A Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide to Galveston, Texas

As someone that has lived in the southeastern United States for most of my life, whenever I think of beach destinations, I immediately think of Florida. My mind starts dreaming of visiting places like Panama City Beach, Clearwater, or Miami to name a few. But what if I told you that one of the best wheelchair accessible beach destinations in the country is actually in Texas?! Trust me, I never thought of Texas as being a beach destination until my recent visit to Galveston, but it is truly a special place. 

Recently, I had the chance to spend a few days in Galveston, Texas and I was amazed at how spectacular of a destination it is. Whether I was rolling on an accessible beach, riding a paddle wheel boat, learning about the history of Galveston, or something else, I was having so much fun. This trip made me realize that Texas is more than cowboy hats, rodeos, and great food (although Galveston definitely has some of the best food I’ve ever eaten!), and I’ll now think of Galveston anytime someone mentions a beach trip (I promise I still love you though, Florida!).

In this wheelchair accessible Galveston travel guide, I’ll start by telling you all about some of the best attractions and things to do. Then, I’ll give you some of my recommendations of places to eat and let you know about where I stayed. By the time you finish reading this guide, you should be fully prepared to start planning your own adventure to this slice of Texan paradise! 

Wheelchair Accessible Galveston Texas Attractions & Things to Do 

Explore the pyramids at Moody Gardens

Moody Gardens is a must-visit for any traveler to Galveston. This 242-acre park features three pyramids and each one has a different theme. There is the Rainforest Pyramid, the Aquarium Pyramid, and the Discovery Pyramid. I spent my entire first day in Galveston exploring Moody Gardens, and it was well worth it! 

The Rainforest Pyramid allows visitors to explore the lush rainforests of South America and Southeast Asia on accessible paved paths. The trail winds through the pyramid, showcasing a variety of plant and animal life. While some areas may have slight inclines, the path is mostly flat and easy to navigate with a wheelchair. Throughout the trail, there are benches and other places to rest if needed. Docents are stationed along the trail to answer questions and share interesting facts about the rainforest ecosystem.

The Aquarium Pyramid showcases aquatic life from the world’s oceans, with accessible exhibits and touch tanks. A variety of fish, sharks, sea turtles, and other sea creatures can be viewed through large windows. Many of the exhibits are also accessible by touch, allowing visitors to feel the texture of different sea creatures. There are even shallow touch tanks where visitors can gently touch some of the animals, like stingrays and starfish.

For those who enjoy learning about science and discovery, the Discovery Pyramid features interactive exhibits on a variety of topics. These exhibits are all wheelchair accessible and can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. You can learn about the human body, space exploration, weather patterns, and more through hands-on displays. When I visited, I enjoyed an interactive 4D show/movie called “20,000 Leagues: An Interactive Adventure” inside the Discovery Pyramid as well.

For movie lovers, the Moody Gardens 3D and 4D theaters offer a variety of films throughout the day and designated wheelchair accessible seating is available. Be sure to check with the theater staff in advance to confirm seating options for upcoming shows. 

You can easily spend a full day exploring the pyramids at Moody Gardens. Since each one is vastly different from the next, you’re sure to be entertained throughout the entire time of your visit.  

Ride the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat

Another attraction that I really enjoyed at Moody Gardens was the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. This is located just a short distance from the pyramids (about a 5 minute walk/roll) and it’s definitely worth doing while you’re at Moody Gardens! I always love being on the water and I was impressed with the accessibility of the boat. 

The Colonel Paddlewheel Boat is an authentic replica of an 1800’s style paddlewheeler. It can seat up to 500 passengers and the entire lower level is wheelchair accessible. There was a ramp for me to easily board the boat and while I spent most of my time on the outer deck, the indoor area was accessible as well. Inside, there were tables and a snack bar with food and drinks to purchase. 

A ride on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat lasts just 45 minutes, but it was a fun way to see the beauty along Offatts Bayou on Galveston Island. The boat cruises every day of the week at 1pm and on Saturday and Sunday, it goes again at 3pm as well. Depending on when you visit, special dinner cruises are occasionally an option. You can view the schedule online here.

By the time the boat docked back at Moody Gardens, I felt relaxed and rejuvenated. The wheelchair-friendly design of the boat allowed me to fully participate in this scenic adventure. I would highly recommend a ride on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat to anyone visiting Moody Gardens!

Watch my short video about my experiences at Moody Gardens below –

Learn about the Black history of Galveston

Did you know that Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth? To be honest, I didn’t know that until I started researching Galveston before my trip, but once I found out how much important Black history is in Galveston, I really wanted to learn more. So, I scheduled a tour with the company Juneteenth and Beyond. 

