🏙️Downtown Houston
🛍️Galleria
🍔In & Out Burger
🚤 Kemah Boardwalk
🦞 Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack
📅 March, 2026
🌎 Houston & Galveston, Texas, United States

Houston

Before the cruise, we spent two nights in Houston and managed to explore quite a bit.

Tex-Mex Lunch

We had dinner at The Original Ninfa’s (recommended by my cousin), and it did not disappoint. Since we were a big group, we ordered a mix of platters. The boys stuck with chicken quesadillas and tacos, and I had a sangria that was so good.

The Galleria

Just a short walk from the mall is the Water Wall, which made for a quick photo stop. It’s a bit touristy, yes—but also surprisingly impressive in person.

We popped into a few fun spots like SKIMS and Gentle Monster, and the boys loved a little trinket shop where, somehow, we spent way more than expected. We also grabbed gelato at Amorino, which is always a treat.

The Galleria is massive—easily one of the largest malls in North America. It honestly feels like three malls in one, with everything from high-end stores to everyday brands, tons of food options, and even an indoor skating rink.

Real Talk: Teen Energy is Finite

After the mall, the boys were done. We had plans for mini putt, escape rooms, and even a VR experience—but none of that happened. Lesson learned: don’t overpack the itinerary, especially after a long shopping day.

En Route to Galveston

In-N-Out Burger

We made a stop at In-N-Out so the boys and Dean could finally try it. Verdict? It was good—and very affordable—but we’re still firmly Team Shake Shack.

Twin Liquors (Unexpected Win)

Right next door was Twin Liquors, which turned out to be perfect timing. They were having an annual wine sale, and I grabbed four bottles for $50 (plus a much-needed bottle opener for the cruise).

The in-store sommelier was incredibly helpful and quick with recommendations, which was ideal since we were on a time crunch.

Buc-ee’s

We had to stop at Buc-ee’s after hearing so much about it—and wow, it’s an experience.

The number of gas pumps alone is wild. Inside, it’s like a massive convenience store meets food hall. We grabbed beef jerky (the Korean flavor was a hit with the boys) and some fresh chips.

If I’m being honest, I wish we had skipped In-N-Out and just eaten here—the brisket sandwiches and hot food smelled amazing.

Post Cruise

Target Stop (A Throwback Moment)

We made a quick stop at Target in Galveston to kill some time before heading to Kemah Boardwalk.

It felt a bit nostalgic—there was a time when Target runs meant picking up toys and treats for the kids. Now? We just wandered aimlessly. No toys, no snacks—just a reminder that they’ve grown up.

Kemah Boardwalk

Kemah Boardwalk was such a fun, easy stop—especially post-cruise.

We arrived right when it opened (around 11 AM), and it was quiet and relaxed. There’s a great mix of rides, restaurants, and little shops.

The rides looked fun (about $7 per ride or ~$30–35 for a day pass), but the boys weren’t interested this time. Still, it was nice to walk around and soak it all in without the crowds.

Kemah Boardwalk Boatgame — Kemah Boardwalk Entrance

Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack

LOVED this place.

We stopped here on the way to the airport after realizing it was the start of crawfish season—and I’m so glad we did.

Our server was incredibly friendly and walked us through everything since it was our first time. We ordered:

5 lbs of crawfish
1 lb of shrimp
Smash burgers + vanilla milkshake

And my 16-year-old absolutely inhaled the crawfish—which shocked me because he usually avoids anything messy like wings.

We arrived around noon and had no trouble getting a table, but by the time we left, it was packed and the live music was going. The energy, the food, the vibe—it all just worked.

Highly recommend. Galveston to Kemah

Alan's Shack Outside — Alan’s Shack Outside

Crazy Alan's Swamp Shack Menu — Alan’s Shack Outside

Houston Airport

Houston’s airport seriously impressed me.

We had heard horror stories about long TSA wait times (like 4–8 hours—even with PreCheck), so we got there early. Thankfully, it was smooth—and a nice surprise that all terminals are connected post-security.

We ended up exploring quite a bit: