Galveston Island Convention Center – Things To Do With Your Team

Located on magnificent Seawall Boulevard in Galveston, Texas, the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort offers an ideal combination of a well-equipped facility and relaxing seaside surroundings.

Although you and your team are likely visiting the Galveston Island Convention Center to attend an event, you’ll feel as if you’re on vacation while you’re there too. In fact, the convention center even boasts breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico that can be enjoyed throughout many areas of the facility.

At 140,000 square feet, the Galveston Island Convention Center features a variety of spaces capable of accommodating many different kinds of events. These spaces include a column-free, 43,100-square-foot exhibition hall; a 15,000-square-foot ballroom; 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting space; and 29,000 square feet of pre-function space.

The Galveston Island Convention Center is situated on the grounds of the luxurious, 32-acre San Luis Resort, which offers 700 guest rooms in addition to another 1,400 rooms located within two miles.

Also located within walking distance of the Galveston Island Convention Center are a variety of unique, kid-friendly attractions and restaurants. This makes it a breeze to make the most of your stay in this charming seaside city.

Things to Do

Seawall Urban Park

Just a few steps from the Galveston Island Convention Center is one of the city’s most popular and iconic attractions: Seawall Urban Park.

Seawall Urban Park stretches for 10 miles, offering warm, sandy beaches adjacent to the nation’s longest continuous sidewalk. This makes the park a fantastic place for you and your team to get outside after spending a lot of time indoors at the Galveston Island Convention Center.

There are a variety of activities you and your team can enjoy while at Seawall Urban Park. You can sit on the beach and soak up some sun, go swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, or stretch your legs along the park’s sidewalk.

Many great restaurants and tourist attractions are located right near Seawall Urban Park as well, so be sure to keep an eye out while you’re there! Galveston, Galveston Island, TX

Galveston’s 61st Street Fishing Pier

While in Galveston, you and your team will be right next to the Gulf of Mexico. Take advantage of this and visit Galveston’s 61st Street Fishing Pier. Stretching out over the Gulf of Mexico, the 61st Street Fishing Pier is the place to be for fun, family-friendly adventures in Galveston.

If you and your team would like to fish off of the side of the pier but couldn’t fit your rods and fishing gear in your suitcases, no worries! The 61st Street Fishing Pier offers rod rentals and has many different kinds of bait for sale.

Also for sale at the pier are a variety of snacks, beverages, and souvenirs. Even if you and your team aren’t interested in fishing, the 61st Street Fishing Pier is still worth visiting during your stay. The pier features an observation deck where those just looking to relax can take in the postcard-worthy view as the cool breeze rolls in from the Gulf. 6101 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77551

Rainforest Cafe River Adventure Ride

Located inside of the Rainforest Cafe just down the street from the Galveston Island Convention Center is a little-known attraction that’s a great way to enjoy some indoor fun during a particularly hot day in Galveston. While on the Rainforest Cafe River Adventure Ride you and your team will feel as if you’ve left Galveston and ventured deep into the heart of faraway jungle.

After boarding a raft you’ll set off on your journey through this immersive ride through the rainforest, complete with lush vegetation, dense fog, and animatronic animals of all kinds.

Tickets for the ride only cost a few dollars, meaning that you’ll still have plenty of money left over in your team’s budget for them to pick out a fun souvenir or two in the Rainforest Cafe gift shop on the way out. 5310 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77551

Crockett Park

After spending the majority of your day inside the Galveston Island Convention Center, take your team to Crockett Park for some fun in the sun. Crockett Park is a quaint public park that’s maintained by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The park features typical kid-friendly amenities like a playground, swing set, and basketball court. There are also benches located throughout the park, making a great place to enjoy a quick snack outdoors amidst towering tropical palm trees. Avenue S, Galveston, TX 77551

NOAA NMFS Galveston Laboratory

If your team is fascinated by all things wildlife, a tour of the NOAA NMFS Galveston Laboratory is a unique, must-do activity during your stay in Galveston. While on the tour you and your team will get to see sea turtles up close while gaining important insight into the international sea turtle recovery program that the facility has participated in since 1978. Because the NOAA NMFS Galveston Laboratory is a national research facility and not a public aquarium or zoo, your group’s experience there will be unlike any you’ve had before.

