Category: Events (Page 4 of 8)

Easter in the Gardens

February 27, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

boy with easter eggs

Easter in the Gardens brings hundreds of families from the area to participate in tracking down all the eggs the Easter Bunny has spread out across the Oleander Bowl at Moody Gardens!

On Easter Sunday (March 31, 2013), we will be throwing the best Easter celebration around. There will be activities such as games, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, and of course, the huge Moody Gardens Easter Egg Hunt! Egg hunts are scheduled for noon and 2 p.m.., but you’ll want to get there early for all the other fun events. Kids aged 12 and under can enjoy all the activities and the colorful eggs throughout the Oleander Bowl.

All activities are open to the public and admission is free. Just show up with your baskets and ready to have a good time. Mark you calendars and get ready to spend your Easter holiday with Moody Gardens this year, and hopefully many more.

The Moody Gardens Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Galveston. Our family-friendly hotel is the perfect vacation destination for your next family weekend getaways in Texas. We look forward to spending Easter with you and your family.

Friends of Moody Gardens Annual Fundraiser: Gulf Coast Herb Fair

February 21, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 4 Comments

You’re invited! The Friends of Moody Gardens want you to join them for their Annual Fundraiser. The Gulf Coast Herb Fair at Moody Gardens benefits 3^rd graders at the Aquarium Pyramid and 5^th graders at the Rainforest Pyramid. Last year, the Friends of Moody Gardens hosted over 950 Galveston Elementary School Children!

The Gulf Coast Herb Fair includes more than just herb education. Vendors showcasing herbs, books, gifts and food items have been invited for guest’s shopping enjoyment.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $35 per person. Other fundraising options are the raffle and silent auction. There are tons of awesome items to be won! Not only could you be going home with some awesome prizes, but you’ll also be donating to a great cause.

The Gulf Coast Herb Fair will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come in at ten to start browsing all the vendor booths and get your shopping fix. Lunch will be at 11, and then we have a special guest speaker at noon.

The Gulf Coast Herb Fair is proud to have Lucia Ferrara Bettler of Lucia’s Garden in Houston as the guest speaker this year! “Herbs from the Garden to the Table” will be a presentation on Mediterranean, Italian and Louisiana cooking that you won’t want to miss.

Lucia Bettler founded Lucia’s Garden in 1984 with her husband Michael as a one-room operation. The business has grown into a substantial bookstore featuring music, incense, herbs, crystals, statuary and other exciting items. Lucia’s Garden also hosts classes throughout the year on everything from cooking with Lucia to aromatherapy and gardening. The Friends of Moody Gardens are so excited to have her share her expertise and wisdom at the Gulf Coast Herb Fair this year.

The fundraiser will be held in the Moody Gardens Visitor Center and The Garden Restaurant. Click here for more details!

If you’re looking for one of the best places to stay in Galveston, check out the Moody Gardens Hotel, and don’t miss out on our great offer going on right now at the Spa at Moody Gardens.

Upcoming Events: Birding 101 and Birding 201

February 5, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 1 Comment

egret Moody Gardens is dedicated to educating the community on nature, animals, and conservation. We love getting involved with our guests while also teaching them about the nature and beauty that surrounds us. On our Calendar of Events, some of the exciting things we have coming up are Birding 101 and Birding 201.

Birding 101

Birding 101 is presented by Moody Gardens and the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council. Birding 101 is a class created to educate participants about the variety of bird life that can be seen on Galveston Island. The island is home to hundreds of species of birds such as egrets, herons, hawks, seagulls, and many more. The class is free and held on the second Saturday of each month. We want to be able to excite our people about the bird species we share the area with. Class meets in the Aquarium Pyramid lobby and is from 9-11 a.m.

Birding 201

Birding 201 gives participants a more in depth look at the bird life on the island. The instructor-led classes allow participants to visit certain areas of the island where they can spy some of the tremendous variety of birds. Instead of just teaching participants about the birds, Birding 201 actually takes you out to find them! Classes are held on the third Saturday of each month from 9-11a .m. The class is $5 and participants meet in the Aquarium Pyramid lobby. Moody Gardens will provide transportation. Due to high demand, we ask that you reserve you spot no later than the Wednesday prior to the class by calling 409-683-4101.

