beach playground is located just 50 miles from Houston, near the northern tip of a 600-mile stretch of coastline that straddles Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to Galveston’s beaches, there are dozens of awesome, family-friendly entertainment options, shops and restaurants to enjoy here. Sample freshly caught seafood, hike in the state park, explore the area’s colorful cultural attractions, stroll through historic downtown districts or simply relax on the beach and frolic in the Gulf. Whatever you decide to do on your Galveston vacation, chances are you won’t want to return home anytime soon. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.