Museums

It's a City for Kids, Run by Kids! Kidtropolis, USA marks a brand new spot on the map as a real-life kid metropolis complete with a skyline, city government, occupations and the systems that make a city work. It's where kids choose to be whatever they want to be! Kids will keep the city running by taking on the roles of: city leaders voters workers shoppers business owners They'll participate in a sophisticated, simulated economy where they can spend money on items and experiences throughout the city. But, like in real life, they will have to get jobs to earn money, and that's where the KidCard comes in handy!

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum, the first and only museum of its kind in the nation, opened its doors in April of 2006 in the Houston Museum District to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Founded and operated by meteorologists, the Weather Museum is a project of Weather Research Center, a Houston, Texas based non-profit educational and research organization, whose goal is to reach as many people as possible and educate them about weather and weather safety as well as make them weatherwise. In-depth guided group tours by appointment are available. The museum also offers weather camps, weather labs, scout merit badge classes, weather talks, and teacher workshops throughout the year.

Experience Life at the Moody Gardens® attractions! Aquarium Pyramid® – The towering blue pyramid – the largest of three – houses a diverse display of life from four distinct ocean environments. The chilly South Atlantic exhibit showcases five species of penguins and the North Pacific houses playful fur seals and Squirt, the famous blind sea lion. The South Pacific exhibit features beautiful coral reefs and an array of colorful fishes. The Caribbean, the largest exhibit in the Aquarium Pyramid®, has sharks, sea turtles, eels and thousands of beautiful tropical fish that swim overhead as you navigate through an underwater tunnel completely surrounded by the exhibit’s over one-million gallons of water. The Aquarium Pyramid® also offers guests the opportunity to interact with ocean life, including group educational opportunities in underwater classrooms, touch tanks and the chance to meet a penguin up close with the Penguin Encounter. Rainforest Pyramid® – The 10-story glass pyramid is now open after a major enhancement project that enables you to see the Rainforests of the World in a whole new way. In addition to a new entry overlooking a new giant Amazon River otter exhibit, a tree-top path leads you through the canopy level of the pyramid where you can explore the exhibit from a new vantage point to see the monkeys, sloths and the other free-roaming tree dwellers closer than ever before. The canopy walkway also features a butterfly exhibit that immerses you among several beautiful species of butterflies. The lower level of the exhibit puts you in the center of Asian, African and American rainforests, where you are joined by some new friends. Come experience life at this unique, interactive exhibit in an authentic rainforest environment, found only at Moody Gardens®. MG 3D Theater – Enjoy larger-than-life films that fill your peripheral vision combined with superb sound to provide you with the best seat in the house. Slip on your 3D glasses to see incredible realistic three-dimensional images as they are projected onto a giant six-story screen – the largest in Texas – so lifelike that you’ll want reach out to grab them. Ridefilm – Strap on your seatbelt and hold on for an incredible experience! Ridefilm technology offers the ultimate in high-impact, immersive simulation. Each 18-passenger ride is surrounded by a seamless 180° wraparound screen that fully encompasses each viewer's peripheral vision. High quality images and awesome sound combine to make you a part of the action. 4D Special FX Theater – See, hear, feel and smell the action! Hi-def digital 3D projection, audio and show control systems combined with special effects, such as wind, smoke, mist, leg ticklers, seat buzzers and SFX lighting and DTS surround sound system immerse you in a unique short-film theater experience that is a thrill for all ages. Colonel Paddlewheel Boat – Enjoy gulf breezes on a 45-minute cruise around Offats Bayou on this 800-passenger authentic 1800’s replica paddlewheel boat. The Colonel Paddlewheel Boat sails daily from the Moody Gardens® dock and hosts weekend dinner cruises. Discovery Museum – Come explore the extraordinary world of science at the Discovery Pyramid. Spectacular traveling exhibits from around the country provide interactive demonstrations showcasing the world of science that surrounds you. The current exhibit is Bones: An Exhibit Inside You. Palm Beach- (Closed for the 2011 season. Check back for 2012 schedule). Now youcan delight in the major enhancements that have been made toGalveston'sonly white sand beach! You and your family will love thelazy river,18-foot tower slides, wave pool, and educational Kon-Tikithemethat were added to the attraction in 2011. Festival of Lights- (Currently closed until Winter 2012) The gulf coast's largest holiday event includes over 100 lighted scenes, outdoor ice rink, live entertainment and holiday films.

The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum and Education Center is located on Galveston Island, Texas, less than an hour from downtown Houston, the world's petroleum capital. Visitors board the retired jackup drilling rig and view a video about the offshore industry. The museum features three floors of models and interactive displays illustrating the story of offshore oil and gas from seismic technology to exploration and production. Scale models of production platforms, actual drill bits and remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) as well as videos and exhibits explain drilling, geology, seismic, well servicing and production. Following a leisurely tour inside the museum, visitors can take the skywalk out onto the drill floor of the rig, or visit the exhibits on the pipe deck from the first floor of the museum. For more information contact: Trina Claire, Museum Programs Manager Phone: 409.766.STAR (7827) Email: osprograms@oceanstaroec.com