Destination: Exploring Galveston, Houston and Beaumont

Meet on Island Time

Leave the stiff and boring behind for the excitement of Galveston Island’s beachfront facilities in one of Texas’ top tourism destinations. Located just 50 minutes from Houston, this tropical island offers more than 5,000 sleeping rooms, 32 miles of beaches, rich history and culture, unique shopping and a variety of world-class attractions.

Offering sweeping views of the Gulf’s sparkling waters, the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort is the perfect meeting destination. Located on Galveston Island’s famous Seawall Boulevard, this 140,000 square-foot property combines executive conference facilities with luxurious amenities as well as complimentary wireless Internet, shuttle services and on-site parking.

Mixing business with pleasure is easy as the island offers plenty of opportunities for exploring, from the adventure pyramids of Moody Gardens to the thrills of the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. Visitors can learn about the city’s history at a variety of museums. And if it’s shopping you’re looking for, the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport District boasts of beautiful Victorian storefronts featuring shops, restaurants and art galleries just a short walk away from Galveston’s Pier 21 and glistening harbor.

What’s New in Houston

July marked 50 years since the Apollo moon landing, and Space Center Houston celebrated the historic anniversary with a renovation and special exhibit. The visitors center has restored the historic Mission Control Center, also known as the Mission Operations Control Room or MOCR, to reflect the authentic look and feel of the Apollo 11 mission, which was the first manned mission to land on moon. The $5 million project began in July 2017. Among the many improvements, Space Center Houston and its partners even worked with NASA historians to collect furnishings, books, notes and coffee mugs to replicate the atmosphere in 1969.

The new exhibit Above and Beyond, which will remain open through early September, brings the challenges and fun of flight to life with virtual reality, model planes and more. Visitors are able to interact with different aircraft, perform wind tunnel tests and take a virtual 200- mile elevator ride from earth to space. The exhibit complements the new permanent exhibit Mission Mars, which opened last year and lets guests explore the future of space exploration.

Adventures in The Woodlands

After exploring space, come back down to Earth – well, maybe not all the way down – at Texas TreeVentures in The Woodlands. The aerial course where you can “choose your own challenge” is just right for those associations looking at add a little more adventure to their meetings. You can also rent one of their five treehouses for a venue unlike any other your board has seen.

Fill Your Belly in Beaumont

Nestled in Cajun country with prime access to pristine Texas beef and coastal seafood, the restaurant scene in Beaumont is driven by locality with a little bit of something for everyone.

For example, when it’s date night, check out The Grill, one of the swankiest spots in town with an epic happy hour. For something more wide-ranging, check out Green Light Americana, where you’ll find a playful menu of deconstructed and reconstructed childhood favorites. J. Wilson’s has a brunch you won’t want to miss. If you’re craving both Asian and Cajun, Sweet Basil is the fusion joint you didn’t know you needed. Finally if it’s queso you’re looking for, stop in one of Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant’s two locations, where you’ll find authentic Tex Mex and traditional Mexican dishes.

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