glory and offers tours seven days a week . Bishop ’ s Palace was built in 1892 and is now considered one of the best examples of Victorian architecture . Ashton Villa is even older , dating back to 1859 . It was from Ashton Villa ’ s balcony that the “ Juneteenth Proclamation ” was read , freeing Texas slaves . Today the building is also known as one of the most haunted buildings in America .
3 . Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Museum — Maybe it ’ s just us , but we thought an offshore drilling museum would be a bore . We couldn ’ t have been more wrong . The museum is consistently ranked as one of the top attractions in Galveston , and it ’ s right next to the cruise terminal . The museum sits on a retired oil rig and will teach you everything about drilling and exploration for energy in the Gulf ’ s waters .
4 . Galveston Pleasure Pier — it ’ s one of Galveston ’ s newest attractions , and it sit at the spot of one of the island ’ s most famous former landmarks . The Flagship Hotel used to sit on this pier into the Gulf , but was heavily damaged during Hurricane Ike . Now the hotel has been taken down and the Pleasure Pier has taken its place .
The Pleasure Pier includes roughly a dozen of rides ( including a roller coaster ) and a restaurant , all sitting out in the Gulf of Mexico .
5 . Moody Gardens — If you drive into Galveston from Houston , you can ’ t miss Moody Gardens . Its iconic pyramids house a living rainforest with over 1,000 species of plants and animals , an aquarium , an IMAX theater , and much more . It ’ s a great way to