Rental Types

• Vacation homes in Galveston are plentiful, and most offer pools, spas or hot tubs on site. The weather is warm most of the year in this Texas coastal town that sits 45 minutes from Houston. History runs deep here, and many people pour into the hotels and homes all summer and most weekends throughout the year. You may want a cozy cottage for two, a beachfront condominium or something on the bayside to enjoy the fishing. When you contact a rental agent, you will be asked whether you want a beachfront, bayside or a historical Strand-area home for your vacation.
  
  

Subdivision Rentals

• Galveston has several beaches. The Seawall is where many of the hotels, restaurants and resorts are located. It is literally divided from the beach by a seawall built after a hurricane in 1900 destroyed the town. You will find condominium rentals along this stretch that overlooks Seawall Boulevard and the beach. You can access the beach by crossing the four-lane boulevard and going down the seawall steps. Once past the seawall, many subdivisions filled with vacation rental properties can be found. Subdivisions are divided into rows. If you rent a vacation home located on Row 3, you will be three blocks from the beach.
  
  

Beachfront

• You will also find vacation rentals on Stewart Beach, East Beach, West Beach or along Jamaica Beach. There are many homes outside of the traditional subdivision areas that sit on their own property. The rental companies provide pictures of the homes available and their amenities. Some homes sleep up to 15. The beach is accessible by small walkways that connect the homes to the beach in order to protect the sand dunes. Some homes allow pets, and they are allowed on the beach. You cannot drive on Galveston Beach, and open containers are not allowed.
  
  

The Strand

• The Strand is the historical part of Galveston Island and runs east to west adjoining the Port of Galveston, the Medical Center and the ferry that crosses Galveston Bay. Cruise ships routinely dock in the area. If you rent a vacation home in the downtown area, the museums, restaurants and shops along The Strand are easily accessible. Vehicles, bicycles and people leisurely walking fill the streets. Tree sculptures dot the yards on the East End of the Strand. The sculptures were cut from huge oak trees devastated by Hurricane Ike.