Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid: A Must-see During Your Galveston Vacation
What Are the Three Pyramids at Moody Gardens?
By Taylor Fuller | Published on August 11, 2025
When thinking of the best places to visit in Texas, the rainforest certainly doesn't come to mind. You may think of cowboys, barbecues and wide-open spaces, but definitely not trees dripping with water or exotic birds. However, when you plan a Galveston vacation, you'll probably come across some at the Rainforest Pyramid, one of the must-see sites in Galveston.
You can find this pyramid at Moody Gardens, a public educational destination that also includes the Moody Gardens Aquarium and Pyramid (one of the largest aquarium experiences in the region) and the Discovery Museum. In fact, this entire area provides countless things to do in Galveston with kids or adults, and is one of the top family-friendly attractions to explore on beautiful Galveston Island.
If you're looking for stuff to do in Galveston, start with a visit to these pyramids. The collection of three living museums might just be a highlight of your trip. You'll be transported all over the world and under the sea for a truly remarkable experience right in Texas.
Ready to learn more about what the Moody Gardens pyramids have in store for you and your family on your next Galveston vacation? Continue reading to learn the specifics of each pyramid, how much they cost and other key information so you can plan ahead.
Moody Gardens Pyramids: What To Know Before Going
Nestled on the gorgeous Galveston Island in Texas, Moody Gardens is a public, for-profit educational destination that aims to advance rehabilitation, conservation, recreation and research. The gardens have three different pyramids you can explore, each offering unique experiences: the Rainforest Pyramid, Aquarium Pyramid and Discovery Pyramid.
The best thing to do when visiting Moody Gardens is to purchase a day pass so you can visit all three pyramids, plus a few more shows and exhibits located around the grounds. Some of the other attractions are 3D and 4D theaters, an audience recognition theater, the Colonel paddlewheel boat and more.
How Much Is Moody Gardens Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids?
General admission for adults will run you $45-$50 for adults and $40-$45 for children and seniors. Prices for a one-day pass range from $60-$65 for adults and $55-$60 for children and seniors.
Can You Buy Tickets at Moody Gardens?
Yes, you can purchase these tickets at the counter once you arrive or buy them pre-sale online.
Can You Bring Food and Drinks To Moody Gardens?
While you can’t have any outside food and drinks in Moody Gardens, you can always head to the Rainforest Cafe or other on-site dining options, or visit Galveston to check out the food scene.
What Else Can You Find At Moody Gardens?
You'll also find a spa and golf course, which means fun for the entire family all in one location. You could even stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel for a convenient experience if you’re looking to make special memories, plan social events or hold large conferences in the area.
Stop 1: Rainforest Pyramid
The first of the three discovery pyramids, the Rainforest Pyramid, is a greenhouse jungle filled to the brim with beautiful tropical plants, animals and even waterfalls. You'll feel as if you've teleported to the rainforests of Asia, Africa and the tropical Americas. The Moody Gardens rainforest features over 1,700 exotic plant and animal species, so there's plenty to see. You could probably spend hours trying to lay eyes on a sloth, a scarlet macaw or a shy fruit bat, but don't forget about what else you can do at Moody Gardens, including special exhibits in the visitor center that rotate throughout the year.
As you enter the pyramid, you'll be enveloped in a blanket of humidity. The entire setting is immersive as you step out onto the skywalk, about 15 feet above the floor. The sounds of birds chirping will fill your ears, and the rushing of waterfalls will calm you. It'll be hard to convince you that you're inside a glass pyramid and not wandering through an “Indiana Jones” adventure. Walking through the indoor forest canopy will bring you eye-to-eye with tropical birds and endangered animals. Make your way across the skywalk, and you may even spot a monkey!
Keep your eyes peeled as birds will swoop down around you. Your adventure continues as the path wraps around the pyramid, allowing you to see the entire exhibit from all angles so you don't miss a thing. It's really something else, considering it's all inside a building in Texas, but feels like a real journey through tropical rainforests.
After you've finished walking through the canopy, you'll enter a winding hallway with exhibits that feature snakes and frogs. As you make your way through, you'll end up on the forest floor, where you can see different regions of the world's rainforests, like Asia and Africa.
