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Meet our new Friends in the Forest!

August 17, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

The stork was busy in July, visiting Moody Gardens twice in the Rainforest Pyramid with the birth of a Blue Duiker calf and just a week later with a Prehensile-Tailed porcupette.

Our female baby Blue Duiker was born July 22 at just 420 grams to proud parents Basi and Ruben. Soksi is Swahili for “socks”, which is fitting since her front feet are white, giving the appearance that she’s wearing a pair of socks. This is the first pregnancy for Basi and first breeding for Moody Gardens.

Blue Duikers are one of the smallest antelope. They are native to central, eastern and southern Africa and are actually longer than they are tall – reaching 22-35 inches in length and 13-16 inches tall. They can weigh 7-20 pounds and have short, spiky horns on their head.

The stork visited again on July 31, delivering a porcupine, born to mom Cora and dad Bono. This is the second birth for Cora, who delivered her first porcupette last summer. The baby was born with soft hair that will harden into quills with age. Once the quills come in, biologists will send one off to learn the gender of the porcupette.

Prehensile-Tailed Porcupines are native to Central and South America. They are tree-dwelling and typically weigh between 4-11 pounds and their tails are nearly as long as their entire body!

And, that’s not all.

Our Giant River Otters Dru and Ella welcomed Maximo and Manuel to the exhibit this month, doubling the number of otters you can spot inside the Rainforest.

Maximo and Manuel, both 2 years old, came to Moody Gardens from the Los Angeles Zoo, where they were born. The two new male otters will be companions for Dru and Ella.

Be sure to stop by and see all our friendly new faces!

Dive deep into fun this summer at Moody Gardens

June 15, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Explore new worlds this summer as Moody Gardens takes you on a brand new underwater adventure in our Aquarium Pyramid and gets you up close and personal with dinosaurs!

Come meet our new Humboldt penguins, touch cownose stingrays and moon jellies and talk to our divers while they’re under water exploring all of our exhibits in the transformed Aquarium Pyramid.

We take you from rigs to reef in our brand new two-story 30,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Rig Exhibit that shows how the oil rig platforms we see in the gulf actually provide ecosystems for coral and marine life out in the ocean. You’ll also explore the South Atlantic, South Pacific, North Pacific and the Caribbean as you journey to new depths!

Are you ready for a Jurassic adventure?

Once you’ve explored the ocean, travel back in time with the return of Dinos Alive to Galveston Island. This outdoors exhibit features life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including a full-size Tyrannosaurus, and you become part of a rescue team sent back in time to search for a missing plane and its crew. You get to meet dinosaurs along the way, and there’s even a dig site!

Got dinosaur fever? Don’t miss Dino’s Alive 3D, showing on the largest movie screen in Texas, and Dino Island II 4D. Both films bring dinosaurs back to life…in a big way. We’re even offering a Dino Combo Ticket at $23.95 for adults and $17.95 for children 4-12 and seniors that lets you experience the Dinos Alive Exhibit and both dino films.

Discover new worlds

Follow Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci on a journey of innovation, creativity, science and wonder in Da Vinci: The Exhibition in the Discovery Museum. This hands-on examination of da Vinci’s life includes themed galleries. The artist’s intricate and extraordinary early concepts are spotlighted, including his design for the helicopter, tank, SCUBA, crane, clock, submarine and his plan for a modern city.

Experience the Amazon Rainforest when “Amazon Adventure 3D” takes you on a visually stunning odyssey through the wilds of the Amazon rainforest in an incredible story of scientific discovery. The movie traces the extraordinary journey of naturalist and explorer Henry Walter Bates – the most influential scientist you’ve never heard of.

Cool off at Palm Beach

While you’re here, be sure to cool off at Palm Beach, you’re very own white-sand oasis. And, stick around for Bands on the Sand. Enjoy this summer concert series Friday and Saturday nights 6-10 p.m. The show ends with a fireworks display over Offats Bayou, overlooking the Moody Gardens pyramids. Bands on the Sand admission is $15. For a complete schedule, click here.

Dig deep with Jurassic fun this summer at Moody Gardens

June 1, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Moody Gardens is taking you on a Jurassic adventure this summer when the Dinos Alive Exhibit comes to Galveston Island.

