FAMILY ATTRACTIONS / EXPLORATION
Science & Discovery
Crowley Museum & Nature Center
16405 Myakka Road
Sarasota
941-322-1000
www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org
The center offers an oasis where today’s and tomorrow’s generations can learn about the Florida’s rural gulf coast history.
Dinosaur World
5145 Harvey Tew Road
Plant City
813-717-9865
www.dinoworld.net
Step back in time and enjoy more than 150 life-size dinosaurs displayed outdoors with educational markers.
Explorations Children’s Museum
109 N. Kentucky Avenue
Lakeland
863-687-3869
www.explorationsv.com
Explore art, science, literature, health, life skills and cultures from around the world with displays that include child-size replicas.
G. Wiz, the Hands-On Science Museum
1001 Boulevard of the Arts
Sarasota
941-309-4949
www.gwiz.org
Permanent exhibits like the EcoZone and EnergyZone combine with fascinating traveling displays at this wildly entertaining and educational venue.
Great Explorations
The Pier, 1120 Fourth Street
St. Petersburg
727-821-8992
www.greatexplorations.org
Visitors are invited to touch, move, explore, and even become a part of the exhibits.
Kid City, the Children’s Museum of Tampa
7550 North Boulevard
Tampa
813-935-8441
Children will love this hands-on museum designed like a real city—only “kid-sized.”
Museum of Science & Industry
4801 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa
813-987-6000
www.mosi.org
Hundreds of interactive exhibits and the IMAX Dome Theater combine education with fun and excitement.
Science Center of Pinellas County
7701 22nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg
727-384-0027
www.sciencecenterofpinellas.com
This unique venue is designed as a learning environment for everyone from children to adults.
South Florida Museum
201 10th Street West
Bradenton
941-746-4131
www.southfloridamuseum.org
This exceptional complex presents Florida history, maritime displays, an observatory, an aquarium, manatees, and a planetarium.
Natural Wonders
The Florida Botanical Gardens
Pinewood Cultural Park
12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo
727-582-2100
www.flbg.org
Enjoy 182 acres of nature, art, and history including exotic tropicals and native plants in natural and formal gardens.
Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa
813-273-4000
http://www.flaquarium.org/
Three-story, glass-domed aquarium offers exhibits on Florida’s ecosystem and aquatic habitats.
Lowry Park Zoo
1101 West Sligh Avenue
Tampa
813-935-8552
www.lowryparkzoo.com
Home to more than 350 exotic species of animals from around the globe, the zoo is divided into theme areas.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 S. Palm Avenue
Sarasota
941-366-5731
www.selby.org
Don’t miss this open-air and under-glass museum that showcases thousands of orchids and bromeliads.
Mote Marine
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota
941-388-4441
www.mote.org
Enjoy spectacular exhibits including a 135,000-gallon shark habitat, hundreds of colorful fish, touch pools, and varied marine life.
Pier Aquarium
800 Second Avenue NE
St. Petersburg
727-821-6443
www.stpete-pier.com
Exhibits range from sharks to ecosystems that include coral reef tanks.
Tarpon Springs Aquarium
850 Dodecanese Boulevard
Tarpon Springs
727-938-5378
www.tarponspringsaquarium.com
Marine exhibitions are on display near the famous Sponge Docks.
