Author: Moody Gardens (Page 28 of 37)

Moody Gardens Giving Back: Festival of Lights Food Drive

November 19, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 1 Comment

Do you love charity and the Moody Gardens Festival of Lights? You’re in luck! Every Friday night, if you bring a non-perishable food item, you can get 2 for the price of 1 admission! Moody Gardens is teaming up with the Galveston County Food Bank to provide for those who have fallen on hard times this holiday season.

The Galveston County Food Bank is an interfaith community-based organization established to receive surplus food from generous institutions willing to provide for those less fortunate than themselves. Their program is called Gleanings From the Harvest, which is a food procurement and distribution network. It provides food to those who most need it; this includes the destitute and the families in Galveston County who are considered the “working poor”.

Moody Gardens loves charity and would like your help in feeding those in need around the Galveston area. Please consider stopping by our Festival of Lights Friday Food Drive to be a part of this great charity. We promise you won’t be disappointed! Not only will you feel like you’ve contributed to something great, but you’ll also be able to enjoy our famous Festival of Lights at a discounted rate!

Our Festival of Lights is a great Houston holiday event for those looking for a family weekend getaway in Texas. We offer more than 1 million lights within 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays. But that’s not all! We also offer live entertainment every night, a delicious Festival of Lights Buffet that you just can’t miss, and the area’s only outdoor ice skating rink. While you’re visiting, take a picture with Santa or watch a holiday film in one of our theaters. If you’ve visited Moody Gardens before, we’ve added something new this year! Enjoy snow tubing down the Arctic Slide. All of these attractions are open every night the Festival of Lights is open. Don’t forget, you can make a weekend of it! We offer one of the best family friendly hotels in Texas.

So put Moody Gardens Festival of Lights Friday Food Drive on your calendar. We promise you won’t be disappointed! For more information on our Holiday Events, visit us here.

Tee Off on the Tropical Golf Course

November 16, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Golf with us at Galveston’s premier golf course! The Moody Gardens Golf Course features a $16 million renovation by the renowned golf course architects of Jacobsen Hardy Golf Course Design. New turf grass, elevations, drainage, irrigation, green complexes, and cart paths were all included in the renovation. The clubhouse also had a full makeover!

The playing surfaces are kept in top condition with a new irrigation system and water treatment system. The high quality water makes for a high quality course. Along the 18 holes, golfers will experience lowland native areas, natural wetlands, and over 500 palm trees, creating the famous tropical feel.

This first-class public golf course is open seven days a week for local residents and visitors to the island. Not only are the course and clubhouse renovated but other new amenities include a larger driving range, a new golf cart fleet, and a remodeled pro shop. After a nice round of golf, guests can enjoy a meal on The Pelican Grille’s clubhouse patio.

The Moody Gardens Golf Course is a great way to spend your vacation by the water without having to worry about the hassles of getting to the beach. You won’t encounter crowded beaches, kids running around, or have to worry about the temperature of the water. Swing your club, feel the cool sea breeze, and enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Coast. Tee time at the Tropical Golf Course is the perfect addition to any vacation.

Don’t miss out on our special offer at the Moody Gardens Golf Course. For a limited time you can receive a free cart and bucket of range balls with the purchase of a round of golf! Make your next weekend trip to Moody Gardens, and enjoy a round of golf in Galveston. When you aren’t swinging clubs on the course, take advantage of our special deal at the Spa at Moody Gardens in the Moody Gardens Hotel. When you buy one Swedish massage, you’ll get one free!

Cool Fun at Moody Gardens: Penguin Encounter

November 15, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 1 Comment

Get to know the penguin residents at Moody Gardens. With the Penguin Encounter program, you will get the opportunity to get up close with the penguins and see what goes on behind the scenes! Here are valuable facts about the Penguin Encounter:

The program lasts for 45 minutes
Guests start at the front of the exhibit and move on to see the back of the exhibit and the penguin food preparation kitchen
A Moody Gardens biologist will teach you about penguin biology, training, enrichment, and care
Guests get to watch a penguin create art as part of an enrichment activity
Tickets are $50 a person
Children 3 and under are free
Tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis
Guests must also purchase admission to the *Aquarium Pyramid
Children 12 and under must be with an adult
The program is at 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Depending on the mood of the penguin, you may be able to touch them!
It’s about 45 degrees in the Penguin Encounter area, so dress accordingly
The penguins love to pose for your pictures

Private Penguin Encounters are also available for up to four people. Private encounters can be scheduled based upon guest’s convenience and availability. Admission is $350 per group and includes admission to the Aquarium Pyramid, and a unique piece of penguin art.

