Description & Facts: Galveston is a city on Galveston Island, off the Texas Gulf Coast. It has largely been overshadowed by the nearby megacity of Houston, but remains a port of entry and a destination for almost all the cruise ships with ports of call in Texas. Many Houstonians have beach houses in Galveston or elsewhere in Galveston County where they sometimes relocate during the summer, or simply drive to Galveston to enjoy the local beach. Galveston suffered major damage from Hurricane Ike, which hit on 13 September 2008. All of the city experienced winds in excess of 100 mph, and many parts of the city were flooded with saltwater. Some local landmarks like the Balinese Room were destroyed. After being closed for months while services were restored, Galveston again opened to visitors on 1 November 2008. A number of hotels and restaurants are back open. However, full recovery will take time. Visitors should confirm openings before visiting. Despite recovery efforts, some parts of the island may be deemed dangerous or not suitable for the public, such as destroyed bridges over small canals. Many businesses listed in this article may still be closed.