This Oceanfront Carnival Near Houston Makes For The Perfect BFF Day Trip
A colorful carnival is always a solid go-to way to spend a day and no one can deny that going to the beach is always fun. So combining both basically makes for the perfect day. Galveston Island, a short drive from Houston, has one of the only boardwalk carnivals over the water in Texas and is the perfect combo of a beach day and carnival day.
Galveston's Pleasure Pier is a favorite day-trip destination for Houstonians and all Texans in general. There's just something that is always fun about riding roller coasters and playing carnival games no matter what age, and it gets even better when it's over the ocean.
Nothing's more exhilarating than swinging high above the salty seawater and the views you get from the tops of the coasters are amazing.
Mardi Gras is happening in a few weeks and outside of NOLA, Galveston actually has one of the biggest Mardi Gras parades.
The entire island gets into the celebratory festivities so it makes sense that the island's pier would also celebrate the fun holiday their own way.
From February 14 to 23, Pleasure Pier is having a sale in honor of Mardi Gras on their All Day Ride Passes. The passes give you access to all the rides and are normally $27 but in February, they are only $20 to celebrate the holiday!
February is the perfect time to head to the pier because, in Texas, it's usually getting pretty warm by then. Plus, you can take advantage of the February sale.
Go on as many roller coasters and rides as you want for only 20 bucks. You can hit up all sixteen of the Pier's rides including the Iron Shark and it's "beyond vertical" drop.
If heights are a big no for you, you can stick to the carousel and ride it as many times as you like.
You can also take a shot at winning your bestie a giant stuffed animal from a carnival game.
Their sale is going to be going on at the same time as Galveston's two-weekend long Mardi Gras celebration and is the perfect way to make celebrating the holiday even better!
Go to The Strand and throw or catch some beads and then head to the Pier the next day for some yummy carnival food and to watch the Island's festivities from up high on the Ferris Wheel.
Pleasure Pier
Price: 💸
Address: 2501 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, TX
Why you need to go: There's nothing cooler than seeing the ocean and island from up high on a roller coaster.
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