Galveston ranks second in list of top national spring break destinations

Sebastian Murguia, 12, jumps as his toes touch the cold water while vacationing on spring break with family sisters Nayeli Murguia, 8, and Emily Murguia, 17, on March 10, 2014, in Galveston. Sebastian Murguia, 12, jumps as his toes touch the cold water while vacationing on spring break with family sisters Nayeli Murguia, 8, and Emily Murguia, 17, on March 10, 2014, in Galveston. Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 204 Caption Close Galveston ranks second in list of top national spring break destinations 1 / 204 Back to Gallery

Officials in Galveston say it's time to take the island resort seriously after readers voted it the second best spring break destination in a national poll.

USA Today ran a vote over four weeks with 10 destinations vying for the title of Best Spring Break hot spot for 2014.

Galveston beat out the likes of Hawaii, Orlando, Cabo St Lucas in Mexico and Miami Beach, losing only to Cancun which perhaps proves that, ultimately, spring break is really time to party.

"Galveston's spring break scene offers the perfect mix of debauchery and wholesome family friendly fun," the contest website reads. "Schlitterbahn water park provides an alternative to the beach for cooling off, while the Seawall is always bustling with activity: spring breakers riding tandem bikes, dining at oceanfront seafood restaurants and enjoying the rides and midway games of Pleasure Pier."

On Galveston Island, tourism officials agree that it is the range of available activities that makes the place special. There are things to do even when the weather is cooler, like this year.

"We are a very small island but there are several attractions," said Leah Caste of the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We have Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn, the Lone Star Flight Museum, the Strand and then all the charm of a historic destination."

Critics often rail about the cleanliness of the beach and the state of buildings damaged in Hurricane Ike being unrepaired, but those jibes don't hold any muster locally.

"We are doing far better than before the hurricane, sales tax, hotel occupancy and overall tourism revenue has been at record levels in the past few years," Caste said.

It's estimated between 250,000 and 500,000 people visit the island during spring break, most from this region but some from neighboring states and further away.

Visitor numbers top 5.5 million annually and generate a massive $908 million in economic activity, according to a recent study.

The rapid growth of the cruise terminal is also a huge boost to the economy with two terminals already in action and another one in the design stage.

The poll's winners: