Houston Trip 2024

[Batto]

Hi,

I'm going to be in Houston during the last week of May this year. Any nearby wildlife-related as well as must-see general recommendations other than the zoo, the HMNS and the Waugh Drive Bat colony?

Moody Gardens = worth a visit?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[Dassie rat]

7 Zoos in Houston | Houston Zoos & Wildlife | Holidify gives a list of the 7 zoos in Houston

Our Animals, The Houston Zoo shows some of the animals at Houston Zoo.

The John P McGovern Children's Zoo is nearby

Moody Gardens Species List (April 2022) [Moody Gardens] mentions species at Moody Gardens

 

[Batto]

7 Zoos in Houston | Houston Zoos & Wildlife | Holidify gives a list of the 7 zoos in Houston

Our Animals, The Houston Zoo shows some of the animals at Houston Zoo.

The John P McGovern Children's Zoo is nearby

Moody Gardens Species List (April 2022) [Moody Gardens] mentions species at Moody Gardens

Thanks. So what is your recommendation, based on personal experience?

 

[Dassie rat]

Sorry, I've never been to Houston

 

[birdsandbats]

Never been to Houston either, but are you interested in going after species in the wild? There's lots of cool wildlife to see in that area.

 

[Torgos]

Moody Gardens is a good add-on but if you've got the time and a rental car go to San Antonio. 3 hr drive but very worthwhile.

 

[SwampDonkey]

The Downtown Aquarium is not bad if you are in Houston already, also the Natural Science museum is next to the zoo, it is worthwhile for sure.

 

[pachyderm pro]

The John P McGovern Children's Zoo is nearby

That's the name of the children's zoo area inside the Houston Zoo.

 

[snowleopard]

Besides Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, I would definitely recommend the two animal pyramids (Aquarium & Rainforest) at Moody Gardens and that popular complex is only an hour away. I don't rate the Downtown Aquarium, but of course if you are already in the vicinity then it might be worth it to stop by for an hour or two. I reviewed a LOT of Texas zoos on my Snowleopard's 2015 Road Trip thread.

 

[Batto]

Moody Gardens is a good add-on but if you've got the time and a rental car go to San Antonio. 3 hr drive but very worthwhile.

Been there in 2022, including BTS tours.

 

[Batto]

Never been to Houston either, but are you interested in going after species in the wild? There's lots of cool wildlife to see in that area.

Sure; any recommendations?

 

[Batto]

That's the name of the children's zoo area inside the Houston Zoo.

Yeah, I was kinda surprised by that suggestion, too...^^

 

[Batto]

Besides Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, I would definitely recommend the two animal pyramids (Aquarium & Rainforest) at Moody Gardens and that popular complex is only an hour away. I don't rate the Downtown Aquarium, but of course if you are already in the vicinity then it might be worth it to stop by for an hour or two. I reviewed a LOT of Texas zoos on my Snowleopard's 2015 Road Trip thread.

Thanks. I'll read the review, but based on the species list and the pics online...hmmm.

 

[birdsandbats]

Sure; any recommendations?

Attwater's Prairie-Chicken and Whooping Crane immediately come to mind as notable endangered birds that can be found in the area. Lots of Limpkins in the area. Introduced Red-vented Bulbul. Variety of cool herps.

 

[Batto]

Variety of cool herps.

Where to look?

 

[wstefan]

Maybe Brazos Bend State Park Volunteer Organization offers the possibility to see some Herps e.g. alligators or snakes. The state park is located on the southwestern city limits of Houston and could be a morning or evening addition before/after a visit to the zoo.

 

[Jurek7]

Try to see some wild wildlife. Whooping cranes will be gone in May, but for example wild alligators and many birds will be present.

 

[birdsandbats]

Try to see some wild wildlife. Whooping cranes will be gone in May, but for example wild alligators and many birds will be present.

Small numbers of Whooping Cranes oversummer in some years.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

I, like many others would recommend Moody Gardens if you're in Houston with the two animal pyramids.

 

[Batto]

Try to see some wild wildlife. Whooping cranes will be gone in May, but for example wild alligators and many birds will be present.

I have been to TX before. I know that there is wildlife. So have you been specifically to Houston in person and can tell me specifically the good local spots, or is this another armchair expert recommendation? Sorry for being so blunt, but I have only a limited time frame there.

No true local "Houstonian" at ZooChat? If you come to WdG, I can tell you what else to do, where to eat, where to find local wildlife etc. Nobody like this here at ZooChat?

As for Moody Gardens: Sounds like a lot of money spent on species I've seen elsewhere or even keep myself...
For the sake of not wasting my money and time, I've stopped visiting zoos and similar institutions just for the sake of it. If it has no qualities like interesting, relevant species or original concepts, I rather go elsewhere.