Roadtripping from Austin to Galveston
It took me seven years living in Texas to finally discover Galveston, and seven seconds to fall in love with it. The charming town along the Gulf of Mexico first stood out to me because of its historic pier and boardwalk, where the nostalgia from my childhood summers spent at the Jersey Shore came soaring back. There’s nothing quite comparable to the laid back life that comes with seaside towns and soaking it all in with your favorite people.
If you're an Austin transplant like me, you probably moved for the job opportunities and stayed for the endless sunny days. Just around a three hour drive from Austin, Galveston makes for just the right amount of time for a road trip, where it feels like you’re going somewhere extra special, and enough time to grab a coffee and curate the perfect playlist with your crew. A girls trip from Austin to Galveston should be on your radar, where you can trade in lounging in the grass at Barton Springs for lazing the day away on the serene Gulf Coast sands.
The destination that made my first Galveston visit unforgettable? Hotel Lucine. This boutique beachside hotel turned my trip into something I'm already planning to repeat. Here’s why:
The Room: Mid-century design, colorful courtyard views, vintage tiles in the bathroom, what more could you want? We loved to compare the color of our hotel bathrooms. Pink or aqua?
The Den: Our group started each morning by grabbing a cappuccino at The Den, heading across the street to beachcomb, taking a long stroll along the seawall. Upon our return, we enjoyed breakfast plates, it’s a tough choice between Huevos Rancheros or Full American!
Beach and pool: The beach to pool set-up at Hotel Lucine is peak vacation mode. After you’re sunkissed and done with battling the ocean waves, return to claim your spot at the pool, grab a bottle of rosé and basket of fries and relax by chit chatting in the pool for hours before heading back up to get dolled up for dinner.
The Rooftop: We also sipped cocktails and watched the sunset on the rooftop. I’m a sucker for an Aperol Spritz and you can’t find a better view in Galveston to pair one with. Starting Memorial Day, Sunset & Sounds will return, where musicians perform every Friday and Saturday.
The Fancy: All of the seafood is locally sourced, so you cannot go wrong. If you’re with 3-4 others, I’d recommend the Seafood Tower for a little bit of everything!
Beyond the hotel, a couple of other places to explore in Galveston:
Victorian Architecture: Bishop's Palace and historic buildings along The Strand for seeing 1800’s-era architecture
Shopping: Shops like the Naked Mermaid on Postoffice St. for locally made gems
Right now, Hotel Lucine is offering a Two Day Runaway Package, which is a steal for bachelorette and birthday parties:
- Reserved area by the pool for a two hour window of your choice
- 1-hour lesson of your choice of a surfing with Ohana Surf & Skate, yoga with a local instructor, or stand-up paddleboarding
- A house-made margarita pitcher and a bottle of top-shelf tequila
- Use code: RUNAWAY
Sometimes, a surprising change of scenery is much needed for a proper celebration and brings you back to your roots. The Texas Gulf Coast turns a weekend getaway into memories you’ll be replaying on the car ride home.
Don’t sleep on Galveston, Austin.