Galveston Museums

The best way of learning a place’s history by visiting attractions and museums that collect its history and artifacts. Within its city limits, there are so many things to do in Galveston that will appeal to visitors year-round. The nine best Galveston Museums are sure to impress anyone visiting this coastal community.

For a list of best attractions in Galveston TX click here

With its diverse culture and culinary, Galveston makes it for one of the best vacation spots in Texas.

Coming to the Galveston TX can be very rewarding since there is so much to see and do that it’s hard to be bored or run out of things while visiting the island. Visitors come mainly for the beach but once in Galveston, the realization about the array of activities makes exploration a must around town. 

For a list of free activities to do at the beach click here

Housing over 60 National Register of Historic places, Galveston’s victorian influence is well represented on some of the buildings. So much so, that some of them were converted to Museums.

Among the most visited ones, there is a sailing ship, an offshore oil rig, the first library in the state of Texas, and many others. 

9 Best Museums in Galveston TX:

The Bryan Museum

Located in the Galveston Orphans Home, among the 9 best museums in Galveston TX is the Bryan Museum. It holds the Bryan Collection, a vast compilation of historic mementos of Texas and America West related. The history behind the Bryan museum is a tale of its own and it’s very interesting to learn. Tours are offered Fridays and Saturday 10:30 AM & 2:30 PM and are free with museum admission.

If a visit to the Bryan museum is on your itinerary, make sure it’s not on a Monday when the museum is closed. But open the other days from 10 AM – 5 PM, the price of admission can be found here. 

The Bryan Museum
1315 21st Street
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 632-7685

1892 Bishop’s Palace

A breathtaking 19 thousand square foot Victorian-style building, the Bishop’s Palace is a must-visit museum in Galveston Texas. Located in the East End Historic District on Broadway and 14th street, the Bishop’s Palace also known as Gresham Castle was built between 1887 and 1893. The structure was made of steel and stones and sturdy enough to withstand many of Galveston’s natural disasters. 

Owned by the Galveston Historical Foundation, the Bishop’s Palace offers daily self-guided audio tours, as well as guided ones. Open to the public every day from 10 AM to 5 PM except on Saturdays from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Bishop’s Palace
1402 Broadway Avenue J
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 762-2475

Moody Mansion

The Romanesque architecture 28,000 square-feet mansion is a must-see if visiting Galveston TX. Offering self-guided and guided tours, guests have a chance to visit 20 out of the 31 rooms mansion. The Moody Mansion can also be rented for special events as well. Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Moody Mansion
2618 Broadway Street
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 762-7668

The Galveston Children’s Museum

The Galveston children’s museum offers a fun and interactive space where children can learn in a playful way. With a mission to provide low-income families the opportunity to visit museums, the Galveston children’s museum allows these families to visit for $1.00 if they present their WIC, SNAP or Medicaid cards. In a convenient location, the children’s museum is in the basement of the Moody Mansion and it’s open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM, close on Mondays.

Galveston Children’s Museum
2618 Broadway Street
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 572-2544

1877 Tall Ship Elissa and Seaport Museum

Galveston Historical Foundation brought Elissa from a scrapyard in Greece in 1978. The 1877 Tall Ship Elissa was fully restored and it has been floating as Galveston museum ship ever since. Elissa is one of only 3 ships of its kind in the world and it has been welcoming over 40,000 visitors annually. If sailing on a one of a kind barque is on your bucket list, the opportunity awaits for you in Galveston. The Texas Seaport Museum is currently under renovation bringing a new interactive experience to its guests in summer 2020. While renovations are underway, the Seaport Museum will be closed. The 1877 Tall Ship Elissa is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.

1877 Tall Ship Elissa and Seaport Museum
2200 Harborside Dr.
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 765-3432

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum

Houston is the petroleum capital of the world and just an hour south is the Ocean Star Museum. At this one of a kind Galveston museum, there is a chance for guests to participate in interactive activities and the museum offers self-guided and guided tours. Visitors have a chance to board the retired rig as well as three floors of displays. They can also get to the skywalk out onto the drill rig and visit the pipe deck of the museum. Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM (6 PM during summer months).

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum
Pier 19 Harboside Dr.
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 766-7827

Galveston Naval Museum

Formerly known as The American Undersea Warfare Center, the Galveston Naval Museum is home to USS Cavalla and USS Stewart. The USS Cavalla is best known as “Avenger of Pearl Harbor” and it has a great history aggregated to it. Both of them are in the National Register of Historic Places.

Among these ships, the Cavalla foundation oversees a few other war artifacts. Currently, the museum is under renovations and visitors are not allowed inside the ships but still can tour the Seawolf Park grounds. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (check their site for updates on renovation).

Galveston Naval Museum
Seawolf Park
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 770-3196

Galveston Railroad Museum

One of the largest railroad collections in the southwest and one of the five in the country. The Galveston railroad museum has a wide variety of locomotives and train-related mementos to satisfy everyone looking for Galveston train museum. If a caboose ride is what you are seeking, a visit to the museum on Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM is a must. The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. 

Galveston Railroad Museum
2602 Santa Fe Place
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 765-5700602 Santa Fe Place

Rosenberg Library   

This is the oldest functioning library in the state of Texas. It was founded in 1900 and it’s not only operating as a library but it’s also a museum. There are many exhibitions and various programs for children and adults alike. The library is open Monday-Thursday from 9 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM and closed on Sundays.

Rosenberg Library
2310 Sealy Street 
Galveston, Tx 77550
(409) 763-8854

“To Travel Is To Live” – Hans Christian Anderson Patricia M.