Juneteenth and Beyond is Galveston’s first African American guided history tour franchise and it was founded by Dr. Araminta Coleman Sorrell. Dr. Sorrell is committed to showcasing Galveston’s Black history and after spending a couple hours with her, I can say that her passion certainly shines through. She is incredibly knowledgeable and taught me so much about the area’s history. 

Our tour was predominantly a driving tour and Dr. Sorrell got in our accessible rental van (in the backseat) and told us where to drive. At each location, she would tell us about the history of that place. She made it a fascinating tour and she was a lot of fun to talk to. I appreciated that she was willing to get in our rental van to make the tour accessible. 

Some of the places that we visited included Central Middle School (this was the first high school for African Americans in Texas back in 1885), Avenue L Baptist Church (one of the oldest Black churches in Texas), and Jack Johnson Park (named after the first African American heavyweight boxing champion, who was from Galveston). We visited many other places as well and the last stop on our 2.5 hour tour was the Juneteenth mural in downtown Galveston.

This tour with Dr. Sorrell of Juneteenth and Beyond was definitely a highlight of my time in Galveston. If you’re interested in learning about Galveston’s Black history (and we all should be because it’s important), check out the Juneteenth and Beyond website to learn more and schedule a tour. If you need a wheelchair accessible tour though, I’d recommend calling them to arrange it. 

Stroll The Strand and shop till you drop 

If you’re looking for the best place to shop, dine, or be entertained in Galveston, head to The Strand. The Historic Strand District is the heart of Galveston Island and along this street in downtown, you will find many shops and eateries. 

The Strand is a National Historic Landmark and a lot of the buildings here are over 100 years old, but despite that, I found accessibility to be pretty good. There were ramped curb cuts available at each street crossing and most shops were wheelchair accessible. I did notice that some had only steps to get inside, but I spent a couple hours one day shopping in many of the businesses that I could get into. 

Some of my favorite accessible shops were Tola Mo’ Bettah Market, which had some good Galveston souvenirs, and you can’t leave The Strand without visiting La King’s Confectionery. La King’s has fudge, candy, ice cream, coffee, and a variety of other sweet treats. While there are steps to enter La King’s, they also had a lift that I was able to use, which I was happy to see. 

The Strand is such a fun area to explore in Galveston! And whether you’re in the mood for shopping, coffee, food, or something else, you will definitely find it here. Plan to spend at least a couple hours (or more!) rolling along The Strand, so that you can fully enjoy its offerings. 

Hunt for ghosts on a ghost tour

I also enjoyed rolling along The Strand at night, but it was a bit more frightening than my visit during the day. Why? Because I did a Ghosts of Galveston Strand Tour with Kathleen Maca. She is the author of “Ghosts of Galveston” and is featured in the TV show “Ghost Brothers”, so trust me when I say that she knows her ghosts! 

This was a rolling/walking tour along The Strand. Kathleen met us for our wheelchair accessible walking/rolling tour and immediately, I could tell she was so knowledgeable about the history of Galveston’s ghosts. As we wandered along and passed The Strand’s many buildings, she explained the eerie history of each one. She shared stories of the most famous ghosts that have been haunting Galveston for years and she did it in such a fun way.

Some spirits date back to the Civil War and others are victims from the big storm of 1900. Kathleen even allowed us to stop, peek through the store fronts and windows of the buildings, and take photos to see if we could catch any images of ghosts with our cameras. Although I wasn’t lucky enough to actually see any ghosts on my tour, I did feel the hairs on my arms stand up a few times and a chill run up my spine. 

This was one of the most thrilling ghost tours that I’ve taken, and I’ve taken quite a few of them in different cities like Savannah and Wilmington. It was really great that Kathleen made sure to seek out the accessible crosswalks and ramps along the road, so that accessibility was never a question. I was able to totally focus on the ghosts instead of worrying about accessibility! 
If you’re ever in the Galveston area, I highly suggest taking a ghost tour with Kathleen! You can learn more on Kathleen Maca’s website by clicking here.

Relax on an accessible beach

I always love going to the beach, but it can be challenging to find a wheelchair accessible beach. However, Galveston has really put a lot of effort into accessibility for all guests, so I was able to enjoy some beach time during my trip! 

Stewart Beach is one of the most accessible beaches in Galveston. Here, you will find plenty of accessible parking spots and wheelchair accessible companion care restrooms. These restrooms have grab bars around the toilet, a pull-under sink, and plenty of space to maneuver around for someone in a wheelchair. 

One of the best things about Stewart Beach is the fact that beach access mats are available! These mats lead toward the water and allowed my powered wheelchair to easily maneuver along the sand. I really enjoyed sitting at the end of the access mat for a while and watching the waves lapping against the shore. 

Stewart Beach also has beach wheelchairs available for use, including amphibious beach wheelchairs. These amphibious beach wheelchairs can roll on the sand or take you down into the water. These are the best because they allow you to not only enjoy the sunshine, but also roll into the water and cool down when you get too hot. 

