Hello Galveston! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Cruise boom expansion, turtle trails, and the music man + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A port on the rise: Galveston’s cruise boom keeps building, with passenger movements doubling to 3.9 million and $334 million in investments doubling terminals since 2022 to four for Carnival, MSC, and Royal Caribbean -- track the cruise boom.
Stewardship and water quality: A free July 1 workshop in La Marque will teach how riparian areas improve water quality across the Bastrop, Dickinson, Highland and Jarbo bayous in the Lower Galveston Bay watershed -- join the water workshop.
Maritime pathways taking shape: Galveston schools and port are steering students toward maritime careers as Davie Defense invests $1B to convert Gulf Copper, promising up to 2,400 jobs, and new endowments strengthen college pathways -- see the job pipeline.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Rev up, islanders: When cabin fever hits, Galveston Go Karts & Fun Center delivers fast laps, a surprisingly competitive arcade, and a multiplayer VR arena that lets you settle bragging rights without sunburn. Easy, local fun that works for teens, date night, or anyone who just needs to blow off steam.
Your everyday outdoor fix: Galveston Parks & Recreation keeps our island’s green spaces and community programs humming, making it easy to swap scroll time for sunshine this week. Whether you’re after a quick workout, a family play stop, or a neighborhood meet-up, they’re the low-effort, high-feel-good way to enjoy everyday Galveston.
Grow your island oasis: Tom's Thumb by Cornelius Nursery has Texas-tough shrubs, vibrant annual color, lush houseplants, and stylish pottery to turn your space into a coastal oasis without leaving the island. Pop in this week, let the friendly experts steer you toward what thrives in coastal conditions, then grab the good soils and bird seed.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐢 Turtle Trails @ Galveston Beach Access 1C | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 AM – Swap your aimless shoreline stroll for Turtle Trails in Galveston, teaming up with the Sea Aggie Sea Turtle Patrol to learn how to spot and survey sea turtle tracks. It is part conservation, part beach walk, all calm satisfaction, with bragging rights that actually matter.
🎭 The Music Man @ The Grand 1894 Opera House | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 PM – The Music Man is marching into town with 76 trombones, fast talk, and barbershop harmonies that actually stick the landing. Think River City romance, small-town schemers, and the kind of toe-tapping nostalgia that reminds you not everything needs a screen.
🏕 Summer Camp @ The Bryan Museum | Monday (6/29) at 9:00 AM – Send your 8–12-year-old to The Bryan for a three-day junior curator gig with pirate maps, hermit crab races, plein air art, and a peek inside the Galveston Orphans Home, capped by an exhibit they build. Fair warning, they may start saying provenance at dinner.
🇺 Patriot Pass @ Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier | Thursday (7/2) at 12:00 AM – Three parks, one pass, and four days to prove you can still outlast the kids. Hop between Kemah, Pleasure Pier, and Downtown Aquarium for unlimited rides and exhibits, plus a free zip line, a 5D flick, and stingray snacks, assuming I-45 behaves.
🎶 AST @ Moody Gardens | Saturday (7/4) at 6:30 PM – Nothing beats live music by the water when Galveston throws a 250th birthday party for the nation. AST brings a solid lineup to Palm Beach at Moody Gardens, plus beach, tunes, and fireworks big enough to make your neighbor’s sparklers blush.
⚓ America's 250th: Night at the Naval Museum @ Galveston Naval Museum | Friday (7/10) at 6:00 PM – Live jazz, museum ships, and a nod to America's 250th. Bring your chairs or that blanket you swear is for picnics, let 20-year-old Grant Masters put a soulful shine on hits, then roam the vessels, sip something, let kids burn energy, and browse local vendors.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Galveston report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 81°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind around 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 81. South wind around 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 82°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 82. This house is wildThis beachfront Galveston retreat pairs Gulf views with practical perks, including a four-car garage with EV charger and room for all the beach gear. The fully furnished carriage house rides up by elevator, while the main home features an open kitchen, dining, and family room with wide plank floors. Two covered decks keep the water in sight.
Take a peek inside → |
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