My family had the opportunity visit Moody Gardens in Galveston over spring break. To be honest, we'd only ever been to Palm Beach and to the Festival of Lights. But there's so much more to Moody Gardens! Here are some of our trip highlights and tips to make your trip more enjoyable.
Highlights:
- Aquarium Pyramid: This is where visitors can experience sharks and penguins. This is the part I personally looked forward to most (for the penguins), and it did not disappoint. We like aquariums, so this was exciting for us. My children liked the penguin exhibit most, as this was their first time seeing penguins. Truthfully - it was my favorite part of the Aquarium, too. If you have time (and depending on your children's interests), there are also many interesting exhibits and facts about sharks and other sea life.
- The Rainforest Pyramid: Honestly, we were pleasantly surprised with the Rainforest Pyramid! Not knowing what to expect, we took it on as an adventure (like we were explorers). It felt as if we were trekking through the tropics of another land. There were many things to see and learn - if you have time. But mostly, my children just wanted to keep walking to see what was next. In season, this pyramid has a butterfly area with, I'm told, many butterflies. There weren't very many out during our visit (because it was still technically winter). At any rate, the Rainforest Pyramid was a lot of fun, and an unexpected highlight of our trip.
- Bodies Revealed Exhibit: This is a special exhibit at Moody Gardens, on display through September 9. You may have seen this - it's exhibit in which real human bodies have been specially preserved with polymer. We learned so much in this exhibit - we saw a smoker's lung, a stroke-ravaged brain, muscle tissue, bones, and organs. It may not sound appealing, but it was very intriguing and held my children's interest for a good portion of our visit. If you can, check it out!
- The Playground and Beachfront. What can I say - my preschooler can't resist a good playground. It's a good filler activity if the kids are getting restless.
Regrets:
- We didn't get to see The Wizard of Oz in 4D. But, fortunately, we've seen a 4D movie before, so I don't feel like we missed out completely.
- We also didn't get to experience Mumble's Wild Ride Ridefilm. We were, unfortunately, under a time constraint. Each time we went to the line, there was a estimated 40-minute wait time. We decided to invest the time we would've spent in line to visiting other exhibits.
Other Attractions and Tips:
- There is a food court with some affordable options; however, I would suggest also taking your own snacks and drinks as well.
- If you are going to see a 3D film, make sure it's one that your entire family will enjoy. We selected Tornado Alley, because my husband is a weather enthusiast. And he really enjoyed it. My children, however, may have enjoyed Bugs Rainforest Adventure or Wild Ocean a bit more. Just be sure that you pick a movie to suit your entire family's tastes.
- There is also a paddleboat. It wasn't running during our visit, but it seems like a fun option.
- Restrooms are plentiful.
- Strollers are okay in the Aquarium Pyramid and the Rainforest Pyramid. However, you cannot take them into the theaters or special exhibits. Also, no cameras are allowed in special exhibits.
- When we visited, parking was plentiful. The lot is a relatively short walk from the car to the entrance.
- Depending on the number of attractions you want to see, it may be more economical for your family to purchase the Value Pack, which allows access to all attractions.
In all, it was a good family experience and a nice getaway from the city.
Moody Gardens is located at One Hope Boulevard in Galveston. Hours are 10:00am to 6:00pm, with last ticket sold one hour before closing.
I was provided with Value Passes for my family members to experience Moody Gardens. No other compensation was received for this review. Opinions expressed are my own.