The Seal and Penguin Experience shows guests what it’s like to be a South Atlantic and North Pacific exhibit keeper for a day. The experience is six hours long and allows various activities such as feeding penguins, and helping out the biologists. The $175 (per person) package includes admission to the Aquarium Pyramid, lunch, a photograph, and a unique piece of penguin art. Participants must be 16 years or older and a maximum of three participants. Be sure to wear closed toe shoes, comfortable clothes, and reserve your package two weeks in advance.

Moody Gardens is the number one place this season for holiday events in Galveston. Join us for more kids activities and family fun. Be sure to keep up with our Moody Gardens blog to learn more about Houston holiday events, the Moody Gardens Hotel, and the Moody Gardens Golf Course!

Arctic Fun at Moody Gardens: Ice Skating

November 14, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 7 Comments

Always dreamed of tying up your skates and gliding around with the stars above you and the winter chill in the air? Then you realize you’re in Texas, and you can’t ice skate outside! There’s rarely snow or ice, especially along the Gulf Coast. Moody Gardens has solved your problem. We have the ONLY outdoor ice skating rink in the region!

Pull on your warm sweaters, slip on your mittens, and head out to the rink. This popular winter activity is fun for the entire family. Don’t worry if you don’t have a pair of skates. We have plenty of sizes available to rent.

Ice skating outside with the Festival of Lights surrounding you is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Whether you’re a veteran ice skater or it’s your first time, everyone is welcome on the Moody Gardens Ice Rink. It’s okay if you slip and fall a few times, no one at Moody Gardens will be laughing at you. We can’t say the same for your friends and family though!

Ice skating is a great way to get all those relatives in town for the holidays out of your house, and making memories together. The outdoor ice rink could be a new family tradition that everyone looks forward to each year. You can also take pictures with Santa while you’re here.

If you’re going to come check out the outdoor ice skating rink, then don’t miss out on our special holiday offer! For a limited time, you can get the Festival of Lights Arctic Package for only $17. The package includes admission to the Festival of Lights, the Aquarium Pyramid, and the To The Arctic 3D documentary. It’s the perfect way to get the whole Moody Gardens holiday experience.

Moody Gardens features the best Houston holiday events and events in Galveston. The family entertainment is non-stop this season.

Why You Should Throw Your Holiday Party at Moody Gardens Golf Course

November 13, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Planning to throw a fantastic holiday party this season? Want it to be one that people can’t forget? Would you prefer someone else to do the decorating, cooking, and cleaning? Then you should throw your holiday party at Moody Gardens! The Moody Gardens Golf Course banquet room is perfect for creating the ultimate holiday party. We can bring the holiday spirit to all of your guests! Read on to find out why you should throw your party with us:

Choose from two different holiday party packages at Moody Gardens Golf Course:

Texas Two-Step Celebration: This party package includes a BBQ buffet featuring sliced brisket and sausage, baked beans, potato salad, and Texas toast. Price is $35 per guest.

Yuletide Fiesta: Upgrade to a beef and chicken fajita buffet featuring southwest pinto beans, Spanish rice, peppers and onions, flour tortillas, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. The Yuletide Fiesta package is $40 a person.

Each buffet includes cookies for dessert; iced tea, water, and 2 drink tickets for beer, wine, and soft drinks.

We cater and provide a full bar service for your parties. Our experienced and professional event staff will take care of all your needs from set-up to clean up. Our banquet room can seat up to 80 people and there is on site free parking. Talk about stress-free party planning!

All prices are inclusive, and there is a 20-person minimum. For more information contact Anja Borski at 409.683.1200 or aborski@moodygardensgolf.com.

Moody Gardens Hotel and Attraction is the perfect holiday destination for events in Galveston with our holiday lights festival. Start planning your holiday party with us today, and hurry, because rooms will get booked quickly.

Don’t miss out on our special holiday offer. Receive a Festival of Lights Arctic Package for only $17. We also have special holiday deals going on at the Moody Gardens Golf Course and the Spa at Moody Gardens!

Arctic Fun at Moody Gardens: To The Arctic 3D

November 12, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Feel like you are a part of the movies in the Moody Gardens 3D Theater. Once you put on your 3D glasses you will experience the realistic three-dimensional images projected onto a gigantic six-story screen.

