Local Attractions and Museums
South Florida Museum and Aquarium
This museum covers local history and the aquarium features a 50-year-old manatee named Snooty. Watch feedings at 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Bradenton. 941-746-4131 www.southfloridamuseum.org
DeSoto National Memorial
Demonstrations by Park Rangers and volunteers in costumes showing cooking, blacksmithing, weapons and every day conditions of mid 16th century expedition of Hernando DeSoto. Park also has beautiful nature trails along Manatee River. Free admission. Bradenton.
941-792-0458. www.nps.gov/deso/index.htm
Lipizzan Stallions
Watch the winter training session of Colonel Ottomar Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria. The location of the training facility is 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City, Florida.
Ringling Museum Of Art
A large collection of 17th century Baroque art, a small circus museum, beautiful grounds and the Ringling mansion. Sarasota. 941-359-5700 www.ringling.org
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
See more than 100 classic cars spanning more than a century of automotive history. The museum’s collection is continuously growing and changing. Featured are extreme muscle cars and breathtaking exotics. Sarasota. 941-355-6228. www.sarasotacarmuseum.org
Mote Aquarium
Enjoy spectacular exhibits including a 135,000-gallon shark habitat, manatees, sea turtles and two touch pools. Open daily. Sarasota. 941-388-2451. www.mote.org
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
A wonderful attraction with mature tropical gardens, flamingos, and parrot, alligator and reptile shows. Great for small children, gardeners and snake lovers. Sarasota. 941-355-5305. www.sarasotajunglegardens.com/gardens.html
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Beautiful botanical gardens with a collection of 6000 orchids, butterfly garden, banyan grove and bay walk. Sarasota. 941-366-5731. www.selby.org
Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary rescues more than 4,000 birds, mammals and reptiles each year. Florida’s largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. Visit the sanctuary or explore Sarasota’s natural beauty aboard the 40-foot pontoon Peli Boat. Sarasota. 941-388-4444. www.pelicanman.org
G. Wiz
A hands-on museum for kids. Experience science, technology, and art with themes ranging from sound and music to mathematics and motion, color and optics, sight and illusion. Sarasota. 941-309-4949. www.gwiz.org
Florida International Museum
This Smithsonian Institution affiliate features numerous special exhibitions from around the globe. St. Petersburg. 800-777-9882. www.floridamuseum.org
Salvador Dali Museum
One of the area’s foremost cultural attractions, this museum is home to the world famous collection of works by Salvador Dali. St. Petersburg. 800-442-3254. www.salvadordalimuseum.org
Gambling Cruise
Over 1,000 slot machines and a variety of table games including Roulette, Blackjack, Craps and an exclusive Poker room. St. Petersburg. 1-877-45-JEWEL. www.oceanjewel.com
Florida Aquarium
Discover over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the globe. Encounter ocean predators from around the world, an expanded shark collection, exotic leafy sea dragons, otters, gators and more. Tampa. 813-273-4000. www.flaquarium.org
Busch Gardens
Here is where the rugged beauty of the Serengeti meets out-of-this-world rides and exotic animals. Look right into the eyes of Africa’s most amazing animals. Challenge the incredible heights and speeds of world-class coasters. Then relax and enjoy the spectacular entertainment of highly acclaimed shows.
Tampa. 1-888-800-5447. www.bushgardens.com
Lowry Park Zoo
Come face to face with more than 1,500 animals from around the world, in lush, natural habitats.
Tampa. 813-935-8552. www.lowryparkzoo.com
Mosi
Many spectacular exhibitions for all ages. There is an indescribable educational experience for everyone. 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa,FL. Tickets available online at www.mosi.org or by calling 813-987-6000
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