An aerial view of Galveston. Image: Eric V Overton/Shutterstock.com

Galveston kicks off its summer vacation season during Memorial Day weekend, and if you’re making the 50-mile drive to soak up the sun along some 32 miles of beach, make sure to be on the lookout for upgraded beach parks, attractions—and, yeah, some mighty traffic. The island’s convention and visitors bureau is expecting more than half a million vehicles.

Besides your fellow sunburnt humanoids, here’s what to be on the lookout for in Galveston.

New Things

Upgraded Amenities at Galveston Beach Parks

Stewart Beach, East Beach and West End Pocket Parks 1 and 2 are open to the public with new amenities, including the following:

Stewart Beach, East Beach and Dellanera Park now offer free sunscreen stations .

New parking pay stations are located at 61st Street and 89th Street piers.

Visitors to the beach parks can take advantage of restrooms, showers, beach chair rentals, volleyball courts, snack bars and other concessions, including horseback riding and helicopter tours.

Head to galvestonbeachinfo.com to find the beach park that's right for you.

Memorial Day Ceremony at Seawolf Park

On May 28, The American Undersea Warfare Center at Seawolf Park will honor fallen servicemen and women in a special (and free) ceremony at its Memorial Plaza at 12:30 p.m.

The ceremony includes a welcome speech by retired United States Air Force Colonel Kelly Crooks, a presentation of the colors by the United States Marine Corps Color Guard, a national anthem performance, the Marine Corps League Galveston performing Taps, and a bagpipe rendition of the Song of Remembrance.

Amusement Park Details

Schlitterbahn is open daily.

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park is open daily with buy-one, get-one-free all-day ride passes for active members of the military. Look for a new Shark Attack 5-D Theater ride.

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