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    Manatee Center

    3.9 (23 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Displays
    Robert M.

    Fantastic fun for $6. We did not get to see any live Manatees (too hot), but Lindsay and the rest of the staff were fun to talk to and the inside displays are excellent.

    Ariel W.

    You will have to wait for a cool day to see the manatees but at a cost of only $1 any day is a good day to visit the Manatee Observation and Education Center. The first written record of a manatee was in 1492 when Christopher Columbus spotted one and thought he had seen a mermaid! Today Florida's gentle sea cows are endangered due to accidents with boats. Often you see scars from boat propellers on their backs. Fortunately stricter speed laws for boats and more public education has led to the US Fish and Wildlife Service to want to downgrade them from endangered to threatened. The importance of places like this to educate the public and make them want to protect the manatees cannot be understated. The center which was opened in 1996 is on the Indian River Lagoon and Fort Pierce Marina. The manatees are free to come and go as they please but you have the best chance of seeing them when it is cold out. If you are lucky enough to be there when they are you can view them from the covered walkway or the two story observation tower. Inside the center are educational displays about manatees, a touch tanks, and five aquariums with live animals. There is also the Vanishing Mermaid Gift Shop selling all kinds of manatee, nature, and ocean related items. The center holds many activities throughout the year such as Indian River Lagoon wildlife boat tours, Naturefest, summer camps, brown bag lunch lecture series, and educational speakers. The 23rd annual Naturefest is this Saturday. All of these programs are created for the purpose of educating the public so that they will support the preservation of the Treasure Coasts ecosystem. They also provide programs for school children to teach the next generation how important it is to take care of our environment. Although the center is small there is also the House of Seven Gables and an art museum in the same area so there is plenty to keep you occupied for an afternoon.

    Manatee statue in the center
    Jessica H.

    Disappointed to pay for entry and not get much in return. There were a few items to explore and view inside the center (but not worth the fee). It was not cold enough for manatees to be present. Overall, not worth the time or money. I was expecting more from a place that is called "education center".

    Courtyard
    Jim H.

    This is a great place to learn about Manatees and about local sea life in general. Generally - it is also usually a good place to see manatees. Unfortunately, due to a recent bout of cool weather, the manatees were apparently elsewhere seeking warmer water. No manatees were spotted during our visit today although the docents indicated that 4 had been spotted the day before. Whether or not you get to see any manatees, this is a great place to learn about them and to see a 15 minute video about them. While we no longer travel with young kids - this is the kind of place my kids would have loved when they were still kids. Admission is $1.00

    Gift Shop
    Kevin L.

    The Manatee Center is small but mighty. And you get your fair share of entertainment value for the $1 entry fee they levy. Sit down and enjoy the manatee educational video (possibly made back in the '80s), wander around and check out the various aquarium exhibits with live fish, various crustaceans, turtles, and even an underwater petting zoo. Listen to the volunteers talk about the history of the center, learn about the crazy hurricanes that demolished it, and the few animals that survived the wreckage, and the ones they had to let go into the wild (that are most likely deceased/eaten by this point). And if you're especially lucky, you might spot "footprints" on the surface of the water in the inlet right outside, indicating a manatee floating just under the surface. Our timing was impeccable, and a volunteer called us out to spot just such a sea cow. And a big 'un it was! Pop in for a brief 30 minute fun, informative interlude. It's well worth the price.

    Welcome and education center

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    3 years ago

    Great place to visit you will see some fish and maybe a manatee come hang out with us

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    8 years ago

    Not worth the stop. Paid a dollar to literally look at a fish tank. I was very disappointed.

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    Review Highlights - Manatee Center

    The center which was opened in 1996 is on the Indian River Lagoon and Fort Pierce Marina.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum - Boats on display

