From the author of the book comes a wonderful tour and a riveting journey through the forgotten parts of downtown Galveston that were once bustling with wild parties and generous offerings of hourly love.
Join renowned author and speaker Kimber Fountain as she brings to life the tales – both tragic and triumphant – of Galveston’s Red Light District: A History of The Line
Known today as a colorful resort destination featuring family-friendly entertainment and a thriving arts district, Galveston was once notorious for its flourishing vice economy of illegal liquor and gambling and an infamous red light district called simply, “The Line.”
This unassuming five blocks of Postoffice Street came to life every night and remained a stubborn mainstay of the island cityscape for nearly seventy years. In the late 1950s, the era was known as the “Free State of Galveston” finally came to an end, and today, almost all that remains of its history has been sensationalized and marginalized.
Galveston was more than just a city of “gangsters” and lewd women, and Kimber Fountain pursues the authentic, sequestered story of women who wanted to make their own rules and the city that wanted to let them.
Tours are every Wednesday-Saturday starting at 7pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com in advance or at the start of the tour (cash only).
Reservations are required for cash/onsite tickets, and both online ticket purchases and cash reservations must be made by 5pm the day of the tour.
The tour meets on the north steps of the old Galveston Post Office at 601 25th Street (corner of 25th and Church St.). Meet at the north steps located on Church Street side.
Tours begin promptly at 7pm. Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes early to ensure ample time to park and/or purchase onsite tickets. Due to mature content, this tour is strongly recommended for adults and older teens only. Tour content will not be censored for younger audiences, and teens and children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more info go to redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com, email GalvestonRedLightTours@gmail.com, call or text (409)526-6883. Reservations required.
Galveston Island Book Festival is an annual event where Readers can meet exciting new authors, or say hi to their favorite local author in an atmosphere of relaxed enjoyment.
For more information and a list of authors participating in the event visit the OFFICIAL website http://galveston.bookfestival.network/index.php
- October: Halloween Movie Nights – Saturday nights in October, drop by for spooky fun and Halloween movies.
- October 5th: “Hotel Transylvania,” Shown at Dusk
- October 12th: “The House With A Clock In Its Walls,” Shown at Dusk
- October 19th: “Goosebumps 2,” Shown at Dusk
- October 26th: Halloween Party – Bring the kids out for a ghostly good time with trick or treating, movies and more!
- October 26th: “Coco,” Shown at Dusk
- October 10th, 10am-8pm, Galveston Appreciation Day will take place where all-day ride passes will be $15.99. This is in conjunction with the Harvest Moon Regatta at 2pm.
- October 3rd: HomeSchool Day – Homeschooled students are invited to come for a day of educational thrills.
- October 11th-14th: Scout Weekend – There will be discounts for scouts with $17.99 All Day Ride Passes ($2 donated back).
- October 26th: Halloween Party – Bring the kids out for a ghostly good time with discounted ride tickets, trick or treating, movies and more.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, located at 2501 Seawall Blvd., features family-oriented attractions including rides, midway games, food venues, and retail shops. All events and rides are weather permitting. For more info, tickets, and a full list of events go to pleasurepier.com.
For decades, the historic Pleasure Pier served as a tourism catalyst for Galveston’s Seawall Boulevard and the Texas Gulf Coast. More than 40 years after the original Pleasure Pier was destroyed by Hurricane Carla, Landry’s has transformed the Pleasure Pier into a world-class amusement park for all ages.
Tickets are available for Walk-On only (no rides), Single Rides, All Day Ride Passes, and Weekend Pass for three parks at tickets.pleasurepier.com.
On the second Saturday of every month, 10am-3pm, the Ocean Star celebrates Family Day. Each Family Day focuses on a different theme that relates to the offshore industry. The information is presented at a student’s level using activities or experiments. Children 18 years of age and younger are admitted free with a paying chaperone. The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum is located at Pier 19 in Downtown Galveston. For more info call (409)766-7827 or go to oceanstaroec.com.
October 12th: Sources of Energy – In addition to petroleum, learn about nine other energy sources and how each one is important to you at any moment of every day. See if you can put together an energy puzzle, and discover how renewable and nonrenewable energy affects your life.