Make Moody Gardens the destination for your next family weekend getaways in Texas, and learn more about Galveston’s bird life while you’re here! If you’re on the hunt for one of the best places to stay in Galveston, make your reservations at the Moody Gardens Hotel.

Sea of Love: Valentine’s Dinner at Moody Gardens

February 4, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

valentines Spend your Valentine’s Day on a unique date in Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. Celebrate the romance by diving into an underwater dining experience! Seating is limited, so book now!

Choose from four different Aquarium Pyramid dining experiences:

Tunnel of Love: Feel as though you’re underwater in our Caribbean Exhibit tunnel. Enjoy your romantic dinner while sharks and other beautiful sea creatures swim overhead.

Sealed with a Kiss: First- and second-level seating is available by the seals and sea lions of the North Pacific Exhibit. These playful animals will add a splash of fun to your dining experience.

Fishin’ for Love: First and second level seating is available in the South Pacific Exhibit. The colorful fish inhabitants provide the perfect backdrop for your romantic evening.

Lovable Penguins: You’ll have to be careful around the penguins of the South Atlantic Exhibit! They’re so cute they may just steal your heart this Valentine’s Day!

Our Lover’s Menu is packed full of delicious options to make the dining experience one to remember!

Soup and Salad (choice of one):

Asparagus Bisque topped with Roasted Pear
Seven Leaf Salad with Fresh Berries and tossed with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Entrée Selection (choice of one):

Colonel’s Rib Eye Steak with Garlic Herb Shrimp served with Red Potatoes
Red Snapped topped with Lump Crab Meat Cream Sauce served with Sauteed Julianne Vegetables
Pan Grilled Chicken Breast topped with Grape Tomato and Porcini Mushroom Sauce served with Char-Grilled Asparagus

Dessert (YUM!):

Chocolate Heart Shaped Tiramisu for two: three-layer sponge cake with mascarpone cheese, cream cheese, whipped cream, coffee liqueur, chocolate shavings, and topped with cocoa. Served with Bailey’s whipped cream.

This special Sea of Love Valentine’s Dinner is $80 per couple (does not include tax and gratuity). The event is from 6-8 p.m. on February 14, 2013.

Go ahead and turn the evening into an overnight romantic rendezvous with our special Valentine’s Hotel Package. For only $255, the package includes:

Valentine’s dinner
Chocolate covered strawberries
Breakfast for two
Behind the scenes tour of the Aquarium Pyramid on Friday morning

Discover why Moody Gardens Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Galveston.

Make your reservations TODAY! Call 1-800-582-4673 ext. 4200.

Moody Gardens Teaching Teachers: Educator Programs Part 2

January 23, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

teachingteachers Moody Gardens offers workshops for local educators multiple times a year. Through our workshops, we demonstrate exciting ways to bring the rainforest, oceans, and nature into your classroom.

Through the exploratory workshops, teachers earn credit toward their Continuing Professional Education as established by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC). Teachers will also take home curriculum including math, science, and social studies lessons that correlate with TEKS requirements.

Each workshop includes hands-on activities, guided tours through Moody Gardens’ attractions, and take-home curriculum.

Choose between full-day and half-day workshops.

Full Day Workshops: During a full-day workshop, educators will earn six SBEC credit hours. The workshop includes a buffet lunch at the Garden Restaurant, a guided tour of one of the pyramids, and a take home copy of the applicable curriculum and all the related activities. The workshop is from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with lunch included for $55.

Half-Day Workshops: Half-day workshop participants earn four SBEC credit hours. Participants will also receive a guided tour of one of the pyramids and take home curriculum. However, lunch is not included. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and costs $40 per person.

Upcoming workshops include:

Flying WILD (Full Day) on February 23, 2013
Frogs/Sharks (Full Day) on March 23, 2013
Marine Debris (Full Day) on April 27, 2013

Pre-registration is required for all educator workshops. For reservations and more information, please call 1-800-582-4673, ext. 4231, or email pswiftbrooks@moodygardens.com.

You can also access our curriculum online by visiting our website.

