So, yesterday, Fiance and I decided to venture to the mysterious island known as Galveston, and check at the Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens, which we haven't been to before. We have been to the Aquarium pyramid, due to a strange obsession with jellyfish and turtles, back in 2012, but we had never been to the Rainforest Pyramid, and it was something to do.
We went into Galveston, on NYE, around 1 pm, or so, and there was literally no traffic on 45, which was a nice bonus, and Moody Gardens, itself, wasn't even that crowded, and there was plenty of parking.
The Rainforest Pyramid advertises itself as "a rare, up-close and interactive experience with endangered plants and animals ranging from Giant Amazon River Otters to Saki Monkeys and Chinese Alligators. See it all in one of the truest replicas of a real rainforest."
The prices are: $21.95 per adult and $17.95 per child . Those tickets ONLY get you into one exhibit, each exhibit is priced separately, however, you can buy a 1-day Pass for $49.95, which would give you access to each of the pyramids at Moody Gardens. There is no discount, at all, for anyone.
Anyhow, the Rainforest Pyramid was enjoyable. There's a really cute sea otter that you can see through the window as you're walking towards to Pyramid. There's an interactive area before you enter, where you can step into footprints and hear the different sounds that the animals make, my fiance particularly enjoyed the part.
Anyhow, you enter the pyramid. It's supposedly humid in there, but I thought the temperature was pleasant, possibly because it was forty-something degrees outside, but also possibly because I live in Houston, where humidity makes a typical summer temperature around 113 degrees, so the humidity of the rainforest didn't seem that bad in comparison.
The first section is a very small butterfly section. There weren't many butterflies. We stood there for about twenty or so minutes, and only saw about four butterflies. Then you enter into the rest of the pyramid.
The pyramid was nice, but it isn't anything to brag about, to be honest. I enjoyed seeing the Cotton-Top Tamarin, and all the different birds. There was an Asian Fairy Bluebird, Scarlet Ibis', and some other birds. There are some cool areas, where they show nocturnal animals like porcupines and bats, as well as frogs, lizards, and snakes. There are also stingrays, fish, and a turtle. The plants themselves are beautiful, all sorts of different trees, and orchid flowers. There are several waterfalls, and I love waterfalls, and both boyfriend and had a good time.
One possible con, water drips down from the rainforest ceiling, so the rainforest will rain on you, it's not a lot of water, just a few drops, but if you're an aquaphobe, or are very picky about your hairstyle and cannot get your hair wet, I'd probably skip this exhibit. The water is most likely just dripping condensation from the water cycle and humidity in the forest, and it's not even a lot of water, just a few drops, but it's worth being noted.
Also, I suppose with humidity comes with mosquitoes. I walked away from the Rainforest Pyramid with a mosquito or some sort of bug bite on my arm. So, either wear long sleeves, or wear bug spray.
Personally, I think the Houston Museum of Science is a better deal, if you're looking for a rainforest habitat. They have a beautiful butterfly garden. And it's a huge butterfly garden, with tons of species of butterflies and ample opportunities to see those butterflies in natural habitats. However, Moody Gardens, has MORE animals, they have birds and amphibians and reptiles, but the HMOS is more interactive, and butterflies sometimes even fly on you and attach themselves to your clothing.
For the price of admission to Moody Gardens, HMOS is also a better deal because you can see the entire museum and the butterflies, instead of just one exhibit.
I would say they're both equally interactive for children [or immature adults like fiance and I]. Moody Garden has a lot of interactive things for children like they would enjoy, such as the animal sounds part. HMOS, the entire museum is interactive. Both give children ample opportunities to interact with animals, as well.
Overall, if you just want a Rainforest-like experience, I would suggest the Houston Museum of Science, which is one of my favorite places in Houston, so I may be biased, slightly, but at the HMOS, you definitely get the better bang for your buck. But if you have the time to experience all day at Moody Gardens, including the Aquarium, then I would say that's better worth your time/money, so really it's all about what you prefer for you and your family, both are fun times for all members of the family.
I prefer the Aquarium at Moody Gardens over the Rainforest Pyramid, but fiance prefers to Rainforest Pyramid over the Aquarium.
We also both picked up at least 7 people in Mii Plaza throughout the time we were there, and I got a random compliment on my black Beatles shirt.
Anyhow, onwards to pictures:
Warning: Pictures of snakes and frogs and lizards, if you don't like those animals, I probably wouldn't click the link.
I AM NOT A PAID PROFESSIONAL, THESE OPINIONS ARE MY OWN, THESE PICTURES ARE MY OWN, I'm just a girl, who likes to write snarky reviews, and take pictures with a digital camera for my own entertainment and enjoyment. I make nothing from these :) I just like sharing photography.
