Moody Gardens is housed in three giant pyramids which rise elegantly above the surrounding area, creating a striking contrast against the beaches of Galveston Bay. Located an hour’s drive south-east of downtown Houston, it is the perfect place to escape for a day away from the city.
Start off with the steamy surroundings of the 10-storey Rainbow pyramid, taking you through rainforests from around the world. Platforms nestled in the foliage of the trees will give you a privileged view of the monkeys and sloths, while birds and butterflies flutter past to settle on the branches nearby. Back on the ground, follow the course of the river to catch sight of Amazon otters and see if you can spy Chinese alligators on the rainforest floor.
The blue Aquarium pyramid will introduce you to native wildlife from the World’s great oceans. Walk along the Caribbean seabed to catch a glimpse of turtles and sharks, before heading off to the icy waters of the South Atlantic to see if you can tell the different species of penguins apart!
Between these two sites sits the red Discovery pyramid, host to an ever-changing series of temporary exhibits exploring the many wonders of the scientific world. Head inside for talks, demonstrations and interactive activities.
The Galveston Bay area has so many things to do that you could easily extend your visit for a day or even a weekend. Spend an afternoon making sandcastles, splashing about in the wave pool and diving down the 5.5 metre slides on the white sands of Palm Beach. Take a tour of the bay on a traditional paddlewheel boat, work on your handicap at the nearby golf course or just sit back and allow your senses to be engulfed by the all-encompassing experience of watching a film in 4 dimensions.
Depending on how much time you have to spare, you can choose between individual tickets for specific attractions and a one or two day pass which will give you access to all three pyramids. Any profits from the tickets go to fund conservation and research, so your day out is a worthwhile investment!
