Bay Area residents can visit Lago Mar—the state’s largest Crystal Lagoons amenity, located in Texas City—or Galveston’s Moody Gardens for spring break activities at reduced prices.

Lago Mar will be open to the public March 12-28 for Spring Break at Lago Mar. Building upon last year’s sold-out Summer Lagoonfest, this event will include more activities and amenities for attendees, according to a March 2 news release. These include the following.

  • Water jousting

  • An inflatable, in-the-water catapult swing

  • An inflatable obstacle course

  • Swimming at the Oasis Pool

  • A game lawn with cornhole, spike ball, volleyball, giant Jenga, Spider Pong, Banzai Ball and a slip-and-slide

  • A splash zone

  • Fitness classes

  • DJ entertainment

  • Trivia contests

  • Food trucks

  • A full bar

  • An artisan market each Sunday

  • Kayaks

  • Stand-up paddleboards

  • Resort-style cabanas


Some activities and amenities must be reserved in advance, per the release, and the activity list will be updated online at www.lagoonhouston.com. The 12-acre lagoon will be open Tue.-Sun. from 10 a.m.-sunset.

General public tickets start at $15 for children under age 13 and $20 for those age 13 and older. Children age 2 and under get in for free, as do Lago Mar residents.

Tickets prices are subject to change, and it is recommended that eventgoers purchase tickets ahead of time, as availability at the door will be limited. Advance tickets can be purchased online, and tickets purchased at the box office on-site on the day of entry will be sold at the highest price levels.

According to the website as of March 5, COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced, including no-cash transactions, frequent cleaning and enhanced sanitation of high-traffic areas, and the requirement of masks for entry, exit and in all common areas.


Moody Gardens strongly encourages guests to wear face masks but will not make it a requirement for entry starting March 10 in compliance with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order lifting the state mask mandate. All employees will continue to wear face masks, and sanitation protocols and social distancing practices will remain in place throughout the property, per a March 4 news release.

The nonprofit educational destination offers exhibits, including Rainforests of Asia, Africa and the Americas inside the Rainforest Pyramid; and the Aquarium Pyramid, with seals, penguins and thousands of fish from the oceans of the world. The 3D theater is showing a film about some of the Pacific Ocean’s islands and marine national monuments, per the release. Guests can also watch "Sharks 4D" and "Aquaman 4D" inside the 4D Special FX Theater or a deep-sea adventure inside the Audience Recognition Theater.

Those looking for spring savings can take advantage of the One Day Value Pass, which includes admission to the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids, the Discovery Museum, the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat and one show in each of the three theaters. During March and April, for its spring sale, Moody Gardens is offering 10% off the best available rate at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center.

Guests have the option to apply their admission purchase toward an annual membership, which costs the same as two visits, per the release. Membership benefits include unlimited admission to the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids; the 3D, 4D Special FX and Audience Recognition Theaters; the Discovery Museum and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. Members also receive discounts for all Moody Gardens Gift Shops, the spa, restaurants, concession areas and Moody Brews as well as the best available rate at the hotel and $2 off any admission tickets purchased for friends or family.
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Hotel package options include the Play & Stay Golf Package, which includes a room with either a king or two queen beds, a round of golf at the Moody Gardens Golf Course, a golf cart and a bucket of range balls. Another package is the Explore Family Package, designed for a family of four or for couples, which consists of a room for one night and two or four two-day passes for two consecutive days to the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, the Audience Recognition Theater, the 3D Theater, the 4D Special FX Theater and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.

A dinner cruise will take place aboard the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat on March 13; it will offer a Texas barbecue menu and a cash bar while guests enjoy views of Offats Bayou. The menu includes a garden salad, smoked brisket with BBQ sauce, rotisserie chicken with pan drippings, cream corn, garlic-roasted new potatoes and whisky-pecan chocolate chip cookies. Boarding begins at 6 p.m., and the cruise will begin at 7 p.m.