First it was the New York Times extolling Galveston as “the Hamptons of Houston.”
Now, Houstonian’s favorite getaway destination is getting the favored treatment from the Wall Street Journal:

Throughout its history, Galveston has been a striking testament to human persistence and ingenuity — and the power of denial. The island has a stomach-churning history of boom and bust. Its rise as a major Southern port city was cut short by the 1900 hurricane.
Protected by a new 17-foot sea wall, Galveston boomed again as the Sin City of the Gulf until Texas Rangers shut down its illegal gambling trade in the late 1950s. After that, eclipsed by the Port of Houston, Galveston limped through the remainder of the 20th century, struggling to pay the bills.
This century has seen Galveston’s fortunes rise again. The island is beloved in Texas as part of the state’s colorful past and also for its diverse appeal. Tourists flock to the historic districts and miles of public beaches, while fishermen and birders hang out along the jetties, bayous and surf. Out-of-town investors have revitalized the east end of the island, protected by the sea wall, where the original city and docks were built. Now it is a vibrant tourist spot packed with restaurants and shops against a backdrop of cruise ships and barnacle-covered fishing boats lined up along the docks.

Read the entire article.