Galveston Island Historic Pleasure PierSixteen rides built 1,130 feet out over the Gulf of Mexico — anchored by the Iron Shark roller coaster and a 100-foot Ferris wheel on Galveston's Seawall

The first Pleasure Pier opened on Galveston's Seawall in 1943, complete with rides, an arcade, the Marine Ballroom, and fishing at its far end. Hurricane Carla wrecked it in 1961, and the over-water Flagship Hotel that replaced it limped on until Hurricane Ike finished it in 2008. Landry's — the Houston restaurant and entertainment company — rebuilt the structure from the pilings up and reopened it as the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier on May 25, 2012, putting amusement rides back over the water for the first time in 50 years.

Sixteen rides run the 1,130-foot deck. The headliner is the Iron Shark, a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter steel coaster that climbs 100 feet, drops past vertical, and throws four inversions with its back row cantilevered out over the surf. The 230-foot Texas Star Flyer swings riders out over the Gulf; the 100-foot Galaxy Wheel turns with programmable LED lighting; and the Pirate's Plunge log flume, the Sea Dragon swinging ship, and a double-decker carousel round out a midway that also packs carnival games and a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant at the gate.

Admission to walk the pier, shop, and eat is free — you only pay for rides, via single-ride credits or an all-day wristband. Come late afternoon to ride into the evening when the Seawall lights up and the heat breaks. Build in a backup plan for summer afternoons: the pier closes quickly for thunderstorms and high wind because every ride sits over open water. Parking is street-side along Seawall Boulevard, so arrive early on summer weekends.