Neighborhood

West End, Galveston

The quiet side of things to do in Galveston: the West End is beach-house country with protected dunes, Galveston Island State Park, and the island’s widest-open sunset views — best with a car and a slower beach day in mind.

The history: Past the seawall’s western terminus the island runs unprotected — quiet beach-house communities like Jamaica Beach and Sea Isle sit behind natural dunes instead of concrete. Galveston Island State Park preserves a full beach-to-bay slice of the island here, dunes and marsh included.

Best use: A slower beach day with a car and enough time to stay for sunset.