The video above takes you on a drive from Houston down to Galveston Island, exploring Galveston Island State Park and everything around it before ending the night with a live music gig on the water. David Bridwell made the trip to play a show at Waterman's restaurant, but along the way he stopped to check out the state park, the beaches, and some of the local food spots that make this island worth the visit.
What Is There to Do at Galveston Island State Park?
Galveston Island State Park sits on a unique stretch of the island where you get two completely different experiences depending on which side you're on. The Gulf of Mexico side has brown sand beaches with amenities like bathrooms, ice, shaded picnic tables, and RV campsites. It's a solid spot for bird watching, wading into the water, or just posting up for the afternoon. The bay side of the park is a different world — more of a marshy, natural area where locals go fishing, launch kayaks, and take boats out. You can even spot alligators in the marsh areas. If you're looking for something beyond the typical Galveston beach-and-bar routine, the bay side of the park is where you get a real sense of the island's natural landscape.
Eating and Playing Music on the West End
After the state park, the next stop was Seahorse Grill for some catfish — a good call before a gig. The show itself was at Waterman's restaurant, which sits right along West Bay on the western end of the island. The setup there is worth noting: people can literally pull their boats up to the restaurant, dock, walk in, and catch live music while they eat. That kind of spot is hard to find, and it makes for a loose, fun atmosphere when you're playing for a crowd that arrived by water.
- Waterman's Restaurant — A waterfront spot on West Bay where boats dock right at the door, with live music and views of the water
- Seahorse Grill — A casual place to grab seafood like fried catfish before heading further down the island
Getting Around the Island
Galveston is a narrow strip with the Gulf of Mexico on the south side and West Bay and Galveston Bay on the north. Driving west from the main part of town, you pass a long line of beachfront hotels, colorful homes up on stilts — a mix of full-time residents and vacation rentals — and eventually the landscape shifts to more natural vegetation, palm trees, and shrubs that actually make it feel like an island rather than a beach suburb. The locals are out in flip-flops and tank tops, and millions of visitors come through every year for the beaches, the food, the architecture, and the nightlife. Check the description below the video for more Galveston content covering different neighborhoods and the nightlife scene across the island.