October: Halloween Movie Nights – Saturday nights in October, drop by for spooky fun and Halloween movies. Movies schedule are:
- October 5th: “Hotel Transylvania,” shown at dusk
- October 12th: “The House With A Clock In Its Walls,” shown at dusk
- October 19th: “Goosebumps 2,” shown at dusk
- October 26th: “Coca” and Halloween Party
October 10th (10am-8pm): Galveston Appreciation Day will take place where all-day ride passes will be $15.99. This is in conjunction with the Harvest Moon Regatta at 2pm.
October 11th-14th: Scout Weekend – There will be discounts for scouts with $17.99 All Day Ride Passes ($2 donated back).
October 26th (3-9pm): Halloween Party – Bring the kids out for a ghostly good time with discounted ride tickets, trick or treating, costume contest, activity corner, movies and more.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, located at 2501 Seawall Blvd., features family-oriented attractions including rides, midway games, food venues, and retail shops. All events and rides are weather permitting. For more info, tickets, and a full list of events go to pleasurepier.com.
For decades, the historic Pleasure Pier served as a tourism catalyst for Galveston’s Seawall Boulevard and the Texas Gulf Coast. More than 40 years after the original Pleasure Pier was destroyed by Hurricane Carla, Landry’s has transformed the Pleasure Pier into a world-class amusement park for all ages.
Tickets are available for Walk-On only (no rides), Single Rides, All Day Ride Passes, and Weekend Pass for three parks at tickets.pleasurepier.com.
The Island goes Greek for the 37th Annual Galveston Greek Festival, October 12 and 13, when the Greek Community hosts their annual party at 1824 Ball St.
What sets this event apart is that the food made on-site by parishioners, mostly who are professional chefs, or incredible cooks in their own right. Fresh ingredients are used in the centuries-old recipes much to the delight of all visitors. The Greek plate consists of pastitsio, meatballs, dolmades, olives, salad, cheese, and bread for $16. All other items sold ala carte include souvlaki, gyros, dolmades, meat and vegetarian, salad, olives and cheese, tyropita and spanakopita. Prices range from $4 to $8. A meal is not complete without a pastry or two and selections include baklava, kourambiedes, paximadia, koulourakia, and a few new pastries that will debut at the event. All foods and pastries are available to go.
A featured beverage is FIX beer, the Bud of Greece for generations, as well as Mythos Beer, that has won numerous awards for its flavor and remains a favorite of the European market. Served ice cold, both are sure to win the favor of those attending the Greek Festival. Greek wines have been paired to compliment the dishes being served.
Returning by popular demand is King of Bouzouki, Alex Kalos who will perform with his band throughout festival hours, and the Greek Dancers who will perform every two hours. Church tours will be led by Father Stelios Sitaras. Imported merchandise and food products from Greece will be available for purchase at the community gift shop and at vendor booths. An inside-outside event, the festival is rain or shine.
There is no admission to attend the festival, however, a small donation is appreciated and proceeds benefit the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Food and drink tickets sold in $2 increments. cash and credit cards are accepted, and an ATM is available.
Come for a visit and stay awhile. Greek Festival hours are Saturday, 11 am – 8 pm and Sunday, 12 noon – 6 pm. There’s no party like a Greek party. Rain or Shine. Don’t miss it. www.galvestongreekfestival.com.
October 12th, 19th, 26th (5:30pm): Haunted Sunset Cruises on Seagull II – Enjoy fall’s outstanding weather and sunsets with this evening tour. Departing from the Texas Seaport Museum, guests will enjoy a narrated exploration of Galveston’s historic bay its haunted history. These sunset cruises are BYOB. Tickets are $20.
For an island that is no stranger to the strange, this Halloween season Galveston Historical Foundation is offering a breathtaking roster of uniquely created events for adult and youth alike. “The island is a treasure of haunted stories and spooky places,” states GHF Executive Director, Dwayne Jones. “Our rich history and fascinating buildings are ideal for a truly unique Halloween experience.”
