Just 50 miles southeast of Houston on a narrow island in the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston was briefly in the spotlight in 1836 as the capital of the Republic of Texas. For much of the century, it had been the largest and wealthiest town in the state, and the splendor of the period can still be seen in its many historic buildings and handsome mansions, particularly Victorian landmarks such as Bishop's Palace and the Grand Opera House. Also, the well-restored warehouse district known as the Strand still preserves many original façades, now home to restaurants, cafés, galleries, and shops. Nature lovers, too, are drawn to Galveston for its fine open spaces, whether to manicured places like Moody Gardens, or the more rugged setting of Galveston's excellent 32-mile long beach. The Port of Galveston has also increased in importance as a cruise destination, with many major players - including the Disney Cruise Line - now based here.