Our Christmas cruise began with a trip from Wichita to Galveston. I’m a roadside attraction type of guy and there was plenty to see along the way.
Buc-ee’s
The rest of the family left before us, but we met at Buc-ee’s. Never heard of it…well… it’s this convenience store and gas station chain down south that’s like the king of the road trip pit stop scene. It’s massive, I’m talking “small Walmart” massive. And let me tell you, when nature calls on the interstate, this chain offers the cleanest restrooms. I’m talking sparkling-clean like they’ve got bathroom fairies working overtime.
But that’s just the beginning of the adventure. Inside, it’s like stepping into a Buc-ee’s wonderland. They’ve got everything under the sun, all with that iconic Buc-ee’s logo slapped on it. From sodas to snacks, clothes, and yes, even shot glasses (although, side note, they could step up their shot glass game with adding the city’s name to the glass, just saying).
Anyway, we couldn’t resist the allure of Buc-ee’s merch. We snagged a Christmas ornament for the tree and even treated ourselves to matching pairs of Buc-ee’s boxers because why not? It’s not just a pit stop; it’s a full-on shopping spree adventure.
Galveston
Ending our journey with a night in Galveston, where our cruise awaited, we gathered with the family for a feast at Joe’s Crab Shack. While Jeremy and I had been to Joe’s elsewhere, this was our first visit to the Galveston joint. The seafood was a great, especially my peel-and-eat shrimp. Sure, Kansas has its seafood spots, but there’s a certain freshness to Gulf catches that just can’t be beat.
It was kind of a cold evening in Galveston. Actually, it was just cold.
You know, the last time we were here, it snowed. The lady at one of the gift shops was standing outside watching the snow because it was so rare.
Jeremy was freezing but agreed to walk to Pleasure Pier with me.
Pleasure Pier
Pleasure Pier has seen its fair share of ups and downs since its days as a recreational spot for the military back in World War II. Back then, it was the largest pier in the country. But then along came Hurricane Carla in 1961, giving the place a real makeover, and not the good kind.
But fear not, because the Flagship Hotel swooped in like a superhero, drawing in tourists for decades until Hurricane Ike decided to crash the party in 2008.
The time came to rebuild the pier, which is exactly what Landry’s did in 2012. They brought Pleasure Pier back to life, adding an amusement park and a boatload of dining options. Which leads us to our next stop:
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
So, we all know and love that classic movie from 1994, right? Well, turns out, that Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. took inspiration from Forrest Gump and turned it into a seafood sensation.
The coastal-themed joint is surrounded by movie memorabilia from one of Tom Hanks’ most iconic roles.
And let’s not forget the gift shop. Oh yeah, they’ve got it all, including shot glasses galore. I couldn’t resist snagging one with the Bubba Gump logo with Galveston on it. I also bought a Dr. Pepper shot glass. You know, because Forrest loved his Dr. Pepper so much he even had to tell President Kennedy about it, “I gotta pee.”
Robert’s Lafitte
After a marathon drive from Wichita, a cocktail sounded good. We’re big on supporting local LGBTQ+ establishments, so we set our sights on finding a gem. We stumbled upon Robert’s Lafitte, a cozy little joint tucked away not far from the beach.
Robert’s Lafitte isn’t just any old bar. It’s the oldest gay bar in Texas, serving the community since 1965. Talk about history in a highball glass! If only they had shot glasses!
Gaido’s
The quest for oysters on the half-shell led us to Gaido’s, which has been serving up seafood since 1911. Stepping into this place is like stepping into a seafood time machine. The decor screams early 20th century, with decorative tile floors and signage straight out of a vintage postcard.
Now, it was a Friday night, and you can bet your pearls there was a line out the door. But we weren’t about to let a little wait dampen our oyster dreams. We grabbed two seats at the bar, where the vibe was just right, and the hospitality was top-notch.
And let me tell you about the oysters – pure perfection. Fresh, briny, and oh-so-delicious. But the real MVP? That cocktail sauce. Just the right amount of zing to elevate the oysters without stealing the show. Gaido’s is also home to two popular roadside attractions that we will visit later in this story. (Talk about a tease.. Stay tuned.. We’ll be right back after these messages…)
Rainforest Cafe
Before going back to the hotel. We stopped at the Rainforest Cafe.
We hit up the Rainforest Cafe, not for a meal, mind you, but for a shot glass. You know, I collect them like some folks chase Pokémon. These Rainforest Cafe shots are part of my holy grail of glassware. We’ve dined in a few of them before, and they’re pretty good. But this time, we were on a mission – a shot glass mission.