This season experience the documentary, To The Arctic 3D. This heartfelt film takes you through the journey of a mother polar bear and her two seven-month old cubs across their icy home. It’s a story of love, survival, and adventure on the majestic Arctic. The beautiful scenery and captivating images are presented in breathtaking IMAX® 3D, giving viewers an up-close view of the immense glaciers, massive snow-bound peaks, and spectacular waterfalls.

While the imagery of To The Artic 3D is incredible, so is the story that accompanies it. Meryl Streep brings beautiful narration to this tale of a land far away with exotic animals you wouldn’t normally be able to observe in their natural habitat.

To The Arctic 3D is the perfect film for you and your family to enjoy this season. With the 3D imagery, you will feel as if you are exploring the Arctic yourself, but without the below-freezing temperatures! The family friendly story is pleasing to parents and kids alike. The documentary is also an educational experience, and an opportunity to learn more about Earth’s vast variety of environments.

To learn more about To The Arctic 3D check out the official trailer here.

Want to see this awesome documentary and go to the Festival of Lights? Then check out our Limited Time Festival of Lights Arctic Package for only $17! The package includes admission to the famous Festival of Lights, the Aquarium Pyramid, and the To The Arctic 3D documentary.

Moody Gardens presents the biggest holiday lights festival in the region, with family entertainment and great holiday discounts. Be sure to check us out for your Galveston and Houston holiday events this year, and don’t miss out on our latest holiday deals for your Christmas events in Texas!

Arctic Fun at Moody Gardens: Snow Tubing

November 9, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 3 Comments

During this year’s Festival of Lights, Moody Gardens is bringing in a new holiday experience: snow tubing! Texas doesn’t have a lot of snow or sledding opportunities, especially down by the Gulf coast. However, with this addition to the arctic fun at Moody Gardens, even Texan kids can experience this fun winter past time.

Glide along the ice and into the holiday season. Snow tubing features a 100-foot ice slide set up in the Moody Gardens grounds. Guests will glide down the giant ice slide on a tube, experiencing an icy thrill unlike any in the region.

Snow tubing is fun for almost all ages! The gravity propels the tubes down the slide at exhilarating, yet safe, speeds. Since there aren’t many snow-covered hills in Texas, it is hard to experience this kind of holiday fun without traveling up north. Now you can have snowy hills and Gulf coast beaches, all in the same vacation.

From over a million lights to giant ice slides, you can’t find a holiday experience quite like the Festival of Lights. The snow tubing will start on Saturdays during the Festival of Lights (November 10-December 5), and then open daily from December 22-January 5. The hours are noon to 10pm, and admission is only $12.00. You and your family will have plenty of time to get down to Moody Gardens to experience this new seasonal attraction.

Snow tubing is just one of the many fun holiday events in Texas going on at Moody Gardens this season. The holiday lights, Christmas events in Texas, and other attractions are constantly entertaining all our visitors. Plan your next family holiday at Moody Gardens, and plan to stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel. Enjoy our special holiday deal, a Festival of Lights Arctic Package for only $17! Also, don’t miss out on the ice skating in the area’s only outdoor skating rink, here at the Moody Gardens!

Family Friendly Accommodations at Moody Gardens Hotel

November 8, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

While the Moody Gardens Hotel is known for its spectacular rooms and amenities such as the spa and convention center, it is actually a wonderful place for kids to stay. The Moody Gardens hotel has a ton of activities and perks for the kids. Read on to learn more about our family friendly accommodations.

Kids Eat Free: Yep, you read that correctly, free! Everyday, with the purchase of an adult entrée at the Terrace Restaurant, your little one, under the age of 12, gets a free meal! The free meal includes anything off the kid’s menu or buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll have a well-fed family and a well-fed wallet.

Pools: The swimming pools are a great time for kids of every age! While parents relax amongst the lush gardens and waterfalls, the children are jumping in the water or grabbing afternoon treats from the poolside snack bar. Summer and holiday time call for special poolside fun such as face-painting clowns or a tropical bounce house. The outdoor Jacuzzi is enjoyable for everyone year around, so no matter what season you visit Moody Gardens Hotel be sure to bring your bathing suit!

