Has anyone here ever traveled to Galveston via the Amtrak bus from the Texas Eagle at Longview? I'm thinking of maybe doing this sometime in the next year, I'd be coming and going ultimately via a connection from the Cardinal at Chicago. What is Galveston like now, I've never been but had heard it was nice from a friend who had went (via plane and rental car that is, non-rail fan, shame on him, lol) before the hurricane a few years ago.
There is an alternative, ride the City of New Orleans from CHI-NOL, spend the night, then catch the thrice weekly Sunset Ltd. to HOS, then you can ride the bus down to Galveston! The ride from Longview to Galveston is through East Texas, stops in Houston, then down the Gulf Freeway to Galveston.
Galveston itself is recovering about like new Orleans, the tourist stuff is all back in operation, the poorest part of town is still basically bare ground and may never be rebuilt! There currently is a shortage of medical services etc. since UT Medical School/Hospital cut way back on services so most folks have to go across the causeway to the mainland or to Houston.
As other posters said, the Strand downtown is sort of like the French Quarter in New Orleans, the Railroad museum is pretty neat too. For a resort the prices arent too bad except on weekends in the warm months, they also have a pretty good Mardi Gras and Christmas on the Strand which is slowly regaining its crowd and excitement. They sure would appreciate and need the business, it's a great place to sight see, eat sea food and take a walk on the beaches,a dip in the Gulf,visit Moody Gardens
and perhaps a ride on a sight seeing boat. The oldest drugstore/soda fountain in Texas is still open also, as is a huge military surplus store that's fun to look @ which is also on the strand. Google up Galveston, it's a funky, fun place!