Galveston is a scant one hour south by car using Interstate 45 from central Houston, 1.5 hours from the main Intercontinental airport which is northeast of Houston, and only 45 minutes from Hobby airport which is south of Houston. You can catch a limo or mini bus service from the airports direct to Galveston hotels if you don’t care to drive. Near Houston, the traffic will be heavy traveling south between 4pm and 6pm, and heavy traveling north between 6.30am and 8.30am. and the above times may be 50% greater.

Galveston is truly an island (a barrier island) and Interstate highway 45 uses a bridge from the mainland, to cross Galveston Bay, to the island. I45 becomes Broadway when it continues on the island. All streets parallel to Broadway are called Avenues and are lettered…A,B,C etc (some also with names). All streets that cross Broadway are called Streets, and are numbered. The highest numbers are at the end of the island you first arrive on. The venue is the Old Galveston Square. To get there you come on along Broadway until the cross street numbers have dropped to 22nd street. Turn left and go across named avenues until you get to the Strand. Old Galveston Square is at 2221 The Strand. You can park on meters on the Strand but that would be expensive, so study the Parking information segment on this website and the directions your hotel may have given you, to see how and where and when to park the car.

Most, but not all hotels/motels etc., are along the Seawall. Most hotels but not all are providing a special room rate for FeatherFest visitors. If you book through the website you will get the discounted rate automatically. If you call the hotels directly you will have to ask about their discounts. Some hotels, which you will find on our “sponsor” page segment, provide free rooms for our event leaders who need to stay overnight and we ask that you consider them first among your choices. There are many beautiful B&B’s in the City and using them is a great way to see inside some of the finest historic homes. There are also some very nice RV parks on the island and very close by.

The Registration desks will be in the Old Galveston Square, on the second floor. There are elevators and stairs. Guests that have registered and booked their events prior to the first day of the festival, will find their name badges and their package of information and commemorative items ready for them. Those who need to register will need to do so prior to going on any trips so please arrive in plenty of time. Persons listed for trips will be posted on pink sheets in the Registration room.

The Birders Bazaar will also be on the second floor. Before and after trips there should be time to browse and buy nature art and books, optics etc. and get professional advice from the top optic representatives on their products. The Birders Bazaar hold “raffles” regularly and out on the veranda will organize the “Big Sit”..where you sit in a rocking chair for a given amount of time and identify all the birds you can see within the viewscape.

The Birders Café, is also on the second floor. It is in the Hospitality room. Look for signage. Here you will be able to purchase coffee, water, snacks and some prepared food items etc that might get you through the day. Lunches will not be provided on the longer trips and ones that straddle the middle of the day, and so is not covered by any trip fees UNLESS stated on the website, so be sure to pack yourself enough to get through the day.

Event Seminars should also be on the second floor, check to see which room your event is scheduled in.

All vans, buses, walking tours etc (unless otherwise noted) leave from and return to the entrance to the Old Galveston Square ground floor. Be sure to be outside getting checked to enter your vehicle 15 minutes ahead of departure time. Vans etc WILL leave ON TIME. There will be no refunds for persons missing their event by being late for the van etc. Since the clocks have already been adjusted forward for springtime by the date of the 2008 festival, you should not have to worry about that.

With regard to trips etc, we reserve the right to cancel events if conditions are not suitable (especially water based trips). We will try to substitute where possible. “Things happen” and we will do what we can to make your visit a great experience.

Field events may also be dropped from the schedule if there is minimal interest in the event. The cost of transportation is the biggest expense of our festival and has to be managed carefully. We are just a small non profit all volunteer organization and any proceeds from this festival go totally toward a mission of encouraging nature tourism and preserving habitats and bio diversity on Galveston Island and close by. For 2008 we have significantly increased the number of hours and selection of events for you to choose from and this might cause more events to be under subscribed. We will appreciate your full support for any rescheduling that may occur late in the process.

The Thursday and Saturday social activities have consistently rated highly with our visitors in prior years. They are a great opportunity to meet other birders and event leaders. They are within walking distance of the venue. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served at each and we would then encourage all to have dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants we have in town.

The Friday evening seated Keynote Dinner is also very close to the venue. You will enjoy the meal and the program.

One last item relates to children. While we all love them, children under 10 yrs old cannot be accepted for any trip or for any seminar UNLESS the activity is especially designated as “For Families”. As birders understand, some trips can be long, tiring and test the stamina of young children. Many trips require birders to proceed with stealth and quiet, and to be able to listen to the quiet whisperings of the leader. A sudden noise from a baby or a youngster can be very disruptive. In addition to some “For Families” trips during the festival, we are creating a special Family Funday on Sunday.