South Florida Museum

South Florida Museum

Looking for something new to do with the family? The largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast is right here in our area – The South Florida Museum. Both educational and fun, The South Florida Museum in Downtown Bradenton offers engaging exhibits as well as educational programs. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Museum features changing temporary exhibitions with something new to discover every visit.

Between the museum, planetarium, and manatee aquarium – it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring and learning more about our Gulf Coast heritage and beyond.

Museum highlights include fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest mammals and marine species and a collection of prehistoric and early post-contact archeological artifacts. There are also extensive exhibits highlighting Florida’s ecology and bio-diversity.

The Bishop Planetarium, features one of the most advanced all-digital projection systems in the world, presenting astronomy programs the whole family will enjoy.

The Parker Manatee Aquarium is part of Florida’s Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, having served as a temporary home to 35 rehabilitating manatees since 1998.

All on South Florida Museum grounds, all included in ticket purchase.

There are weekly events, programs, and a FREE summer learning day coming up on June  21st.

Special Offer:

The South Florida Museum is kicking off summer learning opportunities by hosting Summer Learning Day on Thursday, June 21, sponsored by Mosaic. The day includes free admission for Manatee and Sarasota county students ages 14 & younger, plus free admission for one adult chaperone per child.

Summer Learning Day at the Museum is designed to help families identify local resources that offer fun, engaging learning opportunities in their own backyards — and provides a way for families and children who may not normally have the means to visit the Museum and create opportunities for them to keep returning throughout the summer.

Visitors to Summer Learning Day at the Museum will receive a special kids’ guide to the Museum and a Summer Reading Log. For every five hours of summer reading a student logs, they will be able to return for another free day at the Museum (one parent or guardian will also get free admission). This special Summer Reading Log offer runs through Friday, Aug. 3.

For more information or to plan your trip: www.southfloridamuseum.org