Step Inside Galveston’s Architectural History
An in-depth architectural walking tour featuring Galveston’s most famous historic homes, the influential figures who lived there, and exclusive access inside one remarkable property.
All Ticket Prices: $35
About Our Tour
The Galveston Architecture Tour offers an in-depth look at the island’s most celebrated historic homes and architectural styles. Led by knowledgeable local guides, this walking tour explores design details, construction techniques, and the influential figures who shaped Galveston’s golden era.
Guests will learn how these homes reflect the city’s rise as a major port and cultural center along the Gulf Coast. The experience includes exclusive interior access to one of Galveston’s iconic historic residences, making this tour both educational and truly unique.
Highlights
Galveston Architecture Tour Details
Things to Know Before You Go
Duration: 90 Minutes
Ticket: Mobile-ticket, instant confirmation
Max Group Size: 15 people
Ages: All ages welcome
Accessibility: Wheelchair, stroller & service animal friendly
Weather: Full refund if canceled due to poor weather
A Few of the Galveston Masterpieces Along the Way
Each stop on the tour reveals a new chapter in Galveston’s story—from triumph and tragedy to industry and indulgence.
League-Kempner House
We begin at the League-Kempner Mansion, once home to two of Galveston’s most powerful families.
Architecture: Victorian eclectic by Nicholas J. Clayton; wraparound porches and porte-cochère.
People: League & Kempner families — banking, railroads, philanthropy.
Fun fact: Currently undergoing restoration, symbol of Galveston’s preservation battles.
Trube Castle
Now for one of Galveston’s most whimsical Victorian homes—the Trube Castle.
Architecture: Gothic Revival, turrets, 12 gables, fanciful roofline.
People: Danish merchant John Clement Trube and family.
Fun fact: Features a stained-glass window hidden behind a fake chimney.
Fun fact: Currently undergoing restoration, symbol of Galveston’s preservation battles.
Bishop’s Palace
Galveston’s crown jewel—the Bishop’s Palace, also known as the Gresham House.
Architecture: Chateauesque/High Victorian by Nicholas J. Clayton; granite, limestone, and sandstone, elaborate towers.
People: Col. Walter Gresham and family; later the Catholic Diocese.
Fun fact: Survived the 1900 Storm, sheltered hundreds, called one of America’s finest Victorian houses.
Where to Meet
Meet your guide at League Kempner House (1702 Broadway). Free street parking is available.
Have questions before you book? Call/Text: 409-996-2860
From lavish palaces of the elite to a simple family home that gave rise to a Hollywood legend, Broadway’s neighborhood captures every layer of Galveston’s story. Thank you for walking with me, and may these houses remind you that history is lived not only in stone castles but also in the memories of those who survived storms and went on to shape the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the tour?
90 minutes.
How much walking is involved?
< 1 mile walk.
Is there parking?
Street parking is available.
Are discounts available?
Can we bring dogs?
Where do we met?
Meet your guide at League Kempner House (1702 Broadway).
What if it rains?
Are you a national tour company?
NO! We are Locally Owned & Operated. Thanks for supporting our local, small business.