The ground floor offers an even larger variety of animals, including Komodo dragons, different types of fish, snakes and more. You'll also come across several water tanks meant to represent the bodies of water in real-life rainforests. You might even spot giant Amazon river otters or sloths here, adding to the excitement of exploring tropical habitats in the heart of Galveston Island.
Book Now
Ready to set off to Galveston, maximizing your cruise with excursions like Moody Gardens and much more? Check out Royal Caribbean’s Galveston, Texas cruises to start your vacation planning off on the right foot.
Stop 2: Aquarium Pyramid
Next on your day out in Galveston is the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. The largest of the three, the blue pyramid, is hard to overlook. Head inside, and you'll come face-to-face with a mock oil rig. This rig is actually a platform aquarium where you can see marine life from different levels. For those looking to experience everything that the aquarium at Moody Gardens has to offer, this is the perfect spot to explore a variety of tropical fish and coral, simulating different local conditions under the sea. On top of that, there are other attractions your whole family will love, like a ropes course and Palm Beach.
There is a 1.5 million-gallon facility for animals, such as seals, sharks, stingrays, jellyfish and more. As you move through the pyramid, you'll even find penguins. You can see these tuxedo-clad birds hanging out on the rocks, diving into the water, swimming and splashing around. The pyramid features a few windows in key spots to watch them zoom through the water. Plus, you can view two different penguin habitats: an Arctic hangout and the Humboldt Penguin Habitat, where you can find penguins that are accustomed to warmer climates.
Wander from one region to another inside the aquarium, and you'll find seals and sea lion species from all over. The California sea lions love to interact with visitors, blowing you kisses and more as you walk by. But perhaps one of the coolest exhibits in this pyramid is the Jellyfish Gallery. It's a dark room filled with large tanks featuring six different species of jellyfish, some of which glow under blacklight. You can even go feel some moon jellies in a touch tank. These jellyfish aren't dangerous to humans because of their weak stinging power, so it's harmless to touch them! In fact, this gallery offers interactive touch tanks and immersive experiences so you can enjoy hands-on fun for your whole family.
How Long Does It Take To Get Through Moody Gardens Aquarium?
Typically, you’ll want to spend 2.5 hours walking around and looking at all the animals and exhibits. Have a small child with a stroller? Don’t worry! Moody Gardens offers lots of accessibility features, like stroller parking, shaded areas to rest and nearby restrooms.
Stop 3: Discovery Pyramid
The Moody Gardens Discovery Pyramid, better known as the Discovery Museum, is the smallest of the three pyramids. It's a great stop if you have younger kids, as many of the exhibits are designed around the early stages of understanding art, science, nature and more. Exhibits can change from time to time, so checking the website before visiting is a great way to get ahead with the latest information on what Moody Gardens has on display. Sometimes you can even find interactive penguin art programs or experience “science days” that teach children to learn hands-on.
Curious minds are sure to enjoy this part of the adventure, and with interactive exhibits, your young ones will love it, too. Though if your older children, or yourself, want to skip this part for a different journey, you can purchase tickets that only cover entry to the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids. For even more family-friendly attractions, you could also check out Palm Beach at Moody Gardens, which is open seasonally.
Why Cruise Travelers Love It
Cruise travelers love Moody Gardens because it’s close to the Galveston cruise port, offering an easy half-day, indoor excursion that everyone in your group will love. Visiting any one of the three pyramids at Moody Gardens is a real special opportunity. Whether you’re exploring Moody Gardens Aquarium in Galveston or heading to the convention center for social events, the complex creates an unforgettable trip.
Start Your Galveston Adventure
Moody Gardens is an immersive experience that takes you from the lush rainforests of Asia and Africa to the vibrant coral reefs of the Caribbean. With three unique pyramids — the Rainforest, Aquarium and Discovery — this destination offers unforgettable adventures for all ages. The Aquarium Pyramid, in particular, stands out as a must-see, featuring hands-on exhibits, penguins, jellyfish galleries and awe-inspiring underwater tunnels.
Ready to set off to Galveston, maximizing your cruise with excursions like Moody Gardens and much more? Check out Royal Caribbean’s Galveston, Texas cruises to start your vacation planning off on the right foot.
Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today
Related Articles
Best Things to Do on Your Galveston Day Trip
READ MORE
Galveston Top Rated Attractions and Tours
READ MORE
9 Galveston Vacation Must Know Facts
READ MORE
Tour Galveston's Historic Homes
READ MORE
