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 Experiences
Go behind the scenes with our team and meet some of our animals
Private Penguin Encounter
Go behind the scenes with our biologist for your own Private Penguin Encounter to meet a penguin! During this 45-minute session, you'll start in front of the exhibit then the food prep kitchen, and then to the back of the exhibit while discussing penguin biology, conservation, training, enrichment and care with a penguin joining your group. The encounter includes a piece of Penguin Art and Aquarium Pyramid admission. Reservations are required, either online or in person.
WED - SUN: $475 for groups up to 4 people
Encounter available at 2 pm
*Please Note: Because this is a special, behind-the-scenes experience, and participants are allowed in staff-only areas, it 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. An Aquarium Pyramid ticket purchase is required. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children 3 and under are free.
Public Penguin Encounters are available on weekends only. 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. Guests are to meet the keeper at the South Atlantic exhibit at 1 pm.
* Aquarium admission ticket is required (sold separately)*
2024/2025 Schedule:
January 2 – March 8: Weekends Only at 1 pm
March 9 – 17: Daily at 1 pm
March 18 – May 31: Weekends Only at 1 pm
June 1 – August 18: Daily at 1 pm
August 19 – November 22: Weekends Only at 1 pm
November 23 – December 1: Daily at 1 pm
December 2 – 20: Weekends Only at 1 pm
December 21 – January 1: Daily at 1 pm
*Please Note: Because this is a special, behind-the-scenes experience, and participants are allowed in staff-only areas, it is not wheelchair accessible.
Private Giant River Otter Encounter
Private otter encounters are available for up to 4 people. This 45 minute session includes an otter painting for each participant and admission to the Rainforest Pyramid. Reservations required, online or in person.
FRI: $475 for groups up to 4 people
Encounter available at 11 am
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 min. experience. Limited to maximum of 4 people. Children ages 6 and under are not permitted and those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
SAT - SUN: $90 PER PERSON
Encounter available at 11 am
Public Jelly Lab Tour
Tour the jelly gallery, behind the scenes of our moon jelly propagation and our new jelly lab with one of our Cnidarian biologists. Learn all about how fascinating and beautiful these animals are and the work required to care for and propagate them.
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)*
Penguin & Seal Experience
Experience what it’s like to be a keeper at the South Atlantic and North Pacific exhibits for a day caring for the penguins and seals in this 4-hour behind the scenes adventure. You'll assist biologists cleaning the penguin exhibit, preparing their diet, watching training sessions and meeting a seal. You'll feed the penguins and creating a piece of penguin art to take home. Lunch with the biologist is included. Maximum three participants (must be 16 years or older). Please wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes. Reservations required two weeks prior at 409-683-4102 or dolsen@moodygardens.org. Participants must be at 16 years or older.
$250.00 PER PERSON
Proceeds from animal encounters fund conservation efforts.
*Please Note: Because these are special, behind-the-scenes experiences, and participants are allowed in staff-only areas, these are not wheelchair accessible. Service dogs and support animals are not allowed into any of the animal encounters.