This fun outdoors exhibit features life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including a full-size Tyrannosaurus, as you become part of a rescue team sent back in time to search for a missing plane and its crew.

Along the way in the adventure, you get an up close and personal experience with some of the most feared and amazing creatures to ever roam Planet Earth.

Discover treasures of your own as you explore an archeological dig site in the exhibit. In addition to the dig site, the attraction will include a gift shop and photo opportunity. Explore all things dinosaurs June 3-Aug. 13.

Explore the Life of the Original Renaissance Man in a New Exhibit

May 18, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Explore the life and career of Leonardo da Vinci from his complex beginnings to his achievements in art, engineering, flight, hydraulics, music, light and more when Da Vinci: The Exhibition opens in the Discovery Pyramid on May 27.

Developed by Aurea Exhibitions and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Inc., the exhibit is a hands-on examination of da Vinci’s life, research and art featuring more than 60 fully-built, life-size inventions, more than 20 fine art studies and dozens of stunning displays.

The artist’s intricate and extraordinary early concepts are spotlighted, including his design for the helicopter, tank, SCUBA, crane, clock, submarine and his plan for a modern city.

Each invention featured in the exhibit was handcrafted using a modern translation of da Vinci’s unique mirrored writing style in an ancient Florentine dialect. Trained artisans used these translations to construct full-scale models and bring the master’s two-dimensional plans to life.

In addition to da Vinci’s role as an inventor, the exhibition investigates a collection of his most renowned paintings, including some controversial works traditionally attributed to him, but not yet authenticated. Guests will have the opportunity to thoroughly study the artistic mastery behind such works as “Mona Lisa,” “The Last Supper,” “Portrait of a Young Man,” “Virgin of the Rocks,” “St. John the Baptist,” and more.

In addition to his lifelong devotion to the sciences and fascination with nature, da Vinci also extensively explored the world of anatomy. Da Vinci: The Exhibition’s in-depth and enlightening explanations of his famous studies such as the golden ratio, and “Vitruvian Man” are complemented by enlarged examples of the artist’s sketches and notes made during his controversial research on the human body.

Come join us to explore the entire exhibit and learn all about the original Renaissance man starting May 27!

Artificial Reefs Help to Diversify Marine Life

May 11, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Artificial reefs are human-made structures that help to promote marine life. In our Aquarium Pyramid, reopening on May 27 after a $37 million renovation, Moody Gardens will now have two examples of these ecosystems on display.

The Pride, a 19^th century rum-runner shipwreck replica loosely based on the vessel sailed by famed Galveston pirate Jean Lafitte, is a new addition to our Caribbean tank, and has already become an established piece of the exhibit. “As soon as the shipwreck was installed, we saw the fish and the other animals start to explore it and make it their home,” Moody Gardens’ Animal Husbandry Manager Greg Whittaker said.

Another example of an artificial reef in the Aquarium Pyramid is the oil rig platform exhibit, a scale model of those pieces of machinery seen in the Gulf of Mexico. These structures provide hard surfaces where organisms like coral attach and thrive and in turn provide a rich environment for fish and other wildlife to live.

As part of Moody Gardens’ commitment to education and conservation of the earth and its oceans, the Aquarium Pyramid features artificial coral – made of non-toxic materials from molds of natural coral – in its exhibits. New artificial coral has been added throughout the exhibits. “Some of the types of coral in our exhibits are listed as threatened on the endangered species list, so we use artificial coral to allow us to teach guests about the different types present in these ecosystems while preserving the biology of these habitats in the wild,” Whittaker said.

Come check out these new exhibits and learn about the different ecosystems that exist right in Galveston’s front yard when the Aquarium Pyramid opens back up to the public for the Grand Reveal on May 27.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with fun at Moody Gardens

May 5, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Treat your mom like the queen she is with a day of pampering, fun, and time not spent in the kitchen, this Mother’s Day at Moody Gardens.

Join us for two mouth-watering buffets at the Garden Restaurant and Moody Gardens Hotel. Feast on omelets made to order, Belgian waffles, hatch pepper crab cakes, red snapper, carved prime rib with rosemary jus and horseradish and more!

And the best part? We do the dishes, too. Click here for the Garden Restaurant menu and here for the Moody Gardens Hotel menu.

