Secret Galveston: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure - by Christine Hopkins (Paperback)

About the Book

For more than 150 years, Galveston has lured visitors with its Gulf waters, history, and festivals. Today, Galveston is a year-round destination with a quirky side. Locals are known for their fierce pride in being born on the island or being islanders by choice. As a follow-up to 100 Things to Do in Galveston, this book highlights the lesser-known facts and folklore of Galveston. While some items are part of popular sites on the island, many are off the beaten path. For example, did you know there is a store on The Strand that has antique glass eyes available for purchase? Or that the Miss Universe Pageant can trace its roots to the Pageant of Pulchritude in Galveston? How about taking a tour of the only US submarine to sink a Japanese ship involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor? Read about these and other fun pieces of Galveston's legends, lore, and history, then plan your own trip to Galveston to see what has attracted people to Galveston since the days of Jean Lafitte. This book shares another side to Galveston Island, Texas. Island-born resident Christine Ruiz Hopkins and island transplant Heidi Lutz give their expert picks for Secret Galveston: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure. Consider this a fun guide to getting the most from an island stay, packed with a side of history.

About the Author

Christine Ruiz Hopkins is a proud BOI, meaning she was "Born On the Island," and she loves island living. For more than 30 years, she promoted Galveston. Her background makes her an expert on Galveston Island. She's written more than 300 blogs on Galveston, coauthored 100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die with Heidi (released in 2020), and previously hosted a Galveston video series and a history podcast called Unboxing History, presented by the Galveston County Museum. She's also a local tour guide. Heidi Lutz is an award-winning writer and designer who moved to Galveston for her first job out of college--working at the local newspaper. She got the sand between her toes as they say in Galveston, and three decades later she is still there living and loving island life. She is what locals call an IBC or "Islander By Choice." Heidi has spent half of her life learning about Galveston up close and personal as a reporter, editor, publicist, blogger, tour guide, and active community volunteer. Friends now turn to her for recommendations on best places to stay, visit, eat, and shop in Galveston and jokingly refer to her as the unofficial Galveston visitor's bureau.