40 Best Stops Between Cedar Key and Naples (2025)

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Entrance fee is $2 per person collected at a gate house near the spring headwaters about .25 miles from the parking lot. There are some short trails, a swimming area, restroom/changing rooms, pavilions and grilling areas and a lawn area for sunbathing. The visitor center and snack bar were closed on the day of our visit, Tuesday in February.There is a watercraft launch and rental area located just past the swimming area which we used to launch our paddle boards. You will need to carry your watercraft from the parking lot to that area.The water is crystal clear, deep and 72 degrees year round. Paddling was great, next to no obstacles with light currents. I have had more scenic experiences, much of the river is occupied by residential areas on one side. Wildlife is abundant, turtles, fish and birds are everywhere. As in any water source in Florida there are alligators but we did not observe any during out 3 hours on the water. Best of all were the small coves along the river which provided opportunities to pull over and cool off with a swim.There is a campground located 7 miles by road from the spring that has its own watercraft launch.Overall the park was a great experience although I’m sure it would be difficult to have that same option had we gone on a weekend, the park closes the gate at capacity, or had we not taken the watercraft out to explore the river away from the swimming area.

The nature is reach and beautifulWe love it here because it was easy to find a shaded spot for a picnic under the trees and it’s very clean. Pets are allowed and there is lots of picnic table under the pavilionsYou can then jump in the deep water by the ramp. If you have small children with you bring a noodle, I’d like one for me too, the water is deep & the spring pool wideWe rented a kayak for one hours and was enoughThere is a beautiful cafe over the spring and a gorgeous trail where you can take a walk trough what was a zoo in the ‘60st … along the trail there is small waterfallI think you’ll have to walk 3 miles to reach the bigger oneNot tubes allowed

My husband and I went paddle boarding at rainbow springs and we loved it! Beautiful river! We didn’t get to see much wildlife but it was still worth seeing the crystal clear water.

While we didn’t make it in to the park during the daytime, the officer told us, “come back around 3p or 4p.” That’s when Rainbow Springs State Park would reopen. And….so we did!Beautiful and breathtaking views. The “watering hole” was jam packed with people at 4:30pm so I can’t imagine what it looks like when the park is at capacity. That said, we were able to enjoy some time in the very cold waters of Rainbow Springs.Definitely worth a stop and a return!! Canoe and kayak rentals are available, as well as a restaurant for eating. Learned that there are 3 waterfalls here so we went in searchEnjoy the pics!

Beautiful state park with a botanical garden with walking paths, canoe/kayak area, restrooms with changing rooms and a swimming area. The parking lot is only a 5-10min walk away. You can tell this is a touristy destination by their gift shop, food stand & how they set up the park. The swimming area is smaller than expected, but still an amazing experience. I saw a sea turtle while swimming!They do charge a $2 admission.The campground is nice, clean and spacious. Check in was easy & staff was friendly. You can see the stars above in the night. The area is quiet & great for families.

Wow wow wow! The experience you get here is truly unforgettable. Such a beautiful spring. Crystal clear water and cool. With a swimming area and also kayak and canoe rentals. Restrooms are on site. Lots of areas to setup a nice picnic. The views were beautiful here. It does get busy on the weekends. So it's best to arrive right before they open. For only $2 per person to get in. It's the best experience you can have for that price. Btw you are allowed to snorkel in the swimming area.

The place is magical. Great for spending the weekend. The only downside was that the actual swimming area and the rental area were closed due to a storm. The trails were amazing! As for the food sold at the cafeteria, the cheeseburger was a 10/10.

Beautiful, crystal clear water and scenic views. Absolutely loved tubing down this river. Saturdays are heavy with boat traffic but Sundays are pretty quiet on the river. You can bring your own tunes but the entry price is the same!

Fantastic place for a paddle. Water is crystal clear. Go to KP Hole for easy access to the river. You can drive, and drop off your kayak or paddle board, almost all the way to the water. Once your on the river go left (it’s much more scenic that direction). If you paddle to the end there is a nice swimming area.

The water was 72 degrees. It was beautiful, blue and cold. It's at least 7 plus feet deep. The waterfalls around the nature trails were pretty. They do need additional tables, chairs and BBQ grills. If you want to grill, make sure you get there early to get a grill. It has a nice open field for picnics and play time. You can bring your dogs to this park. They do have a cafe on site or you can bring your own food. You can use a kayak to view the wonderful and beautiful nature God created. I've lived in Florida all my life, and I didn't know this place was here. I really enjoyed the trails and cold water. You only have to pay $2.00 to get in, and make sure you keep your receipt for re entry (just in case you need to go back to your car or to get something to eat). It is a must see if you love the great outdoors! Enjoy!

You can find all your answers here before coming here. This place is so amazing to see one of the natural springs in Florida. Firstly, it's open all day, basically from sunrise to sunset, which sounds great! It's a perfectly clean environment with amazing natural sounds. Summertime is always packed, so I was able to visit in October, which made me feel like I was the only person in the state park. The weather here is a bit colder than in South Florida. The swimming pool area is a bit small, so it could be a problem during the summer for accommodating everyone. There's not enough flat space to sit on the ground for a picnic, but they do have a pavilion and a cafe. The restroom is close to the pool area. If you like, you can also do canoeing 🛶 or kayaking. Last but not least, it's $2 per person.Here's all you need:⭐️ Bring a noodle; the water is a bit deep, but you can feel secure.⭐️ Tubes are not allowed 🚫.⭐️If you have a cart, keep in mind that parking and the pool area are about a 5-minute walk away.⭐️Bring your snorkel 🤿 or goggles 👓.⭐️I highly recommend bringing a wetsuit if you have one; the water is around 72 degrees all year.⭐️Be ready to take amazing pictures!

This is a hard one to review. We are happy we visited once but we wouldn't go again unless we lived nearby and then it would be for the park as much as for the beautiful springs. The entry fee was only $1 per person when we visited due to a limited discount by the governor. Normal admission is $2 per person. Can't complain about that. You are limited to what type of floats you can bring in so make sure to read about that. The main thing I would address is the fact that the swimming area is over your head the entire space. I saw a man step off the steps and down he went totally not expecting to go over his head. He was surprised. Also, many parents had children that did not have appropriate floats on. Because of not being able to touch bottom and the coldness of the water, most people just crowded around the dock and all the stairs and steps were blocked most of the time. We enjoyed going in the water and had pool noodles that we brought in. They are allowed. But, it is nice to be able to put your feet on shallow spots in most of the springs we visit. If I had children I wouldn't go here when there are so many other springs that have shallow areas. The park itself is absolutely beautiful, with waterfalls and a very nice paved walkway that is a 2.5 mile loop. Definitely worth a visit....or several.

One of the most beautiful places ever. The water are crystal clear and have the most beautiful colors. They have a huge lawn where you can just chill, and a bbq area where they also have tables and benches. They also have a small shop at the entrance for snacks and drinks. You can rent a kayak or puddle board for around 17$-27$ per hour (or around 50$ for the entire day). Another huge benefit to this spring is that they have beautiful trails where you can walk about and explore the nature around. GO THERE! Tubes are not allowed. You can bring your own kayak or puddle board as well (don’t know if they charge you an extra fee for that).

Very beautiful 😍 I did not expect the water to be so blue!! It was so pretty I had an amazing time. The water was crystal clear, and you could swim down and touch the springs. I highly recommend bringing a pair of goggles and, if you have some, snorkels. I went paddle boarding and saw fish, birds, and turtles. This was an exciting and superb experience. I would definitely go again but there are other springs I would like to see as well.

Beautiful place to visit, the water is Crystal clear due to the springs.Lots of amazing wildlife in the water and on land.You swim in the sectioned area, rent a kayak and paddle down stream or take a relaxing walk through the gardens.Definitely worth a visit

This place is beautiful. Manybtrails to walk and enjoy nature. The spring water is crystal clear and at a constant temperature of 72°F.It is also a good place to rent or bring your own kayak.Their gift store is also a good place to stop by and the food it good. Would definitely visit again. Next time, I will do their tubing down the river.

Went to this Spring to do some paddelbaording and it did not disappoint. Beautiful clear water. Could see fish and turtles swimming under the water. There are areas of deep and shallow water. Couple of different areas to launch your kayak, SUP, or canoe. Has a swimming area marked off and has a little dock and a ladder where you can swim. There is a small gift shop and a cafe where you can get drinks and snacks. A nice outdoor seating area with tables. There are several trails. There is a trail that leads to a pretty waterfall.

Wow how beautiful this place was. I am definitely going swimming next time. You do have to be aware of gators around I would personally not tube but the view and the water was stunning. I look forward to coming back and experiencing more of this place. They had a cafe with drinks and food as well.

The best part about traveling to any spring in the state of Florida . Is getting there . And the back way is the most scenicRainbow Springs is definitely at the top of the list for Springs. A little physical for somebody who is struggling with strength. There's waterfalls throughout the property, but it's a very hilly terrain. Handicap accessible to see the falls and around the spring. But not handicap to get into the water. I was very disappointed and exhausted after driving 3 hours to go there. I wasn't able to get into the water. I used the Springs as part of my therapy after having a broken back. I spoke to the Rangers about having a handicap accessible ramp that goes down into the water. Some of the Springs have the handicap chair. There is more than one handicap person going to the park. The park is beautifully maintained. The spring is absolutely breathtaking, always a 72° all year round. It's a $2 fee to get in and definitely worth it. There are several springs in the surrounding area. You can ask for a spring map and also a state park map for Florida. There are over 176 state parks, not including National in the State of Florida alone. And at least 75 Natural Springs in the state of Florida. Each one being more beautiful than another.I hope you enjoy my recommendation. Safe travel🏞Simply Paradise MicheleG

Very fun. Kids had a blast swimming. It was early January and only 65 degrees but the kids were more than happy to spend a few hours in the swimming area. Walking around park was very nice, lots of beautiful scenery, waterfalls and streams. Nature trails were also fun but didn’t get a chance to explore them all. Will definitely be returning next time we are here for vacation.To be clear, not sure if diving or jumping is allowed but it was 6-7’ deep and kids never got yelled at so🤷‍♂️

Lovely park. Beautiful views of the water and the waterfalls. Nicely paved paths for walking. Everything is wheelchair accessible. Clean bathrooms, friendly and knowledgeable staff, plus a nice gift shop.

One of the most beautiful places on the planet to swim. If you kayak or tube down the river, you will see some of the most stunning vistas, alongside a vast array of exotic wildlife. Insane place. One of my "happy" places for sure.

Love Rainbow Springs! Went during the summer so it was a bit crowded in the swimming area but that's to be expected this time of year. We love walking around the path to look at the waterfalls as well as the swimming hole. We didn't kayak or get tubes so I can't comment on that part.

A favorite place to go for a swim in cool clear spring water and to walk trails through waterfalls (man-made) but very pretty none the less. This is also a stunning river to see. It is very clear.The park can fill up early on a weekend, so you need to plan and arrive early as they close the gates once capacity is reached.There are clean bathrooms, not terribly modern, but clean and a very nice swimming area that is quite popular.Swimming-There is no beach area, you enter from a long floating raft / dock area. You do not get to swim over the mouth or openings of the springs, just in a large sandy bottomed area of cool, clear, spring water. You will not be able to touch bottom and stand, so bring a pool noodle if you want to float about with some support.**Do know the only floats allowed in the swimming area are the pool noodles. Show up with anything else, and they will not let you bring it in.Playground - Open SpaceI don't recall any kids' "playground". There is a large lawn with pavilions around for picnics and I often see younger people tossing a football around and such. Great spot to throw out a blanket and relax, lets the kids run and play. The whole park is hilly and those with mobility issues will find it difficult.Waterfalls and TrailsMany years ago this was a tourist attraction. They created waterfalls with the use of limestone and pumps, and they run still today. You can walk along the river and then through wooded settings that showcase these running streams and fountains.There are plants and flowers to admire along the way. If you go when the azaleas are blooming, it is quite nice to see.The information on the old tourist attraction can be found online, it is interesting to read up on. You can visit the old animal habitats and a few other bits and pieces left over from long ago.Canoes - Kayaks - etc.I believe you may be able to rent canoes and such from a company who works with the park. The S.P website should tell you.Gift Shop - CafeThere is a small gift shop and a little cafe. I have picked up a drink at this spot, but never any food as I always bring a lunch. I have seen many people eating there, so it is an option. The gift shop has your typical things and they do often have those approved pool noodles you may want and other swimming gear. The cafe is a slightly limited menu, but there are some options. I believe you can even get a beer or wine.I really enjoy the building these two things are in, it is limestone and stepped levels of seating that allow you to look out and down over the spring and river. It is very pretty. We often bring our lunch from the car up here, usually a few deli sandwiches, chips and drinks and eat here and that is no problem.FeesEntrance fee is minimal. I think around 2 dollars per person. The parking lot is separated from the entry gate that you pay at. If you want to go back to your car, you'll need to keep hold of your receipt to re-enter.

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this park by myself. Beautiful walking trails with man-made waterfalls were very peaceful. The water is gorgeous and I highly recommend paddling down the rainbow river on a shuttle run if you'd like to kayak or paddleboard. It's the clearest river you will find. There was lots of wildlife. This park is well-maintained and absolutely worth visiting!

I went to see the waterfalls. They were really nice. Worth the drive from Jax. The parking was sketchy. The entrance fee is $2 a person. Come early because they closed at 1pm Saturday because they were full to capacity.

It's like your own peaceful island! I spring hop often and this is by far the best I've been to! Not just for the waterfalls or the amazing springs but they also had restrooms, a gift shop and a snack bar!! It is clean and well kept also! I went during a weekday and got there as soon as they opened so it was quiet for the first few hours before it got busy! It was still serene tho!

Beautiful. Lovely place with waterfalls parking. But it was a little crowded has restrooms, food court, even some alcohol, nice little trails, not very long, though. Also has some hills be prepared if you plan on walking.

Beautiful spring fed river. If it hasn't rain it's very clear- blue-green in color. Temp stays about 60-65 degrees so very refreshing in the Florida heat! Some natural wildlife. We went in via the tubing for the National Park ($26/person) where they drive you upriver drop you off and you float back down. They will allow you to keep your keys at the cabin where they load everyone up. If you want to pay extra for a cooler tube, a double tube you have to do it at the cabin or when you drive up to purchase tickets at the parking lot (no extra cost for parking). Snacks also available at the cabin. No disposable water bottles allowed on the river. Lasts about 1.5hr-1.75hr depending on water flow.

Rainbow springs is always worth the trip! I’ve been coming here since I was little and they’ve done a great job preserving it all these years so that it’s always just as it was the last time. Sometimes it gets really crowded but we don’t care. Jumping in to breathtaking water is just what you need in Florida and sometimes you make some friends while you’re here! If you get a chance, stop by, admission is only $2 per person.

Beautiful place! Very well maintained, friendly staff. $2 entry fee per person. Not a lot of parking so, come early. A gift shop and a small cafe are available but, not always open so bring whatever you might need, just in case. If bringing small children, please bring some type of USCG-approved flotation device for them as the water is too deep for even adults to stand. There's no beach access, just steps and pier access. You are not allowed to hang out on the steps either so again, it's recommended to bring flotation devices for younger kids and non swimmers. Waterfalls, trails, covered picnic areas and open grassy areas for picnics and sitting are all some great features.

The experience was awesome and we would do it again! We went to the first area you come across which is not the tubing area. When you arrive and after you park your vehicle you will walk to the pay booth which is CASH ONLY. Once you are inside the park the gift shop and snacks you can pay using your credit card. To rent a canoe or a kayak you can also use your credit card. There's a grass area where you can set up your if you want to sun bathe but there's no one guarding your belongings. Unless you go with a group I don't recommend it. The kayak and canoe rental area does get busy and the lines backed up so get there early. In my unsolicited opinion the park and/or staff could do better to move people along. I would say have the waivers ready for people to fill out and complete before getting to the window. Also giving the staff walkie talkies would save time. Also when a customer is finished using the canoe or kayak upon arrival they have to stand back in line to pay for the rental. The clock is still ticking and you would have to stand back in line and wait until you get to the window. This has some customers skipping the line causing confusion and frustration among those that don't understand. For this I would recommend having a separate payment window or even a payment stand to expedite the process. If anyone has any ideas on how to make this process more efficient please share with the park for it would help all of us. Also there are no locker rooms to place your personal stuff in. Minimize what you are bringing with you to the park and keep them in what is known as a dry bag.

The head spring with large DEEP swimming hole is here. Bring cheap noodle and snorkel gear! You have to tread water the entire time - nothing to hang on to. The campground has a small swimming area & it is not deep. Both state park & the campground have kayak launches and rentals. If you bring your own vessel plan on walking 1/2 mile to launch sites. There is a lot of green & brown algae. We saw gators, turtles, river otters! Large mouth bass, mullet, sun fish, gar. The BEST section to paddle board or kayak is from the State Park headspring to KP hole or state campground. Going any further down the river is pointless - the entire river is lined with houses and the water becomes more and more murky. We did the 6.5 mile run to withlacoochee river (with private company) that offers shuttle service so you can float down the river - NOT WORTH IT for me- I wish I would have instead spent more time in the beautiful crystal clear water in between the state park & KP Hole. There is a secret spring in between state park and KP Hole - don’t miss it! Most of the beautiful photos you see are taken here at the secret spring run. NO MANATEES here since they built 185 mile barge/dam 1965-1990 signed by President LBJ (linden B Johnson).

Better than I could have imagined! Definitely recommend the kayaking, I wish we were there for longer to do the all day kayak. The water is a lil chilly which feels so nice. Bring goggles/snorkel! $2 per person to get in is totally worth it. The water is so clear and blue and we saw lots of wildlife! I recommend bringing a pool noodle since the swimming area is 6ft+ in all areas.

We took a motorcycle ride and visited here to take in the scenery. The park was beautiful. It has a crystal clear spring area for swimming. It also had very pretty waterfall's for viewing. They had a gift shop, and a snack bar. There were also indoor restrooms. There is walking involved up, and down hill. It appeared that a motorized handicapped seated scooter could be used if needed. There was a $2.00 entry fee per person.

Absolutely worth a visit! The swimming area is really refreshing, there are pretty cute waterfalls to see with a quick & easily walk. The food was good. All of the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I really fell in love with some tshirts in the gift shop!

Beautiful park (in Ocala City)., entrance $2 cash per person , you need to visit, don't lose this adventure.You can rent kayak per hour or day, bring a case for your personal items, and don't forget a personal bottle drink for use while a kayak.You can bring your food and beverages (not alcohol).You can swim in specific areas . Available picnic and barbecue areas.

This was a beautiful hidden gem! We were extremely surprised by the cleanliness of the park and it was a great place to spend the whole day! The water was SO clear i felt like i was swimming in an aquarium. The water is pretty deep so if you or your kids are not great swimmers i recommend life jackets or floaties. I wish i could come back and bring a paddle board to further explore. There is also a short hike trail that is paved to go see some small waterfalls. It was pretty crowded on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of July but we didn’t mind.

This is the heads springs for the Rainbow River the water is crystal clear. There is a roped off area for swimming. During the week it is not too crowded, a bit more peaceful and quiet. During the winter months, even quieter. A few waterfalls along a paved walkway and some fish ponds. Picnic tables, benches to relax on, public restrooms. The staff was very friendly. The nature trails are sand and very wooded but easy to navigate. Parking can be a problem During the summer months, have to get there early. You can rent kayaks there also, I didn't, so can't comment on that. Just a beautiful state park worth every bit of the $2 entrance fee.

Very awesome trails and the swimming area is great. You can rent kayaks and canoes to go down the river. Great picnic areas and you cam bring your own grills.

This place is AMAZING. Beautiful. Spectacular. We rented a kayak and got dropped off up stream from there we paddled to the state park and jumped in the water and paddled downstream to the rental place/blue gator. Paddling up to the state park took about 30ish minutes paddling downstream took about 2 hours so be prepared, being lots of sunscreen and go early in the morning!!!! The wind is not fun to paddle against. If we were to do it again we would’ve gone out at 9am instead of 1pm!!! But overall Excellent Experience!! 12/10

We went tubing down the spring. Super relaxing and beautiful. Water was crystal clear!! Staff were amazing. For the price, you get the tram and tubes. For the three of us, it was around $84 for about 2 hours of floating down the springs. I'm definitely going back!! We also went to the headspring to swim, but it was at capacity. So we waited a couple of hours and went back. Unfortunately, the swimming area was closed due to lightning. If you want to go swimming, I recommend you get there early as it fills to capacity fast. Overall, it was a great experience!

I've been here a couple times now and enjoyed each visit. Haven't been to many Florida state parks yet but this is one of my favorites. The kayaking is good and the gardens, flowers and waterfalls are beautiful. Worth a visit if you are near Ocala or looking to detour off I-75.

The park is gorgeous!!The spring is crystal clear and the perfect temp, lots of small fish to look at perfect if you have a waterproof camera or GoPro.They have kayak and canoe rental available, a gift shop if you want goggles or a snorkel.

I LOVE THIS PARK. It is my favorite spring in Florida so far. The waterfall trails and the spring area is so incredibly beautiful.Our only complaint is that it gets so insanely busy so quickly. We visited at 9AM on a Wednesday and hardly anyone was in the water but by 10 AM it was starting to get extremely busy. We ended up leaving and heading back to our campground to rent paddle boards.We tried going back the next day (Thursday) and again, by 11 AM and the entire parking lot was full. We left waited until 2 PM to see if maybe some openings showed up and it was still full.It was the week of Memorial Day so we’re not sure if that’s the norm or not for week days but it is discouraging. We expect it on weekends but we were caught off guard to see it that busy during the week.We understand that like us, everyone wants to enjoy the beauty. But it just makes it hard to enjoy the area when it’s completely packed.

If you're planning to visit Florida, you should definitely add this beautiful spring to your list. The water looks absolutely stunning and the park itself is well-maintained and welcoming to tourists. The restrooms are clean and fresh, which is always a plus. I'd highly recommend packing your swimsuits and snorkeling gear, as this is a great spot to take a dip and explore the underwater scenery.Disclaimer : bring your sun screen and mosquito repellent when you visit this spot

We came just to kayak but we took the time to walk around. We went on a Sunday and the company that runs the kayak place got there late and wasn’t very friendly. Other than that it was a nice day at the park. Very pretty.

4.7

(9171)

4.5

(945)

19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432, USA

33 lists

This spot was absolutely amazing! A hidden paradise waiting to be found. Lucky for me, I have my own kayaks but you can rent some nearby. I launched mine from Pete's Marina. (Must pay to park) I highly suggest kayaking to this spot. Once there, you can swim or snorkel in the springs like I did. So amazing. Water was cool but not freezing. It was crystal clear. Fish swimming around of all sizes. I was even able to swim down to the bottom of the spring and watch some of the water come out of the ground. Such an amazing experience and beautiful. I felt so rejuvenated after my swim in there.

This is such a beautiful place to kayak and snorkel. You can't get on the rocks or the land but you can jump out of your kayak and snorkel around. We then used a rock that was out in the water to hoist ourselves back into our kayaks. We also kayaked around out in the river and saw manatees out there. Definitely would like to come back and swim in this area again in the future after they open back up.

Such a beautiful place! Lots of people,So going maybe on a weekday early is better, but still magical and our kids loved swimming in the refreshing cool water. Sadly we didn’t see any manatees this time, but did see a water snake as we were heading back.

Beautiful! Not too busy. We visited on a Tuesday early in the afternoon. We paddled in from Hunter Springs Park. You can swim there between April 1 and Oct 31, but you need to tie off your boat outside the spring entrance because you are not allowed to put your kayak on the rocks/shoreline. (Unfortunately, we did see people doing it, though.)Three Sisters Springs is a NATIONAL wildlife refuge. We want to go back and visit by land. You can not launch any paddle craft within the refuge. And you can not paddle into it from Nov 1 - Mar 31.It was beautiful but a little tough to get to. If we go back, we'll paddle from a different direction (not through King's Bay. Be forewarned, based on the signs the big boat tragic is busy on the weekends. We only encountered a few big boats, but we went on a Tuesday.All in all, they are lovely springs worth seeing. <3

Park seemed pricey to get in especially after we just finished swimming with the manatees! But, it was definitely worth it to see a different side. Great place to capture beautiful pictures and get to see the manatees up top!Hint hint...if u don't like to walk...go left not right from the ticket booth...this will get you to the boardwalk quicker! Manatees blend in with the rocks so pay attention. There is no parking here and need to park at the shopping center. This is not where u catch the trolley either...so make sure u are at the right location for what u want to do!

Kayaked in (October) to see the springs and look for wildlife. Manatee Lou was surrounded by snorkelers. Amazing to see a manatee up close, but it seemed like they just wanted to get away from all the people. Also spotted fish, birds, and a ray. Glad we chose to visit the springs via kayak as it wouldn't have been as memorable via the boardwalk, plus it was free to access via water compared to the $12.50 per person fee the refugee concessioner charges.

This is a very interesting place. Upside...great volunteers that care deeply for these majestic mammals. They are friendly, approachable and full of helpful information about the area, animals and conservation. Being able to view these precious animals in their natural habits was very memorable.Downside....lots of snorkelers and kayakers took away from the full peacefulness of the moment.....but did offer a bit of entertainment of thier own.

Temporarily closed on our visit. However, we swam in the springs. Beautiful. Water temp was 77 degrees. Lots of fish and manatee. Crystal clear

You can see manatees here in winter. The manatees at Three Sisters Springs offer a captivating experience, showcasing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. The crystal-clear waters provide a unique opportunity to observe these endangered creatures up close. The conservation efforts and strict guidelines ensure a respectful and responsible encounter, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

We have mixed feelings about this. We loved the manatees, the springs the clear water. The boardwalk around it is nice and clean, I believe the refuge area are trying to do a good thing. We would love to be able to interact with the manatees but we don't. It's for their own good. We understand. I'm guessing the park people are volunteers. A little unorganized it the entrance. Maybe having a bad day,but no problems. Beautiful area.The BAD. the commercialization is very sad, there were over 100 swimmers in the springs with these manatees. Commercial pontoon boats lined up in the canal dropping off and picking up swimmers. It's disappointing. Such a beautiful natural area being corrupted like this is sad. I'm glad the refuge is mostly protected, but I wish they would make it off limits to swimmers and companies doing this.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Three Sisters Springs in Florida is an absolute gem! From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the crystal-clear waters and the natural beauty of the surroundings. The springs are pristine, with stunning turquoise waters that make you feel like you’re in a tropical paradise.The springs are well-maintained, and the staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, providing insightful information about the wildlife and the ecosystem.Kayaking through the springs was a serene and peaceful experience. The water is so clear that you can see fish swimming beneath you, and the lush vegetation around the springs adds to the enchanting atmosphere. Whether you're swimming, snorkeling, or simply enjoying the view from the boardwalk, there's something magical about this place.Three Sisters Springs is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and anyone looking to experience the beauty of Florida’s natural springs. We will definitely be back!

Overall the park itself and the environment is pretty delightful, with access to hiking trails, views of the spring etc. Volunteers were present to guide which was great. We saw on manatee which was great too.The downside was—you had to park 1mile farther in the city hall and use their shuttle service/or walk to reach the springs. Also the entry fee was on the higher side (20$ per adult). And, there was no access to waters/swimmimg for that price while if you could pay extra for boating, kayaking and swimming through boating companies nearby, wierd for a state owned park?Overall, I would rather go to another spring where we can swim.

This is a beautiful refuge and worth the cost to visit. If you have a National Park Pass, you will get a discount. We paid a total of $25.00 for the 2 of us. We went to the City Hall in Crystal Springs and behind the building is where you buy your tickets and can take a shuttle or bus to the refuge. We visited in February and you cannot swim in the Three Sisters Springs. However, you can see MANY manatees in the springs, which is crystal clear and a beautiful blue color. There is a boardwalk around the springs with viewpoints. There are also short hiking trails. We saw many manatees in the canals around the springs as well. The water is not as blue and clear in the canals, however.

Beautiful crystal clear springs. If you want to see manatees you have to go when the temperature in the Gulf is below 68°, they go in the springs looking for warmer waters. It was too hot this day si I didn't see any manatees. There guides along the boardwalk that share their knowledge with you. Very interesting

This park is definitely a must to go to in the winter when the manatees huddle to keep warm. Go in the morning, so you see lots of them. It really isn’t a huge park so it’s not an all day adventure. The boardwalk is the main attraction to see the manatees. They do have several other trails to walk. Take your National park pass if you have it to get a discount.

Worth the $20. I wanted to see manatees and this is the perfect place to see them. Nice walking trails and friendly, informative guides as well. Picnic area and restrooms with a shuttle for those who don't want to walk.You can also pay to snorkle, kayak or do a little boat tour. I think snorkeling would be worth it but not kayaking nor boat ride. Too crowded and too small of an area. You can see manatees better from the walking trails. Look at the pictures. You cannot come into roped off areas. Manatees are mostly in the roped off areas.

If you look carefully while riding across the bridge, you might be able to spot manatees swimming through crystal clear water under the bridge. We parked the car, walked back, and were blessed to see a mother and baby gliding along. ☺️ They were on their way to join a whole community farther along, up near the shores of the Ellie Schiller State Wildlife Park. What a very special experience!!

Beautiful wildlife refuge area with several hiking/walking paths. There are some shaded areas but more areas that are not. So, bring the sunscreen, hats and bug spray. The entrance fee was $12/pp. There is a shuttle that can transport you to different areas of the park. At the entrance they provide a map with the different locations. The bathrooms are new, clean and have cool running A.C. The lookout points onto the springs will allow you to see the beautiful crystal river, manatees and kayaks in the water. *You cannot enter the water through here and you cannot launch your kayak from here* but you can enter these springs through the waterway by launching from other locations nearby (like hunter springs) with a kayak, paddle board or canoe.

We boated here from Pete’s Pier which was challenging in the wind. We saw a few manatee on our way over and loved the springs! There’s a lot of monitoring of the space and it was pretty crowded. Today there was only one manatee there so we must’ve just missed the season (today is April 4th and the season typically ends around 3.31). Either way: clean, gorgeous and magical!

The real Garden of Eden. I recommend bringing or renting your own paddle board and taking the 15/20 min paddle from Hunter Springs over to this oasis. We spent 3 hours there just swimming, relaxing, and commenting on how this was one of the most beautiful places we have ever been!We went on a Wednesday morning/afternoon, great time to go because it’s not too crowded.

Great clear water in one section the deepest. You can kayak or swim in from the entrance by water side only not on the trails they have they gated off. State Park guards are constantly yelling at people to get away from edges, and making up stories to get you away from where they want you to be it’s overall odd. Found out this is the only clear water left in Crystal River due to they took out all the invasive flowers that was actually filtering the water, why they let that happen is a puzzle to me if they are so environmental. Crystal River is no longer clear.

Took a manatee snorkel tour with one of the many tour operators in the area. Went with Fun 2 Dive on March 2- was able to swim into the three sisters springs which is normally closed off. On this day, it was open. There were two female manatees resting near the spring. Overall great experience.

Our goal of going here was to see the manatees and we were lucky enough to see a bunch of them. The water is so crystal clear and beautiful. The walking is very easy and isn't too long of a walk. I'd suggest bringing bug spray if you are sensitive to bugs as there was quite a few biting us but it wasn't much of an issue. I'd definitely suggest stopping to see this place.

We had scheduled a boat trip to see the manatees, but came here first. In walking around the boardwalk and seeing so many, we canceled our boat trip. This preserve is beautiful. I love that the waters are roped off completely to keep people out of the waters to leave the manatees alone. It was really exciting to see some young calfs in there too.

Crystal clear water! If you go to the gate entrance, you can pay about $12 to walk the boardwalk around the springs. If you want to get in the water, you need to rent a kayak or have something to enter the springs from the outside. No swimming or water entry from the boardwalk. We rented kayaks in town and took them into the springs to swim. Bring snorkeling gear if you have it!

Beautiful Springs and wildlife trail around the lake. The boardwalk around the Springs gives you a wonderful view of the Manatees. Winter is the time to see them gathering in the warm Springs that stay 72 degrees year round.

I love this spring. We spend our 32nd anniversary here. We walked around the whole place and enjoyed seeing some manatees, Aligator, and people Snorkling with manatees. The water is so clear and so inviting. We also had an opportunity to attend a botanical tour and learned about different types of plants that are around the park it was very informative. I highly recommend this place to visit.If you decide to come, make sure you read the website. This place is part of National Wildlife Refuge.See all the photos attached for prices. If you have a National Park Pass and Military ID, it could save you half of the prices of the general public entrance fee.

We had a wonderful late Mother's Day. We used Hunter Springs kayak they were fantastic!! Took our kayaks to amd from the push off. The springs were absolutely beautiful.

Excellent, excellent, excellent! In January and February, this is the place to see manatees! In most places, you are so far from the manatees that all you see is bumps. Here, they can be just a few feet away (if you are lucky).The boardwalk goes all the way around the hot springs and part of the inner coastal where they hang out.

Beautiful park! Multiple viewing areas to see Manatees and crystal clear springs. There is a shuttle to get to the springs or a decent walk from the parking lot. It was pretty crowded when we were there but worth the crowd to see these beautiful animals

Three Sisters Springs is a manatee wonderland! It's truly incredible – the only place where you can witness such a gathering of these gentle giants in one spot. The volunteers are passionate and knowledgeable, ready to answer any manatee-related questions.With about six viewing points, the experience is breathtaking as you observe hundreds of manatees. We visited in December and caught the perfect time to see them. The trail offers a super easy walk, but if you prefer, there's a convenient shuttle option.While the entrance fee is $20 per person, it's a small price to pay for the privilege of supporting these magnificent creatures. The money goes towards the well-being of the manatees, making the visit not only awe-inspiring but also a meaningful contribution to their conservation. 🌊🌿🐋💙

The springs are well cared for. There is a nice new bathroom and the volunteer guides were very knowledgeable. The visitors center is just outside the front gate in a strip mall, so definitely a good choice to park. We used the closest city parking a walk away but should have just parked at the center. The shuttle was useful but the walk is very nice too. There were still quite a few tourists, but not as bad as I imagine the springs near Orlando. Overall it was an underwhelming experience for Floridians. The number of manatees were more than we usually see but not by alot. The high tide advice was good, they do travel in and out more at that time.The town is adorable and clearly catering to tourists from the North. The restaurants were crowded even after lunch time. If you are driving from a short distance away it would be worth it. We drove from the other side of the State and it may not be worth that kind of drive unless you just enjoy a day trip anyway. A bit costly per person for an entrance fee, when you can’t swim and only observe.

Very cool to see so many manatees so close. The park is very confusing to get into. You have to pay, drive down the road, park and walk back to the manatees. Terrible set up. They had clean restrooms. They had staff there to answer questions. It was very crowded so don't expect a peaceful stroll. Nice accessible pathways with ramps.

Beautiful place definitely worth visiting. We launched our paddle board from Hunter’s Springs Park and paddle to the springs, it’s a super chill paddling, we were lucky enough to see some manatees. The springs were beautiful, you can swim as long as you don’t touch the rocks nor tie your vessel to any tree or sign. There are volunteers there making sure that no one does it. After that, we kept paddling and we went to King’s spring, there’s a bar around there where we had a snack before coming back to Hunter’s Park

Absolutely beautiful. Kayak in and swim in the crystal clear water. Its a little cold but you get used to it. Even swam with a manatee. Definitely recommend!

4.6

(3302)

4.5

(1653)

917 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA

1 list

My husband and I visited Gypsy Gold Horse Farm last Saturday. This was, by far, the best visit of its type I have ever experienced. I knew about Gypsy Vanners thanks to a video some years ago and was enchanted by them. Dennis Thompson brings their history to the forefront and, additionally, presents a wonderful insight into the people who first developed the beginnings of this breed and who are, often, so misunderstood. Dennis presents history well and is incredibly personable and kind. When you leave, you feel you have a new friend.Whether you are just looking for a new and unusual highlight to a vacation, or are interested in becoming more involved at some level, Gypsy Gold is the place to go.We will be returning as often as we can. Dennis has some beautiful and wonderful plans for the future that are best described by him. Go. You will not regret it. You’ll get to meet, up close, some of the finest equine specimens on the planet. Take carrots!

This was a wonderful place to visit! It was very informative, educational for all. We visited yesterday, my 6yr &14yr old grandchildren are still talking about it! I know we will definitely be visiting again. Owner and all staff are exceptional. Animals are absolutely gorgeous! Thank-you for this experience!

Great place to visit, the horses are all so friendly and beautiful! Aside from the horses they also have goats, donkeys and birds. The staff were all great and really informative about the breed. Definitely worth the tour around the farm!

Gypsy Gold farm is inspirational and educational. Dennis, the owner, gave us a wonderful overview of his history with all animals and focused on his connection to the Vanner horses and gypsies. My heart was touched by his commitment to his vision for these horses. I hope everyone will take the time to visit the farm - you will walk away inspired by the people and animals. To be able to be up close and look into the eyes of these majestic horses is an extraordinary experience. They are gentle animals...just amazing. If you have children or Grandchildren this is THE place to bring them and bring a bag of carrots!! The kids will love feeding the animals. The tour is wonderful...really a delightful experience!!! This will become our "go to" destination for our family and friends who visit us in Ocala.

The owners are great; there is a great story behind this place and the breed and the owners spins a nice tale. Also, these are some of the most beautiful horses I’ve seen.

We had a lovely time touring, learning and loving on the horses. Dennis is a gifted storyteller and made the history come alive. We could have listened for hours - this man needs a YouTube channel or podcast!!!

We did the 45 minute tour and enjoyed it. Brief introduction from the owner, Dennis, about the history of the horses and the ranch was interesting. Sure, lectures are not for everyone but we wanted to know the history of the breed and the farm so we found it informative. The walking tour that followed did not disappoint. The grounds are beautiful, lots of large oaks and green pastures. The horses are beautiful, friendly and came up to our group. We were are able to get up close to touch and rub them and take photos. The volunteer who gave the tour was excellent. They are very passionate and it shows. We would definitely visit again when beck in the area.

Far exceeded my expectations! I was captivated by the warm and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the owners' genuine love for their Gypsy Vanner horses, as well as all of the other animals on the farm. Every corner of the farm resonates with the passion and dedication of the owners, making it a unique and memorable experience. You can feel the love and care that goes into every aspect of this haven for both horses and visitors. It is a truly special place where the owners' vibrant life and and connection with the horses shine through in every detail. I also love that they are now sharing this experience with the local schools, educating the children and teaching compassion. I highly recommend a visit to Gypsy Gold Farm :)

An unforgettable experience. This place is absolutely magical. A must visit. It is an educational, and inspiring place. The animals are so beautiful and the opportunity to interact so closely with them is humbling, and therapeutic. Thank you for sharing your dream and passion with us. I will definitely visit again and recommend to others.

Beautiful horses in a picturesque setting. Go for the lecture, you can tell Dennis has a passion for the breed. His presentation was informative and entertaining. Well worth the time to visit.

Horse Lovers, gotta see theGypsy Vanner . Beautiful farm. Wonderful tour walk. Absolutely loved seeing these Majestic beauties .

Our first visit to Florida HAD to include a tour of Gypsy Gold. I have followed the breed since it was first introduced to the USA by the Thompson. Wonderful breed, love story, and gorgeous horse farm. Everybody at the farm was amazing as well.It was a great day!

It was a great learning experience at Gypsy Gold Horse Farm.The tour guide is very informative, friendly, outgoing, and able to answer questions. The horses are amazing, healthy, and well taken care ofIf you're a horse lover, I highly recommend Gypsy Gold Horse Farm for you, family, and friends. By the way, they also have donkeys, mules, and parrots.

Wow we were at peace I wish we could live there we would take care of the horses 24/7 I know is a lot of work I have 9 dogs lol but this was by far the best experience of our life it changes me lol I see horses so different now this horses r like golden retriever but with hooves (like Tayler said ) they r so gentle and sweet is unbelievable!! Ohhh pls bring carrots I wish I did… next time I will bring lots of carrots… this experience u have to do … and they give u a history of how this beautiful animal came along is very interesting and if cought me off guard where he was going with it… if u love animals as much as we do u going to feel different about this horses… ohhh and donkeys too there is a baby there that he has tricks🤣🤣🤣🤣 u have to see!!! Before he gets too big!! Go and it will change your life!!!!❤️❤️❤️

Beautiful place to visit! The horses love visits- and CARROTS! Pick some up at a grocery store before visiting. They do not sell carrots at the farm. The horses are wonderful personalities and great with kiddos. 🥰

My family and I visited today. Dennis and Erin were wonderful. It was a unique experience, and my family felt lucky to hear Dennis' story first hand. His passion for these stunning creatures, his knowledge, and story are a wonder to witness and hear. Please ignore the people saying the over hour talk wasn't worth it. It was worth every minute, and made me teary eyed many times! We feel blessed to have met Dennis and Erin. Dennis and Erin took us on the tour of the property, where we interacted with so many of the horses. Also, Dennis' vision for the future of the Gypsy Gold Farm is just beautiful. If you love horses and animals, then you will love visiting this special place.

Gypsy Gold Horse Farm is a beautiful property with a quite interesting history. The owner, Dennis, told everyone about the beginnings of the Gypsy Vanner breed including a great historical overview of the gypsy families that he spent time with to learn more about their culture. Dennis is an excellent speaker who kept us engaged with lively and humorous stories of his own personal life in the equine industry including the colorful cast of characters he's met along the way. Afterwords he took us on a guided tour of the farm to meet his menagerie of interesting and beautiful animals. The two hours we spent at Gypsy Gold Horse Farm was an enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

We had a wonderful time visiting the farm! The stories were great and visiting with the beautiful animals was really amazing. Highly recommend setting up some time to go and visit!

I brought my daughter here while she was visiting and we both left like we had just watched a movie. The history of this farm, the horses, the people (present & past) so amazing. Dennis is the kind of person you could sit and hear stories of his life experiences for hours. Taylor was also exceptional in speaking with everyone and sharing knowledge with us regarding the farm, and the animals as well.I plan to go again with other family members as I also believe they will love the experience just as much as we did.

We did the 2 hour tour and loved every minute of it! Dennis’s stories are epic and Erin is a wonder and gracious hostess. Meeting the horses and feeding them carrots were the highlight of my visit to Florida.

What a great day at Gypsy Gold Horse Farm. was so informative about the history of this breed of horse and how he originally brought it to America. Seeing them up close was very nice, along with the young colts. Well worth the cost and time spent there.

I took my Granddaughter and it was a great trip! Mr. Dennis has such a love for his horses, birds, mules, donkeys and mini donkey named "Patience"!! Our guide, Elana, was wonderful. She is knowledgeable of the animals. We were offered water and bug spray for our tour of the farm. I even found a Bryer horse in the gift shop for my Granddaughter. I highly recommend and will visit again!

4.8

(396)

5.0

(1063)

12501 8th Ave, Ocala, FL 34473, USA

1 list

Up close and personal with some of Florida most unique animals. So many wonderful birds, fish, cougars, and even a hippo. Yhey also have a Florida black bear. Easy walk with lots of stopping to view the animals. I feel kids of all ages would find this place exciting.

2 adults in our 40s and we loved this place. Came in January and no one was there. Def do the boat ride. Enjoyed seeing and learning about the rich history of old time Florida-and catching a glimpse into the past Today. Saw manatees around the observation deck. Then eat at Skinny Tortuga afterwards (great local food truck).

We'd seen several reviews about this place and intended to make it part of our trip. On a tour, someone almost talked us out of it, but I'm so glad we went.First, we love that many of the animals there have been rescued and we got to read about their journey.Second, I appreciated the fact that they had accessible features, including ramps, elevators, lifts into the train, viewing cutouts to see the animals, etc.Third, the staff were very friendly, helpful and informative.Finally, we appreciate their efforts in saving these amazing animals!!

Definitely go again...may not be the biggest attraction of wildlife. But, peaceful..wasn't overly busy. Good price! Everyone we encountered was so nice. Nice walking to exhibits.

If you are visiting crystal river then this place is a must for families and anyone that loves animals. They have the famous hippo "Lou" who if you're lucky might see bathing in the water, he is huge ❤️. The whole facility is well maintained and clean and the walkways are paved and perfect for strollers. There are plenty of shaded rest spots to take a break from walking. There is a cafeteria with burgers, fried and ice cream and also a small gift shop to pick up your souvenirs.

There are 2 separate visiting centers, one right off the main road which has a nice gift shop and restaurant and you can ride boat or tram from the first location. The second visitor center is closer to the wildlife area and water. Both areas are beautiful and have plenty of parking. The park closes at 5:30pm. Tram runs every 15 minutes. Definitely recommend checking this park out.

Hidden gem! We are so glad we got lost and went into the visitors center. They recommended this place and so glad we didn't skip it! Definitely a place everyone should go see! If you do not get a chance to see manatees out in the wild..u will at this place and capture some great pic! They have things laid out very well. The hippo gave us an awesome show and we got to see the panther take down a bird...dont worry the bird survived and flew away even after 3 attacks!I would not skip this place at all!! Perfect for any age. Lines to get tickets are long but super quick so do not get discouraged!

This place is amazing. I really liked the way it is done. You get to know why they keep the wild animals in the park, how they were injured or raised in ZOOs or within private ownership. And importantly, how can you help to protect the species in the wild. And then you can see manatees in the river Homosassa, being protected in their natural habitat and looked after, cured and researched when it is needed . Perfect place and very inspirational. Thank you!

We've been here many times and always take new guests. When we visit the west coast. The price is reasonable. There's a very tiny gift shop which has less than it used to, they do have a small amount of food for purchasing, there is some indoor and outdoor tables for use, there are nice clean bathrooms.I must say though that there seem to be less animals than in the past. There were only three alligators left when there used to be a whole lot of them before, but I understand from the really nice volunteer that was answering my questions that they have gotten old and many have passed away. I'm also a little bit disappointed that the aviary which housed so many beautiful birds that would just fly around and you can go and then some would land on you, that is not even close to being done let alone look like it was under active construction. Construction. The one thing I would say that they could also improve on is having a guy go around after opening and using a gas leaf blower for almost the entire hour. While we were there was annoying and distracting and kind of took away from the beautiful ambiance of the place. But it is a place we would go back and visit again and it's a great place for kids also.If you get there early, you can park right across the street from the entrance. If not, you have to park out on the remote lot way out on the main road but they do have shuttles that will drop you off right at the entrance.

This place is amazing! A lot of history here and they have done a good job preserving it. You have to check out the fishbowl and manatees. Lu the hippo is always a favorite to visit. Lots of different species to see and things to explore. Take your time and enjoy!

Great place for family and to bring your kids to see wildlife. Very good size and the lay out is nice. Like being on a nature walk.

Absolutely worth the stop!We took the pontoon over, and the tram back - and highly recommend others do too. Our boat guide, Nick, was very informative.Hippo, manatees, panther, bobcat, eagle, osprey, what more can you ask for.The underwater observatory was cool and will be even cooler when they replace the glass.5 🌟 all around.

Clean, well cared for animals, love the boat ride in and the tram on the way out. We had perfect weather and a great day while visiting. The volunteers are very friendly and knowledgeable. And the Hippo is fabulous ♥️

Beautiful place. Boat worth the 3$ one way. The tram is free or you can walk the 3/4 mile to the site from tbe welcome center. It takes about 3 hours to see it all if you take your time. Walking is easy and wheelchair accessible. Very clean.

With two locations to park at one being the main entrance and the other on the main road. This park offer the most unique and diverse experience. The park is mostly covered and has a manatee Rehabilitation Center there. There is also a platform where you can go underwater to see manatees. The park also features a 40 something year old hippopotamus. There is a Crystal Spring in the park that comes up above the manatee platform. There are two sides to the park the manatee and the water side and the zoo side. You go right to the zoo and left to the manatee platform.

Many tourists . Definitely needs to be upgraded but absolutely worth the visit. A must see if you are in the area. Many animals . Love Lu 🦛♥️ & the Manatee's & Bear etc. Only barely discusses the early Indians but not specific enough about who what Native Americans were there initially.

Got to see the Manitees. They had 5 in the sanctuary but we only saw 4. It was also the off season for viewing. So we call it a win. The boat and tram are fun, use bug spray. If you are there when they do the program at the bleachers,, do it.

A hidden gem. The atmosphere was homey and the various animals were interesting to see some being rehabilitated to be released back into the wild. The resident 60 year old hippo was totally unexpected.

As a First time Visitor…this was my first state park…Absolutely loved it ! Florida is beautiful and has so much to offer 🥰

Great place to take the kids and see some animals. The park entrance is 13$ por person adult and 5$ kids under 11 years old. I really had a great day with my family there.

While it is pretty at times, the park needs some help. It was not worth the price to us. You can easily park at I believe the west entrance and just walk into the area with the animal part. You don't have to go to the visitor center and take the boat or the tram. The boat only takes you through a little creek. The animals have small enclosures and there is not many to see. It was honestly kinda sad. Two manatees in the sick tank area was it. If you go make sure your going late November if you want a better chance at the manatee. We didn't even see the four manatees that live year round in the park. Reptile room is one small room with one fat cotton mouth and about 5 other enclosures. Fishbowl is going to undergo renovations it looks like. Kennels for your dog at the visitor center was a major plus. If you need to get out of the house with the kids this would probably keep them entertained. Easy to walk with strollers. Snack areas and bathrooms at both entrances.

A favorite stop for our family when in the area. There are so many animals in the park but seeing all the manatees in the winter is definitely our favorite.

4.7

(3295)

4.5

(2599)

9225 W Fishbowl Dr, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA

LOVE LOVE LOVED our swamp tour!! We took two kids and they were very accommodating and friendly. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made it fun! We saw LOTS of gators and other wildlife. We were so excited to hold the alligator!! Josephine was SO sweet and the staff did a great job with her and helping us. We also shopped in their gift store 3 times (we stayed at Idlewild)! I love how they had ice cream treats and a few inexpensive items. Thanks swamp fever!

The Swamp Adventure Tour was awesome! We had parents who were apprehensive about them going. I'm so glad they went. It was safe, and the captain was professional, funny and informative. We were able to touch and hold the alligator as a part of the package. The place also had cabins. We didn't stay there but everything was clean and the staff was helpful and friendly. We have about 15 people in our 6 mixture of kids and adults.

Captain Frank was amazing! We’ve been on a LOT of air boat tours and this was definitely the best! Water was really high from a recent storm and it was really hot out but he still found a couple big alligators and some baby ones. We learned a lot about the history of the area and you could tell he is passionate about sharing this. He made sure we had a blast and got us the perfect amount splashes to cool us off. Highly recommend!!

Captain Steve and the ladies were knowledgeable, and like their jobs. Steve explained pretty much every plant and animal as the tour went on. He also is prideful of the eagles, as well as the rest of the birds in the area. We saw quite a few gators, from a foot long to eight footers. Great for all ages.

Absolutely AMAZING!!!! We started off checking in at the office and the staff was truly lovely. We then went to the pavillion where Steve brought out and alligator named Josephine and told us all about her. We then joined Captain Kyle for a 1 hour ride through the lake and saw a ton of gators, birds, turtles, and fish. Captain Kyle made multiple stops and told us all about the wild life in the area and answered a ton of our questions. He was so very fun, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. The ride itself was SO much fun, zipping through the lake! I cannot wait to go again!!! Highly highly recommended!!

Great tour this morning! Our guide, Kyle, was terrific. Saw loads of baby gators and mama gator. My husband got to hold a 35lb gator at the end of the tour. So much fun! Highly recommend it. Side note, It was only 70 out this morning and I am grateful I brought a jacket because once the boat was moving fast it was a little chilly!

Awesome experience on our airboat tour. Loved getting to hold a real alligator and the boat tour was exceptional. We saw lots of alligators and turtles. The driver was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the education on local wildlife and trees. It was a great time overall!

Our group had a blast. The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable.Captain Sam gave us an amazing tour with some background on gators and the area. Our tour ended with Wyatt an 8 yr old gator whom we all took turns holding. He is a sweet gator. Jess and Heather were great handlers and gave us some a world of info on Wyatt. Heather sorry in Advance for adding the little frog in pictures!!!Highly recommend choosing Swamp Fever for your Air Boat Adventure. (Back story- my father held same gator 7 yrs ago) we had no idea. (My dad passed 5 yrs ago) so was even more special!!! Thanks again for a memorable day!!!

This boat trip was awesome!! My family and I enjoyed it so much. The staff was so friendly and informative. We did see some baby alligators and a mama and some birds, a ton of turtles and fish. We wish the ride was longer but it was totally worth it, every minute. Holding Josephine in the end was a great highlight for the kids too!

My dad has always wanted to go on an airboat ride so my husband and I were excited to join him. All of us enjoyed our adventure! The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable. We got to meet a baby alligator and Dad got to hold Luke. The boat ride was a lot of fun. It’s obvious that the captain really enjoys his job. Highly recommend!

Quick trip to visit family down here in Florida, and they suggested we go on an alligator tour... We went to the right place! The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and yes, we saw alligators; big ones, medium and babies. Even if we hadn't seen all of the alligators we did, the scenery was worth it.. what a great tour! I wish I could add the video of the swamp… it was “wow!”💚

My family and I had an amazing time at this airboat tour. The staff was very friendly and helpful when checking in, directing you to restrooms, meet up points, and there is a gaming area to wait in until your time slot. The captain was amazing, very knowledgeable about the area (wildlife, plants, seasonal changes), and an awesome driver. After the tour, we met Princess Leia and my daughter loved holding her!

Thank you so much Captain Frank at Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures!!! You gave us the most informative airboat ride and you found lots of gators in their natural environment to show us and educate us on! Stacey was awesome to deal with and helpful with my brother Tom. And he loved holding Luke at the end and learning about him and the work you all do!

Had a great trip with Swamp Fever. Drove out from Tampa and it was well worth the effort to see another side of Florida. Beautiful location, educational and entertaining. Would highly recommend the adventure if you are looking for something a little different to do with your family.

I am no airboat expert, but I have done 3 prior with other companies - and this place was hands down the best. Captain Steve was funny, informative, patient (he made sure we all saw what he spotted) and had an eye for finding alligators. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and when we visit again, will make sure we ask for Captain Steve! Thank you again for a memorable trip.

We were headed to Disney and saw the sign for Airboat tours. I googled the name and loved the detailed website so I booked my family (5 yo, 3 yo, 7 month old) a trip for our ride home. A bucket list check off for my boy to ride an air boat! It was an amazing trip. Life jackets and ear protection were provided. We saw birds, fish, and all size alligators. Our captain was very informative and accommodating to our kids. Once we got back we were surprised with the opportunity to hold Wyatt the alligator. This too was very informative and accommodating to all of our gator obsessed kiddos!

This was my second adventure. Recommend it. Price includes cost to hold a healthy 40 pound gator for pictures.Staff are all very pleasant and informative. Got to see a few smaller gators, lot of turtles and fish in the swamps.Of course the fun is the speed and turns of the air boat ride through the marsh. It’s about an hour adventure. Worth it.

This is my 2nd time with Swamp Fever, brought family this time and it was just as spectacular as the 1st time! Got to see some gators and babies along with beautiful nature! We even got to hold a 30lb real live gator Josephine. Everyone is so friendly and helpful! I will definately be back!

Loved this tour! All the staff was so friendly even the guy helping to dock the boat. They were well organized, stayed on time and the guide knew so much about the swamp, you could tell he loved the area. Some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. We saw alligators , turtles, baby alligators, fish and so many incredible birds. The guide knew each animal and their habits. The office staff was also very friendly .

We went for my daughter and nephews birthday. We had a group of 12 people ranging in age from 70 to 7 including a non verbal special needs child. We had an AMAZING time! Captain Sam was brilliant and everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable, answering all of our questions. We really had such an amazing experience, everyone should do this! Everyone agreed it was better than going to Disney!

We had the best time today. Great tour and very clean boats and facility. Loved holding the sweet little girl gator as well. Staff is wonderful.Thank you

My family absolutely loved this Airboat Ride. The gentleman that gave us the tour was super friendly, courteous and kind. He answered any questions we had made this experience very fun and entertaining. We will definitely visit again, when we're back in Florida.

The Captain was great! Very knowledgeable and had a great personality!! The Dad jokes were on point. We didn’t feel like we were on a strict time limit. He took his time and showed us a ton of things. Very fun tour and the first one for my kids and my Dad who LOVED it. The area outside with the pool table and games were nice to kill some time before your tour as well. Thanks for an awesome experience!!!

What an incredible experience surrounded by mother nature, incredible beauty, even though it was a rainy day it was still incredible from seeing the Flora, the birds, and some alligators. The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

We made reservations in advance. The staff was ready for us when we arrived. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. The ride was great. The kids loved it. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. We saw lots of gators, birds and turtles. The views were breathtaking and so beautiful. I would highly recommend this tour.

For the first time experience it was totally worth it, if you’re in the area and have the time definitely add it to your todo list, captain was cool and engaging throughout the tour. I would say that it is a wild life tour so please understand that animals don’t always work on human scheduling, none the less although we didn’t get to see one of the huge alligators we did get to see some of the juvenile and baby ones along with some birds, fish and turtles. Definitely a worth while trip. Also getting to hold the baby croc before the tour was definitely a great experience.

Kyle was our captain. He was extremely interactive and funny, and he named all the wild life and even some of the cool plants we saw. The tour was lovely and the air boat was a fun new adventure for us. 10/10 would recommend Swamp Fever as an activity everyone can enjoy!

I would definitely do this again. It was so beautiful. Was hoping for more wildlife but it was a little chilly that day so animals were not very active but that's no one's fault. We enjoyed our trip very much. Getting to pet/take pictures with the little gators was awesome too. Everyone was very nice and helpful.

My first time on an airboat and very happy we chose Swamp Fever for this adventure. Saw lots of gators of all sizes from babies to large mom and dad as well as a ton of birds and turtles. Our driver/guide did a great job of pointing out where to look. Finally, the lake itself and the offshoots from it with all the cypress trees is beautiful. One more thing, you get to hold a baby alligator at the end of your trip. Highly recommend

There are a lot of options for airboats in this area, but this was in my opinion the best. The captain was very knowledgeable and the team was super friendly. I was very impressed. My students had a great time. We saw a few alligators and got to hold one. I will be coming back.

We had a blast at Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures! Learning about alligators, various birds, and the history of Lake Panasoffkee was fascinating. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, making the experience even more enjoyable. We will definitely come back to see more gators. This adventure is a must for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of the area.

Absolutely amazing experience!!! I have lived in Florida 25+ years and this was first time on an airboat ride. Jessica was super sweet and informative. She was great with my two young boys! Sam, our captain was incredible. He was so thorough, fun and hilarious! The grounds where it is located is soooo peaceful and beautiful. I will definitely be coming back!! And recommending them! Book it- you seriously wont regret it.

We came to Florida to visit with family and we decided to take this tour. We had a blast! We saw a few alligators but even if we didn't, the tour itself as well and all the fast turns was worth it! Then we were surprised at the end and got to hold Luke the baby alligator! The staff was so knowledgeable and very friendly. Highly recommend Swamp fever airboat adventures! We will definitely be taking another tour when we come back to visit.

A great airboat ride for any age. The parking was great. The captain did a great job. The reservations were easy to make. All of the employees were informative, helpful and friendly. The adventure was awesome. I highly recommend this place.

This was my first time in Florida or even on an airboat. I had a blast and great time. I also loved holding the younger alligator at the end and seeing younger and older alligators as well. I also saw birds, turtles, and fish. It was a beautiful day, and it was an experience that I won't ever forget. I would recommend this to anyone who loves wild and water.

It was a fantastic experience. The guide was very knowledgeable. We stopped for a few minutes to watch juvenile eagles. The guide told us that in a week or two, the parents would stop feeding them, and they would be on their own. The parents would return next year to the same nest.If you get the chance, go for it. It was so fun.

Cool trip, the captain went really fast for minimal splash, but that was kinda unfortunate considering we sat in the sun at 95°f for an hour. Ended up getting a pretty bad sunburn to see no gators, since it was so hot. Go there in the morning or at dusk or you'll be disappointed... 150$ to get burns and not see what you came for

This was a great experience!! We are from SC on vacation and decided to give this place a try and we are so glad we did. Great staff, great tour guide, and being out on the boat was amazing. If you are looking for something fun and exciting to do then this is the place I promise you won't regret it.

4.9

(1289)

5.0

(849)

4110 NW 42nd Pl Lot 1, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538, USA

12 lists

Amazing experience! We loved the mermaid Christmas show. Doors open 30 minutes before show start. We got in line early to get front row seats. After the show we got a photo with the mermaid and walked around. The water is clean and in the 70s. Today was a beautiful day and wished we brought our bathing suits and towels to hang. Many of the shops were closed. Will come back for sure!

My favorite place to kayak and enjoy the day in nature. I love the spring, the manatees are beautiful and it’s nice when the current brings you back. Go and see for yourself, there’s so much peace out there.

I tried unsuccessfully to get the menu for the parks concessions prior to going. It was no where to be found, the park couldn't even tell me. So I am posting it for anyone who may need it. The only vegan items were a salad that they were out of and pita chips and hummus, which they were also out of. Food took forever, it appeared that the restaurant is just not big enough to handle the lunch crowd. Everyone was working hard, just too many people for too small of a place.As for the rest of the park, be aware that each of the attractions has limited times. The boat only runs until 12:30. The line was such that the last boat was filled by 11:00 and those waiting had to wait for an hour and a half to ride the 20 minute ride. The mermaid show has a long line and it fills up as well. Getting there at least 30 minutes before the show is a must. The animal show also gets pretty full and only had 3 shows a day. For as limited of things to do here, it is very difficult to get them all in because of their schedule and the wait times.

First… get there early to get in line. An excellent location for fresh water swimming and a place to relax.

It was pretty cool. Did not have high expectations at first but it was super fun kayaking and spring swimming area with slides. Yay~

One of those side-of-the-road tourist attractions. Beautiful clear blue waters but ice cold. We went on a Wednesday so it was very chill. The boat tour was short and sweet. The mermaid performance was community theater fun. I wish they had lights and decorations or cool props... Seemed so bare. Maybe a black light tropical fish style theme? Something.. Anyway, it was very reasonably priced family fun!

The water is colder than you think. Be prepared. Ok, now the important stuff. If it is busy season, get there early. I'm talking they open at 9, no later then 9:30. Also, expect to wait in line. Got there at 9:30, the parking lot was almost full, and then got into a line that wrapped around park. Took over 30 minutes get to entrance. By that point, the park was at capacity. Even at capacity, there was plenty of place to set down your stuff and set up a tent or umbrella. Everything ran surprisingly smoothly. Mermaid show was the best part by far and pretty mesmerizing. Be warned, you need to be in line an hour before the show starts.... anyway, overall, good experience. Go for the mermaids. It really is the best part of the whole place.

This is a FANTASTIC state park. Attractions are kid and family friendly, the shows run on time, the admission price is reasonable, and the restaurants and bathrooms are clean!Admission as of 9/2023 is adult (13+) - $13, Kids (6-12) $8, kids 5 and under Free.Get a map and schedule upon entrance and make sure you see the Ranger show, Mermaid show, and boat ride. Fill the time swimming in the lagoon, floating down the lazy river, or riding the water slide.

For my first time there it was beautiful I wish I got to see more of the park and experience the shows but my two little ones got worn out from swimming. I Love that there was a little area for the kids my kiddos for sure enjoyed being there. Lot of chairs to sit but get taken very quickly if your not there on time. Same with the picnic tables.Food was great enjoyed the burgers and chicken tenders with fries not to bad on the prices compared to other places.The lazy river if I’m not mistaken you pay $10 and are able to go as many times as you want.The shows come included with your ticket purchase but it’s first come first serve and it shows the times so you’re able to make them on time.Restrooms were scary not clean what so ever. But I don’t blame the park do believe someone should be better on top of it yes. But all that nastiness is honestly the people they need to do better I don’t understand why grown ups have to be so disgusting especially at state parks amusement park etc.Don’t bring your own speakers you’re not allowed to play your own music. As well no big coolers allowed.Tents are only allowed to be set on the grass but there is a limit on how big they can be.Over all my experience was great I personally had a lot fun just wish I would’ve saw more of the park like I said but will sure go back next time just with my husband to get that full experience.

Nice place to visit

Absolutely loved it! From the mermaids, the Christmas decorations with lights strung throughout the trails, happy staff faces- It was a nice place to go!

The mermaid show is the fun part for all the kids. Manatees watching by boat ride is not to miss. Water rides are another attractions for kids. Must go for first time.Tip:Plan for spending 3-4 hours and go early in the morning and try to grab the early mermaid show as the lines get longer later. You want to get the center seating spot in the show.

This is such a cute place to take your kids! The mermaid show is so fun and entertaining! Although, the park does close early. There are only two water slides, but there's free lemonade and water! There's a lot of lifeguards and the place is very secure. There's also a little kids pool which is a bit boring and lame, but it's still fun for kids!! There is a food stamp and snacks, also a store. It has such cute little bathing suits! The bathrooms are so clean! The sand is nice and clean. The water is also nice and clean but the water is cold. The food is not really expensive. There's also a bar. There's a lot of trees and there's even kayaking! But that's in a separate place and you have to pay a separate amount of money for it. Overall, I would recommend this place! Just that if you're going to go to the water park side, make sure it is a WARM DAY! Or else you WILL BE COLD.❤️‍🩹

Very nice area to float and kayak! Water is super clear, and you can see the bottom most of the way. A lot of fish and wildlife and we even seen a manatee! Hospital hole was pretty cool, and it looked like it went down a good ways! All and all pretty chill experience, and we'd love to do it again!

Beautifully clear water was my favorite part, though there were plenty of other fun activities at this park. Hands down the strangest state park I have ever been to, don’t expect a big wilderness experience. Regardless the experience we did have was enjoyable.

Stopped by to relive childhood memories from over 60 years ago. Lots of families with small children enjoying the park. We were there for the mermaid show!

It's extremely crowded and if you rent a kayak they shortened the trip by almost 3 miles but the price stayed the same. You used to be able to swim but now they won't let you get out of your kayak. I'm glad I went a few years back and was able to really enjoy the spring.

Weeki Wachee Springs offers a magical experience with its enchanting Mermaid Show, where performers gracefully swim in crystal-clear spring water. The spring itself is stunning, with refreshing, clear water perfect for swimming. The serene boat ride through the lush surroundings adds a peaceful touch to the visit. It's a unique and unforgettable destination in Florida.

We had a good time, we did the boat tour and checked the beach area out. We did miss the Mermaid show because we got there late and essentially had to choose between the boat tour and the Mermaid show.

Absolutely beautiful spring! The water is crystal clear. Great place to bring kids and family to swim and have a great time. Nice sandy area and relaxing chairs to lay down on put your stuff down. The water slide is only open on the weekends, and they have mermaid shows every day at 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00. Very nice spring in Florida to come to and have a great time.

Great old school spot. Historic mermaid show! nice spring to swim, float, or yak in.

What an interesting experience! The mermaids are certainly very entertaining and a sight to behold. Lovely clean place lots of parking and a good gift shop. It was raining when we were there so we didn't see it at its best but it looked like a very cool spot especially for families.

A lot to do, from swimming to lazy river tubing to the mermaid show and river cruise, playground and food & beverages… Great spot to spend the day with family. Arrive early!!!!! It is a popular place!

Very pretty and pristine. I would not go in July and August as it will be very hot. Early morning and while schools are open are best times to be there. Enjoy.

So much fun and so beautiful! My kids and I had a blast. You can bring coolers into the park. The spring water is chilly, but not too bad. My favorite part was swimming out to the floating doc, looking down into the water, and being able to jump in.

This is a great springs to visit with young kids. They have the mermaid show, that our children loved, waterslides, a very small lazy river, a jumping platform, and a playground. This is a VERY busy springs and not ideal for relaxing, you also don't get to see the headspring and are limited to swimming in a pretty small area compared to other springs. Check out their rules before you go and more than likely if you go during a holiday or on the weekend they will reach capacity very early, if you plan on going during that time plan on getting there 2-3 hours BEFORE they open.

Came here for a family spring break trip and had a blast. The first thing you should do is go right to the boat trip area and save your time. They book quick. The water was amazing and crystal clear. The slides were a blast and there’s also a toddler area for the little ones. Is you want to do the lazy river you have a pay for the tube. The mermaid show and the other experiences are free you just have to get there early to make sure you get a spot. They all fill up super quick. We will for sure be going back!

An example of what America has become. Too many rules, guardrails, lifeguards, prohibitions, and high prices to make it a decaf experience. Maybe it's me, but I prefer Ginnie Springs.

It's very economical, the good thing is the food options. Slides are closed on weekdays. Something that we missed. Mermaid show, ranger show and the boat ride is what we did. We had good food options that we enjoyed, and did some swimming in the end.

Had a nice time here with our 4 year old daughter! Unfortunately, the water park was closed for the season, but we enjoyed the famous mermaid show and other activities like the boat ride (we came so close to the manatees!). Overall, it’s a great park, parts are a bit dated but the park seems to have a lot of history. The playground was also a nice touch! We were pleasantly surprised by the food quality from the cafeteria/ restaurant.

This is one of our favorite places on earth and we keep coming back! For a very reasonable entrance fee to the park you and your family can enjoy swimming and lounging at Buccaneers Bay and 2 mermaid shows.The water from the spring is refreshing, pristine and clear.The slide is included in the price and you can bring your own cooler of snacks and drinks.The mermaid show is as charming as can be and will leave you touched. We really like the one about the history of Weeki.

4.3

(1251)

4.0

(1895)

Florida 34606, USA

+91 other lists

Our visit was on Groundhog Day, lucky us, six more weeks of cooler weather. Great day to stroll this amazing theme park. Animals appeared to be more active today than in the heat of summer.Wonderful wildlife (caged or fenced in) viewing areas throughout the park. Many thrill rides and children areas. A very nice train ride where you can see many different animals. Train has wheelchair access on board. A variety of dining options; somewhat pricey. Lunch for two, Chicken Tenders / Fries / two drinks can set you back over $30. There is 10% off food, 20% off merchandise with annual pass. Check web site as prices and offers may change.Many of the attraction and shows were closed due to maintenance or health concerns. Just the same, a very enjoyable day out with family.Park is clean and staff are polite and pleasant.Recommended checking website for prices, events, and times before showing up in the parking lot.

Overall wasn’t the best experience, some rides are really fun, train ride was good as well, however most animals on the train ride can’t be seen. Lines are fast moving and organized. Layout is cute. Some misters around the park to cool off was much needed, more would have been perfect. Customer service is basically non existent in the restaurant and cafe we went in. Would we go again not sure 🤔

We arrived shortly before 9am and there were cars already waiting in line. The park opens at 10am, however, they opened the lines for parking at 930am. You can either walk to the gates or take the tram. If you have purchased tickets online, you can go directly to the self-ticketing kiosk, and scan your printout and you will receive your tickets. The park is nice, loved being able to see the animals. It was cold, so going on the roller coasters was interesting 🥶 the best ride for me was Cobra's Curse. Loved going backwards and spinning in the coater cart 💯 but it was a short ride! The longest waiting ride, is Cheetah Hunt. You will want to ride this one as soon as you get in! Definitely lots to see and do. I suggest more spots for purchasing coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Too cold for ice cold beer! LOL!

Great rides staff is rude and acts like they hate their job . Don't get me started on the waste of money on the highest season passes we paid for . No preferred parking we are always told and there is always plenty of spots open , extremely rude parking people at the pay booths saying they have security and I'm not allowed to even look to see if they have any spots open when that was a lie . Aside from that the park is dirty and they choose to do yearly maintenance on rides when it gets warm outside and not in off season . Now keep in mind aside from that they have a lot of nice rides and it's beautiful and peaceful there at night time so don't not go cause of a few issues . If you like coasters then it's a great place

Great place for kids. We loved Elmo's show, the kids area, the zoo. You need a few hours to see the whole park. They do have food areas, a very nice restaurant, many rides for kids 5-7 years old. Also many places where you can be inside to cool off. Very nice experience. My 5 years old son had a blast. He loved the hippo, giraffes and cheetah. Mamma Kangaroo had a baby and my kid was very happy to see that.

Visited on an extremely hot day! This may have benefited us as wait time for rides and attractions were very short. Purchased the food pass, we thought this worked best for us, as we planned on a long day at the park. We ended up being there for 7 hours. So it was a perfect pick for us. The food is good, don't expect fine dining but our family of 4 enjoyed it the options provided to us!Our kids loved the Sesame Street area, thats where they could have most of their fun! Splash pad, kids roller coasters, and animal exhibits were great! With it being so hot out, some of the animals were interested in getting their pictures taken.

We went to Busch Gardens for a day when it got a bit chilly for beach fun. It was Monday, December, 3rd, the last day of Christmas break and it wasn’t very crowded. Quick queue passes and all day dining made our day really easy and stress free. These triple the cost of your ticket but are well worth it, if don’t want to spend all the time in lines and have several teenagers in the family who eat a lot like we do. All day dining includes an entrée, a side or desert and a fountain drink in any of 5 main restaurants every hour. It doesn’t include any snacks or other food vendors. Mind: you still have to wait in lines to get food in restaurants, so we didn’t even go to a BBQ place that smelled so good, the line was probably more than an hour long there and we didn’t want to waste time. We also went on Serengeti safari tour and loved it: got to feed the giraffes and see all the animals up close. The rides are awesome, me and our youngest kid 9y.o. did some family friendly rides, which were too much for me anyways (I just can’t do any roller coasters). My husband with older kids had a blast on all the crazy rides. Everyone loved our day in Busch Gardens, we’ll definitely be back.

Went on a Tuesday mid July. Park was fairly busy but literally everything was shut down. It rained for a bit but other than that it was just cloudy but they kept the rides and games closed anyways. I was there for 4 hours and got to ride 1 ride and play 1 game, the rest of the time was us walking around the park trying to find something to do. The animal exhibits were cool though, animals were very active. Don’t get the all day dining. It only works for certain restaurants and their food is sub par at best since it seems it’s not very organized in terms of making it and getting it out. I got chicken tenders and fries and it made me almost puke (I hate saying this because I know it’s an amusement park, but this was just bad). The one ride I rode was fun though, it was the new iron coaster and was a lot of fun. Line went by at a decent pace and the ride itself was fun. Staff were friendly and helpful whenever we needed it. Honestly, just save your money and go to universal or somewhere else. $300 to waste that I can’t get a refund on!

A great place for families with children. We spent three days there - that's all you need to see and do all the attractions. great option to travel by train around the complex - safari wonderful! Sesame Street and attractions around it - very well thought out, for children of all ages and more. We had a great time here! We'll be back someday :)

The fun card pass works best because we had rain for several days and you may not always qualify for a rain pass refund. We can also use this particular pass for the rest of the year, in case we decide to go back. The all day meal pass works best for large groups. Several restaurants provide a good portion size, so kids could probably share a meal together from one pass. The train ride is perfect for getting to different areas of the park, while getting photos of the wildlife. Make sure to check out the shows, they had an ice skating show that was a quality event, plus it is cool inside, if you need a break from the heat. The vehicle parking is across the street from the park. They have a tunnel that allows you to access the preferred parking area, which gets you really close to the entrance (it's a $15 premium over regular parking). If you download the app, the map feature will actually help guide you through the park. The location function must be active on the phone. The app will also store all your passes if you buy online, so you will not need to keep up with tickets. If it is raining, some of the walking paths can be slick. We saw one kid running and tried stopping quickly and ended up on their behind.

I've been here a bunch of times over the years, ever since I was a kid, back with the original owners of the theme park. I most recently visited in Feb 2023. It was fun. It wasn't as fun compared to ten or twenty years ago. I feel like the park has lost some of its luster. Not run down per se, but just not as much upkeep as I remember compared to previous visits. But, the roller coasters were a lot of fun. And if that's why you're coming to Busch Gardens, and it probably is, then it's a decent place to visit.

Fantastic, you get to experience the best of both worlds a zoo and a theme park. My son and I could not explore much because it was raining, and the park had to close for weather safety. We Will go back. The rides are cool and exciting. Many restaurants, and the ambiance is exciting. The scenery is different than other theme parks. That is what makes it unique.

I recently visited Busch Gardens in Tampa, and it was an incredible experience! The park is a perfect blend of thrilling rides and amazing animal encounters. The roller coasters like SheiKra and Cheetah Hunt were a blast, and the animal exhibits were both educational and entertaining.The staff were friendly and helpful, and the park was clean and well-maintained. The food options were diverse, and I particularly enjoyed the dining experience at Serengeti Overlook Restaurant. The landscaping and scenery throughout the park are stunning, making it a great place to enjoy a day outdoors.Whether you're a thrill-seeker or looking for a fun family day out, Busch Gardens has something for everyone. I can't wait to return for more adventures and excitement. Highly recommended!

Amazing park in Tampa. Lot ofRides and fun activities inside along with animals. Loved this place. Enjoyed till last moment. DON’T miss any rides. Has good amount of rides for toddlers as well.. Sure I am gonna visit this place again..

This place is a hidden gem. Not too crowded. Get here early and the lines for rides are not bad at all. The later you stay, the longer the lines get for the rides.The staff are helpful and friendly. The animals are worth the trip. So many to see. Gorgeous representation of their species. The park is clean. They do an outstanding job of keeping it presentable.Cost of food here is like you would expect at an amusement park. Quality of food is subpar at the locations we did try.Overall, my visit was amazing. It was well worth the visit. One FULL day is all that's needed to do everything you need to do here. Two FULL days will allow you to get your complete fill of the amusement park.

Great park with a mix of big coasters and smaller rides. A fair number of rides and restaurants were closed. We were definitely there on a slow day, barely a wait for anything except lunch. The Sesame area is really fun for the little kids. The tree house was a favorite.

Fantastic day out with the family.Easily accessible parking (albeit a little expensive) with a short connecting land train to the park. We had purchased tickets via an agent and they were really easy to collect from the self service machines.The food options were great. We took advantage of the all day dining option and despite reading some pretty damning reviews, I felt it offered excellent value for money - we each had five drinks throughout the day and two meals which were great portions and very tasty. The food at Zambia Smokehouse in particular was really nice.The rides are brilliant and there are a great selection for all ages. We visited on a weekday and in general the lines for all rides were short and I think the longest wait was around 30 minutes.The animal element of the park is great and our kids loved seeing Flamingos, Giraffes, a Rhino, Gators and Elephants as well as loads more. The staff all really seem to genuinely care about the animals too and it was lovely to see them caring for them throughout the day. The environments in which they are kept seem to be as close to natural as they can be and none of the animals at any point looked like they were sad to be 'on show'.In summary, a great day. A completely different experience to the other theme parks in Florida and well with a visit if you haven't been before.

Just AMAZING.I payed for the safari tour, Sloth tour and Penguin tour and it was amazing ❤️ such a wonderful experience! I honestly love the fact that they explain to you so many things about how to help the conservation, how to save the wildlife and how their bodies work and such. I learned so much and I was just amazed by the greatness of every single animal I saw. ❤️The park is great, clean and had wonderful workers.

Had a blast here. Went on a Thursday and lines were fairly short was able to ride most the rides multiple times and even getting front seats. I would suggest the food and drink day pass and share it. You can get food and a drink every 90 minutes. We really enjoyed the safari ride and feeding the Giraffes. It was an awesome experience. I also enjoyed the amount of animals to see mixed in to the amusement park and rides. The Iron Gwazi was awesome and would absolutely suggest the front seat for the 91 degree drop.

Amazing day at Busch Gardens (June 10 2024). Quiet day, most we waited for any ride was 30 minutes, most wait times were under 15 minutes. Iron Gwazi is insane, and all the coaster there are amazing fun. A great day out for everyone. Combines the best of a zoo and a theme park.

This place was great. There is plenty to do for kids and adults. The kids rode the rides, and we looked at the animals. The kids loved it. It is a big park and it does have plenty of places to eat. We bought the dining pass, and it was worth it. General parking was fine with the trams running.

I love this park. The coaster section is great. The shows are pretty good for amusement parks. The animal tours are outstanding. We love to take people to the safari to feed the giraffes.The cost of admission is a great value with the fun card. Pay once and go the whole year. The memberships have great perks, free tickets , free money to eat in the park, discount tickets etc

This is my first time at this location. I was very surprised to find that not only does the park have rides and attractions but it also has a grief focus on wild animals. There is an Animal Care Center that you can enter and at times there will be a veterinarian taking care of an animal. There are exam rooms that have clear glass in front of them so that you can observe what the doctor does with the animals. The park seems to be well-designed for families. I would recommend this place if you want thrill rides animals and family fun!

I love Busch gardens. I used to go to the one in Virginia. I felt it was much better in the terms of maintenance. May be the Tampa bay park isn’t that well maintained probably due to they just opening to public after Covid. I had gone to this park in the late summer of last year.This location also has a small zoo. The roller coasters are pretty good, the park has something for everyone. They also have shows.Would definitely come back here.

Been a Florida resident my whole life and Busch Gardens never disappoints. It is a fantastic park! The animals, the rides, the attractions... they even have up close animal encounters which are amazing. I would definitely recommend everyone go spend the day. As the rides are exciting, the park itself is relaxing and caters to everyone... whether you are a ride enthusiast, park lover, admirer of animals... everyone will have a great day.

We always have a great time at Busch Gardens! Lots of exciting roller coasters, beautiful animals with amazing conservation efforts, and fun shows. We liked the new Summer shows. Open late for Summer Nights. Closed a few times for Summer thunder storms, but that's to be expected in the Florida Summer. They do a great job keeping everyone safe. Wonderful staff! Very accommodating for my child with autism. Oasis Pizza was yummy! Our favorite is always the pretzels at Twisted Tail though. That's a must try! The price of the drink refills have gone up again, but the cups are still a good deal, especially when you want to stay hydrated in this heat. You'll wish you got a refillable cup. Love having a pass and we will definitely be back!

First time at Busch Gardens, and it was great overall. My wife and I went on Friday, and it was surprisingly quit empty for a Friday, so it meant super quick lines. We never had to wait much for any of the rides. The ride "Kumba" was closed along with one of the water rides, which was a bummer. Also, some of the animal attraction places were empty with no signs, so that was a waste of time. Parking was $30 for the day ($45 for preferred parking), but you can take the mini tram that drives you to the front entrance of the park. The rides were definitely fun. Food options are okay over there, and the markups on beverages/water are insane (we paid close to $6 for a water bottle there...). The park felt like it was missing more rides as we got done pretty quick with no lines, and it also felt like workers were just waiting around. All in all, I'd definitely recommend paying a visit if you are in town as the rides are fun and thrilling.

This place is awesome!! It has a lot of roller coasters for adults and young people and there is a special area for kids that is pretty big! You can find food, beverages, souvenirs and more! You can also enjoy the different attractions and shows, you can spend the whole day here without being bored. I really recommend it. I had a really great time here.

We had a lot of fun here. I grew up going to Six Flags in Georgia and the rides and everything here were so much better. My favorite was the cheetah coaster. I love how everything in the park is themed and decorated and all the foliage everywhere helped keep it cooler along with all the fans. They had some Halloween decorations up as well, that was cool to see. We already want to come back again.

Had an amazing time. Best theme park. Roller coasters are awesome. Safari experience is a one of a kind. Food is amazing and the atmosphere is full of fun! Glad I'm a newly season ticket holder!

Love this place and the events they throw throughout the year. Definitely the type of amusement park where you get the best of both worlds: thrilling rollercoasters and viewing animals!Definitely being a local, it’s worth it to get an annual pass for the perks and discounts. My friends and I love coming for the special events each month and seeing new shows and performances that come in or eat during their food-festival events. We are big fans of the regular foods available all-year, too, where this park definitely is above other theme parks in the state for food quality and cost.The animals look well cared for. The staff in the animal’s spaces can answer a lot of questions about them. You can also see that they have buildings dedicated to animal rehabilitation (like surgeries) and conservation efforts.Of course this is Florida and the weather can be nasty at times, they will close down rides due to weather issues in the area. This is when my friends and I would catch a show or go walk by the animal areas if it’s lightly drizzling. All the rides are outdoors, so it’s likely when the weather reports say it’s raining that all of the rides are down for that time.Parking is $30, if you are a silver or gold annual pass member, it’s free.

Busch Gardens Tampa is an amazing place! This place doesn't really have as many roller coasters as other major parks do. but I think that all of the other rides makeup for that. The coaster collection is very strong and has some of the best in the world. The flat rides in the park are also very good. The quality of the park is in very good shape after over 50 years of operation. The one complaint that I have is how there are too little kid rides and family oriented attractions. The food here in my opinion is like any other theme park food. Overall, this place is worth visiting for anyone.

I love Bush Gardens! They have a wide variety of coasters plus lots of other rides for all ages and thrill seeking levels. The shows I have seen are fantastic, especially Turn it Up Remix (ice skating show). They have many animals there, including the Serengeti Savannah which you can do a safari or take the train through. There is so much to do and it is a beautiful park!It can get crowded with long lines, so you might want to pay for the quick queue.

This place offers the best of both worlds, a zoo and a theme park. We started off with a train ride which brought us on a safari like tour across the plains. Being a parent with two young kids, we were definitely pleased to see the large playground with rides suited kids below the age of six. We ended the day with the ice skating show at the theatre which showcases exceptional ice skating talent. Definitely a day well spent.

There is something for everyone aged. There is so much to see and do. The tickets with eat all day are great value. You get to eat every 90 minutes if you want. This includes a main meal, desert, and a drink. There's a wide range of animals and wide choice of rides and amusements.

This is one of my favorite parks. This park has something for everyone. They have adrenaline roller-coasters, they have a zoo, they have shows, and kids areas.We got there early and were able to leave no wait in the first couple of rides.SheiKra, with the 90-degree drop is my favorite ride in the park. They also have Cheetah Hunt with a high speed which I love too.We went on the train around the park. The kagoroo encounter was very nice.Overall, everyone will find something to have fun.

Definitely had a blast here! We were fortunate to catch it on a less busy day, so ride times moved decently! Park was kept clean which was nice to see. Be prepared to spend $$$ on food, drinks and souvenirs. (But, thats no surprise at a theme park!) I'd most certainly enjoy another trip back! The coasters are pretty next level! And, as a side note... the app is pretty unreliable for ride times/ride closures, so better to just head to the ride of choice and check it out!

Great number of animals to see on the train tour. Roller coasters are awesome, but be careful if you are 6 foot or taller. You won't be able to fit on a few of them. Had a great time.

The Food and Wine Festival had great options! We purchased the stamp card and it was perfect. They do have a few vegan and vegetarian options at a few of the stands. The rides had short lines today, but we also purchased the fast pass. We waited maybe 2 minutes for one of the rides. All the rollercoasters were awesome! We had a great experience today and will be back in the future. Also, they actually had a decent amount of stuff for kids to do.

It is a great location but needs complete renovation on some parts of the park. The entrance looks old, and the paving needs to be painted or renovated. Some buildings also look old. BBQ is a best place to get a lunch. Very tasty brisket, salads.

Busch Gardens was the most amazing attraction park I’ve ever been to. I love that the gardens have roller coasters and the zoo filled with something for everyone. You can ride the roller coasters, take a train ride to see the animals, taste some delicious food and have lots of fun.Be prepared for the waiting lines. Getting here early in the morning is the best, you’ll likely skip long lines.

Had a great time!! The Safari was SO amazing!! We got to see many different endangered animals and the giraffes came up to our open truck and they gave us big lettuce leaves to feed them! We got amazing pics and memories!The roller coasters are next level! Great fireworks display at the end of the night!

My first time and it was fantastic.Was in the park from about 11-9 and saw pretty much everything it has to offer and could even enjoy the Goo Goo Dolls doing a show while we walked around that side of the park. Wonderful views from the restaurant/bar overlooking their safari.Ashley and Taylor were wonderful as our Safari guides and I can't think of a place you can get closer to the giraffes.Multiple shuttles to & from the parking lot, easy access and a nice friendly layout.Highly recommend it and can't wait to return.

My first time going and we had a blast! Plenty to do, we were there for 8 hours. There are animals, kids park and shows, great restaurants. I recommend you buy the all you can eat bracelet for $50. You can eat and drink all day every 90 minutes. There's a BBQ smoke house that's amazing. I had an amazing time!! Can't wait to go again 😍

Fun amusement park with lots of animals.Lots of fun for children (sesame street themed kids area with rope course. And lots of rides for older kids and adults.If you are going with a child you are allowed to bring outside food and drinks which is amazing.Highly recommend getting the fun pass or annual pass (with parking).

My trip to BGT was phenomenal other than the food. The rides and cleanliness were easily 5-star worthy. Sadly 3 rides were out of service and the customer service we received and the quality of the food was sub-par for Busch Gardens. The only food that was actually decent was at the smoke house.

I had an amazing time at Busch Gardens! The park is packed with exciting attractions, but Sheikra stole the show for me—it’s hands down the best ride there. The thrill of the 90-degree drop is unbeatable, and I couldn’t get enough of it. The rest of the park is a blast too, with a great mix of roller coasters, animal exhibits, and beautiful landscapes. Even just walking around and taking in the atmosphere was fun. Busch Gardens really knows how to deliver a fantastic day out, and I’m already looking forward to going back!

We had so much fun. I visited 25 years ago as a kid, it was very nostalgic to ride the roller coasters I enjoyed then all these years later. The new additions were great, we will definitely be coming back.

My family had annual passes so we go to Busch Gardens often. It is worth looking at the website and planning if it will be your first time. The park is very big and you will not have time to do everything in one single visit, but by planning you are able to make the most of your time there.The train is one of the best rides there if you want to see the animals, and it is better to do it in the morning.The sesame street area is very cute for children, my nephew enjoys it a lot and we get to do a lot of rides with him there.The food and drinks are great, but there are some not great options. So research and consider what you like before buying anything. I would recommend Dragon Fire Grill where there is a lot of choices to maybe please the entire family.The shows are amazing, especially the ice skating shows. Definitely worth the time and you do get to sit in the AC for a while which is great for the hot summer months.This is one of our favorite parks in FL, and will definitely continue to visit!

Absolutely awesome! There is something for everyone. There’s a great Sesame Street play area for kids, there are cheers and elephants and other animals. Also flamingoes. There are insanely wild rides and great shows. They have such fabulous shops not crazy prices for gifts and souvenirs. The workers are so friendly and helpful and there are plenty of bathrooms and lockers. The best place ever!!!!

Good combination between a zoo and amusement park. To enjoy the most of the park, get to it as early as possible. Getting to park takes some time but it’s well organized. My recommendation here is to enjoy the rollercoasters and outside attractions in the morning since in the afternoon it’s most likely to rain and those attractions get canceled. A lot of shows to enjoy. The all-day-dining option is a good deal, we paid $30 per person, and could eat a meal every 90 minutes. The chicken at the Dragon Fire Grill & Pub was awful. If you can, avoid it.

This place is so fun. The cheetah ride is a blast and so fast! My daughter loved the river ride.The food was really good and I loved that all the animals had nice enclosure and they were very clean and wide open. We will definitely go back. Perfect place for people of all ages. Lots of fun things to do for very small children as well. I appreciate all the shade they provide as Florida heat can be miserable at times.

Definitely not how I remember it. I went years ago with family and we had the best time. This time around, we purchased 2-day tickets and after the first day we did not want to return. I realize it’s an amusement park and everything is expensive, but charging $5 per person to ride the SkyRide after getting overpriced tickets seems a little ridiculous. There were also numerous rides closed down which was disappointing, and we found the park catered to the safari/wildlife scene more than rollercoaster attractions. The rides we did go on were great, but again, we had to purchase lockers every single time we got on a ride. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and we will most-likely not be returning.

The rides were great. The place has a combination of zoo and roller coasters rides. Must try Iron Gwazi. You should take it as the first ride when you enter the park . The only complaint is that they had the people with the water mister to spray water to cool down the temperature, but only saw them when the park opens and no one since then till the end of day.

My wife and I attended the Food and Wine Festival on Saturday May 11th. We had a great date day, it's is Veterans appreciation month at Busch gardens so active and Veterans military and up 3 family members get FREE TICKETS FOR ADMISSION FOR THIS EVENT THAT'S A SAVINGS OF $280.00.We still had to pay separate for the Food and Wine Festival but it was still great 👍 👌 🙃 🙂 😅 value for your money 💰 🤑 💸. Caution be careful purchasing the VIP Parking Access it's on a first come ,first serve basis , you are not guaranteed a VIP parking. Other the event for the Food and Wine sampling Festival was good and Busch Gardens is beautiful a must visit.

Great roller-coasters and good food. No shows during the week, so plan on walking around seeing animals, which is nice until it gets hot they tend to hide in the shade. Definitely get the meal package, worth it! Waits are not bad during the week.

Busch Gardens in Tampa is always a go to for me. Hell Tampa Bay in my opinion is the best, and the most relaxing city in Florida. The west coast seems more laid back, and off the beaten path. I prefer this over the slam packed tourist drivers in Orlando.Busch Gardens is all you need in an amusement park, and to go with it is a beautiful Safari tour. The guide was super friendly. This park is not overbearing, and you will have plenty of attractions to appeal your own appetite.I would recommend this to anyone who is in the Tampa area. Thanks Busch Gardens till next time.

Be prepared for outrageous amusement park prices. Bottled water was $5 and soda $7.5. The parking was outrageous as well and waiting for the tram in the heat just adds to the annoyance of the high pricing. They definitely need to add some more rides to get the wait lines down unless you want to pay crazy money for quick pass. In addition, need more covered waiting areas for rides as the heat drains you fast. Glad they had buy one get one tickets otherwise would've been really big ripoff.

4.5

(87809)

4.0

(18538)

10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, USA

+25 other lists

It was a hot summer day, so we took the kids to the zoo! Everything went well, but one observation was that some of the animals were not out, and the kids did not get to see them and experience them. The water activities kept the kids cool and refreshed as we walked around, and the rides were easily accessible (no major lines or wait times). We got the yearly pass for less than the day pass, so we will be going more often for sure!

Loved this zoo!! Well kept/ maintained/ organized! Such a large assortment of animals. Bought the one day ticket that is good for free entry for the rest of the year, so I will be back! Highly recommend. Skip the restaurant, though, high prices, not the best food, and they overcharged us for 3 drinks/ sodas when we only ordered 2. Didn't realize until we got home, and they were $6 each.Great gift shop!

It was a well maintained place. We came when most kids went back to school so it was pretty empty so we could see everything pretty fast. I highly recommend coming to visit. It has a nice water fountain for anyone to cool off so I recommend wearing a swimsuit or fast drying clothing. Overall my experience was awesome. One thing I kind of was sad was most of the animals couldn’t be seen. Maybe they were hiding from the heat or something else. The Zoo was nice, and clean. Would totally recommend!!

This place was a lot of fun. They have a lot of neat exhibits in there are very interesting animals there. I also really like the Safari ride. It's not as big as a Busch gardens, but it's still very nice suit to visit. It is also very family friendly for young kids.

Great zoo! Fun for the kiddos! They have a big Mary go round with authentic animals to ride, a solid playground and even a splash park 👍. We always enjoy taking a family day trip here. The yearly passes are super easy and absolutely worth it if you have kids and plan to go more than a few times per year. This last trip was Halloween nights. All the characters were on point, very fun and family friendly. We had a great time!

We love this zoo. My daughter started watching their show on Disney and became obsessed with the African "Panda" dog, aka African painted dog. We did a road trip just to visit the dogs. Now, we have been back multiple times. The park has a perfect combination of animals and extra fun kid activities. The Manatee exhibit is my personal favorite. There are so many cool ways to see them up close and realize how much personality those manatees have. Seeing a Florida Panther up close was also neat. The carousel, safari ride, face painting, and log flume ride all break up the day to add an extra layer of fun. My daughter got one of their junior zookeeper vests and wears it constantly. Overall, we had a really good experience at this zoo and have already come back and plan to go more. My only negative is that the lunch options are not very healthy. We ended up doing pizza the first visit, and it was very greasy. That is where I could see room for improvement.

Engaging zoo with clever placement of spray pads to keep you cool. Was hoping for more animals in a zoo of this size, and a better flow of traffic.Appreciated all the different flora and fauna. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. Strongly recommend the reusable beverage cups! We really enjoyed our trip

We had a blast at this place. My boys were mesmerized by the the range of animals. Mommy, Daddy, and Auntie enjoyed the numerous beverages carts around the zoo. I give this place 5 stars but many of the animals were inside due to the chilly weather. Not the Zoo's fault but we didn't see the whole park. It's still deserves 5 stars based off what we saw.

Absolutely loved it here. Great experience and was well worth the money. You can spend many hours here. We spent about 3 hours here. Tons of different animals here and you can tell the zookeepers love their jobs and the animals. They have many backstage experiences as well for an additional cost. Tons of different shows to go see as well in the different regions of the world. Tons of food and beverage spots around the park so if you are in need of something they have it. Parking is free and overall we had a great time here!

The entrance fee was quite pricey - right around $45. The grounds were nicely maintained, and the staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. Had wonderful service from Ryan at the gift shop where we picked up our electric carts for the day. They were also prepared to store our walkers for us in a secure area and were very quick to retrieve them when we arrived back. Food prices were more reasonable than I anticipated, I suggest purchasing their refillable beverage cups when you get there - you can skip the lines and refill the cup as often as you like with soda or icees.

We got a membership a few months ago and have been four times. It is small enough to see everything, but big enough to have some very cool animals. I love the talks they give about being good stewards of our incredible animals and their efforts towards conservation. When we lived here 25 years ago, my little ones loved going, and now taking them as adults is just as much fun.

Visited a few times in different years, and it's always a great experience. The animals are well cared for, and their conservation is very extensive and impressionable. My son loves seeing the animals, the staff are always on hand for questions and the food on site is really good 👍 will be going here again for years to come no doubt.

Super expensive, but all of the attractions are included with the price of admission (carousel, safari tour, ect). We went on a Tuesday in October so most kids were in school, and it was much more enjoyable since it wasn't packed! The zoo was much larger than expected! We were there for about 4 hours and still missed the Africa section. Also, the food and beer selection across the park was fantastic!

The personnel were very nice and ready to assist if needed. They do offer strollers, wheelchairs and scooters for rent. The animals there appear healthy and it was clean. They have a lot of food, snack and drink booths throughout the park. There's a carousel, but adults aren't permitted to ride the animals on it. There's a small flume ride and a 30 minute "safari" in a comfortable vehicle. Unfortunately, a lot of animals were unavailable due to either construction or ??? No hyenas, no gorillas, no chimps, no camels, no tigers, no lions. The habitats appear small, but they're clean. Things are expensive. All animal encounters are only available for separate payments. I'm bummed that there wasn't more to do. I will say that for the price of two tickets, we now get to come and go until the end of 2024, yes 2024, for no extra cost, so that's nice and hopefully they'll improve. Also, word has it that they're talkin about destroying the clam shell that's been there forever to make way for more parking...I really hope they don't.

Such a nice zoo with so many interesting animals! My boys just loved the zoo and all it had to offer. The whole family really enjoyed the Macaw exhibition as soon as we entered the main entrance. The fly overs were amazing to watch! The manatee viewing areas were amazing and were the highlight of our trip to the zoo!!! Tampa City Pass made for an easy entry into the park with no wait lines at all! Highly recommend for a fun family day out.

We had so much fun at this zoo. Checking in I didn't buy tickets ahead of time and I am thankful I didn't. The assistant was friendly and helped me understand that it was cheaper to get a zoo membership than it was to pay for 2 adults and a 4 year old. Now I have a membership that gets me into select zoos and aquariums all over the US at a discount price, plus a discount when buying stuff inside the zoos and aquariums like the gift shop and pictures. We took other reviewers recommendations and went straight to the safari ride so we wouldn't wait in long lines. Definitely a good idea we had to wait two rotations, the vehicle seats quite a lot of people. I always visit zoos when on vacation, so I didn't do much research about this one. I was pleasantly surprised that there is a water ride, which is included in your ticket to get into the zoo. We where racing a storm on our visit. There is a large splash pad area that my 4 year old didn't get to play in. If there is a storm in the area FL shuts down water rides and splash areas. All the animals look well cared for and have nice enclosures with plenty of enrichment. I kept commenting how thought out the zoo was, there is plenty of shade built over the paths and trees for shady areas. We where there early in the morning and most animals where visable, your always going to have some hiding. Which is good that they have the choice to hide from the heat and hustle and bustle of human chaos. I definitely recommend taking this adventure, it took us about 3 hours and its a beautiful zoo. More time could of been spent if the storm wasn't approaching.

This Zoo has some of the best natural habitats for their animals that we've seen. The staff is also great. The safari is worth the wait as well. We spent most of the day here and still didn't make all of the exhibits. The manatees are great to see up close. The water ride was such a blast for the kids that they went twice! We can't wait to come back again soon.

Great zoo experienceUserCreate a 25-line review, talking about the excellent experience at the Tampa Zoo, variety of animals, attractions, quality, affordable price, environment, family program, great experience, parking, security and recommend it to everyone.ChatGPTTampa Zoo Review: A Great Experience for the Whole FamilyI recently had the pleasure of visiting the Tampa Zoo and was blown away by my experience. This zoo offers an incredible variety of animals and attractions that captivate people of all ages.Upon entry, I was greeted by friendly and helpful staff who gave me information about the different areas of the zoo. The variety of animals present is impressive - from the majestic African elephants to the adorable meerkats, there is something for everyone.One of the things that most impressed me was the quality of the facilities. The animal enclosures are spacious and well maintained, providing a natural environment for the animals to live. In addition, the zoo offers regular lectures and demonstrations, where you can learn more about the animals' habits and behaviors.A positive point that I must highlight is the affordable price of the ticket. Compared to other zoos, the amount charged is very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the experience offered. The zoo also offers discount options for families and groups, which makes visiting even more affordable.The zoo environment is very pleasant. There are shaded areas to rest and many food options, from quick snacks to full meals. The well-signposted trails and lush vegetation make the ride even more enjoyable, providing a sense of immersion in nature.Another highlight is the program for families. The zoo offers interactive activities, such as feeding animals and encounters with caretakers, which make a visit even more memorable for children. There is also a children's play area with games and toys to keep the little ones entertained.The parking issue was also resolved. There is ample space available, with many vacancies, which makes it very easy for visitors. In addition, security is taken seriously, with staff and surveillance cameras ensuring a safe environment for everyone.In summary, my visit to the Tampa Zoo was an excellent experience. The variety of animals, the interactive attractions, the quality of the facilities, the affordable price, the pleasant environment, the program for families, parking and security were aspects that impressed me positively. I recommend this zoo to anyone looking for an educational and fun experience for the whole family.

I visited ZooTampa at Lowry Park back in 2021. The place is very big, so I suggest you give yourself some time to explore. I really enjoyed their selection of birds. The monkey exhibit is really cute. You can watch them swing around on ropes and climb towers. If you like hands on experiences- there is an area where the birds are very friendly and sometimes they come so close that they touch you, for myself it was a very pleasant experience. I definitely recommend this Zoo.

This zoo is so good we originally went for the day but decided to get a yearly membership. Definitely worth joining, plus 50% of other zoos and aquariums that take part in it. Animals are in habitats that resemble their natural habitat. What an awesome experience to say the least. Go online and plan out your day by feeding the giraffes, or doing one of the other activities with an animal. A kid area with rides, and games for them to play for an additional cost. Also don't forget to ride the safari truck that explains about the different African animals in that area of the zoo. I highly recommend stopping by and checking out what it has to offer.

Went for creatures of the night. Great experience for our 3 yr old great granddaughter. Not to scary. Actors were very considerate to the little ones and did not scare or chase them, but they did the older kids.

My son had such an amazing time here. He was able to see his favorite animals and more. We had a really good time. The pictures they take of the family are a really fun memory to have.

Beautiful, well-kept zoo with happy, healthy animals. You could easily come back every day in a week and see something different. When I visited in January their special exhibit was animatronic dinosaurs. I am a Dino freak so this made me very happy! That was just an added bonus, but a good one.I'm also a birder so seeing all the lorikeets, flamingos, pelicans and more up close was a real treat.

I quite liked this zoo. It was very busy but the crowds seemed to flow nicely. Parking was free but took a while to find a spot. More food options inside the park would be nice, even snack carts here and there could work out. Most of the animals seemed happy and well looked after. The tiger seemed quite stressed out, pacing back and forth in a habitat far too small for it so thay was kind of sad. The special limited dinosaur exhibit was neat, had a small wait to get in as to keep people sort of spaced out once inside.

Really really fun and educational. It's been a long time since I've been to "the zoo" and I'm so happy I went to ZooTampa at Lowry Park recently. This place is a full-blown theme park with an incredible amount of animals, activities and education if you're looking for it. We saw some amazing things and I am very content with our day long trip. That said, I got us annual passes and can't wait to go back!

Me and my family had a blast here. Loved being able to see all the different types of animals. The prehistoric predators exhibit was amazing too. Great price for everything that’s included. Only thing that I didn’t like was the adults who were drunk and being loud and saying stuff that shouldn’t be said in front of children.

Had a great day at the zoo with my wife and 22 month old. There were lots of cool animals to see. It's a nice zoo as well. Very well kept up with. The splash pad was a big hit with my son as well. Great way to cool off in the Florida heat. I recommend going.

We had a great day at the zoo today! They've added so many new things since the last time I went. The new water ride is really fun. Aunt a great reprieve from the heat. This Zoo just keeps getting better. The kids think it's great and so do we.

A fantastic zoo. Went without researching (on purpose). I Wasn't expecting a water ride or all the water fountain places to get wet and cool off. Recommend wearing a bathing suit and bringing towels to enjoy it all. Also, most of the feedings were already booked up by an hour of being at the park after opening, so I also recommend booking any animal interactions (feedings, etc) prior to visiting! Overall, a great zoo and we will plan accordingly next time, to enjoy all they have to offer.

You know it’s a great zoo when all the animals were thriving and active throughout our entire time at the zoo. It was quite empty when we went, but it was perfect, not too crowded great visibility on all the animals. Got to see a Macaw training session too!Highly recommend! The ticket was also quite affordable, we bought it at the gate and they had a deal for returning to the zoo throughout 2024.

Very impressed. Great layout. All the animals were active. Love the new addition of Australia.This zoo has it all. Animals, shows, and rides! Rides are geared mainly for the littles, but we had a blast watching them have so much fun. It's definitely a must do when visiting Tampa. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and bars scattered across the zoo.

My kids and I had a great time visiting here. We enjoyed seeing the different animals that we haven’t seen before and learning about the manatee rescue.Whoever decided to put rides and water features in the zoo is a genius!! I felt like there was a lot of shade as we were going through and the fans helped cool us down as well.I docked a star bc there seemed to be a lot closed…rides, restaurants, stores, etc. It also smelled really bad by the orangutans…not sure if there was something going on or if that is normal.

Really enjoyed this Park, the animals looked well cared for with nice areas built to enclose them more naturally for many. The elephants were easily viewed on a little free safari included with admission. The rides were a nice plus especially the water ride. Splash pads and misters really helped with the heat, we lasted all day with a 7 yr old in late June around 87 out. Wendy’s Frosty stand was refreshing. Water was a bit pricey but other than that all perfect experiences, including interaction with staff.

A very nice zoo with lots of species. Areas are well-marked and the exhibits are laid out so that you do no wandering and searching like I've done at other zoos. Only 4 stars because a number of enclosures are needing work. (No water in hippo, enclosure, water features in other enclosures no running.) Feb 20 and there were lots of elementary school children swarming from enclosure to enclosure but otherwise, it was surprisingly uncrowded. A few food spots were closed making me suspect this is the slow season. I thought the food was reasonably-priced. Entry fee was on par with other zoos.Is it better than that other Tampa place that has roller coasters and animals? I depends on what you want. I am not big on thrill rides and love animals so I would choose Zoo Tampa. The other place is more of a walk along the back of the park safari path and is cool too. If I had to choose one I would choose Zoo Tampa. If my family had to choose one it would go with the thrill ride park.

This is a nice zoo. I’ve never seen koalas up close like that before. There are a few rides that are free. A carousel and a small kid friendly roller coaster. It’s manageable to see the zoo in 2.5-3.5 hours depending on the age of kids you have. The Asia area and Africa area have nice details that make it feel authentic. Staff were very nice.

So many animals to see! Definitely so worth it but do pick a good day, it can get hot. They do have water mist stations throughout the zoo where you can cool down though. Desserts and food there as well, ofc just be ready to pay a little more than you would outside. Reg drink or bottle of water is what $4-5. Inside you’ll pay double that. Otherwise everything else is amazing. We even got our pictures printed out and shared to us.

We had a blast here. Being able to walk into a place where you can join the birds was an experience. Please do not pass up the chance to see the flying macaw birds. The animals were all out!If you can make it before April, they have a great dinosaur exhibit.Brace yourself, it is expensive. The food, however, was very good. The portions were generous.The cost for a family of 4 was just shy of $200 for tickets, so for a bit more, we went ahead and grabbed season tickets.

We had a really nice day at the zoo today. They have a lot of nice exhibits, experiences and even rides! The tickets were approximately $49 per adult, which seemed reasonable. It took us a little over 4 hours to get through everything and that included waiting 30 minutes for the safari ride. I recommend getting there when they open because parking is limited.

My daughter had a blast there. We went on a field trip. The workers done seem the nicest. But it didn't stop us from having fun. My daughter got her face painted. The lady that painted her face was pretty friendly. And she did a wonderful job. There's even a little splash pad for the kids.

Such a great zoo! My 1st time coming, we will definitely be back with our 1 yr old son.I attached a couple pictures of the line we waited in. How long it went so fast...we were probably only in line for about 5 minutes.🙂 There were approximately 40 people ahead of us when we 1st got in line.(*In The Giftshop*) Motorized-buggies available to rent $40, regular wheelchair $14All the workers were great and the bathrooms were THE CLEANEST I'VE EVER SEEN, clearly That is a High Priority at this zoo! I Love That!!

This is a lovely zoo!We were able to leave our luggage at the front desk. The safari ride, for no extra cost, was a fun experience. Everyone who works here was super friendly and helpful. They had a good variety of animals. The zoo is quite shaded with misting stations, too. They also have dietary restriction friendly options. While the price is high, they're running a promotion so you can get in as many times as you'd like through 2024 for the price of one ticket.

Absolutely gorgeous zoo. Most of the animal exhibits are very large and well created for the animals. Great layout. Lots of unique animals with great descriptions at the exhibit. I would highly recommend. The only issue we faced was finding parking. We arrived late on a Thursday morning and it took more than 20 minutes to find a parking space

Was a fun day trip. We have been talking about going for awhile, and now we are talking about heading back. The Zoo is clean, enjoyable, well laid out and the amenities are perfect. Fans and misters for hot days, lots of beverage and food options, and of course fun gift shops.The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and seemed to actually enjoy their time there. Great family trip or just two adults like us looking for something fun to do.

The safari adventure is a must do part of the zoo, I recommend going straight to it when you get into the park to avoid a long line, you get to see some animals you can't see from anywhere else in the zoo, and different angles and occasionally closer views of the African animals. During the summer I would definitely get there early to beat the heat but there are plenty of fans, misters, and even a water ride to help cool you off. Overall really great experience with plenty of animals and if you have kids there's lots of activities and rides for them to enjoy besides just the animals

4.6

(24827)

4.5

(4113)

1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, USA

+60 other lists

4.0

(3106)

Tampa, FL, USA

+11 other lists

Amazing setup and beautiful landscape!! We visited this place with our three children (9, 6 and 3 year old). And everyone loved every bit of it. Mind you it was 92F degrees outside when we went there to visit. However, due to the excellent landscape (lots of thick and tall trees and bushes) we could barely see the sun while it was pleasantly mild temperature all throughout the park. There are plenty of dinosaur and ice age animal exhibitions to see and take pictures of. They have gem finding and fossil finding mini section where children can have extra fun activities for additional fee. General admission prices we found to be adequate for the amount of fun we received during our visit. Don’t forget to ask for their military discount if you’re a veteran or active duty member. And even your spouse or significant other with a proper dependent ID can get a small discount, which I found it to be really nice (every bit helps 😊). All in all it was an amazing experience! Highly recommend visiting this place. Be sure to bring lots of fluids and a stroller or a cart if you got small children. You’re going to be walking a lot. 😁

Went today for my son's birthday. He absolutely loved it. It is definitely a cute place. There were these ducks that followed us for a second patiently waiting for fish food. It was a great time with the family. Highly recommend

If you're in the area, it's a must-see. It's definitely a family orrinted activity. Dress accordingly, most of the exhibits are located outside. The gift shop is very neat. The staff is very helpful. The ticket is very affordable.

So much fun! We were there on a rather hot day, but there are places to stay cool (buildings, shady areas), plus places to buy bottled water. Lots of cool dinosaurs to see, worth the admission price. The carnivore walk may be intense for little ones, but will be a delight for slightly older kids. Lots of great photo ops and educational without being boring. While the Lake George Expedition Dino park still holds the number one spot for me, this is definitely a five star outing. You could easily spend 2+ hours exploring.

Military get in free!I’ve driven by this place for years and thought it would be a bunch of chipped-paint-cheap-small plastic dinosaurs around a lake.My three and one year old LOVED it. Perfect place to take children under 5. It’s divided up into two chunks—there is a playground as soon as you walk in (yes!!) followed by a walking trail of dinosaur species in the back. Dinosaurs are clearly well cared for (no chipped paint!) and they feature ones that I’ve never heard of…so that was kinda fun to learn new things.There is an option to “upgrade” your ticket and do a rock discovery activity in the middle of the park. We purchased that but it was SO busy with people and the kids wanted to hit the trail right away so I do regret doing that upgrade because we never did it. If you have kids over 5, it would be worth it to do that extra activity.Could you make a day out of this? Absolutely. It’s also a mile away from Keel & Curley winery which often has strawberries and u-pick options. I am surprisingly pleased and excited to go back.

Loved visiting this hidden gem! If you have a Dino obsessed little one, I’d definitely recommend taking them here. They have what seems like hundreds of different Dino sculptures with descriptions of each dinosaur. Some I’ve never even heard of! I was pleasantly surprised with how many different activities there is to do here. Seems like there is something to do or look at no matter where you looked, which we all enjoyed so much. Especially some of the more “hidden” dinosaurs. I love that there are multiple playgrounds for multiple age groups. Was really excited to see that they were adding a splash pad, but unfortunately it was not in working order when we visited. Overall, it’s a great little place to explore for a few hours with your littles! **Please call ahead if you plan on using military discount because their online and in person discount is very different**

Dinosaur World is a really amazing place. My kid loves it a lot. you can spend around 2 hours there. escavation pass doesn't mean much for adults. it would be better if you could provide some more interactive activities with dinos for kids.

Took my five yr old grandson, who is very knowledgeable about dinosaurs. We had a blast. Worth every penny. We only spent a few hours, but could easily have made it 5 hours.

It is best to think of this place as a nature park with dinosaur statues and a few activities for the kids. It is a good place to go when the weather is nice and you just want a relaxing few hours. You can bring a picnic basket, walk around the trails, read the placards about various dinosaurs, and enjoy your lunch. It has some activities for young children such as a kids train ride, playground, and mini golf.

We went a few years ago on a field trip and it was alright, my kids were 4 & 5 then. They had a good time. We just went again (they’re 8 & 9 now) and we had a blast! You can tell they’ve been revamping. They have new things to do, added dino skeletons to the museum (super cool btw) and now a splash pad which was perfect for this Florida heat. Lots of cool dinosaurs EVERYWHERE. Definitely bring bug spray, a couple cold waters and a lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables.

This out in the open dinosaur world of a gem was absolutely fantastic. Really a great place to take the kids they do need more drink and food options while there but all in all a really great facility. My daughter had a great time in the playgrounds and really enjoyed walking the yard looking at the full size dinosaurs this was a great family treat.

This park is very nice and simple. My 3 year old had fun here. We did the fossil digging and gem panning. The playground is nice too. Just make sure to bring snacks and drinks especially during summer time as it tends to get really hot. But there are shaded areas where you can rest and have picnics. Interesting place for dinosaur lovers out there!

We have always wanted to stop at dinosaur world and finally had the chance. It was a really neat experience for everyone. I had doubts that the older kids wouldn’t like it but even the adults enjoyed everything. It wasn’t too crowded and it was nice being outdoors. The only complaint was they didn’t have any options for food or even snacks.

This is a big playground. Like any playground at any park. Its picnic style they do not sell food. A bit expensive for what it is. THE STAFF is really nice. I love the souvenir store. Its more for babies than big kids. Definitely not for teenagers

Took my son for his 3rd birthday (should have went a day early for a free ticket).Dinosaurs are cool to look at but a lot costs extra. I wish everything would be included in the price, since it's already pretty pricey.My son had a good time but was disappointed we didn't have a train ticket (we thought we purchased one at the front)Did enjoy it was dog friendly, so our pups got to join for the day.Pretty much a one and done deal, no desire to go back again.Bring your own water and bring plenty, NO water bottle filing stations at the restrooms.Was cool they had it decorated for Halloween.

Our 2 year old son and 4.5 year old daughter absolutely loved this place! Despite the rain and heat, they had a lot of fun seeing all of the different dinosaurs, walking through the indoor areas with museum displays and a few animatronics. There was a little play area and a few add-on attractions as well. We got through it pretty quickly since our kiddos weren’t as interested in us reading about each of the dinosaurs, but it was still worth the money.

Our visit to Dinosaur World in Tampa left us with mixed feelings. While the concept of seeing life-sized dinosaurs was exciting, the experience fell short of expectations.Firstly, the park boasted a variety of cool dinosaurs to observe, but disappointingly, some were missing or under maintenance during our visit, which detracted from the overall experience.Another downside was the relentless onslaught of mosquitoes throughout our time there, making it quite uncomfortable to explore the exhibits without constant distraction.Moreover, the lack of food and water for sale was a major drawback. It seemed like a missed opportunity for the park to enhance visitor satisfaction and generate additional revenue. Adding these amenities could potentially attract more visitors and encourage longer stays.On a positive note, the gift shop was a highlight. It offered a variety of dinosaur-themed souvenirs and memorabilia, which was enjoyable to browse through.One commendable aspect of Dinosaur World is their pet-friendly policy, allowing us to bring our furry companion along, which added a nice touch to our visit.In conclusion, while Dinosaur World has its charms, such as the impressive gift shop and pet-friendly environment, improvements in amenities like food and water availability, as well as better maintenance of exhibits, would greatly enhance the overall visitor experience.

The past is a mysterious and exotic place. Dinosaur world took me to this place and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Me and my best buddy spent 2 hours journeying the park and observing these representations of beautiful beasts. All the reviews say it is for small kids but in reality it is for anyone who appreciates prehistoric animals. Would definitely recommend!

Definitely fun and must go if your little one is a fan of dinosaurs! We had a blast.BUT the activities (fossil dig, excavation) are HOT. There’s no fans, no air flow, no breeze and it’s probably 30+ degrees hotter than outside. There’s no water available on the trail and the vending machines are cash only.Be sure to bring fans, tons of water, and snacks otherwise you will not have a good time.

Very nice!! Mom, daughter and 4 grandchildren aged 9 years to 10 1/2 months!! Rode the train, played in the fossil dig, fun on the good sized playground, took a cooler with drinks, sandwiches, chips, snacks... you can take a stroller or wagon for kiddos, lots of entertainment for everyone, mini golf...... great gift shop nicely priced... a very good bargain! The store says 2 hours but we could easily stayed for 4 hours!

Really cute park to take the young dino enthusiasts. We were there for about 5 hours. Spent time with 2 Paleontologists, learned some interesting facts we didn't know. Prospected for gems (crystals and stones), dug for some little fossils (mostly little teeth and mini bone fragments). The dinosaurs throughout the park are very well done and maintained. They look fantastic in photos. There are real fossils in the museum and the Exhibition Cave. Plus real Dino skeletons in the Doom Exhibit. Fun Dino toys for purchase in the gift shop. Bring your own cooler and snacks. Lots of picnic areas to take a break and eat your food. The playground was a great spot for my 6 year old to finish using up his energy for the ride home.

Surprisingly well laid out and clean. Great for families with smaller kids. Nice paths.... short and simple train ride.... reasonably price compared to others these days. Most of all, my children loved it. They have a dinosaur themed playground that the kids enjoyed thoroughly. How is this place not better known?

Highly recommend if you enjoy walks outside and/or dinosaurs! We paid for the full experience, which includes a train ride, fossil dig, and gem sifting, along with admission to the park. The earlier you arrive the better. We went right when the doors opened and by the time we left, it was packed!This place is amazing. All kinds of shade and vegetation. Tons of dinosaurs spread all around. Cool eating scenes. A few animatronic dinosaurs at the beginning. Can feed tiny fish for $1. They have a huge gift shop full of rocks and fossils and all kinds of dinosaur related things. I wish it was closer as I would keep coming back, even if to just enjoy a nice walk!

