Moody Mansion is a 28,000-square-foot Victorian mansion at 2618 Broadway, Galveston, Texas, completed in 1895 and home to the wealthy Moody family until 1986, now open as a house museum featuring 20 furnished period rooms. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this National Register of Historic Places property.
To skip the detail and just book your tickets, head this way.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open daily 10:00-17:00 (last tickets 16:00). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. |
| Ticket prices | Adult $15, Youth (6-17) $7, Children 5 and under free. Family package (2 adults + 2 youth) $34. |
| Address | 2618 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Getting there | East End Historic District on Broadway. 1.5 kilometres from the Strand. On-site parking available. |
| Time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours for self-guided tour of 20 rooms. |
Moody Mansion opening hours
Moody Mansion is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 year-round. The last tickets are sold at 16:00, one hour before closing. Visitors should allow at least one hour to tour the mansion.
Holiday closures:
- Thanksgiving Day: Closed
- Christmas Eve: Closed
- Christmas Day: Closed
The mansion operates seven days a week outside these closures. Special behind-the-scenes tours operate on select weekends, taking guests into rarely accessible areas including Mary Moody Northen’s wardrobe rooms and upper-floor spaces. Check the website for special tour dates. Opening hours and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
Moody Mansion ticket prices
Admission prices (checked and updated January 2026):
- Adult: $15.00
- Youth (ages 6-17): $7.00
- Children 5 and under: Free
- Family package (2 adults + 2 youth): $34.00 (saves $10)
Additional adults and youths for family packages pay normal admission prices.
Broadway Beauties combination ticket: Tour both Moody Mansion and the 1892 Bishop’s Palace at a discounted rate by purchasing the combination package at checkout. This package offers savings compared to individual tickets.
Tickets can be purchased online through the mansion website or at the entrance on arrival. Online booking is recommended to guarantee entry during busy periods.
How to get to Moody Mansion
Moody Mansion is located at 2618 Broadway in Galveston’s East End Historic District. The mansion is on Broadway between 26th Street and 27th Street, approximately 1.5 kilometres from the Strand Historic District.
By car from Houston, take Interstate 45 South for approximately 50 miles to Galveston Island. Exit onto Broadway Avenue (Exit 1C). Continue east on Broadway for approximately 2 miles. The mansion is on the left (north) side of Broadway. The journey takes 50-70 minutes depending on traffic.
From the Galveston cruise terminal or Strand Historic District, drive or walk east along Broadway for approximately 1.5 kilometres. The mansion’s distinctive Victorian architecture is visible from Broadway.
Public transport in Galveston is limited. The free Galveston Island Trolley operates along the Strand Monday-Friday 06:15-20:00 and Saturday-Sunday 08:45-18:00. The trolley does not serve Broadway directly. Taxis and ride-sharing services are available from downtown Galveston to the mansion.
Parking at Moody Mansion
Free on-site parking is provided in a car park behind the mansion. Access the car park from Broadway by turning into the driveway beside the mansion. The car park accommodates standard vehicles.
Street parking is also available on Broadway and side streets. Street parking is typically free but check signage for any restrictions.
The car park rarely reaches capacity except during special events. Arriving during regular hours ensures parking availability.
How long to spend at Moody Mansion
Most visitors spend 1 to 1.5 hours touring Moody Mansion. The self-guided audio tour covers 20 rooms across four floors. Visitors explore at their own pace using QR codes placed throughout the mansion that trigger audio narration voiced by Mary Moody Northen.
The tour typically begins at the Carriage House with vintage automobiles from the Moody family collection, including Burma Shave advertisements. The mansion tour proceeds through the reception room, library, dining room, ballroom, sitting room, butler’s pantry, upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms.
Visitors particularly interested in Victorian architecture, period furnishings or Galveston history may spend up to 2 hours. The Galveston Children’s Museum in the basement adds approximately 20-30 minutes for families with children.
Accessibility at Moody Mansion
Moody Mansion has limited accessibility due to its historic Victorian construction. The mansion features four floors accessed by staircases. No elevator is available.
The ground floor includes the reception room, library, dining room, ballroom, sitting room and butler’s pantry. These rooms can be viewed by visitors unable to climb stairs. The upper three floors, which contain bedrooms, bathrooms and Mary Moody Northen’s wardrobe collection, are only accessible via stairs.
Accessible parking is available in the on-site car park. The main entrance requires climbing a few steps to the front porch. Staff can assist with access requirements where possible. Contact the mansion in advance to discuss specific accessibility needs.
The audio tour via QR codes is accessible to all visitors who can access the rooms. Printed guides may be available on request.
What to see at Moody Mansion
The Moody Mansion was built in 1895 by British architect William H. Tyndall and decorated by the New York interior design firm Pottier & Stymus. The four-storey, 28,000-square-foot Romanesque mansion survived the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. W.L. Moody Jr. purchased the mansion on 25 September 1900 for $20,000, just 17 days after the storm.
Twenty furnished rooms are open to visitors, decorated with original Moody family furnishings, heirlooms, artwork and personal belongings. Rooms maintain their turn-of-the-century appearance, showing how one of America’s wealthiest families lived in the early 20th century.
