Since it’s opening in 2012, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier has been a fun and exciting venue in Galveston, and now one of the most recognizable images of the island! Kids and adults alike can find plenty to do, from thrill to chill rides, and we’ve loved visiting over the years! Here are some of our favorite tips for visiting!
1.Rides
If you love high-adrenaline rides, you’ll love the Pleasure Pier’s thrill rides, such as the Iron Shark Rollercoaster, but there are also plenty of great rides for younger children and the less-adventurous, such as the Double Decker Carousel to the huge Ferris wheel overlooking the Gulf!
Check before you purchase your ticket to be sure that the rides you are looking forward to riding are open.
There are numerous rides on the pier, but the ones that get you wet, like the Pirates Plunge, are the favorites during the summer! You won’t want to miss standing (or not standing) in the Splash Zone!
2. Tickets
You can purchases tickets online or when you arrive at the Pleasure Pier. Prices are the same online and at the Pleasure Pier, and they have Family Packs at the gate.
Ticket prices are for riders 48″ and above, who can ride more rides, and less for children under 48″. 48″ is the minimum height to ride ALL the rides on the Pleasure Pier.
You can purchase a ticket for a single ride, usually about $4-5, but you must still purchase a $10 walk-on pass. The All-Day Passes are a much better value, and you can ride over and over again!
They also offer occasional promotions if you’re also visiting the Kemah Boardwalk or Downtown Aquarium, or any of the Landry Hotels.
Non-riders are required to purchase a $10 Walk-On Pass.
The Pass allows you to come and go all day, so you can enjoy the Pleasure Pier during the earlier hours, go play on the beach and come back in the evening to enjoy the lights after dark!
The Pleasure Pier does not offer Rain Vouchers in case of inclement weather.
3. Best Time to Visit
There’s never a bad time to visit, and since there is ALWAYS something happening on the Island, the Pleasure Pier is open year-round on weekends, and 7 days a week during the Summer!
Thanksgiving Break, Dickens on the Strand in early December, Christmas Break, Mardi Gras and Spring Break are all busy and festive times to visit!
During the summer, lines are shorter on weekend mornings, and during the week, but nothing beats the lights on a summer night!
Avoid rainy and excessively windy days (there’s always a nice breeze coming off the Gulf), when many of the rides might be closed for safety.
4. Food
There are some fun food options on the Pleasure Pier, from sit down dining at Bubba Gump’s to concession-style stands! We had to try the Churro Ice Cream and Deep-fried brownies at the Carousel Court Sweets!
Outside food and drinks are not allowed.
Chick-fil-A and Fish Tales are located just across the Seawall Blvd.
Bubba Gump and Fish Tales are part of the Landry’s Restaurant chain, so don’t forget to use your Landry’s Select Club Card for points! Click HERE for more information.
5. Games and Arcade
You’ll also find carnival-style games and arcades to keep the kids busy, and win fun souvenirs of their visit!
Bring cash for games, and there is an ATM machine on the Pier.
6. Plenty to do nearby
A view of the Beach from the Pleasure Pier.
The white building on the beach is Murdoch’s Bathhouse. Originally built in the late 1800’s, it’s has been rebuilt several times after hurricanes, with a few name changes. It was completely rebuilt in 2009 after being completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike, but still offers some of the best gifts, beach wear and is a must to visit when on the island!
The large hotel across the Seawall from Murdoch’s is the Hotel Galvez.
Our favorite activity is just to play on the beach, and access to the beach around the Pleasure Pier is FREE.
Island Bicycle Shop offers bicycle rentals for riding along the Seawall.
7. Parking
There is are a few options for parking.
Directly across the Seawall from the Pleasure Pier is a 400 + Parking Lot, next to Fish Tales Restaurant. Parking here is $10/hours.
There is also parking along the Seawall. You can pay online with your phone, and it is $1/hour, not to exceed $8, from 10-6pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can also purchase a yearly parking pass for $25.
Click HERE for more information.
Many Galveston Island Hotels offers shuttles, also.
8. Movies and concerts
One of the wonderful reminders of the past, the Pleasure Pier still offers concerts on the pier, and even movies! Click HERE for a list of Upcoming Events!
9. Restrooms
The Pleasure Pier offers real restrooms with changing stations. Remember, kids under 2 are FREE on the Pleasure Pier.
Things To Do on Galveston Island
Play
Galveston is full of history, from pirates to the Great Storm of 1900 which killed over 6,000 – 10.000 people! Learn more about the history of the island with Dash Beardsley Ghost Tours! Click HERE for more information.
Learn more about the Jean Lafitte and the pirates of Galveston at Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast! This fun, interactive museum is located on the Historic Strand in Downtown Galveston! Click HERE for more information.
During the early years of Galveston Island, an Immigration Station was set on Pelican Island, a small island off Galveston, where ships were checked and immigrants were recorded and checked for disease before heading into Galveston and the Houston Ship Channel. Pelican Island is now the home to Seawolf Park and the Undersea Warfare Center, where you can tour a submarine! Click HERE for more information.
Eat
We love The Spot on the Galveston Seawall, which offers burgers, seafood, desserts and drinks all with a view of the Gulf! Click HERE for more information.
Stay
We love the Historic Hotel Galvez on the Seawall overlooking the beach and in walking distance of the Pleasure Pier! Click HERE for more information.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall Blvd., Galveston
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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