So, there I am, scouring the gift shop, weaving through fake foliage, and dodging animatronic animals, all in the name of shot glass glory. But guess what? No luck. Feeling like Indiana Jones after a fruitless quest, I swallow my pride and ask an employee.
What the what? They quit selling them. Cue the dramatic gasp. Say it ain’t so! There goes my shot glass collection dreams, shattered like a dropped souvenir mug.
Seriously, Rainforest Cafe bigwigs, are you missing the memo? Or maybe shot glasses are out of style? Am I the last one to find out? Crap!
Shark-Man Statue
Among the many roadside attractions in Galveston is Surfboard Shark-Man, I’m not even sure if that’s his real name, but he has been around for at least 15 years.
This concrete creation was made by sculptor Don Canaday and has become a beloved oddity along the waterfront. Standing about 12 feet tall, Shark-Man looked pretty good after weathering storms like Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Dolphin Statue
Back in 1975, Native Texan sculptor David W. Moore created two majestic dolphins leaping into the heart of the city. Standing six feet tall, these bronze beauties were the stars of the Central Plaza. Originally a fountainhead, they were moved to Fort Crockett Seawall Park.
As for Moore, he was more than a sculptor. Born and raised in Galveston. Moore worked for his family’s Lumber Company, the second-oldest lumber company in Texas, and for Moore-Climatic, Inc. He helped form the Galveston Cultural Arts Council. Sadly, Moore died in 2001, at the age of 80.
Giant Trumpet
The Stone Trumpet is actually a cornet created by Texas artist David Adickes for the Louisiana World’s Fair Exposition in 1984.
The 14-foot-tall and 26-foot-long instrument was moved from New Orleans to Galveston in 1986. It originally was used to draw people to a new jazz restaurant.
Giant Seafood Statues
One of two roadside attractions at Gaido’s is the mighty crab of Galveston. It’s been perched atop Gaido’s since 1960. The larger-than-life fiberglass crustacean is an unofficial mascot of the island. At 8 feet wide and 12 feet long it’s hard to miss.
In 2016, the weathered crab was restored with fresh paint and new softball eyes. At the time of its reinstallation, Nick Gaido, the owner, told the local newspaper, “It’s kind of a symbol of the strength of Galveston as a whole… A lot of hurricanes and natural disasters have been through Galveston and the crab is still here — just like the people.”
The second giant crustation is the giant shrimp at Nick’s. Perched high on a pole outside the restaurant stands the legendary Giant Shrimp, a 22-foot masterpiece crafted by renowned sculptor Steve Brancati in 1997. I don’t know why I did not take a picture. Sorry.
Originally known as The Chart Room coffee shop, Nick’s has been around for over six decades. The coffee spot evolved into Casey’s Seafood Restaurant, and then in 1986, the restaurant rebranded as Nick’s, in honor of the new owner Nick Gaido.
1900 Great Storm Statue
This statue is almost haunting. The 1900 Great Storm Statue stands as a reminder of the island’s tragic past and resilient spirit. Erected in 2000 to honor the victims of the catastrophic hurricane. Local sculptor David W. Moore (same guy that did the dolphins) created the 10-foot-tall statue that serves as a silent tribute to lives lost.
The sculpture makes it appear that the mom and child are drowning, no doubt depicting some of the 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 1900 Hurricane. In case you’re wondering, and I was, the National Weather Service began naming hurricanes in 1953.
Jack Johnson Statue
In a small Galveston Park, stands a tribute to a boxing legend, John Arthur “Jack” Johnson, known as the “Galveston Giant.” This statue honors Johnson, who rose from humble beginnings on the island to become the world’s first black heavyweight boxing champion. The statue was dedicated in 2012.
There are plenty of signs about Johnson, but the park was locked up during our visit, so I had to take pictures from the fence.
According to one report, “As visitors stroll through the park and read the historical marker detailing Johnson’s achievements, they gain insight into the challenges he faced and the barriers he broke as a trailblazer in the world of sports.”
Juneteenth Mural
This 5,000-square-foot public art mural titled “Absolute Equality” sits at the site where General Gordon Granger proclaimed the emancipation of slaves in 1865. This pivotal moment in American history is represented with imagery and symbolism.
I didn’t know it at the time, but the mural is integrated with augmented reality technology. Which allows visitors to engage with the artwork by downloading an app. I wish we had spent more time at the mural. There are a ton of details I did not notice when we were there taking pictures. We had just gotten off the cruise ship and we were tired and ready to get moving.
Check out the rest of this vacation and our other Road Trips.
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