Galveston Seawall & Seawall Boulevard
A roughly 16 km seawall built after the Great Storm of 1900. Its top promenade is the main artery for cycling, sea views and seafood dining along the resort.
The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 killed an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people, making it the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. In its aftermath the city built a concrete seawall about 5 meters high and raised the entire island’s grade. Today Seawall Boulevard runs for about 16 km along the Gulf of Mexico. The wide promenade on top of the wall is ideal for riding a rented bike or a four-person family surrey. Along the way you’ll find Pleasure Pier, the Galvez Hotel, the 1900 Storm monument sculpture and plenty of seafood restaurants, while a continuous sandy beach stretches below the wall. The seawall is open 24 hours and free to access, though parking at some beach sections below the wall is paid. Sun exposure is intense in summer, so bring sunscreen and heed the rip current warning flags.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Stewart Beach
- Bishop's Palace
- East End Historic District
- Hotel Galvez
- The Bryan Museum
- The Grand 1894 Opera House
- Ashton Villa
- Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum