Nicest Part of Galveston
The Strand is Galveston's historic district located at the northwestern end of the island and is a fun place to spend a sunny afternoon. If you get tired of the beach and trashy seawalk joints, head to the Strand where you'll find everything from open-air tiki huts to boutiques and wine bars.
Highlights are Colonel Bubbies, the nation's largest army surplus store and the Ice Cream Factory, where root beer floats are made the old-fashioned way with soda water, syrup, and homemade ice cream and are among the best I've ever had. Also, Galveston has its own mini-Mardi Gras every year which is a lot of fun and an annual Motorcycle Rally takes place in the strand and is a pretty great chance to people-watch (South Texas bikers get pretty eccentric).