While you’re here, explore all that Moody Gardens has to offer. Journey through our Rainforest Pyramid where you’ll meet free-roaming monkeys and free-flighted birds. Take in more than 1,000 exotic plants from the rainforests of Asia, Africa and the Americas. You’ll also find an ocelot, komodo dragon and, if you look closely, a sloth or two.

You can also set sail aboard the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, be adventurous on our Ropes Course and Zip Line, relax in our MG 3D theater to watch a film or discover dinosaurs and set sail in Bikini Bottom at our Discovery Pyramid.

Want to treat mom to a day of pampering? Be sure to check out the Moody Gardens Hotel spa packages online. Whether it’s a deep tissue or Swedish massage, pedicure, nourishing facial or manicure, you’ll find it all at the hotel spa.

Moody Gardens welcomes warm-climate Humboldt penguins to aquarium

April 27, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

There’s a new group of birds on the block at Moody Gardens and we’re thrilled to introduce them. Meet the Humboldts!

These unique warm-climate penguins hail from the coastal areas of Peru and Chile, but this group will now call the Aquarium Pyramid their new home and are settling in nicely in their new exhibit near the South Atlantic Penguin Habitat, home to the King, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins.

Contrary to belief, not all penguins love the cold. The majority of penguin species actually live in warm climates. The Humboldt’s natural habitat is more like a desert, and you’ll easily notice the difference between it and our South Atlantic Penguin Habitat.You’ll be able to see this threatened species above water and underwater, where they can swim up to 30 miles per hour!

The Humboldts are easily recognizable by the black band of feathers across their chest and the pink patches on their face, feet and the underside of their wings. You may think you’re seeing pink feathers, but it’s actually bare skin. Humboldts have to avoid overheating, so when they get too hot, they can shed extra body heat by sending blood to the bare parts of their bodies, thus making them pink.

We’re not only adding new penguins to the aquarium – we’re giving you a chance to see them up close when we bring the Humboldts outside of their exhibit for keeper chats and to interact with guests!

The addition of the Humboldt Penguin Exhibit is just part of the multi-phase $37 million renovation at the Aquarium Pyramid. You’ll get to meet the Humboldts, and their new friends, starting May 27 when Moody Gardens hosts a grand reveal at the aquarium.

Explore vibrant Flower Gardens Banks at Moody Gardens

March 30, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Journey to new depths to take in a unique tropical coral reef system found in Galveston’s front yard in the Gulf of Mexico, all without leaving dry land.

Your voyage to the Flower Garden Banks is just around the corner as Moody Gardens reveals the new exhibit – and so much more – this summer as part of our $37 million enhancements to the Aquarium Pyramid.

Explore this unique tropical coral reef system found 115 miles offshore from Galveston in the Gulf of Mexico. Moody Gardens partnered with the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to highlight this gem in our front yard and replicate the diversity in the reef systems of the East Flower Garden Bank, West Flower Garden Bank and Stetson Bank.

See first-hand how Brain and Star coral dominate the reef system. Vibrant coral and sponges add pops of color deep underwater. Our exhibit also highlights Elkhorn and Staghorn coral. While not currently located in the banks, the sanctuary found that Staghorn Coral was once part of the reef system thousands of years ago. Some species of Star, Elkhorn and Staghorn coral are listed as threatened species on the endangered species list.

These banks are some of the healthiest reef systems, thanks to being far removed from manmade pollutants. Nationwide, coral reefs are facing pressures from manmade pollutants. It’s been estimated that up to 70 percent of the corals in the Gulf of Mexico are in trouble.

Get Up Close!

In addition to the Flower Garden Banks Exhibit, Moody Gardens is enhancing its touch tank in this area to give guests a fully immersive experience while crossing the air/water border. The tank showcases invertebrates including sea stars, hermit crabs and pencil urchins, all of which guests will be able to touch.

Renovations will offer guests a spectacular aquarium experience including a new Gulf of Mexico Oil Rig Exhibit and Mangrove Exhibit. Moody Gardens will unveil enhancements made to the Aquarium Pyramid to the public with a grand reveal May 27. Travel from the Gulf of Mexico to the South Atlantic, the South Pacific and the North Pacific. Each ocean exhibit highlights different marine sanctuaries.

