
Photo by Kelsey Walling
We asked on Facebook: What coastal Texas place, thing, event or person do you miss the most during the pandemic closures and precautions?
Editor’s note: Some restaurants, bars and buffets might be open, while others have suspended certain services. In some cases, readers are choosing to stay home during the pandemic. Call venues ahead for opening and service status.
Spending summer days digging in the sand and splashing in the waves of Galveston beaches with my granddaughter.
Patti Gorom Landers
I miss the Hotel Galvez brunch buffet, then a walk across the street toward the Pleasure Pier.
Julie Ghidoni
Cruising. Yep. Cruising.
Jeanette Connolly
I love everything Mardi Gras. I’m hoping it can be celebrated in 2021.
Wanda McWhorter Huddleston
Just to be able to travel. Family dinners and get-togethers!
Sherry Smecca
Driving my ‘66 Mustang for a cold beer at the Poop Deck. Best view of humanity on the island!
Trudy Deen Davis
Galvez brunch! Mario’s Ristorante (61st Street) lunch buffet. All the buffets.
Meredith Reue
Toes in the sand then strolling The Strand!
Shelley Rogers Scoggin
Going out to dinner with our Galveston friends!
Liz Garcia Smith
Mardi Gras krewe meetings, visiting The Strand for a drink, checking out the antique shops and La King’s.
Bobbey White
Eating Mexican food at Gringo’s! Full house, ice cold beer, green sauce and chips and everyone talking and enjoying being together for good food!
Faye Leonhardt
Most definitely “actual hugs,” and as far as the island goes, ArtWalk.
Wydell Dixon
Everything that I did before and can’t do now! I’m blessed to have a great quarantine partner. That gets us through not being able to be with our children and grandchildren. Just call me “Mayor Zoom!” I’m confident that this too shall pass. Blessings.
Bobby Hocking
I miss our freedom, hugging friends, friends and family gatherings, thriving businesses, The Grand 1894 Opera House, and the ability to breathe freely without a mask. Miss the Astros!
Gina Spagnola
Being able to go up to someone and say, “Hey, I haven’t seen you in forever” and giving them a big, huge hug.
Judy DuBose
Traveling, hugging my family members, socializing with good friends, having friends over and entertaining, choir concerts, movies.
Sally Byrom
Big Texas-sized family dinners, traveling, weddings.
Dotsy Matthews Balentine
ArtWalk. Live music. Saengerfest Park movie/music events.
Lyda Plummer
I miss gathering at Sacred Heart with all my Catholic brothers and sisters, especially the greetings and small chats before and after Mass.
Forest Riggs
So many things taken for granted — carefree gatherings of friends, church, family celebrations. So many things have new value and, of course, those hugs!
Jenny Senter

Cruises and shows at The Grand 1894 Opera House are among the activities readers are missing during the pandemic. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Concerts and shows at The Grand 1894 Opera House is the No. 1 “Texas coastal place/event” that I miss. Overall, I miss our weekly Rotary Club of Galveston meetings and I sincerely miss just simply getting together with dear friends for a casual meal, laughing, having fun and relaxing.
Robyn Bushong
I miss socializing with friends and live music, theater and the arts in general. One of the places I miss is The Grand 1894 Opera House. It brings such joy to our community.
Carol Langston
My parents, who are in assisted living. And seeing way too little of my grandkids. My most precious gifts on this Earth!
Laura Berard Blacksher
Movie theaters. I miss the experience and theater popcorn. I miss hugging people. I am a hugger. It is my way to show people I love them and I care about them by hugging. It’s sad that we have lost the ability to hug.
Rick Wade
Premiere Cinema
Guy Taylor
Giving and getting big hugs from my family and friends is what I miss the most.
Darla Jordan Goolishian
Grandkid hugs, adult children hugs, church hugs, friends in-person, in-person dining. Travel. And hugs. Did I mention hugs?
Mandy McGuire Rider
I miss people behaving normally. A sad part of this COVID-19 situation is that social distancing seems to include lack of eye contact and friendly greetings.
Holly Thorson
Festivals in general; ArtWalk in particular. It was more than art openings and free wine. It was a coming together of friends, a demarcation of the passage of seasons, and this city’s pulse of life. Nothing will be normal here until ArtWalk returns.
Dan Braverman
I miss common sense and individual basic freedoms. Biggest of all, freedom for those who can think for themselves.
Ginger Grutzius
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