Great place to visit and take family. Love the winding paths that you can travel down at your own pace. Beautiful setting. They do not have a place to eat and while the large gift shop carries water, you are welcome to bring your own cooler and the local pizza place delivers here. They are more then happy to invite you to eat in the lovely picnic area with whatever food you bring in. Very helpful and nice staff. Easy to get to right off of I-4 and plenty of parking.

We had a great time at Dinosaur World! So many dinosaurs to see and a cute little train. They have a small splash pad area, two different playgrounds, and a little place to dig (extra $), and two little walk through museums. Its nice and shaded throughout the park but can get extremely hot and humid in the summer and a little buggy. I wish they had fans near the picnic tables at least for the kids to cool down and eat a snack.

Very cool place! Well maintained, clean. Kids loved it! Bugs were a little annoying but expected. Have a nice splash pad, good sized playground, 2 actually. Highly recommend if your kids are into dinosaurs!

This is the coolest place to visit with kids. Easy to spend a good 2-4 hours here taking in all the sights and Activities. The outdoor boardwalk of dinos is really cool, and there are two large playground areas for younger and older kids- including shade structures! Don’t skip the museums- both have really neat exhibits. You can easily check out the place without the extra paid activities (mining, train, fossil dig), but also worth it as the kids loved it! We came expecting to spend 1.5-2 hours, and ended up leaving after 3 hours- but could have stayed longer. Plenty of picnic areas throughout to bring a packed lunch. Only negative is summer time is HOT and lots of bugs, but that’s Florida! Pest control strategies might be a good investment to lessen the bugs just a bit! Would love to go again during winter when it’s cooler out!

This place is amazing! They are always adding new things to see and experience. My kids grew up in this park and always want to visit when we are in central Florida. Pay the extra for the dig and gem strike. The gift shop is pretty amazing too so expect to buy something there. They also have some cool vending machines. Their park equipment is on point. If you have kids under 12 take them here! As of 2024 spring you are allowed to leave and comeback same day with wrist band.

Thank you for being dog friendly! Gibson felt so welcome from start to finish. We love the shade and reading through all the education signs.We also couldn't help but notice how clean the dinosaurs were. This park is clearly loved by the on-site team and it shows!

Fun and cool looking place, whole family had fun! Definitely another great option to bigger theme parks, as it's cheaper and less crowded. (I prefer this.) Beautiful plants as well, it really felt like we were in a jungle.

Have taken two of our grandsons to Dino World.Kids loved it. Train ride, fossil dig, and museums were well-liked. Small crowd on a Monday (30 cars). Bring a lunch. Kids should be into dinosaurs, and will learn a lot during your stay.

We enjoyed the Cave City KY location and saw the Florida one was close to our Spring Break trip so we HAD to go! We had a blast! Everyone was nice, it was very clean, and we just had a blast. We enjoyed the quarter smasher and the automated cotton candy machine. We all need to support places like this. So, if you're in the area, check out this super fun place!

4.5

(6213)

4.0

(708)

5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565, USA

+32 other lists

Shout out to the lady who said there was another boardwalk, or I would have completely missed my chance to see the manatees. Great place, very friendly staff. Observator, stingray center, food, manatees, trails. What could you not like about this place.

Lovely place. Great for the kids. Nice nature trails, boardwalks, and observation tower. Come in the winter to see the manatees but there is plenty of other wildlife to see year round. Staff were very friendly and helpful.

This place is amazing, and free!! Parking filled up fast, but they have an overflow parking lot. There were at least thirty manatees in the area when we came, and it’s still pretty warm right now. The observation tower was worth the walk, lots of schools of fish to see and watch them jump. The learning area is geared towards smaller children but was still interesting. Cute gift shop. We didn’t eat onsite, but they did have a place for food and the prices seemed very reasonable.

During my visit to the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, FL, I was truly impressed by the exceptional level of maintenance and care evident throughout the facility. The staff's extensive knowledge of marine life, particularly their expertise on manatees, greatly enriched my visit. Furthermore, I was delighted to see the commitment to sustainable energy, with a notable emphasis on solar and wind power. The fact that the majority of the facility operates on solar energy is a commendable feat, reflecting a dedication to environmental responsibility.The day of my visit was particularly memorable as I had the opportunity to witness a remarkable number of manatees, as well as encountering some sharks and tarpon. This diverse marine life added an extra layer of fascination to the experience. Overall, the Manatee Viewing Center left a lasting impression on me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Florida's marine ecosystems.

This place is huge. Lots of walking. Unfortunately we came the day a.big storm was coming in and a few days before the viewing area closes for the summer.The water was very muddy. Still got to see a couple sharks and tarpons. We could tell where the manatees were. Still we enjoyed the area. The butterfly area was very nice. We will comeback this winter

Yesterday was the second time that I got to experience and enjoy the Manatee Viewing center. The first time in February I got to see tons of manatees because they were kind of wintering there. Yesterday in April 2020 we took the time to walk the many nature trails there and go to the 50 foot high look-out observation tower! It was beautiful and worth the walk. I would suggest though taking a trail map if there is one because there are multiple trails and things to see. Well worth the trip! Highly recommend seeing this. Especially in the winter months, but really anytime. The educational center was really nice and great for children also the butterfly garden and other exhibits there as well!

We went on a very warm day so we saw 3 manatee and many fish. Touch tank open but educational center closed. Arrive early due to parking

The Manatee viewing center is a great place to visit. Many things are outstanding here and the fact in the day and age is it's free, yes I said free. Colder days are better to visit as your chances of seeing manatees increases greatly. We did see 7 when we went on a 80 degree day though. Find a park representative and ask them about the park all of them are more than happy to educate anyone willing to lessen. They also have a tank with several stingrays in them that anybody can touch. I would visit this place again when we are in Florida and I would recommend others to do so.

Well kept center that brings you closer to nature. Great walking areas and tons of wildlife. The touch pool for the rays was amazing. Wish the center was opened all the time instead of seasonally.

This place was amazing. I'm so glad that they give back to the community like they do as it is free. There is a gift shop, two peirs to walk out onto. They had a petting area for sting rays. They had several beautifully landscaped gardens. These are all just extra perks as far as I'm concerned. The manatees were so very cool!!!

What an awesome experience for people of all ages, and at no cost!!! Everything is set up perfectly. The gift shop was amazing and prices were great! Employees/volunteers were phenomenal. We definitely will be back. Visit on a cooler day to increase your chances of seeing more manatees. Also, consider adopting a manatee to help save these gentle giants!!

A fun, unique, and free experience! It was cool to see the manatees, but also the variety of fish and birds, as well as the occasional shark! There was a neat educational area in the basement with stingrays. We visited in the middle of March so there weren't as many manatees visible, but it was still a great experience.

A must visit in the area! Beautiful and one of a kind experience. Manatees and Sting Ray up close for photos and experiencing. Great bird watching and plant life viewing also. The staff were amazing and very knowledgeable about the animals and plants. The parking lot was crowded but easy to find. Handicap accessible throughout the center. We did not visit the gift shop due to the very long line to enter. Restrooms are available on site. Highly recommend for guests of all ages and interests!

Love free adventures! Entry is free and plenty of parking is free. The manatee viewing is always a thrill. Touch tanks are fun as well. You can walk out to a tower or walk the decking along the water. Restrooms are clean. There is a small gift shop and a snack area. I would check their live cam to be sure the manatees are there before you head over. We've seen them in Jan, Feb and March. Excellent place for kids!

We had an amazing experience at the Manatee Viewing Center! Be prepared to do a lot of walking as there are many beautiful walking trails. We pretty much walked the entire property (about 5 miles). There is a shuttle on site if needed. I recommend getting there at opening as the place tends to get crowded and the parking area closest to the entrance fills up fast (there is over flow parking in the back). Definitely put on your walking shoes as the roads are paved with seashells throughout the trails. Maybe even pack some snack if you have toddlers/infants and definitely stay hydrated! Sunscreen is a good idea too.This is a well maintained property with lots to offer. The viewing pier gets a bit crowded but luckily manatees gather on all sides so everyone has a chance to see them. There is also a fishing pier as you get further into the property. We also visited the Aquarium where they have rescued turtles. There is also an education building that offers lots of FREE brochures/booklets on wildlife and sea life as well as interactive things for the kiddos while in there!Staff at the gift shop was very helpful and friendly. Restrooms are kept clean and stocked. You have the option to donate and support via CHECK only. I wish this was something I knew ahead of time but I will definitely be ready on the next visit. And get this, the Manatee Viewing Center is FREE to the public!! Overall, I think this is a great place to check out and we will definitely be visiting again at the end of the year.

Went here on December 26, 2022. This is a Nature Preserve where manatees in Tampa Bay are attracted to the warm waters of industrial canals. There was a wait time for cars to park at the Manatee Viewing Center, but we got patient and decided to wait. It was a busy day, but was still enjoyable. This experience is free!All the boardwalks and gravel paths are clean and maintained, but bathroom cleanliness can be improved. All the staff were volunteers and were very friendly. During our experience, we saw hundreds of manatees! It was a delight to see these manatees huddle together in a man made habitat. There are various signs educating people about the behavior of manatees and clean energy on the walking trails to the Observation Tower and Overflow Parking. Overall, is definitely worth the wait. Is great to see an organization that sincerely cares about our local wildlife and not looking for our money!

The Manatee Viewing Center was wonderful! I definitely didn't expect to see so many manatees but boy was I wrong. We saw black-tipped sharks, Atlantic Tarpon, Redfin Needlefish, and stingrays! What a wonderful and free experience available to the public! The gift shop has so many cute and affordable keepsakes or gifts to choose from. There is a stingray pool where you can watch and touch the rays as they swim by. So much fun! We can't wait to return!

Super nice place. They have a few trails to walk, a viewing tower, manatee viewing, a stingray pool, and a gift shop. The trails went to places that talked about solar energy and other sustainable energy sources. They had some interactive activities at the stops. They had a little pool with stingrays you could touch where the volunteers were really kind. The manatee viewing spot was perfect. There were so many! Overall great experience considering all the activities were free!

Love this place. A nice bit of walking, since we had to park in the overflow parking lot. Thankfully they have a trolley service which we took after getting our steps in🤣. Plenty of manatee huddle up trying to keep warm. The souvenir shop is small, but we managed to get the perfect pin we were looking for. The turtle hospital was worth the trolley ride. Totally recommend going, it's very educational. It's totally free to get in.

So fun, clean, and it's FREE!!! This place is great! Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. First time touching a sting ray! The walkways are large, everything was clean (even the bathrooms). While the manatee weren't close, you can definitely see them there. It's amazing the entire facility is free. It needs to be on your bucket list!

I absolutely love visiting here, its my 3rd time and I never tire of seeing these beautiful creatures. Parking was easy... and if there is not space in the main parking lot, there is remote parking with a shuttle, free. I always enjoy walking on the boardwalks and there is plenty of railing space to get a good view in. The signs are helpful to identify the birds and fish. The gift shop is very reasonable priced.

I have to rate this place 5 stars not least because it’s totally free! It’s a fabulous way to see these gorgeous creatures and enjoy watching all their cute habits. Plus there are so many other exhibits and fun things for adults and kids to watch and take part in. The little cafe has good food and drink options at really reasonable prices. It was well worth the trip and we will most likely go again when we have friends and family in town. We went over the weekend and did not have to wait even though it was popular. We did not have to buy tickets in advance.

The best free experience! Very clean, no crowds, educational, love watching manatees enjoying the warmer waters! Fun and playful stingrays! Beautiful boardwalk. Definitely will be returning to learn about the birds, gardens, and check out the gift shop.Wheelchair accessible. They have Wheelchairs as well. Very friendly staff. We felt very welcome.

This is a really nice facility and fits nicely into the surrounding environment. There is no guarantee that you will see any manatees, although we did see several, and they were impressive. There is plenty of parking and includes many for handicapped as well. For those with electric vehicles, there are charging stations available. There is no cost for parking or to enter the facility, which is fantastic.If you found this review helpful, please tap the thumbs up. Thanks!

Best time to go is during colder weather months as Manatees hang out here due to the warm water. Mostly gone by March. But they do have an interactive ray tank and you can take a free tram to the turtle conservation center any time and both are wonderful.

Great facility! It's free and free parking. There is a gift shop, you can also get food and drinks there. They have a touch tank with stingrays. We got to see so many manatees and sharks. If you park in the overflow lot the walk to the area is not bad it's pretty. They do have a golf cart shuttle. I will go here again.

Great place to see lots of manatees! There are viewing platforms above the water, so visitors can look down into the water to see the adorable manatees. They gather near the power plant to take advantage of the warmer water in the winter months. There are hundreds of them swimming about! There is a cute gift shop ( an employee told me some of the proceeds go to support manatees) , snack bar, restrooms & an area to see & interact with stingrays.

Einen Stopp wert!Es hat genügend Parkplätze und ab dem Eingang bekommt man viele Informationen zu den Manatees und anderen Tieren, die hier leben. Es ist gut ausgebaut. Man kann auf diversen Stegen hinaus ins Wasser laufen und von oben das Wasser beobachten. Wir haben mehrere Haie, grosse Fische und ein Manatee gesehen. Sehr toll gemacht.Der Eintritt ist kostenlos. Wir waren hier für ca. 1 Stunde.(Translated by Google)Worth a stop!There is enough parking space and from the entrance you can get a lot of information about the manatees and other animals that live here. It is well developed. You can walk out into the water on various footbridges and watch the water from above. We saw several sharks, large fish and a manatee. Very well done.Entry is free. We were here for about 1 hour.

4.7

(8771)

4.5

(2994)

6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572, USA

+89 other lists

Haven’t been here in many years since I was younger. New buildings, everything even nicer than I remember. Took the family for the day when the weather was nice, had a playground in the center in the park and the kiddo loved that. I loved the dioramas of the old circus setups. The grounds are as beautiful as ever and it was a great day to walk the grounds and see the many beautiful types of plants and flowers. As every time I’ve ever been always need more time, just means we will be back soon. There is so much to see, the grounds are worth the trip alone and then the museum for circus items and the art collection. You could easily fill several days or many trips to see it all.

A nice chance to walk around a Franco-Italian piazza from 100 years ago, managed and maintained very nicely. One ticket gets you into almost the entire grounds usually, and my little nephews (7 & 8) and I really enjoyed the Summer Circus Spectacular before making the most of our day. The show was excellent. It’s very intimate in a small theater, no three-ring circus. This is so much the better! The clowns draw you in and make you feel they’ve prepared the show for you alone. The woman from Ethiopia is an incredible juggler, and we also loved seeing the balancing act, acrobats from Ukraine on the double swings, and the acrobat on the long silk rope. We had cheesy macaroni and fish tacos respectively for lunch, but the museum and playground, and we walked through the mansion turned art museum. Fantastic day even in 100 degrees. A great place to talk a walk-and-talk!We bought tickets when we walked up, but we got there exactly at 10AM.

I am so happy we decided to go here. We had such a great time. For years I thought it was just a museum about the circus or clowns but it's so much more. Firstly, there is a museum about the history of the circus and it was honestly very interesting and I learned a lot I never knew about the circus. The miniatures were awesome. The gardens are huge and absolutely gorgeous. Definitely worth taking a walk around. There's a huge playground for the kids but I didn't visit it. The mansion was intricate and beautiful and definitely worth seeing. And after all that, there's still the museum you have to see. I think there are 31 galleries plus the Asian arts building and the courtyard. It was definitely an all day adventure for us. I had a great time. 🎪🤡

Absolutely beautiful place we visited it in the middle of December. Natural setting with beautiful art galleries and mansion which looks like piece of Europe. There are art gallery, botanical garden and the circus museum in one place. For extra cost you can see the first floor of Ringling’s mansion which I found very interesting. The Circus museum has miniature model of the circus from the beginning to the end. I really liked the Glass exhibition.

Gardens are amazing! Went late in the afternoon, so I didn't have time for a full visit. Will definitely be back to see the museum and mansion. Free admission to gardens and museum on Mondays.

This place is much bigger than it looks. It was clean, nice and cool. Lots of great art to look at and the circus to learn about. It will take a few hours to get through this property. Beautiful gardens and property.You are not allowed to take photos inside so I took a few outside.

Worth it!The garden and three museums are wonderful. The view for the Sarasota Bay is stunning. For the exhibition, I love the art museum section, lots of paintings and well maintained for the whole area.Parking is super easy, with plenty of space.Just make sure you are hydrated enough since Florida is always hot!

I lived in Sarasota for 5 years and I never went to this place. However after having move away I always come back every year to visit, and this year I made sure to visit to John and Mabel Ringling aren't museum. Just so you know, admission is free on Mondays so we decided to go on a Monday. Even though there were a lot of people there, the place is so massive that you never really feel crowded. I was able to leisurely view the entire grounds without feeling rushed or crowded. The inside of this place is just as beautiful as the outside. Be sure to hit up all of the wings of the museum. If you're facing the courtyard they are both to the right and left. The house is also gorgeous (Ca d' Zan), But we did not pay to actually tour it. Despite this you can still walk out on the back porch of the home and enjoy the beautiful views. Definitely would recommend!

The John and Mable Ringling Museum is an absolute gem! From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted with a sense of wonder and excitement. The stunning water views add a touch of magic to the whole experience, making it truly unforgettable. Walking through the museum, you can feel the passion and dedication that went into creating such a beautiful place. Every exhibit is thoughtfully curated, showcasing a rich tapestry of art and history that captivates the imagination. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for a delightful day out, this museum has something for everyone. It’s not just a museum; it’s a journey through creativity and inspiration. Highly recommended!

Loved the gardens and the employees art! Really enjoyed the new glass gallery. Overall, most paintings didn't appeal to me. They have too dark or violent themes for me. I personally like uplifting artwork! I found enough to enjoy to make it a nice visit. I'm glad, however, that I hadn't paid to view the art. The rest of the complex is awesome!

Wonderful collection of circus memories and modern art and other items collected by John and Mabel Ringling. Great incite into their lives as well as the lives of some of the performers in their circuses. The park is large, well kept and beautiful. Plan to spend an entire day here. We arrived as soon as they opened and stayed till close. Still didn't get to see everything tho, so the art museum is a two day trip if you want to experience all of it.

I’m glad to visit this museum during our stay in Sarasota. I learned a lot of interesting facts about cirques industry back in the beginning of 20 century. I couldn’t imagine how big was the scale of running cirques for just one day performance for public. Amazing!!The only sad fact is that the cirques king died completely broke having having such a huge and beautiful collection of art.

This place is awesome. There are multiple museums on the grounds, along with the mansion and beautiful gardens. You can easily spend a full day here in order to be able to see everything. The coffee shop above the gift shop has really good coffee.

We only went to the art museum ✨️ It was huge and wow, what a selection 👏. We are members of the Bishop and it has a reciprocal admission with The Ringling so it was free. We plan to go back to see the other buildings. There is a ton of cool things to see. Very well done and worth going to. Free parking, and they have a nice Cafe above the visitor center and gift shop. There are many ponds, gardens, and statues(art) outside as well. It is right on Sarasota Bay with beautiful views 😍

Beautiful gardens to walk through! atmosphere amazing ! art museum amazing painting specially the ones John Ringling requested! We where there 10am to 430pm make sure to wear comfortable shoes!

Very beautiful place. It really is like being temporarily transported to Europe. The gardens are nice but the best part for me was the art gallery. Incredible paintings with some descriptions on their origin. Some paintings are so large they take up a whole wall.Wonderful place to visit!There was a moderate amount of people there on the day we went, though the area is so big it almost feels like you’re the only person there

Wonderful art museum and grounds, as well as a circus museum and opulent house in which they lived. This is a full day’s visit. We went on Monday, when the art museum is free, but still paid for the circus museum. Great collection of renaissance art, some Asian art and more recent stuff. Circus museum is a novelty but very interesting to learn the culture. Staff is friendly everywhere.

There are tons of reviews about this place online. What else I can mention? If you are in the area, absolute must to visit. Easy to navigate and find it. Parking is super convenient and plenty of spaces on the property. No reason to buy tickets in advance. Lines are short and staff is very quick and professional. Price is $25 pp. Prepare to spend at least 2-3 hours there. Lots to see and a lot of stuff you can’t find anywhere. It’s a huge park and be prepared to walk a lot. They have very cool cafeteria/bar with choices of beer and snacks, which is very helpful to re-fuel after walking for hours.Good luck and happy travels!

We came to Sarasota Florida, especially to see the Ringling brothers museum and spend the day. We arrived for our 10:30 welcome house tour to see floors 1 & 2; then proceeded to Grill room for relaxing lunch; onto buildings one and two of the circus museum. We went to Mables for a coffee break upstairs above the gift shop and then finished with the art museum.We didn’t leave the property till 430. It was a wonderful day strolling inside and outside seeing architecture, statues, gardens, artwork and learning circus history.I left with a newfound respect and understanding for the circus, for the Ringings and for their efforts in using their resources for collecting art and donating their legacy to the state of Florida.Definitely worth our time.

Absolutely gorgeous place. Would go again any day. Be prepared to walk a lot so bring comfortable shoes. If it’s humid and hot you might not enjoy the gardens fully but the museum is incredible. Could spend the whole day there. The James Turrell exhibit is a must.

This is probably one of the most unique and creative museums I've ever been to. It focuses on the history of circuses, which you don't often think about. The absolute scale and painstaking detail that went into the miniatures are crazy impressive and aesthetic. Theres also some pretty fun interactive elements to the museum as well.The shore is also within walking distance of this museum, and it's absolutely gorgeous.

Such a great place to visit. Art museum has a lot of old paintings mostly with Biblical references. The inner garden is tranquil and beautiful. They always have different exhibitions that show the artworks from world around. If you like the history of circus the museum will definitely your place. But the most lovely place for me is a house of Ringlings. Castle… Nest.. I don’t know how to name it. It’s amazing. Till today. If you are nearby, you have to visit it. Read the history of John Ringling before to visit this place.

Absolutely 😍 loved the Ringling Museum. This was an experience for the entire family (including my 19 year old son who Never hangs out). We had a blast, from the miniature circus recreation to the galleries to the garden to the Grill. It's just wonderful. You could visit this place two to three times and discover something new each time.

I didn't think I would like this place but...Wow! The miniature model of a working circus (at least 1500 square ft), and the incredible detail, was worth the price of admission alone. Very interesting place with beautiful gardens/grounds to walk around and relax. Nice little restaurant overlooking a pond that has pretty good food too.

This place is a MUST VISIT if you come to Sarasota. The circus exhibitions, history, and details have exceeded my expectations. Ca'D'Zan Palace was breathtaking. The architecture, details, furnishings, and location were stunning.This will give you a different perspective on the life of the circus.

The Ringling museum was very interesting. The House "Ca' d'zan was really cool. The museum had a ton of painting and other art.We wanted to do the 40 minute tour with the upstairs of the house, but it was sold out. The house is right on the water. It was $35 for the museums and the first floor of the house self tour. I guess you can buy them online if you want to do a tour.

What a fabulous experience! Easy and plentiful parking! There used to be so much to see. Very short wait for ticket purchase. On Monday, the art gallery is free and the outdoor gardens are spectacular, with nature mixed with art and sculpture. There used to be something to entice your eyes from every view. Great art, interesting mix of cloth art, sculpture and paintings.

Went to Ringling for the first time, I was very impressed with the entire complex. There are so many different ways to spend your time, from the art museum, circus museums, gardens and walking through the Mansion. I thought it was very unexpected to have such a nice restaurant at that location. The Ringling Grill room overlooks the pond and has a fabulous menu to choose from. Sitting on the terrace with a cocktail and a delicious lunch is the perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon. What is so unique is that you could spend a few hours or an entire day at this location, it is all dependent on your whims.

The kids (ages 2 to 12) and I enjoyed the circus museum. They enjoyed the interactive portions and the miniatures the most. The adults and the 12 year old liked the art museum.There is an outdoor playground with picnic tables and a water feature. This was a nice place to take a break and let the kids play.

So I accidentally chose to come on a day when 500+ school age kids and families were here for free backpacks. However, very very few actually ventured inside to the galleries. I had an Amazing visit. The temporary exhibits were so inspiring!!

100% worth the visit! The entire place is gorgeous and massive so it doesn’t feel crowded. We went on a Monday when entrance to the art museum and the gardens are free. The art museum is wonderful-my partner and I like vastly different styles of art, but this museum had both the styles we love. The view of the water and the gardens was beyond beautiful, just walking around and spotting the turtles and watching for dolphins was amazing. I would suggest spending about 5 hours here if you want to see and do everything. We will definitely be returning to do the circus museum and the house tour at some point.