While you’re here, we hope you enjoy your tour of the Aquarium Pyramid or Rainforest Pyramid. If you’d like to make a weekend out of the visit, the Moody Gardens Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Galveston. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Moody Gardens Special People’s Ball 2013

January 17, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

146720310 Each year Moody Gardens loves to throw a Mardi Gras ball! However, our ball is a little different from the popular Mardi Gras celebrations around the world. The Moody Gardens Special People’s Ball is a unique celebration for people with special needs, their caregivers, and their immediate family. The Moody Gardens Mardi Gras ball provides the opportunity for people with disabilities to be a part of the Mardi Gras celebrations in a safe and exciting environment.

The 27^th Annual Mardi Gras Ball for Special People will be on Sunday, February 10, 2013. This fun-packed event includes activities such as:

Arts and crafts
Face painting
Costume characters
Mardi Gras beads
Costume and dance contests
Food and refreshments
Pictures
Live music

For this year’s ball, Moody Gardens will be having the hit cover band Space Monkey entertaining the crowd! Space Monkey offers a wide range of music so there is something for everyone to enjoy. This year we will also have Gazer the Star and Cosmo the Moon from the Space Center Houston joining the festivities.

The Caring Clowns from the University of Texas Medical Branch will be at the ball making balloon hats and animals, and Ronald McDonald will make an appearance!

Admission is free for attendees with special needs, their immediate family, and caregivers. However, reservations are required and can be made here.

If you are looking into attending with a group home, please note that attendees will need to wear an ID with their name and organization.

We are also looking for wonderful and caring people to help us out with this great event! For more information on volunteering for the Mardi Gras Ball for Special People, contact us at 469-683-4108 or volunteers@moodygardens.com.

If you are joining us for the ball from out of town, be sure to check out the Moody Gardens Hotel for one of the best places to stay in Galveston. Don’t forget to explore the Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid while you’re visiting!

Why You Should Use Moody Gardens Convention Center for Your Next Event

January 7, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Screen Shot 2012-12-21 at 11.51.06 AM The Moody Gardens Convention Center provides the perfect destination for either business or pleasure. The location rests on over 200 acres of tropical gardens, making any event you hold here a memorable experience! Not only do we provide ample amounts of meeting and event space, but a four-diamond resort to accommodate your guests as well.

No matter what kind of event you plan on putting together, the Moody Gardens Convention Center has you covered. With over 100,000 square feet of combined meeting spaces, and a 60,000 square foot barrier-free ballroom-quality exposition center with over 5,000 available seats, you will have plenty of space to create the perfect event. Our meeting spaces can accommodate from the grandest of galas to intimate events.

The exposition center has floor boxes every thirty feet complete with water, power, air, and data drains. It also houses state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment so your guests will not be disappointed with your event.

The Moody Gardens Convention Center has two onsite business centers, making your event more efficient and convenient for company events. With a covered parking garage that can hold up to 1,000 cars, your guest will have easy access to the facilities they need.

Our full-service resort features 428 luxurious rooms and suites, so when the attendees are ready to rest their heads, their accommodations will not be lacking in comfort and service.

Moody Gardens Convention Center has built a reputation for being a premiere destination for recreation, meetings, and events. No matter what reason you need to use our space, our world-class property and professional staff is here to provide you with the best hospitality and client service in the business.

When you aren’t joining us at Moody Gardens for business purposes, come see us for your next family weekend getaway in Galveston! The Moody Gardens Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Galveston!

Why Special Events are Easy to Plan with Moody Gardens

December 31, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Screen Shot 2012-12-21 at 11.51.41 AM Moody Gardens is the perfect place for your upcoming special event because we make the planning convenient and easy! We are here every step of the way to make sure your plans run smoothly and your guests have a memorable experience for all the right reasons. Planning an event with Moody Gardens is easy because of our professional staff, hospitality, and available and versatile space.

Professional Staff: Our staff knows the ins and outs of Moody Gardens and has all the answers to your questions about planning an event with us. You will encounter nothing but complete professionalism when working with everyone from the catering department to the Convention Center Director. Our hospitality and client services have earned us a reputation as the premiere meeting, event, and recreational destination. Our staff will attend to your every need, all under one roof.

