Beach Walk

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Early morning at the beach on Galveston Island

Early morning at the beach on Galveston Island

And I said to myself, “Let me go to the island. Let me wake to the light of a bright blue sky and a cool, refreshing breeze - one that lures me outside, to walk along the shore. Let me, like morning coffee, be bold and strong. Let me bask in the blessing of a dream come true.” 

La King's

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La King’s Confectionery and Ice Cream Parlor on The Strand is situated in a building that is 150 years old, and the shop itself is reminiscent of a soda fountain of the 1920s. Admittedly, it is my favorite destination in Galveston’s historic downtown area!

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Daily, La King’s scoops up delicious Purity Ice Cream to fill the endless orders of its tasty cones, floats, malts, shakes, sodas, sundaes and splits. Purity, by the way, has its own illustrious history; it is Texas’ first ice cream manufacturer, founded in 1889, and on Galveston Island.

Purity was about the only ice cream you could buy in Galveston until the death of the company's owner, G.B. Bryston, in 1979. For a few years, there was no Purity ice cream to be found anywhere. But, thankfully, the brand was revived in 1983 when La King's bought the equipment and the recipes. Today, the small factory makes only enough of the 36 flavors for La King's ice cream parlor.

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La King’s also features an enormous candy counter showcasing more than 50 kinds of candies, all made from century-old recipes handed down by the owner’s family. Some of the most popular of these candies include the Peanut and Pecan Brittle, Divinity, Pecan Pralines, Fudge and La King’s famous Salt Water Taffy. There are also high quality, hand-made chocolates, as well as the classic “dime store penny candy.” Some visitors are thrilled to see a wide assortment of rock candy and overjoyed to find bubble gum cigarettes and cigars. These, most likely, remind them of their childhood days.

History of La King’s
In 1927, Jimmy King began making candy in Houston while learning the trade from Old World candy makers. Nearly 50 years later, in 1976, Jimmy’s oldest son, Jack, moved his family to Galveston to open his own confectionery on The Strand. He used the 19th-century formulas and methods handed down to him, using traditional equipment and procedures to make the confections.

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Pleasure Pier

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The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, a dining and entertainment complex, is located where 25th Street meets The Seawall and the Gulf of Mexico. It features family-oriented attractions, including rides, midway games, a wide selection of food venues and concessions and retails shops.

Dining options here are always described as “fun food” in the Pier’s promotions. I’d say that’s about right. Currently, restaurant tenants include Big Top Bites, Brew Station, Bubba Gump’s, Carousel Court Sweets, Slices & More, and Scoops.

Stopping in at Bubba Gump’s is always a delicious choice. The shrimp here is always great, and so too is the restaurants’s award-winning, show-cooked ribs. I also love Bubba Gump's spacious dining room and patio; both have splendid views of the Gulf and The Seawall.

Tickets
To gain access to the pier, all visitors older than three years of age must purchase a Pier Pass ($4 each). The passes are sold at the entrance to the Pleasure Pier.

Parking
Parking is very limited in the area, but there are several options to choose from. There is a Premium Paid Parking Lot directly across from the Pier, next to Fish Tales restaurant, and there is parking along the seawall. To the east, just a few blocks away, is a city parking garage.

Carousel at Pleasure Pier in the 1940s

A Bit of History
The new Pleasure Pier opened in 2012, on the site where the original Pleasure Pier stood from 1943 to 1961 - until it was destroyed by Hurricane Carla. The original Pleasure Pier featured rides, an arcade, aquarium, concessions, a large ballroom and opportunities to fish at the end of the pier. (The photo directly above was taken of a popular carousel ride at Pleasure Per in the 1940s.)

The Pleasure Pier site was also home to the USS Flagship, an over-the water hotel that was built in 1965 and, sadly, devastated by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Bolivar Ferry

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Taking a ride on the Bolivar Ferry is a great idea any time of the year!

I’ve taken the trip on SH 87 from Galveston to Bolivar Peninsula (and back) more times than I can count but, always, the excursions have been memorable and fun.

(Another time I might record trips taken when on a date, as a wife and mother or with my girlfriends! But, for now, I just want to encourage visitors to the island to put this activity at the top of their vacation must-do lists.)

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Important to note: The ferry is free! It provides a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air, view giant tankers and barges as they travel to and from the port. You can also watch for shrimp boats and look for dozens of dolphins as they follow the shrimp boats looking for a free dinner.

Onboard, there is an open-air upper observation area. Inside, there is an air-conditioned sitting area surrounded by windows, Needless to say, the view is amazing both inside and outside.

From Bolivar, the path gives you a great view of Fort Travis and the Bolivar Lighthouse, ships anchored or traveling into port or out to sea. Coming into the Galveston Landing, you’ll pass Seawolf Park on one side and the U.S. Coast Guard Station on the other. As the ferry turns into the Galveston dock in the distance, you’ll also see the Galveston Yacht Basin.

Bring a camera or your iPhone to take lots of selfies!

The ferry has been operated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) since 1934. Each trip covers about 2.7 miles and takes about 18 minutes. Each ferry can carry approximately 70 vehicles, 500 passengers and six crew members. You can drive your vehicle-on or walk-on depending on your plans.

One vessel is in operation 24 hours per day. A second vessel is placed in service at 6:30 a.m. After this departure, the two vessels operate based on traffic volume and space themselves to carry traffic as efficiently and safely as possible. A third vessel is placed in service during the afternoon period if necessary. Up to five vessels may be operated for summer and holiday traffic.

For additional information, you should call 409-795-2230.

Saengerfest Park

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Saengerfest Park might be the most visited park in Galveston; it’s located on the corner of 23rd Street and Strand in Galveston’s Historic Strand District. Literally, thousands of tourists to the island walk by while shopping or gather here when attending one of the city’s many festivals.

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Saengerfest Park is a charming spot, smack-dab in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the district. It features a large, playable chess set, a large compass which can be used as seating, wooden benches, an old-fashioned London-style phone booth and a stage used for movie and music nights throughout the year.

It also features a large “Greetings from Galveston” mural, perfect for standing in front of and posing for selfies or group photos.

The small square park was created in 1994 by George and Cynthia Mitchell. It takes its name from Saengerfest, a biennial singing contest sponsored by German immigrant choral societies around the State of Texas in the 19th century. The word, “Saengerfest,” literally means “singer festival” in German.

A choral group from Galveston, “The Salamanders,” took top honors in the 1879 competition in New Braunfels, Texas, thereby receiving the honor of hosting the next Saengerfest in April 1881. That year, a torch-lit parade was held to welcome 400 singers to Galveston and the competition.