Kid’s Crew: Kid’s Crew activities will keep your children busy and entertained throughout their visit. The activities include arts and crafts, a bounce house, kite flying, scavenger hunts, karaoke, Wii competitions, movie nights, clown face painting, and more. Kids can also play on the outdoor playground or test their logic skill with the Giant Chess Game. The best part is, all the Kid’s Crew activities are free for hotel guests! Activities are seasonal and change daily, so the fun is always different.

The Moody Gardens Hotel is the perfect place if you’re looking for family friendly hotels in Texas. Our family friendly hotel is sure to please every member of your family. Don’t forget to check out the Moody Gardens Attractions, such as the Aquarium Pyramid and the Rainforest Pyramid, while you’re here for more entertainment! We’re also offering a special holiday deal at the spa! Take time to relax while your kids are out having a great time.

The Flavors of Moody Gardens Holiday Buffet

November 7, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

At the Festival of Lights you can experience the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the holidays. The Holiday Buffet covers the tastes and smells with its delicious variety of holiday soups, salads, entrees, accompaniments, and desserts.

The Holiday Buffet is the perfect place for date night or a family outing. With two delicious options for the kiddos (Spaghetti Marinara and Mac & Cheese Supreme) the whole family is bound to be satisfied with this holiday feast.

The Holiday Buffet is the perfect way to start or finish your visit to the Festival of Lights. You can fuel up on all the different delicious foods offered, such as the Pasta Shells with Ricotta over a Bed of Tomato Basil Cream Sauce accompanied with Grand Marnier and Cinnamon Glazed Carrots. Follow your meal with one of our Chef’s assorted desserts. Yum!

The Holiday Buffet is a great place to take out-of-town guests who are in for the holidays! You don’t have to do any of the decorating, cooking, or cleaning. Leave it all to us to feed your guests a delicious meal during their stay. The buffet is also a great option if you are already at Moody Gardens exploring. You don’t have to drive, park, and wait at another restaurant. You can just stroll right into The Garden Restaurant. It’s not just a meal; it’s a seasonal experience for everyone.

The Festival of Lights Buffet is served only on nights the Festival of Lights is open. It also excludes Thanksgiving and Christmas due to the special holiday menu on those days. The price of admission for adults is $15.95, and for children ages 5-12 is $7.95. Take a look at our delicious menu!

If you’re looking for Galveston or Houston holiday events, look no further than Moody Gardens. Our holiday lights festival is the perfect family entertainment this season. Don’t miss out on our Festival of Lights Arctic Package deal for your family weekend getaways in Texas this season. Be sure to check out the family friendly accommodations at the Moody Gardens Hotel.

Moody Garden’s Festival of Lights

November 6, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

If you’re only going to go to one holiday festival this season, make sure it’s the Moody Garden’s Festival of Lights. This holiday celebration is one of the largest in the area. The entertainment is nonstop, making Festival of Lights a holiday tradition for many families.

At the Festival of Lights you can enjoy:

-One million lights within 100 sound-enhanced animated displays

-Live entertainment each night

-The area’s ONLY outdoor skating rink

-Pictures with Santa Claus

-Holiday films at the Moody Gardens 3D, 4D Special FX, or Ridefilm theaters

Experience even more holiday fun this year with the addition of snow tubing! Ride down a 100-ft ice slide set up in the Gardens. Snow tubing is open from noon to 10 pm on Saturdays, November 10 through December 15, and daily December 22-January 5. Admission is $12.00.

On Friday nights, if you bring a non-perishable food item, you’ll get 2 for 1 admission to the Festival of Lights. The food drive proceeds go to the Galveston County Food Bank. So while you’re enjoying the holiday entertainment, you’ll also be spreading the cheer throughout the community.

Dive into a holiday feast at the Festival of Lights Holiday Buffet in The Garden Restaurant. The buffet has options for the whole family, including a special “Kid’s Favorites” section. The buffet is served on nights the Festival of Lights is open.

Master Illusionist Curt Miller and friends bring A Magical Christmas Dinner and Show to the Moody Gardens during the Festival of Lights. The dinner and show are held in the Moody Gardens Convention Center on December 17-20 and the 20-27. The admission price includes a buffet dinner, performance, Festival of Lights ticket, tax, gratuity, and parking. You don’t want to miss this fun family friendly event! Get your tickets today!

The holiday lights and Houston holiday events at Moody Gardens are the best way to spend your family vacation this year! Don’t miss out on these events in Galveston and our special holiday deal, a Festival of Lights Arctic Package for only $17! Moody Gardens is the place to be this year for Christmas events in Texas!