The Manifesto Episode 13: Deep Dive into Galveston, TX with Kelly de Schaun (Patreon)

[0:00] Intro

• Original Galveston post: https://freequentflyerbook.com/blog/2015/6/14/galveston-tx-is-a-weird-place-to-take-a-vacation
• Galveston Park Board: https://www.galvestonparkboard.org/
• Beach and Park Operations: https://www.galvestonparkboard.org/157/Beach-and-Park-Operations
• Galveston Island Convention Center: https://www.galvestonislandconventioncenter.com/

[2:37] Beach nourishment and replenishment

• Galveston Island geography
• Beach recreational opportunities and economics
• Relationship with Army Corps of Engineers
• Dredging of Galveston Channel
• Hurricanes!

[8:07] VisitGalveston.com 

[9:07] Galveston’s history

• Indigenous population
• Pirates!
• Pelican Island Immigration Station (https://www.texascooppower.com/texas-stories/history/galvestons-immigration-station)
• African American history (https://www.galvestonhistorycenter.org/research/african-american-history)
• The 1900 Storm (https://www.1900storm.com/)
• Natural and economic history
• Bootlegging and bordellos
• Cruise port

[18:37] Tourism breakdown

• Summer is high season
• Second homes
• Extended stays (work from home, remote schooling)
• Dune bashing and tailgating
• Public alcohol consumption (no glass!)
• Special events
  • Lone Star Rally: https://lonestarrally.com/
  • Mardi Gras: https://www.galveston.com/calendarofevents/mardi-gras-2021/

[23:37] Status of AirBNB/VRBO

• Registration requirements
• Local contact (noise complaints)
• Compliance program

[26:37] Seasons

• Make summer reservations early
• Haunted Mayfield Manor: https://www.galveston.com/whattodo/attractions/thrill/mayfieldmanor/ 
• Pier 21: http://www.pier21galveston.com/ 
• Galveston Historical Foundation: https://www.galvestonhistory.org/
• Beach weather through November

[30:37] Fishing

• Shore fishing and charter fishing
• Deep sea: Marlin, Tuna
• Fishing licenses (Academy: https://stores.academy.com/tx/galveston.html)

[32:37] Current Events: COVID-19

• COVID-19 Shut down during Spring Break. Beaches, state parks, recreational areas
• Re-opened June 1
• Closed again July 4 and Memorial Day

[35:37] Current Events: Hurricanes

• Had to “decamp” twice
• Tourism revenue has held up
• San Luis hotel: https://www.sanluisresort.com/

[40:47 Dickens On the Squares: https://www.galvestonhistory.org/events/dickens-on-the-strand

[41:07] Capacity restrictions

• Restaurant occupancy 75%
• Meetings and conventions 50%
• No out-door capacity restrictions
• Bars closed (if they don’t serve food)

[42:07] Juneteenth and Race Relations

[45:17] Transportation

• Rent a car (45 minutes from HOU, 1:15 from IAH)
• Shuttles (Galveston Limousine: https://galvestonlimo.com/)
• Lyft and Uber (now legal for pickup in Galveston)
• Segways
• “Surries”

[47:47] Lodging

• Stay near Moody Gardens for kids and families
• Wyndham: Hotel Galvez, Tremont
• Commodore, Gaido’s (https://www.gaidosseaside.com/) on the seawall

[49:27] Neighborhoods

[51:47] Eating

• Local delicacy: “Devil’s Kiss”/”Shrimp Kiss”
• Fish tacos (BLVD Seafood: http://blvdseafood.com/, Fish Company Taco: https://fishcotaco.com/)
• Gaido’s (http://www.gaidos.com/)
• Maceo Spice & Import Company: https://maceospice.com/