The Manatee Observation and Education Center is a waterfront environmental education and wildlife viewing center located on Florida's east coast in beautiful downtown Fort Pierce. We are a not-for-profit organization operated by four full-time staff members and over 100 volunteers. The Center lies just west of the Atlantic ocean and straddles the nationally recognized Indian River Lagoon, a saltwater estuary, and Moore's Creek, a freshwater tributary. The site is a historical congregating place for Florida manatees as a result of warm water effluent from the long-retired Henry B. King Power Plant. While the plant is no longer there, it continues to be a congregating place for manatees and visitors alike. Come inside the Center to learn about manatees and other wild animals, Florida's diverse habitats, and much more. Explore hands-on exhibits and informational displays that are both fun and educational. Stand along the covered observation walkway or climb the second story observation tower for your chance to see Florida's "Gentle Giants" resting or playing in Moore's Creek. You may also see a variety of other wildlife including the Bottlenose Dolphin, Mullet, Brown Pelicans, and Terns. Stroll through the Center's gardens where red, yellow, and purple flowers abound. We are striving to replace exotic plants with native plants to attract Florida's colorful butterflies. Visit our latest installment - the Florida native butterfly garden - complete with accessible hand-constructed arbors, mosaic benches from local artists, and more along the beautiful Moore’s Creek in Downtown Fort Pierce.
Fort Pierce, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
St. Lucie
Type(s):
Science
Preserve Real Places, Tell Real Stories: Manatee Village Historical Park's buildings are furnished to display what life was like in early Florida. Our mission is to preserve and share the heritage of Manatee County’s founding period (1840-1918) through our museum and collection of historical artifacts and buildings.
Bradenton, FL
Region(s):
Southwest
County:
Manatee
Type(s):
Other
Located on the beautiful St. Johns River in the 10-acre Walter Jones Historical Park, the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society takes visitors back to old Florida through historic buildings and fascinating stories of Mandarin's past. Open 9-4 every Saturday. See complete schedule at www.mandarinmuseum.net
Jacksonville, FL
Region(s):
Northeast
County:
Duval
Type(s):
Art
Historic Home
History
Park
Long famous for its Key Marco Cat — one of the most remarkable and influential discoveries in North American archaeology — the Marco Island Historical Museum explores Southwest Florida’s Calusa Indians and brings this vanished civilization to life with informative displays and an exciting recreated village scene. Permanent and traveling exhibits trace the settlement of this subtropical island paradise from its early pioneer roots as a fishing village, pineapple plantation and clam cannery, through its explosive growth and development in the 1960s by the Miami-based Deltona Corporation.
Marco Island, FL
Region(s):
Southwest
County:
Collier
Type(s):
History
Located in the heart of historic downtown Gainesville, the Matheson History Museum is home to the 1867 Matheson House, permanent and temporary exhibits on Alachua County and Florida history, and a local history library and archives filled with resources for the researcher and the curious alike. Throughout the year we host a variety of programs on local and Florida history.
Gainesville, FL
Region(s):
North Central
County:
Alachua
Type(s):
Historic Home
History
House
The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries is an academic teaching museum consisting of two main galleries showcasing about five international, national and regional exhibitions each year. The galleries host events, talks, lectures, workshops, and guided tours for art students, community events, K-12 students, educators, and artists.
