The Manifesto Episode 13: Deep Dive into Galveston, TX with Kelly de Schaun
Added 2020-10-23 05:46:41 +0000 UTC[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/