Wonderful first visit! Miniature circus display was amazing!!! Actual circus museum less so... Beautiful house tour with audio. Take a guided tour for upper floor access. Excellent fine art museum, special exhibits and sculpture garden. Bistro was very good as well. So much to see!

I thoroughly enjoy taking day trips to the museum. The restaurant is a true delight, with an incredible chef who never fails to impress. The bar offers a wide variety of options to choose from. And I always find great joy in exploring the stunning art and landscaping on display.

This place has something for everyone - the circus museums have tons of cool exhibits and information. The art museum is incredible. There are gardens, water views, a playground, and more! We spent 3.5 hours here and didn't get to see everything - this can be an all-day activity and you can absolutely get your money's worth. Highly recommended!

Mondays are "free museum day" to enter the art galleries. Huge tapestry size paintings and nice collection of art. The Center of the U-shaped museum has a large outdoor courtyard with statues, greenery, and shaded walking areas on the building's inner edges. Restoration efforts have preserved the original charm of this building and surrounding gardens. Many sights to see on the Ringling estate in addition to the art. Visitor's entrance to the museum grounds includes a gift shop and sit-down restaurant.

This museum was excellent. So unexpected & interesting. Beautifully presented. Lovely gardens. Grille restaurant had delicious food. The miniature circus room was fantastic !I was never a follower of circus information, but this was fascinating !After 3 hours of circus & house tour there wasn't enough time for the art museum. You can easily spend 3-5 hours & not see everything.2pm on a Thursday was perfect. Not too many people.A definite must location to explore.

4.8

(7923)

4.5

(7441)

5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA

+68 other lists

Awesome marine lab and aquarium. Both in and outdoor display are well organized. Kids loved the petting places where they could touch the sting rays, sharks, starfish, sea cucumbers etcManatees are such a huge attraction.The volunteers and staff are very helpful.The tickets can be expensive but you get 50% off if you have a zoo membership somewhere.You can also get discounts for your boat tours with your mote tickets if you want to do the tour next or later.No food allowed inside but water is welcome. There are places for your to get your water refilled. And a cafeteria in case you get hungry.Expect a couple hours to go over everything. Lot of walking involved for sure.But come have fun with your kids.

Visited on a holiday weekend was not too crazy busy and was able to see all the exhibits.Staff was super friendly and welcomed us with a smile.All the animals looked happy and well cared for. The otters were playing and being goofy water puppies. 🤣🤣Would recommend for couples or families with kiddos.

This is a nice aquarium. We got there early so parking wasn't an issue. We also ordered online so we didn't have to go through the ticket line. All we had to do was show the door attendant our phone or proof of purchase.Walkong through the exhibits was easy and straightforward. It would be hard to get lost in this place. They had a virtual tour where you sit in this egg shaped seat and put on virtual goggles. The seat would move as you explored the ocean. It was 6 dollars a person. They also, had many stations for touching marine life for free. Sting rays, a Dogfish, and even little sharks. It was very cool. We also sifted for shark's teeth. I think it was 10 bucks a bag. It was a bag of sand you sifted in running water. You get a handful of teeth and you get to keep the bag they came in.Mote also has gators, river otters, manatees, and live sea turtles. Those are in a different building so be prepared to walk about a quarter mile to get there. We had a baby so we just drove to the other parking lot closer to that building because it was hot outside.Overall the experience was great. Our family highly recommends making to Mote if you're in Sarasota. It's worth trip. Takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to see everything. Have fun!

Before our trip, we heard such great things about the Mote Aquarium. Our visit lived up to the hype and more. On the surface, the aquarium doesn’t seem like much but it’s packed with interesting displays! Some of our favorites included the sharks, eels, river otters, turtles, and alligators. On top of those, there is plenty more to experience. The staff is more than friendly and were always there to lend a hand, give advice, or teach us a mini lesson. We spent about 2-3 hours going through both buildings. Overall, a great trip and experience and a place I think everyone should, especially with kids.

Extremely interesting and educational. Loads of opportunities to interact with the sea life. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits between several buildings.It may be slightly expensive for some. However, what they do with your money is priceless and well worth donating a few extra dollars towards. Especially their research programs. Mote is a global marine science institution, leading more than 27 diverse, programs. Again, well worth the investment. My favorite area was the jellyfish reproduction lab.Great for families and kids. Don’t forget your water if you go in the summertime, especially for the kids, as you need to walk outside to get to other buildings and their exhibits. ENJOY!

This is a very cool place to visit if you have a fear of open water but still want to experience creatures of the sea. The on-site restaurant is a little pricy for being concession stand food, but it is good. One thing that may be an important detail is that the gift shops close early. I love this place and will be back again.

Decided to visit the aquarium and we were not disappointed. Once you walk in and round the corner, it shows you all the different tanks of fish they have.They also had small pools meant for gently handling the different species.That took us and hour.But wait, there's another building!Manatee, otters, turtles and more.The whole experience took roughly 2 hours and it was fun!Highly recommend to all ages.

I thought I had been to just about all aquariums and seen it all. Boy was I wrong when I went to this aquarium. Very very educational. A wealth of information regarding sea life and opportunities to see them up close as they may be in recovery or a permanent residents due to injuries matters. I probably could have stayed there from the time they open till they closed. I highly recommend this place for anyone, whether you're single dating married or on a family vacation. Definitely stop by this place!

Very nice and fun place to walk around. I’m happy that they are trying to keep this place clean. At this place, you can learn about many marine life and see the laboratory.You can touch some of the sea creatures and the staff explains about the creatures. One thing is the manatees place was little dirty Water and couldn’t see them well. Other than that, it was very well managed.Also they have place to sit and eat and souvenir shop

Not sure if it was because I had low expectations for this place, but I was very impressed with this aquarium. The layout flows nicely, with no bottlenecks. Both indoor and outdoor areas are fun and well designed. The food area is well placed, and has a nice menu. Walking to the second building could be an issue during rainy days, though. But once you're there you'll be treated to cool turtle and manatee exhibits. Overall a fun time if you have a couple of hours to burn.

Nice aquarium with two different buildings to check out. Great for kids and adults. They have a kit you can buy for $11 that your kids can sift for shark teeth, fossils, and possibly a Megladon tooth. Was a good time all around. Would recommend stopping by and checking his place out!

I have visited Mote Marine on several occasions, and each time, I feel there is something new that I missed from previous visits. I could stand in front of the octopus tank for hours, watching this fascinating creature who seems to have a personality of his own. The jellyfish are mesmerizing, and the otters are a laughable bunch who want to entertain as they frolic, slide and wobble about. There is plenty to see, and don't miss the rays touch tank or the shark exhibit. We even thought our burgers at the on-site diner were as good as any we've had elsewhere and far better than any of our local fast food joints. If you're looking for summer entertainment for the kids, Mote will never disappoint!

My kids love ocean creatures and this was the perfect place to visit with toddlers. There was a lot to see and touch, which kept them engaged. At first we had trouble parking, until we saw the sign for additional parking. The additional parking turned out to be a great location because we started in the marine mammal center, which was less crowded.Also zoo and aquarium food can be hit or miss, but the Deep Sea Cafe was amazing. The onion rings were the best I've had in a very long time.

Absolutely awesome aquarium and one of my favorite I've ever been to. I'm not from the coast t, so I can't claim to be authoritative on how great it is, but man I loved it. I could have petted a loggerhead turtle!Price was a bit much, but I thought it was a good value. They have discounts if you gave a zoo membership at other locations too, so that helped.They also had a nice aviary to see as well.

OMG, this aquarium is awesome! Staffs and volunteers are very kind, and we loved watching sharks and one big cute manatee! 😍 It is truly worth visiting here if you live in Florida! Don't forget to touch baby sharks, too!

I think the price ($26 per adult) is reasonable for what you experience. The grounds are spread out and you must traverse from one exhibit another. The exhibits are bright and interactive - perfect for young kids. There are several hands- in areas where the kids can grab horseshoe crabs, starfish, etc. There is lots of parking. The bird area is very nice with a red tail Hawk, vultures and owls. There are 2 gift shops and diner like restaurant.

Throughly enjoyed a mid week visit, quite busy at times, plenty to see. Great exhibits of the different species of fish, sharks, manatees, otters. All well cared for in clean appropriate surroundings x

Free experience and love that they are doing some good. Kids watched the pelican feeding which was fun and also free. Something nice to do for an hour or so if you're killing a little time between beach hopping.

This is a fantastic Aquarium! We drive 3 hours to come and visit, and it was well worth the drive. I loved the variety of species. All critters looked well cared for, and everything was clean. I didn't know there were dwarf Cuttlefish, and they may have been my favorite. They changed colors and did the moving stripes patterns, too. We were lucky enough to be watching them at feeding time. That was fun! Shifting for shark teeth was great fun, too. There are 2 touch tanks. In one, you get to touch a shark! How cool is that! The staff and volunteers were very friendly and talkative. All seemed happy to be working or volunteering there. Loved seeing the preserved Giant Squid. Sharks, eels, Axolotis, large variety of fish, birds, otters, Alligator, Manatee, Loggerhead Turtles, Octopus, snake, ..... that's just some of what you will see. They have a 50's Diner that is a great place to eat. $12.95 gets you a cheeseburger and fries. It's a big, juicy burger. I would go to a restaurant that served that burger if it wasn't inside the aquarium. Diner had friendly staff and was clean. I can't say enough good things about Mote Marine. Very family friendly, and we will be back!

We have been to this aquarium three times already and we love it everytime. It's nothing grand compared to larger aquariums but it's great for a small family trip if wanting to go to an aquarium. Everything looks clean and the animals look like they're well taken care of. Employees are very nice and helpful. I highly recommend coming here!

Second timer, but it's been a while. Pretty stellar spot -- was pretty spread out and they now have two buildings that you can walk between. Definitely thought that was a cool new addition.Had several exhibits that I felt you could sit and enjoy for a while, including the river otters that were quite amusing.Different activities for all ages, including a virtual reality experience, several touch tanks, opportunities to feed some birds, and a gem mining experience to name a few.They have a restaurant on site with basic items and have both inside and outdoor seating areas. There is also a very large area for events and/or kiddos to get the wiggles out.Highly recommend.

Do not miss!!! My favorite aquarium ever. Lovely staff well taken care of animals and equipment. I got to pet 6 different kinds of fish. They have Sharks, jellies, otters, manatee. And tons more Even a bird sanctuary! Really cute gift shop.

Such an amazing adventure and experience! So much closer up encounters and education. And a lot of focus on keeping young ones entertained. This might be one of my favorite aquariums!

I thought there was incredible variety of sea life and a wonderful mix of interactive and educational displays. The music in some of the aquarium rooms really set the stage for an inspiring experience. I loved witnessing how kind and knowledgeable the staff was towards our group. I absolutely loved sharing this experience across the generations of folks we had in our pod. That being said, I wish I could’ve received a little more information about the fossil display!!!Would most definitely return!!!

This was a great little side trip to take a break from the sun. There was a large variety of sea life and the volunteers were very friendly and informative. I especially love the sea turtles! My only disappointment was there was only one Manatee.

This was an amazing aquarium!!!! This place was packed with all kinds of things to see. When you thought you were done, there was another building and then an entire bird area. I could have stayed and watched the Cuddlefish forever because they are absolutely bizarre creatures. We got to watch them clean and scrub the turtles' backs, and saw the biggest manatee named "Buffett" I have ever seen.

I was in the area just for a weekend and wanted to do something for fun but at the same time where I can learn something new.Amazing place to learn more about the marine ecosystem. 🐟🐠🐡🦈I loved the whole experience and definitely recommend it for all ages. We need to take care of our marine environment for the sake of future generations.

Mote is an absolute blessing. Their animals are so well taken care of and you can tell this is a place built on love and dedication to sea life. I always feel joyous and fulfilled coming here, and it never gets old. There’s also a bird section which is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside! There’s also a park on the beach a short walk away with boardwalks through mangroves which is always a must.

Took a day trip out to the aquarium and was very surprised about the variety of animals! Large enough to spend at least an hour or two there but still have plenty of the day left! Just as a heads up if there is no parking in the main lot go to the boat slip parking and park there, save the hassle of driving around hoping for a close spot!

This is a fantastic place to visit if you are visiting the area. Took my kids for a little relief from the sun. They had a blast. Went first thing in the morning it wasn't crazy busy. It did get really busy while we were leaving. Spent about 2 hours here. My only word of caution is the manatee and turtles are in a separate building about a 5 min walk so if you park in the first lot and you have someone who can't walk long distances in the heat jump back in the car and drive to the other lot closer to that building.

Very educational for all ages, All types of sealife but bring your walking shoes after you finish 1st section you will walk outside to the Birds area(fun to talk to the parrots) then onto the otter section across the way. Yes you can take a break between exhibits & you can drive/walk to the otter building then show tix to get in. Walk at your pace. We spent 3 to 4 hours really looking at all the exhibits & animals. Clean environment for all all animals. ❤️ Lots of parking areas including ♿️ & elevators when needed. Keep up the great work, FUN day in Florida.

We had opportunity to visit this awesome aquarium this time while on our Anniversary at the Siesta Key resort. It was only a short 20 min drive from the Key to get their and was well worth the trip. We bought our tickets in advance on line so no waiting in line at the gate. (I highly recommend buying your tickets on line and also strongly suggest getting there at least 15-30 min before your ticket scheduled time slot). This is a great family friendly environment great for any age but I would also suggest that the kids be at least 5 yrs old to really enjoy it. Children under 2 yrs of age are free to get in. Considering that all the proceeds go to the aquarium up keep and the rehabilitation of injured sea creatures it is all very well woth the modest price of $30 or so a person for adults. I would Pay that easily anyday to see the Cool sea critters they have in here. They have one exhibit where you can actually reach your hand into a pool and physically touch Sea Rays 🌊 and Guitar Fish. (*I warn you though, The Guitar Fish is a attention hog and a ham, Lol!) I could go on for sometime about all the cool stuff but since a picture is worth a thousand words please see my pics or better yet go there in person. Unless you hate aquariums you will not be disappointed.

I have been upwards of four times and loved it each visit! Wide variety of wildlife, information, and interactive activities. I spoke to a few volunteers, who were all super knowledgeable and sweet- one had been volunteering there for 15 years! There was also a section on the history of the research center and aquarium that was fascinating. It was very crowded, as I went on a holiday, but that did not affect my experience. Points off for the cost (I understand that aquarium upkeep takes funding) and the fact that there were countless additional activities that cost extra. Would definitely go again, but it would be much more frequent with a reduced cost/student discount!

This is an older, small aquarium and marine biology research facility founded in the 1950’s. You’ll see sharks and jellyfish and a touch pool. Pose by the massive jaws of the Megalodon Shark. There is a snack bar and gift shop. Take the time to read the signage by the displays — they are very informative. This is a great place to bring the kids!Mote is building a huge modern aquarium just off of I-75 that’s scheduled to open next year.

My friend and I had an absolute blast at Mote! It was really fun seeing all the sea creatures… The staff members at the exhibits were very informative and friendly.

I’m surprised the ratings are so high here. Nice volunteers, nice hands on exhibits for kids, but we had 3 adults for $87, and I’ve seen better exhibits in the Midwest. One reviewer said he felt sorry for the animals, and I concur. It’s a bit pricy for the experience. I was happy to see that there are plans for a remodel/expansion.

First time here absolutely loved the experience beats sitting around on a Sunday waiting for workday to come upThe staff was extremely knowledgeable and made the experience here very pleasurableI’d recommend this place to anyone looking for somewhere nice to go see some interesting aquatic speciesI reside in north port which is boring as hell!Sarasota hosts some of the most interesting places to visit and shops yes it’s about an hour away but can’t buy timeSo I recommend this place to anyone and everyone!

We went on a Sunday and it was not that crowded. This place was clean and well staffed with knowledgeable people to ask questions of. They had way more marine life there to enjoy than I expected. They even had some interactive displays for the kids to play with including 3D headsets.They are building a new bigger and fancier Aquarium, opening some time in 2026. This one is well worth a visit in the meantime. We will be back.

This was my third visit to this aquarium, each time taking visiting family members. We had two kids under 10 in our party. I was disappointed in the pricing for kids at $21. Nevertheless, the aquarium is cool, with a manatee, sharks, rays, and huge turtles. Some of the exhibits (like the Ray tank) are interactive. There are many volunteers who are helpful in describing things and were quite informative. Overall, it was a good place and cool experience. I'm sure I'll be back.

Nice aquarium with lots to see. Not too busy when I went, though sound can be overwhelming at times. There's also a walk between buildings as there are two sections. Overall nice aquarium.

4.7

(9216)

4.5

(4420)

1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

4.5

(5822)

Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

+46 other lists

This is now one of my favorite beaches in the US! Such a quiet and chill beach! It’s clean, family friendly but also we didn’t feel like we were over run with children. The water was warm and beautiful. The sand was powdery soft and not grainy like most beaches. The waves were pretty calm for the most part. They have free parking and nice accommodations with shops and a lot to do. I really enjoyed myself and can’t wait to return. Definitely check them out! Worth the trip to have such a relaxing day on the water!

The Gulf coast of the US are home to some of the best beaches in the country and this beach is right there at the top . The sand is soft, white and sugary. The Emerald colored water is very clear. A must visit beach for sure.

Beautiful beach w beautiful sand and view. A lot of people walking the beach, that was nice. Clean and Clear water. Love that they have a concession stand w breakfast in the menu. I had a bagel breakfast sandwich, it hit the spot and they tables you can sit and eat at. They have a small nice souvenir shop.

Super soft, powdery sand. Water is nice temperature and pretty clear. Many little fish swimming around. Didn’t see any crabs, hermit crabs, jellyfish, etc. pretty sure we saw a manatee pop up not too far from the shoreline. The main part of the beach has lifeguards on duty. That area can become very congested. We went way further down and it was so relaxing. Beautiful views. Watched sunset but the views were limited due to clouds that night. Attempted to watch sunrise but it was difficult due the the building on that side. Definitely softer send than turtle beach. Would recommend turtle beach if you’re looking for shells. Siesta Key beach did have some shells, but did not find as many large ones.Tons of local shops and great restaurants nearby! Check out my other reviews for food recommendations!

Great beach, sand feels so soft and it doesn’t get hot. Water was clear and just warm enough. No issues finding parking but we arrived after 2pm. We stayed to watch the sunset and it did not disappoint.

It is the most beautiful beach that I have ever seen. Perfect white sand is so thin and delicate. Stays cool even in the high heat. Just Perfect.

Coming from the East coast beaches, Siesta Key was a refreshing change from the heavy, pounding waves at Cocoa beach, Melbourne beach, Sebastian Inlet and Vero Beaches. The waves at Siesta Beach are relaxing and hardly any current to worry about taking you away. Waist to chest deep clear cool water make it nice to cool off after laying in the sun. Of all the beaches I have been to in Florida, this is my favorite. I will be visiting again.

I have been going to Siesta Key Beach for years! It is, in my opinion, the best beach in the United states. The quartz sand is baby powder soft and bright white! The waters are crystal clear and have the most beautiful aqua blue color due to the quartz sand reflecting under the water. It is so beautiful, it's like being on a Caribbean island. Siesta Key is the only Beach I will go to in the United states. No other Beach compares.

Linda and I drove down from Longboat Key to Siesta Key Beach to see for ourself the famous white sand. It was unbelievably soft to walk on and regardless of how hot the day became, you could still walk on the white quartz sand without burning your feet. We had an awesome time with plenty of free parking, restroom and outdoor showers and the water was just great! If we had more time, would definitely consider spending another day at the #1 beach in the USA!

One of the most amazing beaches of the world. The smoothest and most white sand I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend to have your sunglasses with you because the white sand is reflecting the sun so much. And if you want to enjoy the water, don’t forget an umbrella or a pavilion to have some shadow. I highly recommend going to the beach on weekdays because on weekends it’s very full. And if you can manage it enjoy the beach in the early morning when you can look at the sea and the sun rises to your left, this is an awesome start into the day and you won’t be alone.

Nearly 80 degrees today. Water tempt was in 60s, possibly 70s. Food. Folks. Fun. Families. Vendors. Clean restrooms. Volleyball. Swim. Shop. Competitive parking. Patience. Follow the arrows. Avoid ignoring the DO NOT ENTER signs in the parking lot. Be kind and avoid stealing parking spaces from other patrons. Be nice.

From the moment you set foot on the beach, you are greeted by a sense of tranquility and beauty that is unmatched. The water is clear and inviting, ideal for swimming or simply soaking up the sun. With its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere, it's no wonder why Siesta Beach is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the US.

Beautiful beach. Nice amenities… breathtaking sunsets. So much soft sand it seems magical.

This beach was beautiful! It may have been super busy but the sand and water was amazing. The sand was super white, soft, and it wasn't hot when you walked on it. My fiance and I had a great time relaxing at this beach and playing in the waves. We also saw dolphins!

4.8

(25024)

4.5

(8648)

Sarasota, FL 34242, USA

Amazing way to spend Mother's Day...any day really! Enjoyed the narrated boat tour...galloping gators, feral hogs, and fauna galore...something for everyone!

beautiful place for enjoy the nature and the real Florida landscape and animals!

Great for kids! Airboat tour with gators, birds, wild pigs in sight. Tram ride with excellent description of flora, fauna, and history. Great restaurant and gift shop. Camping facilities look nice and we'll kept. Many opportunities for walks and bicycle rides.

Excellent camp ground for youth scout camping and to the looks of it great for family camping. Gas stations within 15 min drive for ice and other things along with a Walmart about 20 minutes away. Great roads for bike rides and also plenty of good views with alot of alligator sitings. Make the 1 hr trip to peace river if you can and dig for some fossils when the water is low!

Wonderful campground with plenty of space.

The campsite was huge and well cleared with plenty of flat spots for tents; the water out of the spigot was delicious and clean and didn't have that standard Florida sulfur taste; the state park staff was extremely accommodating and helpful; and the site was secluded from other campers. Overall, a fantastic experience!

Its better just putting anything modern away and imagine it being 90 years ago. Get the real feel for the real Florida

4.9

(32)

4.5

(3423)

13209 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, USA

1 list

This place was such a hidden gem! The family that owns it is a great family. Their heart is in it. Listen closely to the tour. I visisited with my two children 10 & 12 and they got many of the well written puns that flow with the art work- if I say more, I'll spoil it! The grounds are well kept, and beautiful for pictures. The boat on a moat/ pirate ship restaurant was homey, clean, and old Florida. The food was great, southern style. We loved the ice cream desserts, we had after the tour. . Angie was our server and she was the kindest, the other waitress was super kind too, the service was great. All clean! It was touching to get to talk to the staff and owners. One of my favorites was right before they end the tour you'll see a beautiful dining room with a door to nowhere. I highly recommended this place for a family, friends or date night. Go before July ends!

It is in the middle of nowhere but definitely worth checking out. I purchased the package tour deal. Be prepared for lots of corny dad jokes about the amazing unique artwork. You only get to see the first floor of the castle. The tour of cars is interesting but you are kept away from the cars. No pictures are allowed inside the buildings which is disappointing. The gift shop has some really cool items. I had planned to eat at the restaurant but ran out of time since it was a 2 hour drive back to Tampa.

The castle is a very unique place. It is cool to see all the creations of Solomon including the castle he built and the boat in the moat restaurant. It is a bit pricey to walk through but you are allowed on the grounds and can eat at the restaurant without an admission charge. It is a good place for kids as well, if they like sculptures and creations out of recycled material. You can not take pictures inside the castle.

Unique place to go. Alot of Solomons own artwork on display. Very creative metal and wood work. A huge antique car collection and great food.

CASH ONLY. Staff was not very friendly, plus everything is overpriced, you’d think you’d get more for your money. There is a lot of cool art to see including the massive aluminum castle in the middle of the property.

I highly recommend this little magical escape. Feels like it is in the middle of nowhere, sort of is. The story of Mr. Solomon and the art he left behind is unbelievable. I visited here 11 years ago and again today. This adventure stayed with me for the past 11 and was just as amazing today. The castle is made of recycled items. There are 2 guided tours with fantastic guides.The restaurant, the boat in a moat is excellent. Great Ruben, potatoe salad and great chef salads. Eat indoors or out on their porch.I highly recommend going down the unbeaten path and filling your cup up with magic.

