Look for the glass pyramids once you cross the bridge into Galveston, and you'll find the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center. Talk about family fun—this sprawling 242-acre property features a living rain forest, an aquarium with penguins and sharks, and an IMAX theater all on-site. Moody Gardens even has its own white-sand beaches and blue lagoons. The hotel has a swim-up bar, childcare services, and a shuttle to the Strand District. Pros: Family-friendly, lots to do. Cons: Far from the main Seawall Blvd. beaches.
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