We’re also adding jellyfish and tropical penguins at the Aquarium Pyramid, all ready for you to explore starting May 27, 2017!

Aquarium’s Shipwreck Replica Showcases Galveston’s Pirate History

March 2, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Explore a shipwreck replica of famed Galveston pirate Jean Lafitte’s, The Pride while immersing yourself in the vibrant coral ecosystem and marine life sanctuaries of the Caribbean, all while sharks, rays and a bounty of tropical fish swim overhead beginning Memorial Day weekend.

A glimpse this week of the Caribbean Exhibit revealed The Pride, a 19^th century rum-runner shipwreck replica, loosely based on the vessel sailed by Lafitte.

Moody Gardens divers spent a total of 48.5 hours underwater of the course of two days, putting the massive puzzle pieces together to create the replica. Luckily, each piece was labeled and outlined in a corresponding manual, making the construction slightly easier.

The Pride is just one of several enhancements to the Aquarium Pyramid, sure to give guests an unforgettable experience, all while learning just how important our oceans are and what they can do to take better care of them.

Moody Gardens’ Caribbean Exhibit is one of the largest tropical marine exhibits in the country featuring sharks, snappers, eels and reel fish swimming overhead as you walk through the tunnel into the one million-gallon exhibit. The enhanced exhibit transports you to the Caribbean with breathtaking views of shallow and deep coral reefs, and the marine life that call them home. New artificial coral, along with additional marine life, will be added to the exhibit.

You’re bound to have questions after seeing the improvements. Don’t worry. They’ll be answered thanks to new in-water presentations by Moody Gardens divers. You’ll now be able to communicate with exhibit divers to learn more about what they do and the marine life that makes up the Caribbean.

Renovations will offer guests a spectacular aquarium experience including a new Gulf of Mexico Oil Rig Exhibit, Mangrove Exhibit, Caribbean Exhibit Touch Tank area and the new Flower Garden Banks Exhibit. Moody Gardens will unveil enhancements made to the Aquarium Pyramid to the public with a grand reveal May 27, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

The Aquarium Pyramid is currently closed as we finish the final wave of our renovation. But you don’t have to wait long to see all the wonders for yourself. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, you’ll not only be able to explore the Caribbean, but several other ocean habitats, all enhanced as part of the $37 million renovation project. Travel from the Gulf of Mexico to the South Atlantic, the South Pacific and the North Pacific. Each ocean exhibit highlights different marine sanctuaries.

We’re also adding jellyfish and tropical penguins at the Aquarium Pyramid, all ready for you to explore starting May 27, 2017!

Don’t Break the Spring Break Bank

February 24, 2017 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Spring break - header 2

Moody Gardens is helping you keep a little green in your pocket this spring break with a great deal that saves you $20 on a Value Pass for a family of four when you purchase your tickets online.

And, it’s simple. Just visit moodygardens.org and purchase your spring break tickets online. You’ll save $5 per person on your one-day or two-day Value Pass. Saving cash and skipping the ticket lines – what’s better than that?

Find the Force

Star Wars fans will find the force is strong at Moody Gardens, as we feature “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” nightly at 8 p.m. March 11-19 and at 5:10 p.m. March 20-26.

In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.

Mighty monsters Scala

We’re also featuring “Amazing Mighty Micro Monsters 3D.” Beetles, spiders, scorpions and ants. These are Earth’s superheroes, living right beneath our feet. From shooting chemical fire to lifting massive weights and showcasing impressive crushing powers, these mighty micro monsters have abilities not often seen by the human eye. Until now.

Check out both films on the world’s first 4K 3D Giant Screen 6 Primary Laser Projection System. That’s a lot of words to say it’s the largest movie screen in Texas that will give you the most vibrant, clear images you’ve ever seen.

Interact with Dinosaurs
Don’t miss out on our Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit in the Discovery Pyramid. Using levers, pulleys and video game controllers, move the arms, legs, wings and heads of 14 life-size fully interactive dinosaurs made out of recycled metal. You can even make some of the artistic sculptures roar while you learn how dinosaurs once roamed the earth!

And, there’s more!
Your tickets also get you into all of the fun at our Rainforest Pyramid, SpongeBob SubPants Adventure, 4D Theater, Colonel Paddlewheel boat, Ropes Course and Zip Line!

Buy Tickets Here

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