Niceville, FL
Region(s):
Northwest
County:
Okaloosa
Type(s):
Art
McKee Botanical Garden, which is located on an 18-acre tropical hammock in beautiful Vero Beach features something for all ages. Horticulture: McKee Botanical Garden is known for its horticulture beauty where native plants and exotic botanicals combine with Old Florida charm. The Garden features 10,000 native and tropical plants, as well as one of the largest waterlily collections in the state of Florida comprised of over 80 varieties and over 300 potted and 100 free-range plants, including night and day-blooming varieties. History: Thousands of visitors come to the Garden each year to learn about McKee’s rich history and enjoy the natural landscape of majestic palms, exotic plants, trees, waterfalls, tranquil streams, and historic structures like the Hall of Giants and Spanish Kitchen. McKee Botanical Garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and endorsed by The Garden Conservancy as a project of national significance. Children’s Garden: The Children’s Garden at McKee is a natural complement to McKee’s existing offerings and is designed to spark imagination and curiosity in children through interactive exploration where children can Explore, Discover, and Just Be a Kid. The Children’s Garden features include the Scorpion Shipwreck in the Grand Discovery Tree, a Fairy Circle & Fairy Forest Trail, Nautilus Shell Amphitheatre, Karst Splash Garden, Waterlily Fountain, Music Maze, Bamboo Village, Blue Crab Reading Circle & Stumpery, and Sandridge and Pollinator Garden. Garden Café and Gift & Book Shop: The Garden Café features a delightful assortment of salads, sandwiches, children’s menu items, desserts and beverages available for purchase. The Garden Gift & Book Shop features a wide array of garden-themed home décor and gifts, books for adults and children, t-shirts, soaps and lotions and many other treasurers. National Publicity: McKee was featured on the cover of Southern Living magazine in February 2020, which showcased Vero Beach, Amelia Island, and Apalachicola. The Garden has also garnered national attention in publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, Coastal Living, House and Garden, Travel & Leisure, and The New York Times. McKee was named one of “22 Secret Gardens – Soothing Places of Surprise and Sanctuary in the U.S. and Canada” by National Geographic Traveler. The Garden was awarded the Hall of Fame Excellence Award by TripAdvisor.com in 2022. McKee is one of more than 340 horticultural institutions in 48 states and DC, plus Canada and the Caribbean participating in the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday (10 am – 5 pm), Sunday (Noon – 5 pm). Closed Mondays and major holidays. Last admission ticket is sold at 4 pm. The Children’s Garden closes at 4:30 pm. Admission: $15 Adults, $13 Seniors (65+)/Youth (13-17), $10 Children (2-12)/Military. McKee members and children under 2 free.
Vero Beach, FL
Region(s):
Central
Southeast
County:
Indian River
Type(s):
Art
Children's
Gardens
Historic Home
History
The Miami Military Museum and Memorial honors all branches of the US Armed Forces, as well as its clandestine services. We seek to educate the public on the service, sacrifice and accomplishments of the active military, veterans, families and supporters of this great community. We are dedicated to preserving the rich military heritage of South Florida by connecting Miami’s diverse residents with their community. We serve as the educational voice to inspire and enrich the community by connecting the past to contemporary and future issues.
Miami, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Miami-Dade
Type(s):
History
Mission San Luis was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704 and served as a principal village of the Apalachee Indians. The Mission, now a 63-acre National Historic Landmark and Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum, brings the early 1700s to life with educators in period dress and buildings reconstructed based on extensive archaeological research. The story of Mission San Luis is also shared through an introductory film, artifact displays, and other programming.
Tallahassee, FL
Region(s):
North Central
County:
Leon
Type(s):
History
The Morean Arts Center is located within the heart of the Central Arts District. The Morean Arts Center focuses on an innovative, community-oriented approach to art and art education. Classes and outreach programs are designed to bring out the artist in all of us, including programs for adults, children and family plus summer camp and early childhood programs, attracting beginners and advanced students alike. The Exhibitions Department brings contemporary art created by local, regional and national artists to the community in virtually all visual mediums, plus a large focus on emerging artists. Open daily to the public with free access to over 25 exhibitions a year. Known in 1917 as the Art Club of St. Petersburg, the concept was simple; create access for artists and those interested in art. Today it is still the same but on a much broader and grander scale, with four facilities operating under the Morean Arts Center, including the world-renowned Chihuly Collection, largest working pottery in the Southeast United States - the Morean Center for Clay and the Morean Glass Studio. The Morean Arts Center depends on the generous support of many individuals and other local, regional, state and national funders who have for over a century embraced the Center's mission. Morean Arts Center memberships offer support to continue the mission of Connecting People with Art.
St. Petersburg, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Pinellas
Type(s):
Art