    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum

    4.8(95 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Our visit to the Navy Seal Museum could not have been anything less than five stars. Wanting to…read moretake a break from the beach and pool, we decided to check out this museum. We were pretty much blown away the moment we arrived. The exhibits include films and virtually everything a Seal member uses to fulfill the mission they may be assigned. The museum was laid out in "reverse historical order" beginning with a 9/11 film recounting the tragedy. Truthfully I had hoped never again to see the planes crash into the World Trade Center but never forgetting is really part of the recovery. There was a mock up of Bin Laden's compound and a fascinating film of how he was killed. There were all types of weapons of the era, various Seal transport vehicles, helicopters on display-many allowing you to go inside. One display outlined the training regimen for Seals. (pictured below) Captioned, "The Only Easy Day was Yesterday" seems pretty accurate. There is a pretty substantial drop out rate as the trading is so difficult. When a prospective Seal drops out of training, he had to ring a bell three times. When one graduates, they ring the bell once. The exhibits continue with Viet Nam, Korea and World War II era history, weapons and things like Viet Nam patrol boats, high speed assault craft, Seal delivery vehicles, etc. Naval Seals were formed by President Kennedy in 1962 but they functioned as "wartime commando units" as far back as World War II. Once you visit all the indoor exhibits, there is quite a bit to see outside as well like the obstacle course used in training, a captured Iranian gun boat and other marine type vehicles that add to what you've already seen inside the museum. After a fascinating several hours, it was time for the beach!

    What a well-curated experience! My teenage sons loved it. From the excellent exhibits to the…read moreobstacle course, it does not disappoint.

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    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum
    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum
    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum - Medal of Honor recipient sculpture

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    Medal of Honor recipient sculpture

    Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center - We noticed you noticing us...

    Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center

    4.7(49 reviews)
    18.6 mi

    I remember the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center fondly from my childhood, and it's good to see…read morethat they've expanded on their property for a nice little afternoon outing. Admission is $20 for adults, with child and military discounting. There's a lot of outdoor walking space around the main lake/lagoon where you can see the nurse sharks and sea turtles amongst the many other fish there. The weather was really nice the day we went, so we took a stroll through the nature trails. They are mostly boardwalk trails with a few covered stops with benches. The main trail is a 1 mile loop but there is also a 1/3 mile loop that is good for kids. The main trail will take you to the Indian River Lagoon for some nice storefront views! The main building has some cool artwork made of reclaimed beach litter that makes you really think about proper waste disposal. There's also a few tanks with cool fish and such to see. The entire center has a few different spaces for bathrooms that are easy to access. I'd recommend coming here for a nice day in the fresh air and sunshine to enjoy the flora and fauna of Florida!

    Really nice place to understand marine life and see some. Kids would love the place. Starts off…read morewith stingray petting tank cool even if you have done it before. Then the starfish area. Each leg has something different to see and handle. Then we went inside the building and checked out the tanks and all interactive things. Walked up to 3rd for nice view of the place and back down to watch the feedings. There is talk about stingrays but no food. Next they feed the fish in the huge open air aquarium. Nurse sharks, rays, jacks, and lots more. The feeding was interesting as was the talk after about pollution and algae. Next off the green sea turtles feeding. They were having romaine lettuce. They put colored pole with a shape that each knows. They swim over bump the Pole and get fed. These had boat injuries so they would never be in the wild. Again another talk about them while they are being feed. Good for adults and great for kids. Highly recommended.

    Photos
    Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center - Trail through the mangroves

    Trail through the mangroves

    Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center - Learn about sea turtle biology and ways we can protect these majestic creatures

    Learn about sea turtle biology and ways we can protect these majestic creatures

    Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center - Scale replica of a manatee.

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    Scale replica of a manatee.

    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - The hours

    St. Lucie County Regional History Center

    4.6(7 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    I did not know what it expect from this local history museum. I was so wonderfully surprised. The…read moreexhibits in the main building tell the history of the region from early Spanish shipwrecks, to the people (Seminole, cow catchers, etc), a walk through the old shops, and introductions to many of the families in the community. There is also the neighboring house the shows how people lived in the early 20th century and the barn filled with agricultural material. Give yourself the time to wander the grounds, see the placards, and the mosaic bench. The staff was very welcoming.

    The museum is located next to the Indian River in Museum Pointe Park. The St. Lucie Aquarium is…read morelocated next door. The St. Lucie County Regional History Center was formerly known as the St. Lucie County Historical Museum and it opened in 1968. The Museum is currently owned by St. Lucie County and run by the volunteers of the St. Lucie Historical Society. There is an admission fee. The museum provides a nice overview of the history of St Lucie County, including the days of the Seminole Indians. The museum includes a lot of artifacts, displays of historic significance and some recreations. The ladies working in the museum would very knowledgeable and very willing to answer any questions. This is NOT a large museum but it includes a LOT of history and historical artifacts. Well worth a visit - allow 1-2 hours minimum.

    Photos
    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - Love these benches

    Love these benches

    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - To the entrance

    To the entrance

    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - One of the signs

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    One of the signs

    Manatee Center - childrensmuseums - Updated May 2026

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