Services: For weddings, our professional staff can handle details such as floral design, entertainment options, and food and beverages! For large events we have state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment, seating for over 5,000, and a large, covered parking garage.

Available and Versatile Space: We have over 100,000 square feet of available space for your special event. Not only is there tons of space, the space is so versatile you won’t have any problem finding the exact area to fit your needs. You can have a ballroom style expo center, or a more intimate setting for smaller get-togethers. For business events, we offer a fully equipped business center available 24 hours a day. Our staff will handle all the details of creating the perfect space for your special event, whether it’s an intimate dinner, social gathering, or a convention for a few thousand people.

Start planning your event online! Get started here.

While you’re here for your special event, stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel and check out our popular attractions, such as the Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid.

Moody Gardens Offers Fun For the Whole Family

December 20, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

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Moody Gardens is the perfect place for an entire family vacation, or even just a daylong adventure. Here at Moody Gardens, every member of your family will find something fun and interesting to entertain them.

The Moody Gardens Attractions, from the Aquarium Pyramid to the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, provide enough fun for everyone in the family. Kids will love getting up close with the penguins in the Penguin Encounter! For the adventurous family members, don’t miss out on catching a movie and a ride at the Ridefilm Theater. The technology of the Ridefilm Theater literally makes you feel like you are a part of the action!

Parents who are looking for a romantic evening on the water should book reservations for the dinner cruise on Colonel Paddlewheel Boat on the second Saturday of each month! Enjoy a delicious dinner and live entertainment while getting some time alone together. Please make your reservation by the Wednesday before the scheduled dinner cruise at 1-800-582-4673, ex. 4419.

The whole family will enjoy one of the most authentic rainforest recreations at the Rainforest Pyramid. The walk-in butterfly exhibit is one of Moody Gardens most beloved features, and enjoyable for family members from one to one hundred. Not only are the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids entertaining, they also provide educational opportunities by teaching visitors about the nature that lives within the habitats.

When the gang gets hungry, there are plenty of dining options here at Moody Gardens. Choose from The Gardens Restaurant, or in the Moody Gardens Hotel there is The Terrace Restaurant, Shearn’s Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, and Blossom. Don’t forget that your kids can eat free at The Terrace Restaurant when you’re staying at the Moody Gardens Hotel!

When Mom and Dad are ready to unwind, don’t miss out on our special deals for the Moody Gardens Golf Course and the Spa at Moody Gardens! We look forward to seeing you and the whole family soon!

Midnight in the Gardens

November 23, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

If you’re looking for holiday events in Texas, visit Galveston! Moody Gardens offers some of the finest holiday events around. One of our most extravagant events is our New Year’s Eve Gala, which has become known as one of the best places to be during New Year’s Eve in the Houston and Galveston area. This New Year’s Eve, the Moody Gardens Convention Center will be transformed into a modern winter wonderland fit for only the most lavish affair.

This year’s Gala will once again feature Commercial Art, one of Houston’s most popular party bands. Commercial Art is sought after by all of Houston because of their eclectic mix of music. They offer everything from vintage rock and 40’s swing to classic soul and modern hits. With the great entertainment on hand, this New Year’s Eve Gala will be quite the party.

However, if you’re also looking for a romantic night for two, the Gala’s sophisticated setting is the perfect place. Moody Gardens will be offering an elaborate array of food, and of course an open bar. For added extravagance, don’t forget to take part in our champagne toast. Finally, ring in 2013 with our midnight balloon drop.

Tickets are on sale for $425 per couple or $225 per single. Don’t forget to make your reservations at the Moody Gardens Hotel; accommodations begin at $109 plus tax per night, with the purchase of a Gala ticket. For reservations, call 888-388-8484. Call now so you don’t miss out on the party of the year!

If you can’t make it for our New Year’s celebration, be sure to check out our other Galveston and Houston holiday events. We offer a Festival of Lights that offers more than 1 million lights in 100 animated light displays. While there, be sure to stop by our Festival of Lights Buffet. For more family fun, visit our Magical Christmas Dinner and Show starring Master Illusionist Curt Miller and Friends. Get your tickets here. Finally don’t forget to take advantage of our outdoor ice skating rink and visits with Santa! At Moody Gardens, there’s holiday fun awaiting the whole family!