The Ocean Star Museum is a retired jack-up offshore drilling rig converted into a museum at Pier 19, Galveston, Texas, featuring three floors of exhibits about the offshore oil and gas industry. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this unique industrial museum.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-17:00 (last ticket 16:00). Closed Monday-Tuesday. |
| Ticket prices | Adult $15, Senior/Military (with ID) $12, Youth (7-12) $10. Children 6 and under free. Family package (2 adults + up to 4 youth) $30. |
| Address | 2002 Wharf Road, Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Getting there | Short walk from Galveston cruise terminal. 50 miles southeast of Houston. Limited public transport; driving recommended. |
| Time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours for self-guided tour of three levels. |
Ocean Star Museum opening hours
The Ocean Star Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. Last tickets are sold at 16:00, one hour before closing.
Holiday closures:
- Thanksgiving Day: Closed
- Christmas Eve: Closed
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: Closed
- New Year’s Day: Regular hours (10:00-17:00)
The museum operates year-round except for these closures. Opening hours and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
Ocean Star Museum ticket prices
Admission prices (checked and updated January 2026):
- Adult: $15.00
- Senior (age 60+) and Military (with valid ID): $12.00
- Youth (ages 7-12): $10.00
- Children 6 and under: Free
- Family package (2 adults + up to 4 youth): $30.00
Group rates are available for groups of 25 or more. Contact the museum to arrange group bookings and discuss pricing.
Blue Star Museums programme: Active duty US military personnel and their families receive free admission with valid photo ID from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Educational field trips for organised school groups, homeschool groups and scout troops can be arranged. Contact the museum for educational tour bookings exceeding 10 individuals.
How to get to the Ocean Star Museum
The Ocean Star Museum is located on Pier 19 at 2002 Wharf Road in Galveston’s historic port district. The museum is accessed via a pedestrian bridge from the pier to the rig.
By car from Houston, take Interstate 45 South for approximately 50 miles to Galveston. Exit onto Broadway Avenue (Exit 1C), continue to 21st Street, turn left onto Harborside Drive. The museum entrance is one block from Harborside Drive on 20th Street at the east end of Pier 19. The journey takes approximately 50-70 minutes depending on traffic.
From Galveston cruise terminal, the museum is a 5-10 minute walk. Exit the terminal, turn left onto Harborside Drive and walk east along the waterfront.
Public transport in Galveston is limited. The Galveston Island Trolley operates along the Strand and Seawall routes. The free downtown trolley runs Monday-Friday 06:15-20:00 and Saturday-Sunday 08:45-18:00 along the Strand. The nearest trolley stop is at 2016 Strand, approximately 5 minutes’ walk from the museum.
Parking at the Ocean Star Museum
Paid parking is available in lots near the museum. The closest parking lot charges $10 per day (flat rate). Spaces can be limited during peak times, particularly when cruise ships are in port.
Alternative parking includes:
- Metered street parking on surrounding streets (2-hour limits typically apply Monday-Saturday)
- City of Galveston public parking lots at the intersection of Harborside Drive and 21st Street
- Galveston Railroad Museum offers free 2-hour parking and is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Ocean Star Museum
Parking near the museum is not owned or operated by the museum. Arrive early on weekends and during peak tourist season (summer months and cruise ship days) to secure spaces.
How long to spend at the Ocean Star Museum
Most visitors spend 1 to 1.5 hours touring the Ocean Star Museum. The self-guided tour covers three levels of exhibits plus two exterior deck areas.
The visit typically begins with a 15-minute introductory film explaining offshore drilling. Visitors then explore exhibits at their own pace. Those particularly interested in the oil and gas industry or reading all information panels may spend up to 2 hours.
Family Day operates on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 15:00, featuring hands-on displays and experiments. Visitors aged 18 and under enter free with a paying adult on Family Day.
Accessibility at the Ocean Star Museum
The Ocean Star Museum meets Texas Accessibility and ADA standards. A pedestrian bridge connects the pier to the rig. While the bridge may appear steep, it is wheelchair compliant with appropriate gradients.
An elevator inside the museum building provides access to all three levels. The rig floor and pipe deck can be navigated by wheelchair users. Doorways are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
The museum provides one wheelchair available for visitor use. Contact the museum in advance if wheelchair hire is required to guarantee availability.
Accessible toilets are provided. The museum does not have bag storage or cloaking facilities. Visitors should avoid bringing large luggage or oversized bags.
Service animals specifically trained to mitigate disabilities are permitted. Other pets are not allowed.