Join a fun and totally cool tour with Galveston Ghost Tours! Several different tours are available:
Walking Historic Galveston Ghost Tour
This walking tour has been conducted since 2009, and no gravestone has been left unturned to bring Haunted Galveston’s history to you. Meet on the corner of Sealy Ave. and 23rd St.
Ghost Bus Tour – Seawall Departure
This is a 10-mile, approximately 60-minute tour of Galveston! You’ll hear from ghost eyewitnesses in their own words. Galveston is well known for its haunted history, and as you visit the Island, you’ll hear stories of hauntings and paranormal activity at locations nearly everywhere you go. For times, costs and such contact: info@GalvestonExperience.com, call (409)741-340, or go to galvestonexperience.com.
More in-depth stories can be heard on the Galveston Ghost Podcast at GalvestonGhostPodcast.com. The Galveston Ghost podcast brings you firsthand interviews in the words of the ghost eyewitnesses. Be sure to subscribe so you are notified when each new episode is released.
Schedules are available at galvestonexperience.com/calendar/.
From the author of the book comes a wonderful tour and a riveting journey through the forgotten parts of downtown Galveston that were once bustling with wild parties and generous offerings of hourly love.
Join renowned author and speaker Kimber Fountain as she brings to life the tales – both tragic and triumphant – of Galveston’s Red Light District: A History of The Line
Known today as a colorful resort destination featuring family-friendly entertainment and a thriving arts district, Galveston was once notorious for its flourishing vice economy of illegal liquor and gambling and an infamous red light district called simply, “The Line.”
This unassuming five blocks of Postoffice Street came to life every night and remained a stubborn mainstay of the island cityscape for nearly seventy years. In the late 1950s, the era was known as the “Free State of Galveston” finally came to an end, and today, almost all that remains of its history has been sensationalized and marginalized.
Galveston was more than just a city of “gangsters” and lewd women, and Kimber Fountain pursues the authentic, sequestered story of women who wanted to make their own rules and the city that wanted to let them.
Tours are every Wednesday-Saturday starting at 7pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com in advance or at the start of the tour (cash only).
Reservations are required for cash/onsite tickets, and both online ticket purchases and cash reservations must be made by 5pm the day of the tour.
The tour meets on the north steps of the old Galveston Post Office at 601 25th Street (corner of 25th and Church St.). Meet at the north steps located on Church Street side.
Tours begin promptly at 7pm. Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes early to ensure ample time to park and/or purchase onsite tickets. Due to mature content, this tour is strongly recommended for adults and older teens only. Tour content will not be censored for younger audiences, and teens and children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more info go to redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com, email GalvestonRedLightTours@gmail.com, call or text (409)526-6883. Reservations required.
Every Thursday 3-6pm and Sunday 9am-12 noon (note new summer hours), Galveston’s Own Farmers Market is held at The Bryan Museum Gardens, located at 1315 21st St. Come to the beautiful Conservatory and botanical gardens to relax and enjoy time and conversation with friends, family, and museum staff while shopping for locally grown produce, prepared foods, and edible farm products, plus live music, yoga, massage, crafting and Kids Corner!
The Thursday market features all of the perks that you’ve come to expect at the market plus the added charms of the Bryan Museum’s “Wine at the Bryan” weekly event. The Sunday market also features wonderful goods and the charm of Bryan’s courtyard. It is always free to browse and most events are FREE to participate.
At every market, there will be:
- Live music
- A chance to learn more about The Bryan Museum
- FREE recycling with Keepin’ It Green: Every week, they accept your clean, rinsed recyclable plastics, glass, aluminum and paper/cardboard. KIG comes to pick it up every week aftermarket.
- Family-friendly activities sponsored by partners like Rosenberg Library, Galveston Island State Park, Galveston Island Humane Society, etc.
GOFM is always “BYOC” – bring your own cup. They have eliminated single-use cups for the free Sunday morning coffee station and Thursday water station. Support the initiative by cleaning out your cupboards and donating unwanted mugs to market for others to use.
Every Sunday (10am): Yoga Classes – These classes are led by local yoga teachers. All classes are free to attend.
