Moody Gardens is an extremely popular attraction on Galveston Island and it's easy to see why! You can spend a whole day just at Moody Gardens trying to do everything. If you live on the island or
Updated Sept 13th 2016
Aquarium Pyramid
The most popular attraction is the aquarium which is going through a major renovation right now. There are penguins, sea lions, a shark tunnel, and plenty of fish to check out! I can't wait to see it after the renovations are completely finished (sometime in May 2017 - renovation schedule).
Rainforest Pyramid
The rainforest is very cool as there are free roaming birds of all kinds. But keep your eye out for the free roaming monkeys and sloths too!! The sloths are hard to spot as they are usually up high, but you may get lucky! There is also a butterfly garden and some other animals to check out throughout the path. Here is a tip - sometimes the parrots talk, so say hello and see if you get a hello back!
Discovery Pyramid
The Discovery Pyramid has exhibits that change throughout the year. I've haven't been too impressed with some of the rotating exhibits, so hopefully future exhibits like this one are a bit better. The Spongebob Subpants Adventure is here and is a pretty cool attraction! It's very interactive for kids and if they love Spongebob they will certainly love this. Even if they don't, I still think it's worth checking out!
MG 3D Theater & 4D Special FX Theater
The 3D theater supposedly has the largest screen in Texas! I don't know if that's true, but still gives you an idea of its size. The movies rotate through here, but they usually focus on the ocean or nature. I've seen The Jungle Book in the 3D theater and it was very cool! I like checking out the the 3D theater when they run feature movies like this one.
The 4D theater is really neat. You really get a 4D experience as they cater to all of your senses! Even smell! I suggest checking out the movie here during holiday season. Last year it was The Polar Express, this year it will be Rudolph. They run about 15-20 minutes long - so long enough to keep the lil's attention, but all the great effects to entertain the big ones.
Colonel Paddlewheel Boat
The Colonel is a replica of an 1800s paddlewheel boat. You get an hour long ride on the boat around the gulf! I still haven't taken a ride on the Colonel as I always forget about it when it's a nice day out and we are looking for something different to do. I need to check this one off my list! The boat is available for private parties and dinner cruises with groups of 65 or more. I know they do a Valentine's Dinner cruise every year on it that I hope to enjoy on of these days! :-)
Rope Course & Zip Line
For the adventurous, Moody Gardens offers the rope course and zip line. It is 81 feet up, so if you are scared of heights, you may want to skip this one! There are 48 obstacles suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Each participant is outfitted with a full body harness and a safety lanyard or sling line. Children between the ages of 2 through 7 can even take on an adventure of a smaller scale on the Sky Tykes™ Ropes Course that is appropriate for those who are 48 inches and under. The Zip Line glides over Palm Beach 60 ft. in the air for a bird’s eye view of the Moody Gardens pyramids and tropical gardens. This another Moody Attraction that I haven't got to experience yet, so I have no personal insight. But I can't wait to try it!!!
Palm Beach
(Seasonal May 14th-Sept 10th)
I may have chosen the best for (almost)last! I think I already have a countdown in my head to when Palm Beach opens for the summer! ha! Me and my lils' LOVE Palm Beach! I used my Beachfront Baby Wrap to navigate it this summer with a toddler and an infant! Palm Beach is great. It's not too big, so it's not overwhelming, but has enough to keep all the kiddos entertained. It doesn't try to compete with Schlitterbahn across the street, because they are just different types of parks. While Schlitterbahn is there for thrills with all kinds of waterslides, Palm Beach is made to be very family friendly and has all the basic waterpark attractions without trying too hard. There is wave pool, lazy river, splash pad, two larger waterslides, and two smaller waterslides in a kiddie area. The kiddie area also has a drop bucket that kids seem to love! There is sand where all the chairs and umbrellas are. I do wish they had more chairs and umbrellas because on a busy day they go fast. It does get busy on the weekends, but if you go early and leave before the crowds, it's not so bad. Of course if you're visiting from afar - take advantage and spend the day! We go through the week and get there when it opens and leave before lunch. It's perfect!
Festival of Lights and IceLand Sculptures
(Seasonal - Holiday Season)
The Festival of Lights and IceLand Sculptures run from late November to early January.
IceLand Sculptures will be Caribbean themed this year! They are very cool with ice slides that have always been a hit with my lil' and husband! It is 9 degrees in there, so dress warm! They give you parkas, but those do not do much - you are definitely going to want a hat and gloves.
The Festival of Lights run along Moody's walking path and is such a great light show! The lights are beautiful and it's just a real nice stroll along the bay looking at lights. If you are here in Galveston for the holidays - it is something you do not want to miss! There is even a little train that runs through them if you don't want to walk or for a fun experience for the kiddos.
Moody Gardens also has Santa Claus, an ice skating rink, ice slides with tubes, hot chocolate, and a magic show during the holiday season. They really make it a magical experience!
Other Moody Garden Interests
Moody Gardens also has a walking trail that you can walk on anytime that surrounds most of the property. That's where the Festival of Lights mostly take place. There are also two playgrounds that kids can play at as well as a garden and fountains on the grounds. They have The Garden restaurant and a snack area located in The Rainforest Pyramid. There is a hotel on the property with a spa and Shearn's Steakhouse, Cafe in the Park, a lobby bar and pool bar. And if golfing is your thing, Moody Gardens has that too! It's an 18 hole course open to the public year round!
And keep your eyes posted for classes and summer camps for the kids and adults throughout the year!
https://www.moodygardens.com
What do you think? Is there something you love about Moody Gardens that I missed? Let me know!
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