Top Galveston Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Embark on a spine-tingling 90-minute boat ride through Galveston’s haunted harbor, where eerie legends and ghostly tales come to life. As night falls, glide past historic landmarks and hear chilling stories of shipwrecks, pirates, and restless spirits from expert narrators. This unique after-dark experience offers stunning views of the harbor under the moonlight, making it perfect for thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure on the waters of Galveston.

Step aboard for an unforgettable evening in beautiful Galveston, Texas! This relaxing 60-minute sunset cruise features a sophisticated, adult-oriented ambiance with curated music and stunning harbor views as the sky explodes with color. While designed with adults in mind and being BYOB-friendly—though highly recommended for ages 12+ who enjoy a tranquil, scenic experience. Perfect for couples or friends looking to unwind, this cruise offers: Adult-Oriented Vibe: A sophisticated, laid-back atmosphere to relax and connect. BYOB-Friendly: Bring your favorite drinks and refreshments to enjoy on board. Stunning Views: Breathtaking photo opportunities as the sun sinks below the horizon. Island Heritage: Live narration about Galveston’s sights and history (optional) The ultimate way to experience the island is its most beautiful.

Follow a local expert guide for detailed accounts of Galveston’s storied past on this 90-min walking tour through the island’s most historic locations. From hurricane-scarred landmarks to the scandalous backstreets of the old “Red Light District,” you’ll discover the bold characters, hidden stories, and cultural forces that shaped the Free State of Galveston. We’ll stroll through beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, explore how Galveston rose to become Texas’s richest city, and reveal how vice, wealth, and resilience collided in a city that refused to follow the rules. Hear tales of consequential natural disasters, notorious brothels, gangs and political drama—all just steps from grand theaters and elegant homes. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture lover, or simply curious about Galveston’s secret past, this tour delivers a captivating, eye-opening journey through the city’s complex legacy. Bring the family and see Galveston in a whole new light!

Explore Galveston’s rich history on a 45-minute narrated harbor cruise, perfect for families, history buffs, and anyone wanting a unique perspective of the island. Glide through the historic harbor as your expert guide shares stories of Galveston’s maritime legends, the 1900 hurricane, and its iconic landmarks. Enjoy stunning harbor views, local wildlife, and the fresh Gulf breeze on this fun and educational cruise that brings the island’s past to life.

Galveston is full of awesome old mansions, but if you don’t know where to look for them, you could pass them by without noticing. Take this Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour and see sights such as Moody Mansion while you hear about the creepy history of the city from your guide. Plus, a walking tour keeps you active as you trek on foot at a comfortable pace.

*The Only Walking Architecture Tour - Locally Owned* *Part of your Ticket goes to local architectural restoration* *Not wheelchair friendly / moderate-heavy walking* Delve into Galveston’s rich architectural history on this 90-minute walking tour. Visit iconic landmarks such as the League-Kempner House, Trube Castle, and the Bishop’s Palace (+ more), learning about their architectural styles and the influential figures behind them. With exclusive access to one historic residence, this tour offers a unique perspective on the city’s evolution as a cultural hub along the Gulf Coast. Perfect for history enthusiasts and families alike, enjoy a guided experience with no headsets required, led by local architectural experts.

Experience, Value and Exceptional Service At Island Tours of Galveston, the dolphin tours stand out because of the experienced captains, great prices, and commitment to customer service. The captains have over 10 years of dolphin tour experience, and the senior captain is a retired U.S. Coast Guard member, bringing extensive knowledge and safety experience to every trip. We offer great prices without compromising quality, and the friendly staff is dedicated to making sure every guest has a fun, safe, and memorable experience on the water. Experienced captains. Great value. Exceptional service.

See Galveston and learn about its history without stepping onto a crowded group tour. Prebook this Galveston Private Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour and guarantee your ride on the day you prefer to go. Plus, since it’s a private tour, just you and your group of up to six will attend. A guide tells you about the history of Galveston as you relax aboard the moving carriage.

Honor your loved one with a dignified and serene farewell on the waters of Galveston Bay. This private 90-minute charter offers a peaceful setting for a meaningful memorial service, accommodating up to 34 guests. While ceremony services are not included, you're welcome to bring flowers or personal items to commemorate the occasion. The captain will guide you to a tranquil spot on the bay for the final tribute, ensuring a respectful and memorable experience.

Discover the darker side of Galveston on a ghost tour. Pass by mansions and other historical sights where spooky and mysterious things are said to have happened, and hear about the island's secrets, paranormal events, and haunted history that dates back 150 years. This tour is a fun way to learn a bit about Galveston's history.

Discover the sordid history of Galveston while enjoying drinks in the city’s haunted bars and restaurants on this pub crawl. Meet your guide and group in the city center and hear stories about ghosts, murderers, and paranormal activity. Stop at the Railroad Museum, Saengerfest Park, Hendley Market, and much more throughout the night. Drinks are at your own expense.

