Weekend in ... Galveston, Texas

Eat: Grab a bar stool, a beer and a burger at The Spot. This busy self-service restaurant is part of a four-venue beachfront complex featuring the island's largest open-air deck. Most menu selections are under $10. Also on-site is the Tiki Bar, the Drip Cocktail Lounge and Nightclub and Squeeze Ritas & Tequilas; 3204 Seawall Blvd., 409-621-5237, www.islandfamous.com.

Experience: Besides Galveston Island's 32 miles of beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, 60 of the city's 19th-century buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The architecture of the tree-lined, 50-block East End District features a wide variety of period buildings. Print self-guided walking tours at www.eastendhistoricdistrict.org. The Strand National Historic Landmark District has dozens of graceful Victorian-era buildings, many of which survived the 1900 hurricane, regarded as the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. The Strand and the neighboring Post Office District are filled with restaurants, antique shops and art galleries. Stop at the Texas Seaport Museum ($8) and Pier 21 Theater, which has daily showings of the movie "The Great Storm" ($5), www.galvestonhistory.org.

Moderate

Getting there: Regularly priced rates, requiring a two-week advance purchase notice, start from $208; nonstop AirTran, Continental, Delta.

Stay: The historic 1911 Hotel Galves & Spa is the grand dame of all Galveston Island hotels. The hotel is located across from the beach, close to Moody Gardens and is a trolley ride away from The Strand Historic District and Pier 21. Rates from $129-$219 in February; $219-$259 in March; 2024 Seawall Blvd., 409-765-7721, www.galveston.com/galvez.

Eat: Enjoy Greek, Creole and Gulf Coast cooking styles at the sophisticated Olympia Grill. The setting on the waterfront is perfect for lunch ($6-$15) on a grand covered deck overlooking the water. Dinner entrees $10-$35; Pier 21 and Harborside Dr., 409-765-0021, www.olympiapier21.com.

Experience: The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum at Pier 19 gives visitors an opportunity to step aboard a retired and refurbished offshore rig and experience how oil and gas are produced offshore. With interactive displays, models and videos, patrons travel to offshore locations all over the world. Self-guided tours are $8, adults; 409-766-7827, www.oceanstaroec.com.

Splurge

Getting there: One-way, walk-up business class rates start from $428 to Houston; nonstop AirTran, Continental, Delta.

Stay: The Galvestonian on Grand Beach is convenient to downtown, yet is secluded and surrounded by a natural sanctuary of wetlands, lagoons and dunes. Posh accommodations are available in one- , two- and three-bedroom condos ($210, $290, $370, respectively, through May 1); 1401 E. Beach Dr., 1-888-526-6161, www.galvestonian.com.

Eat: Rudy & Paco Restaurant & Bar is an upscale seafood and steakhouse with a Latin flair. The romantic atmosphere makes for an ideal setting before a night at The Grand 1894 Theater located next door. Entrees from $15-$30; 2028 Post Office St., 409-762-3696, www.galveston.com/rudypaco.

Experience: Take a one-hour cruise across the beautiful Offatts Bayou aboard the elegant 750-passenger, triple-deck sternwheeler, The Colonel. Day cruises operate on Friday at 1 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; $9.95 adults. Colonel dinner cruises are scheduled the second Saturday of each month with a dinner buffet, nonstop dancing and cash bar; $65 per person. The Colonel is just a part of the many attractions at the 156-acre Moody Gardens complex. Attractions include 3-D and 4-D theaters, an interactive science Discovery Museum and a 12-story Aquarium Pyramid. In May, the 10-story Rainforest Pyramid will reopen, an attraction with animals, fish, butterflies and more than 1,000 species of exotic plants from rainforests around the world. A one-day, all-attraction adult pass is $39.95; 1 Hope Blvd., 1-800-582-4673, www.moodygardens.com.