Galveston Isle Offers Spooktacular Fun This October

Galveston is one of the most haunted cities in America, according to numerous websites, books and “ghost hunters” that track reports of ghostly occurrences. Galveston has been home to the allegedly cannibalistic Karankawa Indians and merciless pirates, including the famous Jean Laffite whose lavish and lawless den of thieves was the island’s first European settlement. Galvestonians in the 19th century knew fires, epidemics of yellow fever and malaria, military occupation and bitter war, and of course, storms.  In fact, from its storied harbor to its stately Victorian mansions, historic Galveston is filled with legendary figures and ghostly stories.

“The Great Storm of 1900, which washed clean of houses great swaths of the island and killed well over 6,000 people, remains the worst natural disaster in American History,” says Dwayne Jones, executive director of Galveston Historical Foundation.  “Many, many people have lived and died by these waters, and perhaps some of the dead still reside here. We invite our guests to listen to the stories, and decide for themselves. But you don’t have to believe in ghosts to know that the dead are a presence on this island.”

This October, Galveston Historical Foundation offers four unique tours at Bishop’s Palace, Ashton Villa, Galveston Harbor and Galveston’s Broadway Cemetery. Tickets for all tours and a complete schedule of tour times are available online by clicking here.  Adult prices are $20 for Ashton Villa, $15 for Haunted Harbor; $15 for Bishop’s Palace and $15.

The Bishop's Palace

Bishop’s Palace: “The House at Night Tour”
October 28: 8pm
October 29: 8pm
$15 per person
1402 Broadway, Galveston, TX
Enjoy Bishop’s Palace by candlelight for this unique evening tour. Learn about the history of Bishop’s Palace, it’s presence during the 1900 Storm and take a glimpse at early 1900 life.

Ashton Villa: “Are We Haunted?” Tour 
October 30: 7pm
October 31: 7pm
$20 per person
2328 Broadway St. Galveston, TX
Is Ashton Villa haunted by the spirit of “Miss Bettie,” the daughter of the house’s first owner, James Moreau Brown? Maybe. Maybe not. Since 1975, when GHF opened the restored mansion to the public, legends and ghost stories have attached themselves to Ashton Villa.

Harbor Tours onboard "Seagull II"

Haunted Harbor Tour
October 21: 4pm and 5:30pm
October 22: 4pm and 5:30pm
October 28: 4pm and 5:30pm
October 29: 4pm and 5:30pm
October 31: 4pm and 5:30pm
$15 per person
Pier 22, at 22nd Street and Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX
The narrated exploration of spooky corners and tragic sites in and around Galveston’s storied harbor takes place onboard aboard the 50-foot passenger boat, Seagull II and continues through October 31, with departures from the Texas Seaport Museum.

“Spirits of the Past” Cemetery Tours 
October 21: 7pm and 9pm
October 22: 7pm and 9pm
October 28: 7pm and 9pm
October 29: 7pm and 9pm
$15 per person
The spirits are easy to find at GHF’s “Spirits of the Past” Cemetery Tour. They await discovery at the Broadway Cemetery, located right on the divided boulevard along which presidents, movie stars, oil moguls and millions of ordinary people pass through the rich history that abounds in every neighborhood of the city.

Additional spooktacular events to be enjoyed during October include the following:

Haunted Mayfield Manor
Throughout October
2313 Harborside Drive.
$10
Haunted Mayfield Manor is the home of Dr. Horace Mayfield, once a respected doctor, upcoming community leader, and son of a prominent physician in Galveston. It is said that witnessing the death and destruction of the great storm – together with his own personal loss – drove the doctor insane. His madness continues to this day as he tries to recoup his losses and continue his research. You are invited to participate in that ongoing research…

Movie Night on The Strand: The Birds
October 1: 7:30pm
Saengerfest Park
2300 Strand
Free
The residents of Bodega Bay are suddenly confronted with a malicious, full-scale attack by birds of all shapes and sizes. Hitchcock’s purest expression of an arbitrary universe, The Birds constitutes a prodigious technical achievement. Under the guidance of bird trainer Ray Berwick, Hitchcock employed thousands of real birds and his own ingenuity to create the most terrifying aspect of The Birds, the undeniable reality of seemingly impossible events. The event is sponsored by Mitchell Historic Properties, the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership & the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. For questions or more information, call (409)797-5144.

Ghost Tour Dinners
Hotel Galvez
2024 Seawall Blvd.
October 6, 13, 20, 27, and 31
$35 per person
Hotel Galvez & Spa invites guests to embark on enthralling ghost hunts during the month of October. The “haunted” Texas hotel is extending its ghost tour to the public as part of a special three-course dinner special on Thursday evenings. The hotel has also scheduled a ghost tour dinner on Halloween.During the Thursday tours, Hotel Galvez concierge Jackie Hasan will guide participants through the ghostly past of the hotel while using an electromagnetic field detector and infrared thermometer to conduct a paranormal investigation. The one-hour ghost tour of the historic hotel is followed by a three-course dinner at Bernardo’s Restaurant at Hotel Galvez. The public ghost tour is only available as part of the dinner package priced at $35 per person. The tour begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Advance reservations are required for the dinner. Guests must contact the restaurant at (409) 765-7721 for reservations.

Respecting the Past: How to Care for Cemetery Headstones & Statues
October 29: 9am
Broadway Cemetery
4100 Broadway
$10 for GHF members and $12 for non-members
Galveston Historical Foundation will host the class “Respecting the Past: How to Properly Care for Cemetery Headstones and Statues” on Saturday, October 29th starting at 9 a.m. at Broadway Cemetery. The class will include a short tour of the historic complex. Just in time for Halloween, GHF’s Matt Farragher will demonstrate how to properly clean headstones and monuments without damaging them. This is a valuable class for individuals and church groups that maintain cemeteries and enthusiasts who appreciate the history and artwork of the Island’s historic cemeteries.

Mini Monster Bash
October 29: 2pm – 4pm
Saengerfest Park
2302 Strand
Halloween fun will come alive in historic downtown Galveston with the Saengerfest Mini Monster Bash on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand. The Saengerfest Mini Monster Bash, a family friendly Halloween carnival, offers a costume contest at 3 p.m., assorted games with prizes, and trick or treating at various downtown businesses from 2 to 4 p.m.

2nd Annual Witches’ Ball
October 29: 8pm
Scottish Rite Temple
2128 Avenue F
$50 per person and $90 per couple
The Witchery presents the 2nd Annual Galveston Island Witches’ Ball, Saturday, October 29th at 8pm. The event will be held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Ballroom, in Galveston, and will benefit Galveston Island Humane Society.

Ghostly Gardens
October 30: 2pm – 4pm
Moody Gardens
1 Hope Boulevard
Free
Spooktacular fun will include trick-or-treating at various locations throughout the complex, creepy-crafts, and a costume contest for guests in the Garden Lobby with prizes for the best costume.