If you’d like to ride around Galveston Island to learn more about the area, but don’t want to head out in a large group that can either go too fast or too quickly, book this Galveston Island private e-bike adventure tour. This e-bike tour takes you to top highlights such as the 1859 Ashton Villa and Galveston Seawall, as your guide tells you about the history, culture, and wildlife of the island in the comfort of a private group.

Enjoy a comfortable, indoor tour and discover the history of The Queen of the Gulf with the exclusive Grand Galvez Ghost Tour. Delight in a blend of history and paranormal intrigue as you explore the Grand Galvez Hotel. This guided experience offers a rare glimpse into the tales of the island's most famous hotel, renowned for its ghostly encounters & incredible important history. Geared for adult audiences, this 90-minute walking tour promises to engage both history buffs and thrill-seekers alike. - Exclusive access to the Grand Galvez Hotel's history - 90-minute easy walking tour - Daily tours with limited availability for a more intimate experience - Locally owned with the most 5-star reviews in Galveston

Take a walk down memory lane and through Galveston's eerie cemeteries during this nighttime walking tour. Spend the evening visiting several graveyards including Old City, Broadway, Evergreen, and the Yellow Fever yard to hear stories of past Galveston residents. Learn about the symbolism of the cemeteries, the yellow fever plague, the Great Storm, and the paranormal activity in the city.

If you’re looking to dive into the Black history of Galveston, but don’t want to plan your own explorations, book this Galveston Juneteenth and Beyond Small-Group Cultural Tour. A guide who knows the city well leads the way to historic and cultural sites as you take in stories and information they share with you. Plus, this tour can easily be fit into any busy day, with morning and afternoon tour times offered.

Go behind the scenes of Galveston’s demolitions, renovations, and reconstruction of some of its most well-known buildings and structures with this Galveston Demolition, Renovation, and Reconstruction Private Tour. This private tour is just for you and your group and takes you through the East End Historic District and the Strand District to see some of the city’s oldest buildings, including Victorian-era homes.

Maximize time in Galveston with a private sightseeing tour. Get picked up at your hotel or meet your guide at a meeting point and set out on a city tour. Learn about local history and architecture as you see top landmarks including the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, The Strand, and the Seawall. Get your bearings in Galveston with this private tour or customize the itinerary according to your interests.

Take an exciting journey into the unknown during this captivating 1.5-hour tour of Galveston Old City Cemetery. Venture to a place where apparitions have been said to appear and paranormal activity has been reported all while being securely lead by the hands of experienced guides. Join for what promises to be a unique experience—one only made possible by thorough academic research and brave exploration.

Step aboard two legendary World War II vessels and discover the haunted secrets they hold. The Haunted Tales and Ghost Tour by us takes you deep inside the USS Cavalla submarine and the USS Stewart destroyer escort, where history and the paranormal collide. As you walk through narrow passageways, climb steep ladders, and explore dark compartments, your expert guide will share chilling stories of sailors lost at sea, unexplained noises in the torpedo rooms, and shadowy figures still seen on deck. Paranormal investigators and visitors alike have reported eerie footsteps, sudden whispers, and mysterious lights aboard these ships—will you? This immersive tour blends authentic naval history with spine-tingling ghost stories, creating a one-of-a-kind Galveston experience perfect for thrill-seekers, history buffs, and anyone who loves a good scare.

Accompanied by an entertaining tour guide, you will hear fascinating stories of Galveston's past; a mix of Red Light District history & spooky haunted tales. **Listed bars are for example only. Other bars will be visited - requests are welcome.** Meanwhile, we'll mix things up by visiting some of the area's popular bars. Sip on "spirits" as the narratives unfold, weaving together local history, paranormal intrigue, and the lively ambiance of this island gem. Note** tour itinerary as listed is subject to crowds, business hours, and the group's preference! Not all locations will be visited. Expect 2-4 bar location stops. Guide is able to give additional local recommendations.**

Combine a spooky ghost tour and a look into the old red light district on this group tour in Galveston. Your guide will take you to several places, like The Strand, the Railroad Museum, The Tremont House, Galveston, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and more, telling you stories of the history and rumors surrounding the area.

Tour around Galveston in style, on a replica of a 1908 Model-T electric golf cart with the famous ahooga horn. You can choose a 5 or 8 seater for this self-guided tour, where you can spend as much time as you like. You can see Pleasure Pier, the historic district, the Kemp Ridley Sea Sculptures, and more. It’s up to you.

Galveston, Texas is currently known as a place to go and relax, but the city has endured a lot over the years. From the Civil War to Yellow Fever to the Great Hurricane of 1900, a lot of lives were lost in this coastal village. Discover the city’s historic and haunted streets on a small–group, nighttime walking tour and get a closer look at Galveston’s eerie past.