This beach is family friendly and staffed with highly trained lifeguards to make your experience safe, as well as fun. If you’re looking for a fantastic wheelchair accessible beach experience, check out Stewart Beach while you’re in wheelchair accessible Galveston! I’m sure you’ll love this beach just as much as I did.

Enjoy the outdoors on the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve ADA Trail 

Located on Galveston Island is the East End Lagoon ADA Trail. This trail is a half mile loop and its flat terrain makes it relatively easy to roll on. Since the trail is not paved, and is covered with dirt and a few small gravels, it is a bit bumpy, but it is totally worth the journey. 

While rolling along the East End Lagoon ADA Trail, I saw so many species of birds. The birds were enjoying their day on the lagoon and so was I! It was such a peaceful place to take in nature and enjoy some time in the great outdoors. 

Depending on the time and day of your visit, you should be able to experience the sights and sounds of the birds and wildlife along your hike. The Nature Preserve that surrounds the ADA Trail includes almost 700 acres with plenty of opportunities for birding, fishing, and hiking. 

Wheelchair accessible parking is located at the trailhead and the ADA Trail is open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, so no time is a bad time to visit. Just have your sense of adventure and be ready to enjoy this outdoor trail! 

Have Fun on Pleasure Pier

Pleasure Pier is exactly as the name states. It is a pier that stretches away from Seawall Blvd over the Gulf of Mexico and it brought me so much pleasure during my visit. 

Pleasure Pier is not your average pier though. It is home to an amusement park, including a roller coaster! The park includes 15 rides, lots of delicious food (including carnival foods like funnel cake!), exciting carnival games, and souvenir shops. You can be thoroughly entertained at Pleasure Pier for hours! 

Although I wasn’t able to ride most of the rides in my wheelchair (the carousel was wheelchair accessible though!), I thoroughly enjoyed rolling around, seeing the smiles on the thrill-seekers faces, and eating some snacks like the scrumptious funnel cake that I devoured. 

I also found an accessible restroom here and even a wheelchair accessible picnic table near one of the restaurants at the entrance. Pleasure Pier has great wheelchair accessible parking on Seawall Blvd near the entrance and across the street from the entrance with a smooth crosswalk.

Roll through Galveston’s cemeteries

I know, I know… visiting cemeteries sounds a bit morbid, huh? But if you want to see something that is absolutely beautiful, visit the Broadway Historic Cemetery between mid-March and early June. I visited here in late April and the historic cemetery was covered with canary-yellow coreopsis. Seeing all the wildflowers and the old towering burial markers was so picturesque. 

Every year, for several weeks in the spring, the mowing schedule is suspended for five of the seven cemeteries that are connected in this district. Although the flowers cover the grounds between the headstones and markers, there are still plenty of smooth, flat paved sidewalks throughout the cemetery to view and photograph this epic sight.

I noticed the cemetery’s beauty just driving by and absolutely had to pull-in to see it and roll through it in-person. I am telling you, the pictures that I took here didn’t even match the beauty of actually seeing it in-person.

Where to Eat in Galveston

I don’t know that I have ever seen a destination with as many delicious restaurants as Galveston. I did not have a bad meal during my entire stay here and in fact, I constantly looked forward to seeing what my next meal would be because it was all so scrumptious. Here are five of my favorite wheelchair accessible Galveston restaurants:

Katie’s Seafood House

At Katie’s Seafood House, you will find the freshest seafood. This seafood comes right off the boats and straight to your plate. You can’t find this caliber of freshness and deliciousness elsewhere! I easily found wheelchair accessible parking and quickly rolled over to the waterfront along the entrance just to see the view. Their fleet of fishing boats dock here and bring in their fresh catches daily. I chose the outdoor seating area and easily rolled out onto the deck. Immediately, I wanted to try the Smoked Fish Dip. Within minutes, it arrived to my table and it was so good. After devouring that, I then was ready for the Persian Snapper. This dish makes my mouth water just thinking about it. It was a lemon herb peppered American Red Snapper and the freshness of this made the flavor even better. I was so full after finishing this plate, but absolutely had to try their homemade banana pudding. And it was even better than I imagined! I will definitely be returning here every time I visit Galveston.

Gaido’s

I started my trip in Galveston by eating at Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant and what a start to the trip it was! Gaido’s has been around since 1911 and it is a staple in Galveston. After eating here, I  could definitely see why so many people have been enjoying this restaurant for years. I eagerly chose the shrimp cocktail as my starter and it was so tasty. I then moved on to the pecan-crusted snapper with grilled vegetables. The portion size was generous, but somehow I managed to clean my plate. Even after all this delicious food, I still could not resist the temptation of their famous pecan pie. This pie has won the award for the best pecan pie in Texas twice! Without a doubt, it was the best pecan pie that I have ever eaten… and I’ve eaten many! If you want a delicious meal with exemplary customer service, Gaido’s is your place! 

