My Unexpected Christmas Beach Trip—Why I’d Go Back to Galveston

I hadn't planned on traveling to Galveston. Originally I had a trip to Puerto Vallarta planned for the same week. But as I'm sure you know, plans sometimes change and we have to roll with the punches! Still wanting to travel, but with a need to change locations, I quickly adjusted and made plans for Galveston, Texas.

I visited Galveston Island from December 6th - December 11th, traveling with my two-year-old son. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was not the Galveston most people describe.

The beaches were quiet.
The shoreline was clean.
And despite everything I’d heard, I didn’t see a single piece of trash on the beach during our stay.

The weather was warm enough to enjoy the beach and even wade into the water, yet cool enough to feel comfortable walking, exploring, and dining outdoors (sometimes with a light jacket). It felt calm. Approachable. Easy.

It left me genuinely surprised — in the best way.

We flew on a direct two-hour flight from our hometown into Houston, rented a car near the airport, and drove straight to Galveston. The journey was manageable — albeit a long car ride — even with a newly turned two-year-old.

Because my son had just turned two, I decided to get him his own seat on the plane, which I personally recommend. While children under two can fly as lap infants, purchasing a seat offers more space and more comfort for everyone involved.

One of my favorite travel wins of this trip?

I bought him a brightly colored backpack with a built-in busy board for the flight. It worked wonderfully — and now he refuses to leave the house without it.

(This is the kind of travel detail I love sharing — small things that make a big difference, especially when traveling with young children!)

Having to switch gears from Mexico, I actually planned this beach trip around a concert in Sugar Land, Texas — For King & Country's "A Drummer Boy Christmas" tour. Are you a For King & Country fan, but couldn't make it to the Christmas show? You can watch the live show here!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love good music, and I will absolutely travel for a concert I want to see! I mean, why not combine a good trip with your favorite music?

We drove from Galveston to Houston the first night for the show, and as always, For King & Country was amazing!

I will say this without hesitation: driving in Houston is not something I care to repeat. It reminded me very much of Nashville — roads converging toward the center, constant congestion, and drive times that instantly double. We spent hours in the car that night. Luckily, my toddler got to sleep most of the way home after the concert. Unfortunately, that is not an option for the driver. 😂

This not-so-pleasant experience only reinforced something important: Galveston itself has more than enough to do without leaving the island, and I absolutely did not leave the island the rest of the trip (until it was time to return to the airport in Houston).

Yes, you read that right. In typical travel agent behavior, I wanted to try out more than one place to stay in the area. We split our trip into two different resorts.

For our first two nights, we stayed at Galveston Seaside Resort, owned by Holiday Inn, in a two-bedroom suite. The layout felt more like a small apartment than a hotel, complete with:

• A fully furnished kitchen

• A private balcony

• Sand volleyball courts

• A playground

• A community room

• A pool

• Mini golf (which my two-year-old absolutely loved)

Laundry was available in a shared, free laundry room (detergent not provided). While direct beach access requires staying on the resort’s “Signature” side across the highway, the beach was still very easy to access by car.

Sunday morning started at Pariah Coffee, where I enjoyed excellent coffee and pastries — and my son discovered strawberry milk, which quickly became a favorite.

Afterward, we stopped at Starboard Side Café, a nearby food truck serving brunch. The breakfast bowl was outstanding — better than anything else we ordered — but what truly stood out was the owner.

He spent at least fifteen minutes talking with me about his business, his family, Christian music artists, and local recommendations. It was one of those organic, meaningful travel moments that reminds you why local experiences matter.

He suggested:

• Taking the free ferry between the islands

• Visiting Dickens on the Strand, Galveston’s annual Victorian-themed Christmas festival

• And mentioned that if I’d visited just two weeks earlier, the water would have been what he called “Galveston crystal clear”

Not Caribbean-clear — but clear for Galveston.

That morning, a fog rolled in — Galveston’s subtle transition from fall into winter — and while it sounded like I’d missed peak water clarity by a few weeks, I was still very happy with the timing.

For the remaining three nights, we moved to Galveston Beach Resort, which is also owned by Holiday Inn — and I preferred this location overall.

Why?

• It’s closer to most of Galveston’s attractions (primarily on the north side)

• It offers direct beach access via a private walkway

• Laundry and detergent are included inside the room

• Our balcony was long, spacious, and offered a beautiful ocean view

We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony every morning — one of those small luxuries that elevates an entire stay.

Behind the resort, we visited The Tipsy Turtle, an outdoor bar and restaurant. With personable staff, good drinks, and ocean views, it was an easy, relaxed spot.

Yes — we ordered alligator bites. And yes — even my 2-year-old loved them!

I purchased Polar Express tickets at the Galveston Railroad Museum well in advance, and I highly recommend doing the same — as these sell out quickly.

Because only single seats were available, my son sat on my lap (which is allowed for children under age three). Before departure, the museum area offers food vendors, a bar, exhibits, and a gift shop.

After arriving at the “North Pole,” guests can explore additional trains and meet Santa. I recommend arriving at least an hour early and allowing time after train arrival as well.

My son loved:

• The hot chocolate

• The cookies, of course

• The bells Santa hands out during the ride

Meeting Santa? That didn't go as well — but stranger danger isn't a bad thing!

We also visited:

• The Aquarium at Moody Gardens (inside the pyramid)

• Moody Garden's mile-long Festival of Lights — a lovely way to end the day

On our last full day, we drove north and took our rental car onto the free ferry. Once the ferry cleared the port, we went upstairs — and my son was thrilled by the seagulls.

We spotted dolphins on the way to Bolivar, then turned around and boarded the ferry back.

The return trip was incredible.

From the front of the ferry, we saw at least 40 dolphins, jumping completely out of the water. It was one of those unexpected travel moments you don’t forget.

Back in Galveston, we had lunch at Jimmy’s on the Pier. If you dine there, you can walk the pier for free by showing your receipt (otherwise, it’s $5).

I highly recommend the ceviche — my two-year-old actually ate most of it!