Logistics
Since our two university-attending boys are home for the summer and the youngest has taken off to play in Summerfest, we opted for a nearby one-day outing. After considering Schlitterbahn and San Antonio, we ultimately chose Moody Gardens as our destination. The boys were eager to experience everything, so I purchased the “one day value pass” for $80 per person, despite the fact that it is cheaper on weekdays. Our visit took place on a Saturday, but the pass covered all attractions and parking was free.
The Plan
The general agreement was that we all wanted to participate in every activity, which meant we had to arrive early. We left north Houston and headed to Galveston in the early morning. Since Moody Gardens wouldn’t open until 10 o’clock, we decided to have brunch first. As usual, I was on the lookout for gluten-friendly restaurants. I also have a fondness for “Mom and Pop” style places, especially while on vacation. I stumbled upon The Sunflower Bakery and Cafe, which appeared to be a quaint and distinctive spot. Spoiler alert … I was mistaken.
The Sunflower Bakery and Cafe
As we made our way to the Sunflower Bakery and Cafe, we immediately noticed a line of people outside. The parking lot was packed, and it quickly dawned on us that my search for something offbeat hadn’t quite panned out. Turns out, the cafe is conveniently located near the cruise departure area, attracting many visitors for pre-departure breakfast. So, either the cafe lucked out with its perfect location, or they serve incredibly delicious food. Intrigued, we decided to put our names on the waiting list and patiently wait. Cody managed to find parking a few blocks away, and after about 30 minutes, we were finally seated.
The menu was available online, and they also offered a gluten-friendly menu upon request. Although the selection was brief, it was undeniably unique. I opted for the Avocado Benedict, which turned out to be really tasty, albeit a bit greasy for my liking. The boys thoroughly enjoyed their breakfast as well, and the waitstaff was exceptionally friendly. Without a doubt, I highly recommend visiting this place, and the wait was absolutely worth it!
Moody Gardens
After purchasing our tickets online, we made a request to pick them up at the ticket booth. Upon arrival, we parked in the free parking area located in front of the pyramids. Positioned between the rainforest and aquarium pyramids was the ticket booth, where they verified my name and printed out our tickets. Our tickets were scanned as we did each activity which presumably meant we can’t do that specific activity again.
We started our day at the aquarium, which happens to be a favorite place for Cole and me. We always bring energy and enthusiasm (aka loudness), so naturally, we won! And guess what greets you as soon as you enter? Penguins! It’s a win-win situation because they are incredibly adorable. Luckily, we arrived just in time for their feeding, which allowed us to meet all the penguins up close. One thing I absolutely love about this place is its design, which enables us to observe the penguins both underwater and above. As for the rest of the aquarium, it may not be as outstanding, but it’s well laid out and ideal for children. I can’t help but feel a little spoiled, though, since Cole and I have had the opportunity to visit some of the best aquariums in the world.
After our aquarium adventure, we proceeded to the rainforest pyramid. Although I had visited it before, I had completely forgotten about the incredibly realistic humidity levels. It was a jolt of nostalgia for me, as I had spent so many years living in the rainforest. Despite the discomfort, I couldn’t help but chuckle at poor Cole, my Michigan kid, who was struggling to cope with the intense heat and humidity. In the photo, you can see him pausing at every air vent, desperately seeking any ounce of cool air. Once we acclimated to the humidity, we were able to appreciate the sight of monkeys swinging through the trees and a vibrant array of birds. Some of the birds were even strolling around on the platforms. I must admit that as we neared the end of our journey, our primary concern shifted to avoiding being splattered by a bird from above! Fortunately, we managed to escape such a fate. Along the winding path, we also encountered lizards, bugs, and snakes, all securely housed in proper cages.
We wrapped up our visit to the rainforest pyramid just in time to catch the 3D show we had been waiting on. The theme of the show was Sharks! In hindsight, I somewhat wished we had opted for the Africa show instead, as we had already encountered an overkill of sharks throughout the day (excuse the pun). Nevertheless, the show provided valuable information, although it was disappointingly short.
For our final leg of the trip, we decided to embark on a relaxing paddlewheel boat ride and visit the Discovery Museum. By this point, we were quite exhausted, making the 45-minute boat ride in the bay a much-needed and tranquil experience. There wasn’t any specific destination or purpose, except perhaps to seek shade and bask in the serenity of the journey. As for the museum, it offered a somewhat interactive experience and provided intriguing insights into sea life. However, it was primarily geared towards a younger audience, showcasing its emphasis on catering to the interests of children.
Recalculating ... 