Fall Fun at the Galveston Island Shrimp Festival
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If you’re looking for something to do in south Texas after the kids are back in school, look no further than the Galveston Island Shrimp Festival. This festival features live music, professional and amateur cook-offs, and of course all the shrimp and gumbo you can dream of.
How to Get There
Galveston’s a small coastal area south of Houston, Texas. If you’re flying, book a flight to Hobby Airport then take a shuttle from Hobby Airport to Galveston. There’s no need to rent a car because everything is in easy walking distance from the pier area and Saengerfest Park.
What to Do Once You’re There
The Galveston Island Shrimp Festival website has details on all the great things to enjoy at the festival. The late September event features a 5K run, a “gumbo stroll” where you can sample all the gumbo you can eat during a four hour period (once you’ve bought your “ticket,” a gumbo-tasting cup, from the event sponsors). You can also enjoy plated dinners, beer, and live music at the park at various times of the day. If you’re a gumbo artist yourself, enter one of the cook-offs and show them what you can do!
Where to Stay
Many of Galveston’s elegant area hotels offer package deals for the weekend, so check out the festival website for details. The event is held annually in late September, so it’s a great getaway before winter sets in. Don’t overlook the area’s local bed and breakfast options, but book early if you want to stay in one of those, as they fill up quickly.
The weather is warm for most of the year in south Texas, so pack your shorts and start working up an appetite for local seafood. Aside from the festival itself, Galveston boasts walkable historic neighborhoods, mansions and parks.