What to see at the Ocean Star Museum
The Ocean Star rig is a genuine jack-up drilling rig that operated in the Gulf of Mexico from 1969 to 1984, drilling over 200 wells during its working life. The rig was refurbished and opened as a museum in 1997, managed by the Energy Education Foundation.
Three floors of exhibits cover offshore oil and gas exploration and production through interactive displays, video presentations, scale models and actual equipment. Exhibits explain seismic technology, geology, drilling processes, well servicing, marine transportation, environmental protections and safety regulations.
The Drill Floor sits directly beneath the 193-foot derrick. Equipment demonstrates the function of drilling machinery in a configuration showing how operations worked. Visitors can view the driller’s chair and understand the role of rig personnel.
The Pipe Deck displays oversized retired equipment including a blowout preventer, drill pipe, cementing units and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Actual drill bits show the tools used to penetrate rock formations beneath the seafloor.
The “Life on a Rig” exhibit recreates living conditions for offshore workers, including ship-style cabins, recreational areas and kitchens. A video tour of a modern offshore facility complements the physical displays.
The Hall of Fame showcases pioneering individuals and technologies in the offshore industry. Scale models throughout the museum depict different types of rigs used for exploration and production.
Practical tips for visiting the Ocean Star Museum
| Tip |
|---|
| Begin your visit with the 15-minute introductory film to understand offshore drilling basics before exploring exhibits. |
| Wear closed-toe shoes; the museum does not have specific footwear requirements but some deck areas have industrial flooring. |
| No food, drinks, gum or candy are permitted inside the museum. Several restaurants are within walking distance including Katie’s Seafood House and Harbor House. |
| Do not run, jump, climb or cross designated barriers at any time. Some areas feature original rig equipment with moving parts or elevated platforms. |
| Shirts and shoes are required. Cover swimsuits as this is a family-friendly museum. |
| Photography is permitted throughout the museum for personal use. |
| A scavenger hunt activity is available at the entrance for families with children. |
Facilities at the Ocean Star Museum
The gift shop is located in the entrance building at the pier before crossing the bridge to the rig. The shop stocks books about offshore drilling, energy industry memorabilia, model rigs, educational materials and Galveston souvenirs. The gift shop operates during museum hours.
Toilets are provided in the museum building. No café or food service is available on site. Visitors requiring refreshments should use nearby restaurants before or after their visit.
The museum does not have bag storage or cloaking facilities. Large luggage and backpacks should not be brought to the museum.
Frequently asked questions about the Ocean Star Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Ocean Star Museum suitable for children? | Yes. The museum offers hands-on exhibits and interactive displays appropriate for children aged 7+. Younger children may find some content technical. Supervision is required, particularly on the third-floor catwalk. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Ocean Star Museum? | Tickets can be purchased on arrival for individuals and small groups. Groups of 10+ individuals and school field trips should contact the museum in advance to arrange bookings. |
| Is the Ocean Star Museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum operates Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. |
| Is the Ocean Star Museum a real drilling rig? | Yes. The Ocean Star is a genuine offshore drilling rig that worked in the Gulf of Mexico for approximately 20 years before retirement and conversion to a museum. |
| Can you go inside the rig’s hull? | No. Visitors cannot access the hull for safety reasons. The three accessible levels provide comprehensive views of rig operations without requiring hull access. |
| How many floors does the Ocean Star Museum have? | The museum features three floors of exhibits plus two exterior deck areas. An elevator provides access to all levels. |
Things to do near the Ocean Star Museum
The Texas Seaport Museum and Tall Ship Elissa (100 metres) features the 1877 Scottish barque Elissa, one of only three vessels of her kind still sailing. The museum explores Galveston’s port history through interactive exhibits including the “Ship to Shore” experience.
The Strand Historic District (300 metres) encompasses Gallery Row with over 20 art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars in restored Victorian-era buildings. The district hosts weekend walking tours and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Galveston Railroad Museum (800 metres) is housed in the former Santa Fe Railroad Station, featuring historic rail cars, model trains and exhibits about railway history.
Moody Gardens (6 kilometres) features three glass pyramids housing a rainforest, aquarium and discovery centre, plus an IMAX theatre, golf course, hotel and water park. Various admission prices depending on attractions.
Bishop’s Palace (2 kilometres) is an 1886 Victorian mansion designed by architect Nicholas Clayton, featuring ornate interiors, period furniture and tours explaining Galveston’s architectural heritage. For more grand homes, Moody Mansion is also open to visitors.
