Houstonmetropolis of the south

The Texas Gulf coast at Galveston Island puts 32 miles of beaches, Victorian architecture and restaurants serving seafood that’s as fresh as it gets within easy reach (a 50-mile drive) of Houston. Although the city lost lives and landmarks—including classic wooden piers—during the devastation of 2008’s Hurricane Ike, it has been largely rebuilt. Make sure to see the quaint neighborhoods of grand mansions and tiny, quirky cottages, as well as the historic downtown, where shops, restaurants and nightclubs along The Strand draw visitors now just as they did more than 100 years ago. Galveston’s most popular attraction, though, is much newer—the Moody Gardens complex features the 12-story Aquarium Pyramid, 10-story Rainforest Pyramid and three theaters. If an overnight stay is in order, cozy up to a charming B&B or revisit a bygone era at the Tremont House or Hotel Galvez & Spa.