The family-friendly Moody Gardens contains enough attractions to keep kids of all ages busy for a long weekend. The 242-acre destination in Galveston, Texas, is a resort, a theme park and a convention center.

Long before you reach the property, you’ll see a trio of glass pyramids. We toured the 10-story Rainforest Pyramid with more than 1,000 plants and animals found in the rain forests of Asia, Africa and the Americas. Many of the animals — like the white-face saki monkey — roam free.

The Aquarium Pyramid underwent a $37 million renovation. Boasting it’s the largest aquarium in the Lone Star State, the popular attraction contains sea lions, seals, sharks, fish and penguins. A Discovery Museum with changing exhibits, as well as 3-D and 4-D films, engage viewers with stories about nature and history.

© Jim Twardowski

The property’s hotel has 433 guestrooms and a little more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space. For those looking for some invigorating physical fun, there’s golf, a jogging track, sand volley board court, a zip line, a ropes course, heated outdoor pool, indoor lap pool and a 24-hour Fitness Center.

Complimentary shuttles make getting around the grounds easy. On weekends, guests can arrange a trip to Galveston’s beaches or the historic Strand, known as “The Wall Street of the Southwest” during its heyday.

During our two-day visit, we stayed in a wheelchair-accessible guestroom with a roll-in shower.  The 500-square-foot room, with two double beds, had views of the 26-acre Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Guestroom amenities included a mini fridge, coffeemaker, complimentary WiFi and bathrobe.

Cafe in the Park serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual setting. For upscale fine dining, make a reservation at Shearn’s Seafood and Prime Steaks. We recommend going early and watching the sunset from the bar —located on the opposite side of the 11^th-floor restaurant. Allow plenty of time for a leisurely dinner. The service was outstanding and the food delicious.

Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center

Seven Hope Blvd.
Galveston, TX
tel 409 744 4673