Category: Events (Page 5 of 8)

Sea of Love: Valentine’s Dinner at Moody Gardens

February 4, 2013 / Moody Gardens

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

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 [email protected].

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

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 [email protected].

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

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

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

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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

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!

Why You Should Have Your Kid’s Birthday Party at Moody Gardens

November 20, 2012 / Moody Gardens

Want to throw your kid an awesome birthday party? Do you not have enough time to plan and organize the party? Then Moody Gardens is perfect for you! We do the planning, setup, and cleanup! All you have to worry about is your kid having a fantastic time!

Each birthday party package includes a birthday cake, punch, paper goods, a party favor for each guest, twenty-four invitations, and a visit to one attraction. On top of all this great birthday fun, you choose from four exciting themes.

Wild Things: Aquarium. This package includes entry for your guests into the Aquarium Pyramid. Party guests get to dive into an ocean adventure and have a fun-filled animal encounter on your child’s special day.

Wild Things: Rainforest. Take the birthday party to the rainforest! Party guests get to meet the animals of the rainforest in a special animal presentation. The package includes entry into the Rainforest Pyramid for all your guests.

Beach Bash (seasonal). For summer parties, soak up the sun as your guests spend the day floating along the lazy river at Palm Beach. Entry into Palm Beach for your guests is included in the package.

Festival of Lights (seasonal). Celebrate your child’s birthday among the millions of lights at the Moody Gardens Festival of Lights. This package includes entry to the Festival of Lights and is only available at 6:00 p.m. because the sparkling lights can’t be appreciated in the daylight!

Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance, and packages are available for children turning a maximum of twelve years old. Parties are limited to two hours; however, visits to the designated attraction may extend beyond party time. Parties are available daily at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. for a maximum of thirty-two guests.

Party Package Prices are for up to twenty-four guests, including adults. However, you may have additional guests for $8.00 a person.

Saturday and Sunday

Non-members: $300.00

Members: $255.00

Monday through Friday

Non-members: $275.00

Members: $233.75

To start planning your party, call 1-800-582-4673, ext 4325 or e-mail [email protected].

Moody Gardens Giving Back: Festival of Lights Food Drive

November 19, 2012 / Moody Gardens

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.

Cool Fun at Moody Gardens: Penguin Encounter

November 15, 2012 / Moody Gardens

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!