Moody Gardens in Galveston has long been one of my favorite places to take my family. My 1-year-old granddaughter has now visited there twice, and she loves it, especially the penguins and the underwater aquarium. The start of school may be looming ahead, but there is still time to make the journey to Galveston Island for a fun family time at Moody Gardens, especially if the tickets are free! (I'll get to that a little later.

Moody Gardens Attractions

Aquarium Pyramid - Featuring a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium full of creatures from tuxedo-clad penguins, to seals, sharks, an amazing Jellyfish Gallery, and thousands of tropical fish. It's such an immersive experience, especially when you walk below the sea life.

Moody Garden Aquarium
Robie Capps Photography
Moody Garden Aquarium

Rainforest Pyramid - Visit the rainforests of Asia, Africa, and the Americas in a rare, up-close and interactive adventure with over 1,700 exotic plants and endangered animals that range from Giant Amazon River Otters to an ocelot, Komodo dragons, and Saki monkeys.

Contributed Photo Moody Gardens
Contributed Photo Moody Gardens
Contributed Photo Moody Gardens

3D, 4D, and Audience Recognition Theaters - Enjoy any of the films below on the world's first giant-screen 4K 6-Primary Laser Projection System in the MG 3D Theater. Already featuring the largest screen in Texas and a top-of-the-line surround sound system, this state-of-the-art 3D viewing experience gives guests the best viewing experience in the world.

Contributed photo/Moody Gardens
Contributed photo/Moody Gardens
Contributed photo/Moody Gardens

Palm Beach - Bask in the sun, poolside, on Galveston's only white sand beach, relax in a Texas-sized spa, or float on the Interactive River.

Moody Gardens Palm Beach
Kim Christensen Photography
Moody Gardens Palm Beach

Win Moody Gardens Tickets (And Maybe A Moody Gardens Hotel Stay)

We have teamed up with Southern Chrysler Dodge Jeep to give away family four-packs of tickets to Moody Gardens. These include free entry to the Rainforest, Discovery, and Aquarium Pyramids, as well as the 3D, 4D, and Audience Recognition Theaters. Plus, you'll get Palm Beach passes. Tickets expire on August 30, 2026. One lucky winner will also receive a free night's stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel as well as a couple of rounds of golf at the Moody Gardens Golf Course. Just sign up below. The drawings start the week of July 20.

Winners So Far

  • Cassidy Harvey - Lufkin
  • Kim Davis - Huntington
  • Rebecca Solis - Lufkin

Moody Gardens Attractions

Moody Gardens in Galveston is open year round and is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Texas. Take a look at some of the wonderful exhibits that Moody Gardens has to offer.

Gallery Credit: Danny Merrell