The tour begins with a 30-minute classroom session where your group will learn about the different species of sea turtles and why they are endangered. Following the classroom session, you’ll visit the Turtle Barn, which is home to hundreds of juvenile turtles.

Tours of the facility are quite popular and are only offered on Thursdays. If you can, reserve your visit well in advance to ensure availability. For safety reasons, any children attending the tour must be at least six years old. Tours are offered free of charge. 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 77551

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Places to Eat

BBQ Barn & Burgers

If there’s one kind of cuisine that Texas is famous for, it’s barbecue. While in Galveston, do everyone’s taste buds a favor and grab a bite to eat at BBQ Barn & Burgers. This locally owned restaurant serves up authentic barbecue along with a variety of other mouthwatering dishes. Barbecue meats on the menu at BBQ Barn & Burgers include sliced brisket, chopped beef, pork spare ribs, and smoked turkey and sausage.

Also on the menu are a variety of burgers and sandwiches. Some of their most unique burger offerings include The Heat Burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, mayo, and mustard and the Buffalo Burger, which features a half-pound patty that’s been deep fried and topped with wing sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and fresh crumbled bleu cheese. 5703 Stewart Rd, Galveston, TX 77551

Cajun Greek

A favorite amongst Galveston locals for decades, Cajun Greek offers a wide variety of fresh seafood and other specialties. Their menu features seafood favorites like fried shrimp, fish, and oysters, as well as plentiful platters piled high with stuffed crabs, seafood mac and cheese, and more. Their signature gumbo and crisp, garden-fresh salads are also quite popular. Other offerings on the menu at Cajun Greek include burgers, gyros, and po’ boys.

They also have a kids menu with dishes like gulf shrimp blackened or grilled, fried catfish, grilled cheese, cheese sticks, and hot dogs, all offered at a discounted price. 2226 61st St, Galveston, TX 77551

Papa’s Gourmet Pizza & Subs

Papa’s Gourmet Pizza & Subs has got the art of pizza making down to a science. In fact, they’ve been serving handmade New York-style pizza in Galveston since 1973.

In addition to classic thin crust and deep-dish pizzas, Papa’s makes specialty pies as well, all generously loaded with fresh ingredients. Specialty pies at Papa’s include vegetarian, chicken fajita, and Hawaiian.

You and your team can also dig into calzones, muffalettas, hot and cold subs, lasagna, spaghetti, chicken parmesan, wings tossed in one of their 14 delicious sauces, and more. For dessert, indulge in sweet tooth-satisfying treats like cake, chocolate chunk cookies, walnut brownies, and beignets. 4400 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550

Texas Pit Stop BBQ

There are too many great barbecue joints to only mention one that’s worth stopping at while you and your team are visiting Galveston.

Another place where you can sink your teeth into delicious barbecue just minutes away from the Galveston Island Convention Center is Texas Pit Stop BBQ. The competition-style barbecue that they’re serving at Texas Pit Stop BBQ first came to be many years ago when owner Arnold Garza served as head cook of an award winning cook-off team.

Barbeque offerings at Texas Pit Stop BBQ include brisket, sausage, pork ribs, chicken, turkey, pulled pork, and chopped beef. You can enjoy your choice of meats served on a platter along with two scrumptious sides like baked beans, mac and cheese, and cole slaw, or on a hearty sandwich. Other popular options include BBQ brisket nachos, twice baked potatoes, and chicken wings. 6612 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77551

Much like the Galveston Island Convention Center, Galveston itself has much to offer you and your team during your stay.

While there you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of unique attractions and restaurants you’ll be raving about to everyone back home. Best of all, many of these attractions and eateries are located just minutes away from the Galveston Island Convention Center.

That being said, there are great establishments to find all over the 27-mile span of Galveston Island. Whenever your team has a good amount of free time during your stay, have everyone put on some sunscreen and go explore the island.