Rudy & Paco

Rudy & Paco is an award-winning dining experience in downtown Galveston, serving grilled seafood and steaks with a Central American flare. This restaurant has an upscale ambiance and both the food and the service are excellent. It’s the perfect place for a date night, or just a night out for a special dinner with your family or friends. Rudy & Paco enforces a strict dress code for dinner, not allowing shorts, t-shirts, hats, or beachwear, but since it is such a nice place, it’s worth putting on a nice outfit. If you prefer dressing down, lunch is more casual and they do allow shorts. Either way, the food here is a ten out of ten! During my dinner, I chose the Empanadas Mixtas as a starter. This was beef, chicken, and shrimp empanadas served golden crisp with a cilantro cream sauce. Although shrimp is always my favorite, all three were exceptional. For my main course, I devoured the Camarones Ajillo. This dish consisted of sautéed gulf shrimp in a white wine and lemon garlic butter sauce. I almost drooled just typing that sentence it was so good. Honestly, I was so full that I had no room left for dessert, but I can guarantee it would have all been delicious based on the quality of my other dishes. 

Leeland House 

Known around Galveston as a favorite neighborhood bistro, Leeland House is where I chose to have brunch during my visit. This restaurant offers their own private parking lot, and open seating both inside and on the patio. Please note this is a cashless eatery, so make sure to bring your credit card. Upon opening the menu, I was quick to see exactly what I wanted, the Biscuit and Gravy. This was a bowl with two scrambled eggs, cheddar, andouille sausage, gravy, a buttermilk biscuit, and I even added the crispy chicken on top of mine. Let me tell you, this hit the spot! It tasted just like (or maybe even better) than grandma used to make. I also ordered a latte from the bar and this paired perfectly with my tasty dish. After scraping up every morsel and devouring it all, I was very pleased to see a companion care restroom as I was heading out the door. This made me love Leeland House even more! 

Shearn’s Seafood & Prime Steaks 

Located inside Moody Gardens Hotel, Shearn’s Seafood & Prime Steaks is a premier dining experience in Galveston. It is one of only 11 restaurants in the Houston/Galveston area to receive AAA’s Four Diamond Award of Excellence. Rolling up in the elevator to the rooftop of Moody Gardens, I was in awe to see the floor to ceiling window views of the Gulf of Mexico. The atmosphere and the food here is exquisite! I chose the Hatch Pepper Crab Cake as my starter and the sweet corn sauce that came with it was like icing on the cake. I then got the 6 oz Filet served with lobster mashed potatoes and it could’ve honestly melted in my mouth. It was so tender and I quickly understood how they received the Four Diamond Award. After our very friendly and attentive waiter brought out an entire dessert cart for us to visually decide, I opted for the ever so tasty pecan bread pudding. I literally thought I may burst, but I could not stop eating this until it was gone. Whether you stay at this hotel or not, you definitely do not want to miss this scrumptious and exquisite dining experience while in Galveston.

Where to Stay in Galveston: Moody Gardens Hotel

Throughout my time in wheelchair accessible Galveston, I stayed at the fabulous Moody Gardens Hotel. The hotel is located just a short walk/roll from all of the excitement of Moody Gardens, including the pyramids and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, so it was a perfect place to stay for my trip. Everything in Galveston is fairly close though, so you’re just a short drive away from almost anything you want to enjoy. 

I stayed in a wheelchair accessible room at Moody Gardens Hotel and it worked really well for my accessibility needs. In the room, there was one king sized bed (31 inches tall) and the room had a ton of space to maneuver around. We even had a great view of the Moody Gardens pyramids from the window! 

Then in the bathroom, there was a pull-under sink, grab bars by the toilet, and a roll-in shower. The hotel provided a shower seat and the shower was easy for me to roll into, as it just had a rubber strip at the shower entrance. 

For me, the accessible room worked very well. I would absolutely stay here again next time I’m in Galveston. You can learn more about Moody Gardens Hotel and book a stay of your own on their website here. 

During my trip in wheelchair accessible Galveston, I discovered how awesome of a destination it is. From phenomenal food to a plethora of wheelchair accessible attractions, my time in Galveston was jam-packed with excitement and I’m already looking forward to returning one day in the not too distant future hopefully. If you want to visit a Texas destination that has it all, including accessible beaches, look no further than Galveston! 

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*Thank you to Visit Galveston for working with me on this trip and showing me the best of wheelchair accessible Galveston! While my experiences were complimentary, all opinions expressed are authentic and my own. 

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