Viewing the Jungle from Above at the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid

Imagine standing high atop the trees and hearing squawks and the rustling sounds of monkeys and birds traversing the leafy canopy of the jungle.  That’s what visitors experience along the new upper-level walkway in Moody Gardens’s  recently reopened Rainforest Pyramid.

Moody Gardens. Photo by Richard Varr

The new 300-foot-long walkway offers a commanding view of the 10-story Rainforest Pyramid, home to more than 1,000 species of exotic plants and animals.  Elevated 35 feet high, it’s like you’re walking amidst dense jungle treetops with close-up views of some of the attraction’s new animals, including Rodrigues fruit bats, free-roaming white-faced Saki monkeys, a walk-in butterfly enclosure and a cloud forest amphibian exhibit.

“So much of the life that takes place in the rainforest takes place at the canopy level,” explains Moody Gardens spokeswoman Sarah Wilson.  “That’s where the monkeys are and where the birds nest.”

Damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008, the glass enclosed rainforest opened its doors once again last May after a $25 million enhancement project.  The opening weekend alone brought in 16,107 visitors to the tri-pyramid Moody Gardens attractions and grounds, which also include an aquarium, giant-screen theaters, golf course and convention hotel.  In fact, it was a record summer as visitors from not only Texas and the U.S., but from around the world visited the glimmering iconic island landmark.

“Anyone who has seen this exhibit before will be amazed at the transformation,” says John Zendt, president and CEO of Moody Gardens.  “These enhancements have created a richer experience and a deeper understanding of the role of rainforests in our world.”

Photo by Richard Varr

“People are amazed that we have such an authentic experience of a rainforest environment on Galveston – it’s absolutely unique,” adds Wilson.  “We’ve really transformed the pyramid, and it’s had an effect on the entire property as visitors get to see everything else at Moody Gardens as well.”

The canopy walkway also offers views overlooking the endangered giant Amazon River otter exhibit, the largest otter species found in captivity at only five other zoos in North America.  The Rainforest Pyramid brings to light the fragility of the world’s rainforest ecosystems, vanishing at a fast pace with more than 12 million acres lost yearly to development, logging and farming.

The rainforest’s ground level trails lead through lush Asian, American and African exhibits including such animals as a prehensile-tailed porcupine, a giant anaconda, Chinese alligators, vampire bats and a crocodile monitor, which can climb the walls of its surroundings and often appears to be hanging from the walkway above.  There are also colorful macaws, a spotted ocelot, piranhas and even a Brazilian rainbow boa and a cobalt blue tarantula.

“When experiencing the Rainforest Pyramid, I think a very important thing to keep in mind is for visitors to take their time,” notes Wilson.  “Because we have a lot of free-roaming species, they’re easy to miss.  They nest and camouflage.  It’s very authentic.”

Other Moody Gardens attractions include:

Aquarium Pyramid: This 1.5 million-gallon aquarium houses life from four ocean environments and the collection includes seals, sea lions, sharks, thousands of fish and more than 80 penguins.

Photo by Richard Varr

Discovery Museum: Showcases traveling exhibits exploring the world of science.

MG 3D Theater: The giant 3D screen is the biggest in Texas, measuring 60 by 80 feet.  Most of the films highlight the wonders of nature and history.

Ridefilm Theater:  Located in the Discovery Museum, this attraction is an 18-passenger ride with a 180-degree wrap-around screen and pod seating that allows guests to be part of the action.

4D Special FX Theater:  High-definition 3D projection combines with seat sensors, leg ticklers, wind, snow, scent and water splashes to engage all the senses.

Colonel Paddlewheel Boat:  An 800-passenger, 1800s-style paddlewheel boat that takes guests on hour-long cruises around Offatts Bayou.

Palm Beach:  The only white-sands beach in Galveston, Palm Beach includes a lazy river, wave pool and water slides, a splash pad, spray arches and sand volleyball courts within the seaside adventure park.

Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center:  AAA 4-Diamond resort hotel with 428 guest rooms, fine and casual dining, a full-service salon and spa, and more than 60,000 square feet of conference and convention space.

Moody Gardens Golf Course:  Ranked among the top ten new courses at $65 and under when first opened in 2009, this par-72 seaside course has five sets of tees to accommodate golfers of any playing ability.

For more information:  www.moodygardens.com