The reception room, library and dining room feature period furniture, artwork and decorative objects. The ballroom hosted numerous gala parties, particularly New Year celebrations. A Tribute Tree stands year-round in the dining room honouring Mary Moody Northen’s philanthropic contributions to Texas and Galveston.
The sitting room displays a Victrola phonograph and 1918 Saturday Evening Post, recreating family leisure time. The butler’s pantry features an annunciator system for summoning servants and a dumbwaiter for transporting items between floors.
Upper-floor bedrooms include children’s rooms, master bedroom, bathrooms with period fixtures, and presentation rooms displaying Mary Moody Northen’s extensive wardrobe, jewellery and community service acknowledgements. Libbie’s room features original bathroom fixtures including a wooden thermometer for testing bathwater temperature.
The Carriage House displays vintage automobiles from the Moody collection, including classic cars maintained in working condition. Burma Shave advertising displays hang from the ceiling.
The Galveston Children’s Museum in the basement offers hands-on exhibits where children can learn about the Moody family, Victorian life and Galveston history through interactive displays.
Practical tips for visiting Moody Mansion
| Tip |
|---|
| Begin your tour at the Carriage House before entering the main mansion to understand the family’s wealth and lifestyle context. |
| Use the QR code audio tour throughout the mansion; the narration by Mary Moody Northen provides personal insight into each room’s history. |
| Photography is permitted for personal use throughout the mansion. Flash photography may be restricted in certain areas. |
| Wear comfortable shoes as the tour involves standing and walking through multiple floors. |
| The mansion can be warm in summer; dress accordingly as not all areas have modern climate control. |
| Allow extra time if visiting with children to explore the Children’s Museum in the basement. |
| Purchase the Broadway Beauties combination ticket to visit both Moody Mansion and Bishop’s Palace at a discounted rate. |
Facilities at Moody Mansion
Toilets are located in the mansion. The mansion does not have a café or restaurant. Water is available. Numerous restaurants and cafés are located within walking distance along Broadway and in the Strand Historic District (1.5 kilometres).
The gift shop at the entrance sells books about Galveston history, the Moody family, Victorian lifestyle, postcards, souvenirs and Moody Mansion branded items.
The mansion does not have bag storage or cloaking facilities. Visitors should avoid bringing large luggage or backpacks.
Frequently asked questions about Moody Mansion
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Moody Mansion suitable for children? | Yes. The Children’s Museum in the basement provides hands-on activities for children. Upper floors require climbing stairs which may tire young children. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Moody Mansion? | Advance booking is not required but recommended during busy periods. Tickets can be purchased online or on arrival. |
| Is Moody Mansion open on Sundays? | Yes. The mansion is open daily including Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. |
| Is Moody Mansion wheelchair accessible? | Ground floor rooms are accessible with assistance. Upper floors (three levels) are only accessible via stairs with no elevator available. |
| How long does it take to tour Moody Mansion? | The self-guided audio tour takes 1 to 1.5 hours depending on pace and interest level. |
| Is Moody Mansion haunted? | The mansion is marketed as potentially haunted though this is not confirmed. Staff may or may not discuss paranormal claims. |
The Moody family and business empire
W.L. Moody Jr. (1865-1954) was among America’s wealthiest individuals at the time of his death. He built a financial empire encompassing insurance, banking, cotton trading, ranching, publishing, hotels and railroads. The Moody enterprises dominated Galveston’s economy for much of the 20th century.
Mary Moody Northen (1892-1986), W.L. Moody Jr.’s eldest child, inherited the house and businesses in 1954. She was recognised as a pioneer among women in business, managing the Moody empire for over 30 years. She lived in the mansion from 1954 to 1983, when Hurricane Alicia damage necessitated major renovation.
Mary Moody Northen established the Mary Moody Northen Endowment to preserve the family home and fund educational and charitable projects benefiting Texas and Virginia. The endowment continues to maintain the mansion as a museum and support philanthropic initiatives.
Things to do near Moody Mansion
Bishop’s Palace (900 metres) is a National Historic Landmark Victorian mansion designed by architect Nicholas J. Clayton, featuring stained glass windows, hand-carved woodwork and elaborate fireplaces. Self-guided tours and special Basement to Attic tours available. Admission charged; combination ticket with Moody Mansion available.
Ashton Villa (300 metres) was Galveston’s first Broadway mansion and one of the first brick homes in Texas, built for entrepreneur James M. Brown. The Victorian Italianate mansion features ornamental ironwork and gold filigree details. Currently available for events only; exterior and grounds can be viewed. The Juneteenth statue and marker are located in the front garden.
East End Historic District (surrounding area) comprises over 50 city blocks of Victorian, Greek Revival and Queen Anne architecture dating from the 1850s-1900s. The National Historic Landmark district is ideal for walking tours. Free to explore.
The Bryan Museum (1.5 kilometres) houses 70,000 Southwestern artefacts spanning 12,000 years, including original Jean Lafitte correspondence. The museum is located in the former Galveston Orphans Home. Admission charged.
The Strand Historic District (1.5 kilometres) features Victorian-era buildings with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, bars and the Galveston Railroad Museum. Weekend markets and guided tours available. Free to explore district.
Other Galveston attractions include the Ocean Star Museum.
