Beat the heat in Galveston

Man, it's been a hot week.

Galveston may not have the white sands of the islands or Florida, but it is close by and the water is cool. It's also got a few little gems that are worth seeing.

So here are some things to do...if you are looking for more than simply checking out the waves:

1) Hotel Galvez: A great place to go for brunch or a day at the spa. The Hotel just recently reopened after fixing up their Hurricane Ike damage so everything is brand spanking new and beautiful.

2) H20 at the San Luis: This is my favorite outdoor bar on the island just because I love sushi and the décor of the place. Great view of the pool, too - although you need to be a hotel guest in order to use it.

3) Schlitterbahn Galveston: Free tubes, waterslides and waves, what more could you want on a hot day?

4) Bishop's Palace: I have not been here yet, but people have told me it's worth the trip and a great way to get out of the sun for a few hours. The outside of the home kind of reminds me of the house from the TV series "Sabrina: The Teenage Witch."

5) Palm Beach at Moody Gardens: Enjoy soft white sand beaches with blue freshwater lagoons and waterfalls surrounded by lush, exotic landscaping. Comfy lounge chairs and shady umbrellas are provided free of charge, but you do have to pay $10.95 to get into the beach area.

6) Benno's on the Beach: This place is famous of shrimp po-boys, but I've also heard Leo's Cajun Corner is good.

7) Learn how to surf: I did this last year with Brian from C-Sick surfin' and it was a blast. Brian scouted the best place to catch waves that day and took care of everything. I was able to stand up on the board and everything.

8) The Poop Deck: This place is a Galveston summer classic and a miracle that it survived the hurricane. It overlooks the water and is full of great people and great fun.

Their slogan is "where the elite meet their bare feet." Gotta love that.

There's tons of other places to visit in the area, including a bunch of places on The Strand.

So stay cool this weekend and head for the beach.