Your beach getaway starts here, on a quiet swath of endless white sand on Galveston Island’s West End. Explore Galveston’s roots as a bustling 19th-century commercial center. A leisurely walk in town reveals more than 60 buildings and Victorian homes on the National Historic Register. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is the perfect setting for family fun, while Moody Gardens offers up education about the local flora and fauna. When you need a break from beachgoing, shopping, dining, music and arts festivals, and golf are the ultimate diversions from your everyday.