Located on the eastern tip of Galveston Island, East Beach is "The People's Beach," where generations of Houstonians have come to party amid the sand and surf. Outfitted with a boardwalk, pavilion and entertainment stage, the park has been hosting concerts for years, but this past summer Houston electronic-music promoters Nightculture upped the ante with the first-ever Beach Blanket Bingo festival, with DJs such as Dillon Francis, Adrian Lux and Paris Blohm providing choice beats to go with the Gulf breeze and lapping waves. Those who prefer quieter pursuits will enjoy exploring the on-site bird sanctuary, while those just seeking a pleasant day at the beach can take advantage of the showers, concessions and umbrella rentals, as well as enough parking to avoid the hassle of finding a spot on the Seawall. Honestly, East Beach's permissive attitude toward alcohol is reason enough for plenty of people to visit, but further attractions include parasailing, personal-watercraft rentals and even the American Institute of Architects' annual Sandcastle Competition every June.