Optional Tours

Bolivar Peninsula & Galveston County Parks

Tour: 8:30am – 12pm
Cost: $20
Maximum Attendees: 28

Join Galveston County Parks and Cultural Services staff for a bus tour of the Bolivar Peninsula and see how much growth has happened since Hurricane Ike. An exciting ride across the ferry will take you to the first stop on the tour - the historical Fort Travis with it's newly installed playground and bunker tours! Next, tour the rest of the Bolivar Parks - Noble Carl, Gregory Park, Port Bolivar; followed by the newly constructed Lauderdale Boat Ramp and finish up at the Bolivar Beach Pavilion that opened in June 2020. Free transportation will depart from the host hotel at 8:30am and return at 12pm.

Ship to Shore Tour and Dolphin Watch

Tour: 9:30am – 12pm
Cost: $35
Maximum Attendees: 49

The Historic Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch allows you to see the Galveston Harbor up close and personal aboard Seagull II, Galveston Historic Seaport’s 50-foot twin-engine motor vessel.  Seagull II has a comfortable main deck, sheltered from sun and rain, and an open upper deck that affords a full panorama of water and sky, perfect for views of dolphins and the SS Selma, a grounded concrete vessel, one of only 12 ever constructed. Participants will also be able to tour the 1877 sailing vessel Elissa, the official tall ship of Texas and the "Ship to Shore Immigration Museum,” making this 4-in-1 tour a morning you wont forget. This tour is a 15-minute drive from the conference center and transportation is not provided.

Juneteenth “Absolute Equality” Tour

Tour: 10am – 12pm
Cost: $30
Maximum Attendees: 20

Embark on a transformative 3-in-1 tour in Galveston. Explore "And Still We Rise," an exhibit at the Galveston History Museum, celebrating Juneteenth's legacy. Engage in thought-provoking discussions on the 5000-square foot mural, "Absolute Equality." Unearth local heritage at the Galveston County History Museum, revealing the city's growth and diverse inhabitants. Experienced guides navigate intertwining narratives of Galveston's past, present, and future. Celebrate the human spirit and pursuit of equality. Reserve your spot for this eye-opening adventure and be part of history in the making. Free transportation will depart from the host hotel at 10am and return at 12pm.

Moody Gardens Fin-tastic Penguin Adventure

Tour: 10am – 12pm
Cost: $85
Maximum Attendees: 20

The Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid Tour and Penguin Encounter is a two-hour tour designed to allow guests to explore and learn about the oceans' depths in the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific and Caribbean. Dive into oceans of the world in a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium with creatures from tuxedo-clad penguins to seals, stingrays, sharks, and more. Guests will be able to get up close to one of the penguins from the South Atlantic Exhibit. Led by a Moody Gardens biologist, the experience starts at the front of the exhibit and takes guests behind the scenes to the penguin food preparation kitchen and the back of the chilly penguin exhibit, with the opportunity to discuss penguin biology, conservation, training, enrichment, and care. Participants will experience the cool climate, sounds, and smells of the exhibit and witness a penguin create a work of art as part of an enrichment activity for the animal. One hour is allotted for time in the aquarium and the remaining hour is allotted for the penguin encounter. Close-toe shoes are required and comfortable clothes are recommended. This tour is within walking distance of the conference, so transportation is not provided.