Family Friendly Attractions & Events
Nestled amidst breathtaking natural surroundings, Moody Gardens offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement for guests of all ages for work or play. From tropical rainforests to the oceans of the world, a wide range of attractions, educational activities, kid's events, dining options, and exciting entertainment await. This island resort uniquely accommodates large conferences, weddings and social events as well as being the romantic escape and family destination where special memories are created.
Animal Encounters
Animal Encounters
Some of the most unforgettable moments at Moody Gardens happen behind the scenes. Our Animal Encounters invite you to step beyond the glass and meet our penguins, giant river otters, jellies, stingrays, and sharks alongside the biologists who care for them every day. Whether you want a private experience, a hands-on feeding, or a full day as a keeper, there's an encounter for every animal lover, and every one helps fund our conservation mission.
Penguin Encounters
Get closer to our penguins than you ever imagined. Go behind the scenes with a biologist to explore the South Atlantic exhibit and food-prep kitchen, watch a penguin create its own painting, or spend a full day living the life of a keeper.
Private Penguin Encounter
Go behind the scenes with one of our biologists for a private, 45-minute encounter with a penguin. You'll move from the front of the exhibit to the food-prep kitchen and into the back of the exhibit, learning about penguin biology, conservation, training, enrichment, and care along the way, with a penguin joining your group. Your encounter includes a piece of penguin art to take home and admission to the Aquarium Pyramid.
Private encounters are available Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm. Guests are to meet our biologist next to the South Atlantic Penguin exhibit located inside of the Aquarium Pyramid
Please Note: This behind-the-scenes experience requires access to staff-only areas and is not wheelchair accessible.
Public Penguin Encounter
Go behind the scenes with our biologist and meet a penguin! In this 45-minute session, you'll start in front of the exhibit then the food prep kitchen and to the back of the exhibit while discussing penguin biology, conservation, training, enrichment and care. You'll even witness a penguin creating a painting as part of the animal's enrichment activity.
Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis to be purchased at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Kids 3 and under are free with purchase of a regular priced ticket.
Each public encounter has 10 tickets available, with ticket sales closing 15 minutes prior to the event. The encounter is approximately 45 minutes in duration. The keeper will meet guests at the South Atlantic exhibit at 1 pm for entry.
Penguin & Seal Experience
Experience life as a keeper for a day at the South Atlantic and North Pacific exhibits in this 4-hour, behind-the-scenes adventure.
You'll assist biologists cleaning the penguin exhibit, preparing their diet, and observing training sessions - plus meet a seal, feed the penguins, create a piece of penguin art to take home, and enjoy lunch with your biologist.
Maximum 3 participants, ages 16+. Comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes required.
Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance by calling 409-683-4193 or emailing mreynolds@moodygardens.org.
Giant River Otter Encounters
Meet one of the rainforest's most charismatic and endangered residents up close. Step behind the scenes at the Rainforest Pyramid to learn how our biologists care for these playful, intelligent animals, and take home a one-of-a-kind painting made by an otter. Choose a private session or join a small group.
Private Giant River Otter Encounter
Go behind the scenes with our biologist to learn about otter biology, conservation and how these amazing animals are cared for in their private interior exhibit area in this 45 minute experience - guests will also receive a painting made by an otter!
Private encounters are available Fridays at 11:00am. Guests will meet our biologist next to the Ranger Station, located at the entrance of the Rainforest Pyramid. Children ages 6 and under are not permitted, and those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Public Giant River Otter Encounter
Go behind the scenes with our biologist to learn about otter biology, conservation and how these amazing animals are cared for in their private interior exhibit area in this 45 minute experience. This ticket includes admission to the Public Otter Encounter for one person. Each Public Encounter has 4 tickets available with ticket sales closing 15 minutes prior to the event. A General Admission ticket purchase is required.
Public encounters are available Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am. Guests will meet our biologist next to the Ranger Station, located at the entrance of the Rainforest Pyramid. Children ages 6 and under are not permitted, and those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Feedings & Lab Tours
Roll up your sleeves and get hands-on inside the Aquarium Pyramid. From the glowing jelly lab to the mangrove tank and the sharks of the Caribbean reef, these guided experiences put you right beside the biologists as they feed, train, and care for the animals. It's the most immersive way to see how the aquarium really works.
Public Jelly Lab Tour
Tour the jelly gallery, moon-jelly propagation and the new jelly lab with a Cnidarian biologist to learn how these animals are cared for and propagated.
Public Jelly Lab Tours will be held on Saturdays and Sundays only. They will begin at 1 pm and last 45 minutes.
$75 per person, up to 6 people.
*Aquarium admission ticket is required (sold separately)
Feed the Stingrays
This immersive experience invites guests to explore the mesmerizing mangrove tank in the Aquarium Pyramid. Accompanied by a biologist, visitors will gain insights into the unique natural history of stingrays while having the chance to feed and interact with these fascinating creatures.
Feed the Stingrays will be held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. They will begin at 10 am and last 45 minutes.
$75 per person, up to 4 people. Must be 6 years old or older to attend.
*Please note that shellfish and fish may be used as feed, so guests with allergies should exercise caution. Children over the age of six are welcome to participate.
* Aquarium admission ticket is required (sold separately) *
Caribbean Feeding
This extraordinary experience offers guests the opportunity to witness the feeding and training of our sharks, as well as the chance to feed some of the largest fishes in the Caribbean tank. Accompanied by our dedicated biologists, visitors will learn about the care, feeding, and maintenance of these magnificent creatures.
Caribbean Feeding will be offered on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. They will begin at 11 am.
$100 per person, up to 4 people.
Must be 6 years old or older to attend.
