Kai Vaughn

When visiting the beach or relaxing at one of Galveston’s renowned resort hotels, the island’s historic past might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But a closer look reveals that while there was a Native American population before Europeans arrived in the early 16th century, it wasn’t until the 18th and 19th centuries that Galveston became a key North American port city. And there are key museums, buildings and attractions where that history can be explored. In the 16th century, the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca lived among the native tribes as a medicine man and slave after he was shipwrecked on the island. French explorer Robert Cavelier La Salle later named the island St. Louis and claimed it for France. The island, however, got its name from Spanish colonial governor Bernardo de Gálvez who sent explorers to map the area in 1786. The 106-year-old Hotel Galvez bears his namesake.

Galveston’s most horrendous moments came when the island was battered by the Great Storm of 1900, the most deadly natural disaster to ever strike the U.S., leaving 6,000 islanders dead. The film, The Great Storm highlights the disaster and is shown daily at Pier 21. That devastation from the Great Storm led to the building of the Seawall which has helped protect the city from hurricanes’ devastating storm surges. The Seawall today is the city’s most popular pedestrian promenades along the beaches. Galveston did recover but was soon surpassed in size by Houston and other growing Texas cities. But its port on the Gulf of Mexico continued to welcome immigrants from all over the world. The port’s immigrant past is highlighted in the Texas Seaport Museum, also home to the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa, one of only three pre-20th century sailing vessels in the world that have been restored to full sailing capacity.

Galveston Island is a beautiful, historic beach destination known for its great weather all year round. Here’s a list of activities to consider:

• Explore the glass pyramids of family resort Moody Gardens. Here you can tour through a living rainforest replica, one of the largest aquariums in Texas and check out cool exhibits in the Discovery Museum.

• Splash into fun at Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, known for the best indoor water park in the world!

• Learn about the rare historic airplanes housed at the Lone Star Flight Museum with a visit to this “war bird” museum.

• Take an African-American Historic Places Tour and discover many of the African American firsts that happened in Galveston!

• Have a relaxing stay at one of Galveston’s many resorts, hotels, beach houses, condos or bed & breakfasts. Sometimes sleeping in is what vacation is all about!

• For sure entertainment, catch a show at the Island ETC Theater.

Soak up the Beach. Put on your bathing suit and get out the sunscreen and head to the Island’s cool beaches – Stewart Beach Park, R.A. Apffel Park (East Beach) and Beach Pocket Park on the West End. All told, Galveston has 32 miles of beaches to sink your toes into. Galveston has the longest continuous sidewalk in America on its beachfront – Seawall Boulevard – making room for a wide variety of free outdoor activities like swimming, playing beach volleyball or hitting the pavement for biking or running. To watch a breathtaking sunrise or sunset on the Seawall is truly priceless. Take a Bucket Brigade Tour. Learn about the diversity of life found in the Gulf Coast waters during a free, interactive tour of Galveston’s beaches. These tours are led by volunteers from Artist Boat and marine biologists from Texas A&M University-Galveston. Tours will be offered March 16-18 during spring break.

Galveston Island Pass. Get your passport to adventure and savings with the new Galveston Island Pass. Load your pass with four or more participating attractions and save 40 percent off regular admission prices. Stroll the Strand. The downtown area offers an intriguing selection of shops, restaurants, galleries and museums within a perfect radius for self-guided tours. The Victorian architecture of The Strand makes for a charming stroll. Saegnerfest Park at 23rd and Strand is a free family park and home to a life-size chessboard and frequent live entertainment. Galveston Island State Park. The Galveston Island State Park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities that are free to participate in. While there’s a $5 parking charge to get into the park, you can enjoy kayak tours, beach and surf explorations, bird walks, nature field trips and fishing clinics at no cost.

Remember when you were a kid being sent to the principal’s office was the worst feeling in the world. Well, cruise ships have a Principal’s Office of sorts in the form of what some travelers call the “naughty room.” When your luggage does not arrive in your cabin it’s most likely waiting for you in the bowels of the ship in a special “holding cell” where “no-no’s” must be retrieved and confiscated. Yes, Lorraine’s talking about unauthorized items in your checked baggage. All cruisers are (or should be) aware of their cruise line’s alcohol policy but did you know there is a whole list of other “forbidden” items? Yup! These include (but are not limited to) extension cords/power strips, heating pads, irons and steamers, candles or incense, skateboards coffee makers, hotplates, baseball bats, flammable liquids, dangerous chemicals, bleach...and the list goes on!

One of the biggest concerns for cruise ships is the possibility of fire onboard. One frayed cord or forgotten iron can lead to tragedy at sea. I don’t know about you, but Lorraine would prefer not having to don a Mae West and scramble to board a lifeboat in the middle of the night because some idiot’s heating pad shorted out and set their cabin aflame! And regarding the alcohol policy, it finally makes sense to Lorraine (after all these many years of cruising) that it’s true intent is NOT to sell more drinks - but to (somewhat) control the number of loud obnoxious drunks to save them from themselves. Yep! Studies have shown that contrary to popular opinion, alcohol sales remain about the same even when personal alcohol is allowed. Go figure! Take it from Lorraine it’s not a fun way to spend the first day of your cruise. Been there done that! LOL!