**Things to do in Galveston, a CallMeGilligan list**

What to do in Galveston, a CallMeGilligan list

Note: It's always best to check for availability anywhere you travel these days. Know before you go.

• Keep an eye on the crowds, the beaches, the downtown/Strand area, and traffic, using the Galveston web cam system

• Pool your money with friends and rent a beach house for a three day weekend with friends, cook steaks on the grill, go on bike rides, have a beer or some wine while you watch the sun set every night. AirBnB and Vrbo have some good deals during the week.

• Take a cooking class at The Kitchen Chick, a store full of all kinds of cooking and chef supplies, cookbooks, etc. Check out their cool kids camps, something different for the kids to do.

• Find the bronze dragons at the Bishop’s Palace, built from 1886-1892 by Colonel Walter Gresham. Extra points for spotting the silver-lined fireplace.

• Have the stuffed redfish at Gaido’s, serving since 1911, and don't skip world-famous pecan pie. Too stuffed to drive, no problem, rent a room and stay the night, listening to the surf.

• Walk the Labryrinth during the full Strawberry moon (or any moon) on the beach.

• Take the whole family fishing on the 61st Street Fishing Pier. Rent your equipment, buy bait, drinks and snacks there, stay all day.

• Take in a spa day at the [San Luis Hotel day spa], complete with Sea Stone Massage and Facial. Complete day packages start around $250.

• Honor the heroes of the 1836 Texas Revolution at the 72-ft tall Henry Rosenburg Texas Heroes Monument.

• Look for shells, (early in the morning is best), or borrow a friend's metal detector and hit the beaches looking for artifacts. Seashell Beach right across from the Hotel Galvez, is one of the best shelling spots on the island.

• Get up early (or stay up very late) to catch a sunrise on the beach, perfect for popping the question or just popping a cold one. You can also drive to the very end of Seawall Blvd. on the east end, and park your car and do some walking.

• Take group or individual sand castle building lessons at Sandy Feet Sand Castle Services, opens for the season June 6. Or just hire them to make a special sand castle design for your beach wedding.

• Rent a bike, and ride the entire 10.3 miles of the Seawall – or take a slow stroll with someone you love, stopping along the way for a drink here and there, and Uber back.

• Explore the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa and Texas Seaport Museum, interesting enough even for the most jaded teenager.

• Paddle a kayak on one of the Artist Boat Eco-Art Kayak Adventures through barrier island habitats of the Coastal Heritage Preserve's 690 acres. Package come with and without 2-hour outdoor watercolor painting sessions.

• Have a steak, explore the rain forest, play golf, talk to the animals, or many other options at Moody Gardens. A yearly pass can pay for itself in just two visits.

• Hit up Beerfoot Brewery, on the Seawall, for one of their craft beers – and their good daily specials.

• Go horseback riding (pony rides for the kids) at Galveston Island Horseback and Pony Rides near the East Beach Pavilion. Prices start at $30 and run up to $100.

• Take the self guided tour of Galvestons' Tree Sculptures, carved art that was made from downed trees following Hurricane Ike. Great photos, most of the art is fantastic, and it's FREE.

• Say hello to the mid-summer heat and the retro bathing beauties at the Galveston Island Beach Revue, July 31-Aug. 1st. This annual event features a vintage style, pin-up beauty contest, a hot rod and classic car show, dancing, food and drinks, concerts, and more.

• Learn to surf at C-Sick-Surfin', Galveston's oldest surfing school. Two hour beginner lessons are $50.

• November 5th-8th, attend the largest 4 day motorcycle rally in North America at the Lone Star Rally. Between 400,000-425,000 people attended the Lone Star Rally in Galveston Island last year, and took part in the bike obstacle course, bike show, and other events.

• Purchase local art at some of the local art galleries – including Christmas ornaments made from delicate shells and Halloween decor made from driftwood, large sculptures made from trees felled by Hurricane Ike, or your choice of paintings, windchimes, handmade furniture, and more.

• Rent a couple of beach chairs, and a giant umbrella, and read that novel you haven't had time to finish. For $35, John's Beach Service, at 201 Seawall Blvd., offers an umbrella and two chairs in the shade from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

• Rent your equipment and spend a 1/2 day or more on a Chartered Fishing Trip in the Gulf. They provide the gear, your bait, and your tackle, you provide the Dramamine.

• Take a sunset cruise with your friends with Galveston Island Adventures whether it's on a jet boat thrill ride, or a gentle pontoon ride out to see the dolphins.

• Ride the Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry round trip from Galveston to the Bolivar Peninsula and back, free of charge. Take a peep over the side, and you'll often find dolphins accompanying your trip. Check the ferry's Twitter acct. to see how busy they are, and how long the wait is on both sides. https://twitter.com/galvestonferry

• Park the car and rent a ride whether it's a bicycle, a Zipp-E-Bike, a three-wheeled Slingshot, or a golf cart to zip around the island.

• Take a self-guided tour of Galveston's murals, perfect to send to your friends back at the office.

• Wheel your way through a SegCity Segue tour along the Strand Historic District, the Seawall, the Pirate History tour, the Rat Pack historical tour or a sunset tour through the Silk Stocking neighborhood, among others.