By Roy A. Barnes

It’s a 242-acre complex of recreational, educational, and entertaining activities that emanates a sense of peace and tranquility.  One will notice 3 mighty pyramids rising into the air 10 stories high: what a sight!  But I found five other top reasons why it’s worth coming to Moody Gardens.

1. Making A New Friend at Penguin Encounter!

Saturday or Sunday is definitely a day worth planning a visit because you can arrange to interact with penguins. I made a new friend of the King Penguin kind in Picabu, a real ham.  Her handler Rebecca told me that a number of their 100-plus penguins on site attempt to bolt out of the door to meet their fans.  The penguins at Moody Gardens have such names as Ringo, Hendrix, Eric, and Jasmine. Besides Kings, other penguin species like Rockhoppers and Chinstraps may entertain visitors, screeching and howling like children, showing their enthusiasm.

I petted Picabu’s semi-soft backside, while being aware of the movement of her long pecking beak.  She creates paintings with her webbed feet and plays with various children’s toys during presentations. If you love penguins, this is definitely one of those must do activities to take part in before you die!

16 people are allowed to attend the 1 p.m., 45 minute-long functions.  First come, first serve tickets (well worth $40) often sell out a couple hours before the show.  Private bookings are also available. See the website below for more details.

2. Fish and Mammals Aplenty at The Aquarium Pyramid

Over 1.5 million gallons of water make up this aquarium. This pyramid is very user friendly in that it contains wide walkways and high ceilings that give a sense of openness, making it easy to see the various species of sharks swimming around or watching seal feedings.   I saw a number of species of fish and mammals via four large exhibit spaces on The Caribbean, The South Atlantic, The North Pacific and South Pacific. One of my favorite exhibits was being able to touch the exterior of some non-poisonous sea urchins. The staff worker told me that I would get at the most a little pinch if I touched the spaces between their spines. I anxiously proceeded, but didn’t feel anything.  The penguin colony exhibit allows visitors to not only see them on land, but also swimming gracefully under the water through the transparent enclosure.

3. Experience The Tropics in The Rainforest Pyramid

Even though the Rainforest Pyramid was heavily flooded out due to Hurricane Ike, it’s being refurbished off and on and is scheduled for reopen during the summer of 2010.  It features 1000-plus plant species from Asian, African, and American rainforests. I got a sneak preview of the restoration in early 2009, and must say that it’s awesome!  It offers plant lovers the opportunity to see firsthand plant species from the various rainforests in Asia, Africa, and the Americas inside 50-plus feet of canopy.  Non-plant life exists too, where I got to view a 14 foot-long Green Anaconda that hails from South America that looks more black than green. Colorful and “outspoken” macaws will be again making their home there, too.

Also landscaped into the flora in the Americas section is some really beautiful quartz as well as some replica Mayan ruins. I admired some Bromeliads, coconut trees, root beer and pepper plants.

4. Hang with The Seagulls on Board The Colonel

When you say you’re going to “The Colonel” in Galveston, that shouldn’t be interpreted as necessarily going for fried chicken! Instead, Moody Gardens has a paddlewheel boat that cruises around one of Galveston’s waterways called Offatts Bayou.  I got to see some nice looking harbor front homes as a cloudy and breezy afternoon gave way to some refreshing sunshine.

What I found most enjoyable about this cruise was not only getting to see the pyramids of Moody Gardens, but the fact that scores of seagulls flew alongside the boat and entertained us riders, expecting some handouts in return for their performance.

5. Dine in Nature at The Terrace Restaurant

I feasted on some tasty food at Moody Gardens’ Terrace Restaurant, surrounded by beautiful and lush green flora as light pop music emanated into the dining room prefaced by butterfly artwork.  This dining establishment is located on the ground floor of the Moody Gardens Hotel, and is definitely the place to relax and refuel at after a day of sightseeing.

Regarding soups, salads, and appetizers, they are heavily influenced by seafood, especially shrimp and crabmeat, which are two of the biggest seafood catches around Galveston. I’ve never had a better tasting gumbo in my life than the two cups of Shrimp Gumbo, loaded with rice, okra, tomatoes, netting a rich, hearty flavor to my taste buds! I also enjoyed the filling Grilled Chicken Salad, full of really fresh-tasting vegetables and a little bit of string cheese.

As for entrees, this restaurant features many seafood, chicken, beef, and pasta dishes, including the Pasta Primavera that I choose for my main course. The dish’s Penne Pasta was brilliantly sautéed in olive oil and garlic that really helped to enhance the flavor of the pasta and vegetables. Other main dishes include some Fried or Grilled Jumbo Shrimp as well as several choices in burgers and sandwiches which come in big portions.

For dessert, one can choose from a variety of baked goods or do what I did and ask for an appetizing fresh fruit plate. The service is very attentive and fast.

Sleeping in the Middle of the Action

I stayed at the onsite Moody Gardens Hotel.  The beds are very comfortable.  Complimentary high speed internet, ample workspace, and a refrigerator are provided in the guestrooms. Their well-stocked fitness center is open 24 hours a day! Of all the hotels I’ve stayed at, I’ve never had the housecleaning staff come by my room and offer me extra towels, coffee, and chocolate during the prime time hours of the evening like the staff here did.

Start your visit at the Moody Gardens website for more information on all that Moody Gardens has to offer.

————

Prices and menu items quoted in this article are subject to change.  Roy A. Barnes attended a press trip sponsored by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau but wrote the above article without editorial scrutiny from the press trip sponsor.

Biography:

Roy A. Barnes is a frequent contributor to The Traveler and writes from southeastern Wyoming.