The castle and the grounds are beautiful. I can't remember the name of our tour guide, but he was amazing. Don't skip the walk along the creek. Knocking one star because lunch was mediocre (wait staff was great). But a BLT should have real bacon, not the tiny precooked (and half frozen) microwave strips of fake bacon.

We had a ball! It’s a reinvention recyclers day dream! Fun and funky! Everywhere you look you see repurpose through the eyes of a genius. Food at the cafe was fast and delish. And you don't need to do the tour to enjoy a great meal and fun gift shop under the sprawling oaks! Live music was an extra treat! We will definitely be back!

Solomon's Castle, is a unique place to visit! If you've never been, you should definitely go, at least once! Mr. Solomon was a genius and built incredible sculptures and other (things). Also the food there is great, with large portions and at good prices 😋. You won't be disappointed 🙂

Solomon's Castle was a unique and cool experience. Solomon's metal art showcased in the castle was impressive, and the creativity extended to a fascinating ship restaurant. The addition of a gift shop and a lighthouse added to the charm. However, the $35 price tag for a single tour seemed a bit steep, especially considering the remote location. We opted out of the tour due to the cost, but the overall atmosphere and Solomon's artistic touch made it a memorable visit nonetheless.

Give it a chance!! Definitely worth the drive. Amazing works of art. Good food. Very friendly staff. Need either cash or check. They do have ATM but fees charged to withdraw.

Amazing artwork! The "corny" humor some have commented on are exactly what the artist scripted for the guides to say about his art. It was endearing, like your dad's jokes... punny for sure. We went with friends who had been before and wanted to go again. There is a lot to see. Nice area to walk around outside. You can take all the pictures you want-- outside only. The Café is pretty good. We did go see the classic cars on the Encore tour. Very nice vintage Fords 1930s and older in great shape and some other makes. Highly recommend both tours!!

This place is amazing! Get the package deal. You don't need to buy ahead you can purchase tickets there at the gift shop..which has lots of nice things. Tour the castle or the collector car versions. Worth your time and then afterwards have a great meal. Reasonable prices and home cooked. You can eat lunch or dinner followed by dessert! Family owned and ran. Great people tooDon't miss out!!! Open Jan-June closed on Mondays otherwise open 10a-4p T-Sun. unless you have dinner after they don't rush you. Very nice and friendly about it. Great people! Photos aren't allowed inside the castle or in the car collection area but everywhere else is game. You won't regret!!

Magical and whimsical place for kids and adults. Solomon’s castle is a wonderful showcase of art and music and fun!!There is a huge boat on the moat where you walk through to lush greenery a very interesting gift shop and live music. They have a working kitchen to grab a yummy bite to eat.We did the original tour and got to see all the beautiful artwork inside the castle. Tix are on sale at the castle gift shop.

So neat to see what was made and to see the art! They had some really cool classic cars there as well! Definitely worth the trip!

Great place to visit. May be difficult for young kids.The tour guides were excellent! Well worth the adventure.

Far away, LOVED the museum and history, no pictures in the castle! Lunch on the boat in the moat, was good! Bring cash or check, NO CREDIT CARDS. All the staff was very nice and friendly! That alone would bring me back! see it once, you will enjoy it!!

The castle has very interesting architecture, the materials are mostly from recycled items. The most unique aspect are the 100's of amazing metal sculptures and wood block paintings made by Mr Solomon. He was a genius. There is also an extensive collection of pre1935 vintage autos kept in 2 separate buildings.He built a large wooden boat which holds a restaurant where visitors can eat lunch. Additionally there is a very nice outdoor patio where you can also eat lunch in nice weather. The food is very good and reasonably priced.

Great atmosphere, good sweet tea, but lasagna needed more basil, Italian, garlic, and oregano. I'm disappointed it didn't come with garlic bread 😕 a dinner roll instead. My husband and friend had chicken pot pies. They loved them. My girlfriend has always had a fresh salad of many different kinds. It is her favorite place to go in the area. One guy Only musician was very talented and had a great voice. We will be back.

We had a delicious lunch at The Boat in the Moat, followed by an informative and humorous tour of Solomons Castle. Cindy was our tour guide and did a great job of showing us all there was to see. It's one of those unique places everyone should visit at least once. We'll definitely go back for lunch again in the future.

One of the most surprisingly awesome places to spend a few hours. In the middle of nowhere but worth the 1.5 hour drive from Tampa. The 45 castle tour is awesome. Howard Solomon was a legend, albeit gotta imagine a lot for most people. Hell of an artist. Boat restaurant on the property serves a great lunch. Gift shop is a bit weak, wish they had some reproductions of his art for sale. Overall tho can't recommend this place more for a random visit. A+++++

This is Hardee County’s best kept secret. It is quirky, genius, and a plethora of history expressed through the mind of one amazing human being. I read somewhere the word “Kitsch” was used to describe the art. Negative! Nothing could be farther from the truth. All the pieces are original, inspired, generated, and rendered via the mind of the artist. His daughter works tirelessly to maintain the tradition, and the script used to describe the artist inspirations? The script was written by the artist for each person tasked with each tour! Everything about this visit was amazing and can’t wait to go back.I feel like I stepped into the timeline of another planet. Please pray for Solomon’s castle during hurricane season. There must be an awakening in the governor’s to provide consideration to one of our state’s treasures!

I’ve been here before. It’s a trip worth while to visit the castle and the antique cars. Please have cash - only deal with this. The first trip we ate from the dinner menu - it was very good. This trip we had lunch - it was fair. Reason 4/5 stars. However there was live music outside 4/5.

4.6

(1913)

4.5

(636)

4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865, USA

1 list

4.5

(1351)

Venice, FL 34285, USA

I’ve heard in Heaven the streets are paved with Gold-at this beach the streets are paved with sharks teeth! You literally shower off standing on shark teeth. The beaches are pristine and the sand is like powdered sugar. Bring a kitchen strainer and prepare for a day of exploration of finding your own treasures. You won’t be disappointed. Check out my Podcast for more hard hitting truth.

Shark teeth central

Beautiful beach for fishing and looking for sharks teeth. Beach is very rocky. Nice restrooms and outdoor shower.

A great beach, family friendly with plenty of handicap parking as well as accessibility ramps to the beach and bathrooms. Rocks in some areas, good for shark tooth searching.

A pristine beach located off the beaten path with plenty of spots to claim a peaceful day. A long walk if your planning to come without a boat, There is a ferry that takes people back and fourth from the South Venice yacht club. Found lots of shark teeth and the sand was blazing hot. Make sure you have some adequate sun protection.

The BEST beach we have ever been to for shark tooth hunting. It was so beautiful and fun. Not crowded at all.

One of the lesser known beaches of the area, but if you know of shark teeth then you definitely know of Caspersen! This beach is so fun because it’s so unique- there are lots of rocks right along the shore like and a huge walkway across the sand, making for some great views! There are lots of shells to be found, not even just shark teeth but a large array of other conchs, scallops and really good ones! If you want to find teeth, though, I suggest you bring either a rake or some kind of straining/ scooping element because otherwise they are super difficult to find. You also need to find the right spot, so if you’re not finding any, keep on moving and don’t give up! Caspersen also has some bathrooms and rinse stations, but beware of parking because it can get tough- so great there EARLY or get there late- the in between may have you driving around quite a bit!

Great beach however erosion and hurricanes have really done a number on this beach. The dunes are now at ground level. Palm trees, sea grasses and debris litter the sand.

I think we gathered more than a thousand sharks teeth our first mini vacation there. It has become our go-to place to enjoy the beach, fishing and relaxation.

As a beach lover I would put this beach in the top 10 Beaches of my favorite beaches I have seen in the United States.Not that I am a avid beach traveler although my favorite beaches are in the Caribbean.Yesterday 03/13/2023 was one of the most perfect days with the weather, slight breeze and water I have ever had in all my visits to the beach.It was a perfect 80 degrees with no humidity and a small breeze blowing off from the ocean .As I sat in the water edge ~ looking for “ Shark Teeth” I was amazed at the “ turquoise water” that glistened with the sun rays, beaming down off of the water and bouncing up on my face.This would bring serenity to anyone’s soul ….The pictures I took are not edited and are taking with the simple feature of a iPhone 11~.

Nice beach. Originally very rocky then a little south and very sandy. LOTS of shells. Easy access. You have to go worth the trip. I bicycled there from legacy trail.

I went on Sunday morning and there were over 2 dozen people sifting through the beach looking for sharks teeth. They were spread out the whole length of the beach (over 2 miles ). The sand is fine and is not rocky except for shells in various amounts throughout. It isn't too busy and has plenty of space so you don't have to be on top of other people. Great place to take the kids or to relax without a lot of hassle around you. Free parking is great.

Found some sharktooth! Great place to relax.

This is a great place to go shark tooth hunting, as well as to lay out in the sun due to the black sands intensifying the heat. You would need to get here super early though, because the shark tooth hunters are often territorial, and parking can be a little hit or miss if you arrive after 8:00

4.6

(173)

4.5

(1865)

Florida 34223, USA

21 lists

Such a cool sand bar. Perfect spot to park if you want coastal waters and Gulf views. Can get busy on weekends but that is part of the fun. Great sand, nice water, lots of sea life even dolphins and a manatee:)We used Florida Coastal Boat Rental and we were really happy with the pontoon.

Beautiful beach to find dozens of shark teeth and relax. We saw a manatee on the ocean side. We came by boat and just had the best time here. We saw a large parking lot also and I think there was a nice looking bathroom facility.

Beaches are amazing. Gulf coast sunsets are spectacular. Arrive early to get a spot. Once lot is full, you options are limited. Restrooms are available and there is a nice nature trail that allows you to access both the beach and Lemon Bay. Parking is only $3 per carload..

Beautiful beach with clear blue water. Lots of shark teeth all over the beach. When snorkeling we found tons of shells. Lots of paths to walk. Many areas of small beaches for fishing or sunning. We kayaked past Stump Beach and had a huge beach all to ourselves.

Amazing state park! We read the reviews online prior to going and saw it fills up quickly due to the limited parking space and that was true! We arrived an hour early and waited in line. The parking lot was full by 8:15 and the place opens at 8:00. The beach is a close walk to the parking lot, which is nice because the sand is extremely hot!! The water is a beautiful clear and most importantly, the sharks teeth was ashore in bunches here! There is a restroom, shower, and water bottle station on site as well. We will definitely come back!

Great sunset view! We went on a Monday evening and the beach wasn't too crowded. There was a beach access very close to the restroom house/parking lot, which was a pleasant surprised. Based on the map, I thought we would have to walk a bit of a distance to access the beach. The kids found shark teeth and played in the sand with a beautiful sunset in the background.

Very beautiful and peaceful place . You can walk 1.3 miles one way. You can see a lot of native trees and flowers. Also, you can fish , swim, hike, look for shells and sunbathe.But, very limited parking. We were waiting for parking spot at least 40mins.

Excellent beach with trails. As well as kayaking/paddleboarding on opposite side of the beach with plenty of areas to pull over to rest and relax with small little beaches during low tide. Lots of dolphins and the occasional manatee. Great boating area for water-skiing and tubing.

Great place to find shells and calmer waves. Huge area of shallow waters so its perfect for kids. Bring cash to pay for park entrance! Its cheap but can take you off guard!

I love paddleboarding here. There's a dock on the left which is perfect. The beach itself has many shark teeth to find. I don't like how the beach closes at a certain time but other than that it's nice

This is definitely a hidden gem. Nice beaches lined with plenty of sea shells. We even found a shark tooth here! The kids enjoyed our morning walk. Parking is first come first serve and limited so the beach is definitely not crowded. Our family enjoyed our morning walk here.

What an awesome way to spend a quiet and relaxing morning here at the stump pass beach.Very nice walk through the park area of the island then a healthy walk on the beach on the way back.Lots of amazing shells and shark teeth. The collection is forever growing every time we visit this amazing beach.🏖️ once you’re done with the awesome walk and the “complementary deep tissue lymphatic massage of your feet “ done by the tiny crushed shells, and the “hot stone massage” simply done by walking on the hot sand and the hot shells - you can head out to one of the awesome Tiki bars for a refreshing drink and a delicious lunch.Simply paradise.

Nice beach! Soft sand, lots of small shells and sharks teeth. Good kayak launch on the channel side!

Beat beach in the area. Get amazing views of both the gulf and Lemon Bay side. Water tends to be gorgeous here. Lots of dolphins, birds, and manatee in the summer to see. Also perfect place for shark tooth hunting and shelling. If the water is calm, venture out in the water a bit, and you'll find HUGE lightning whelk shells. Can't recommend enough.

Beautiful beach with lots of shells. Water was a little rough when we went and a lot of the shell were broken. Also the nature trail was closed, so we were unable to go all the way to the end.

Definitely worth the stop. Very clean and great paths all the way to the pass. The only problem is the parking, during the busy season its almost impossible to find a spot. I recommend riding your bike. Or ebike.

A beautiful state park/beach, the waters are crystal clear and the sand is soft. They have truly breathtaking walking trails. True to its name you'll see many a stump on this beach bleached by the Florida sun and hit by the waves countless times transforms them into something beautifulThe admittance is three dollars as it is a state park but they do have a boat launch for the intercoastal. Enjoy your time at this truly wonderful place.

A must-visit spot!! Gorgeous view, not a super crowded beach. Parking is slightly difficult, as you have to pay $3 on the honor system.... tons of shells on the beach!!! A great beach for spreading out and just relaxing without having a ton of other people near you.

As a lifetime Floridian, I can say that there are not too many beaches on the west coast of south florida that have walking trails on the beach. It’s a beautiful place to boat, beach, walk, explore.

Great place with nice private beach on the point at the inlet. Nice white sand, fun to watch boats come in and out!!! Not as many shells to collect along the point as there are in other areas.

Stump Pass Beach State Park is located in the southwest corner of Charlotte County. Take a quiet stroll along the 1.3-mile hiking trail that stretches to the southern end of the park and through the park’s five distinct natural communities. Along this trail you may see a variety of wildlife such as ospreys, Southern bald eagles, fiddler crabs and wading birds, plus plants such as prickly pear cactus, indigo berry, bay cedar and coontie.From the north end of Stump Pass Beach located near Englewood Beach to the southern tip by Stump Pass, this beach on the Gulf of Mexico is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and sunbathing. During the winter months, shelling and bird-watching are very popular.

One of my favorite beaches in all of Florida. Natural beauty and beautiful water. Great for long walks.

Stump Pass is my favorite beach in the Englewood area. The parking lot is small so if you don't get there early, you will have to wait to get in. There's a $3 honor system at an unmanned station after you park. You can enter the beach from the pay station or you can continue past the bath house. There you can go right into the beach or continue down a partially shaded path nearly to the end on the beach, to the pass. Many boats park on the Lemon Bay side on the peninsula. There are lots of shells and sharks teeth. Happy hunting! I almost forgot, there's a kayak launch on the left in the middle of the parking lot. Dogs are allowed on the Bayside but not on the beach.

Beautiful beach. Tons of shells and shark teeth. The beach was not busy when we went but it was a Monday about 11am. We found about 20-30 shark teeth in and hour or so. We just stopped at Walmart and got some cheap wire strainers from the kitchen area. There is a lot of shells on the beach and where the waves break. There was a little seaweed while we were there. There is a spigot by the restrooms to spray off feet and a shower behind the bathroom area.

4.8

(3311)

4.5

(1121)

900 Gulf Blvd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA

11 lists

We went for Thanksgiving dinner. Had reservations for 530 but didn't get seated for an hour.Crazy busy. Service was great but food was really good. Mixed green salad, crab salad(yummy), green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey and prime rib! And for dessert there was cheesecake, chocolate cake, pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Everything was so delicious and it was all you can eat for $36 each person plus your beverage. You do have reservations. I have never been here and the view was to die for, overlooking the Harbor. I will definitely be back!

9pm on a Friday night almost everything closed. No live music... Hanging Shark still not back up... Disappointing we get out kids pic taken next to it every year for the last 10 years... Everything is very clean but has lost it charm... The new Dry Beach is nice... Not much going on.

Nice views and great photo ops. Tasty eateries- interesting shops, and all around good experience. We went to Harpoon Harry’s- (review separate from this one) and Brew House (same) as well as brought home sweets from the candy shop. Definitely a place to see if you are staying in this area- looking for souvenirs, etc!Clean restroomsFamily orientedFun for date day (closes fairly early- but early dinner and a walk around the harbor or town is fun!).

This is a nice place to walk and shop with your date. They keep it up with maintenence and clean. There's a nice quiet spot to put your feet in the sand and watch the sunset (and boats). I've never been upstairs to the apartments or hotel or condos, but they seem to always be filled/occupied and not noisy.However, they do need a variety of restaurants. One closed (and unit is being remodeled currently) and we ate at the Brew House (or something like that) and was disappointed in the organization of servers. After setting with menus for close to 15 minutes, I reached out and asked a passing server if we could get someone to assist us. She was happy to and did a great job! Just wish she and others were attentive to the patrons around them to notice forgotten clients, on their own. We order the conch fritters as an appetizer. Big mistake at this time with the cook, who must not know what they are. The fritters were "flat and burnt" in too hot of oil. Horrible waste of a limited resource of a delicacy, and they wanted $16 for this! I noticed others that ordered the same, looked the same... So, it wasn't a single goof.Other than this, great atmosphere and our server had a great attitude.I do highly recommend a visit to the Fisherman's Village plaza on the water! Give yourself plenty of time to shop and buy from the local shops, then put your toes in the sand!!They also have dolphin tours, sunset and dinner cruises, AND fishing charters! Please enjoy your visit!

The suites are beautiful and have everything you could possibly need. The lovely ladies at guest services/check-in were professional, friendly and very helpful. Al/Maintenance was wonderful, too. The a/c vents were leaking in the bathrooms. Guest services called Al and he fixed the issue immediately. He even asked us if everything was okay the next morning. I left my jewelry and car key on the bedroom nightstand and realized it right after we left the suite. By the time I got to guest services, she already knew and a gentlemen brought them to me as well. I was so appreciative. All of the staff here are top notch. We had a great weekend. Thank you!

We always like coming here. Plenty of places to shop, several eateries to go to (there are a few more open now) and great views of the river/bay area. It gets busy in the fall and winter, of course so be prepared to have some wait times at the restaurants. They have really improved on the area since the original opening back in the day. Christmas lights are a great touch so kudos to the staff that put these up. The whole area is clean and well organized.

LOVE Fisherman's Village. Love to browse through the shops, never know what treasure you will find. Love the restaurant at the end of all the shops. I had the scallops basket and my honey had the grouper. As usual, the food was absolutely delicious. We got a table by the water. So fun to watch the boats come and go. Atmosphere so relaxed and staff was super nice and efficient at the restaurant. Would definitely recommend Fisherman's Village

As soon as we got there, we were offered a free tour of the place, and the driver was super friendly. The shops were all clean, the workers super friendly, and the scenery is beautiful! We also had coffee and breakfast sandwiches from the Cafe, and everything was great! They also have rooms above the shops, where you can stay, and while I didn't see them in person, the pictures of them look awesome. I definitely recommend visiting!!

Awesome place to walk around with cool shops and good restaurants. They even have assistants on golf carts willing to take you from one end to the other (remember, they accept tips!). If you want something it is probably there. The shops have all sorts of things like sandals, shoes, clothes, jewelry, bags, candy, ice cream, hats, souvenirs, you name it.

Visited The Pier at Fishermen's Village with friends. They have waterfront seating as well as a spacious indoor dining area and generous bar. Good food and service for reasonable prices.In season, they have live music but you need to arrive early if you want a seat.

Little touristy, the pier at the end of the walk has good sushi. Some really great shops here as well. The oil and vinegar shop is top-notch, and the tea shop is a real winner. Parking can be an issue depending on time or day.

We love Fisherman's Village! We go as often as we can. Great shops with all kinds of different items that are hard to find anywhere else. Great restaurants with amazing views of Charlotte Harbor. And absolutely stunning decorations at Christmas time. An amazing place to take any family and friend visitors that you may have! Highly recommended!

We stopped here prior to our flight from Punta Gorda. There were some nice local small shops and a few restaurants. Very nice area. The premises were very clean. We ate at Harpoon Harry's and watched a beautiful sunset from our table in the restaurant.

We were there for the Christmas lighting. It was an awesome sight. The wharf could use more restaurants. Some places had an hour wait time, others had you were on your own to find seating. The food was fried, I am not a fan of fried, but the view and activities made up for that.

This is a fun place to go. There are plenty places to eat with great restaurants and plenty of places to shop also. Bring your walk and shoes because it's plenty big. You can either be inside or outside your choice but there are plenty of places to go. If you time it right you leave and be able to enjoy a nice sunset.

Great setting overlooking the water. Service was efficient and friendly. Dog friendly patio. Beef tips and grouper sandwich tasted good, but both were cold

Great food, friendly staff, great view, great environment- especially for taking pictures- surprisingly large portions given the comparatively low prices.My son first took me to this great waterfront restaurant for Mother’s Day about two years ago. This time, I took him, my daughter and their cousins there for his birthday. Everyone enjoyed their meal and only two of the party of seven managed to finish theirs. Even the following day, the leftovers were still great!We got two servings of ice cream on the house.I’ll definitely be going back whenever we have guests or an occasion.

Such a fun day! Great shopping..walking along the dock ..the sunset! Dinner at the Captains table- the food is great and the view even better! Sunset cruises run from 5:30-7! No charge for parking. Love this place.

The sports bar Restaurant half way down has fabulous burgers. They have gluten free buns if you go that way. They are actually tasty. Nice view of harbor. Every time I have been there they had a band or singer. Nice atmosphere with bartenders that are generally senior friendly. I say that because the younger people on our left and right arrived well after us but got served first and we had to go and flag someone down. Maybe because I had my USMC hat on. This has happened last two times on a Saturday. I go there to watch Penn State Football and the bartenders always want to change the channel on me. They must think because I am old they can just shove me aside. Oh well, nice place. Maybe next year.

Upscale shopping and dining area on the water. Very nice to spend a few hours shopping the tourist type shops and then enjoy food and drinks. I marked it down to 4 stars only because the shopping and restaurants are typical in this resort type atmosphere. I did not mark it down a star because it was not nice. I marked it down because it had nothing out of the unusual that would surprise and delight you. If in the area I suggest you check it out.

A Captivating Experience at an Amazing Hotel - Unforgettable Sunrise and Sunset ViewsDuring our recent stay, my partner and I had the privilege of experiencing the awe-inspiring beauty of both sunrise and sunset at the captivating The Suites. From start to finish, this hotel provided us with an absolutely amazing stay, leaving us forever enchanted by the mesmerizing views of the sun painting the sky with its vibrant hues.One of the most memorable aspects of our stay was undoubtedly the breathtaking sunrise offered by the hotel's prime location. Nestled along the coast, The Suites boasts a privileged position, allowing guests to witness nature's spectacle from the comfort of their own room. The moment we drew back the curtains and welcomed the first rays of the morning sun, we were overwhelmed with a sense of tranquility and gratitude. The horizon, adorned with shades of pink, orange, and gold, together with the gentle sound of crashing waves, created a blissful ambiance that set the tone for the perfect day ahead.Equally astonishing were the hotel's sunset views, which were nothing short of magical. As the day drew to a close, we found ourselves at the hotel's rooftop terrace, overlooking a panorama that seemed straight out of a fairytale. Basking in the warm glow of the setting sun, we witnessed the sky transforming into a canvas of purples, blues, and fiery reds. The surrounding mountains and the vast expanse of the sea blended harmoniously, creating an indescribable moment that left us in complete awe.Apart from the magnificent views, The Suites impressed us further with its exceptional service and attention to detail. The staff were warm, welcoming, and always ready to assist in any way possible. The rooms were elegantly decorated, offering unmatched comfort and featuring large windows that maximized the view. The hotel's amenities were top-notch, with a well-appointed spa, exquisite dining venues, and a variety of activities geared towards relaxation and immersion in the natural surroundings.We cannot fail to mention the hotel's commitment to sustainability. The Suites actively engages in eco-friendly practices, promoting the preservation of the surrounding environment. This dedication resonated with us and enhanced our overall experience, allowing us to truly appreciate the beauty of nature in its purest form.Overall, our stay at The Suites was an enchanting experience that surpassed our expectations. The opportunities to witness both sunrise and sunset each day were a gift we'll forever cherish. If you are seeking a hotel that offers a truly magical blend of remarkable scenery, impeccable service, and a sense of connection with nature, look no further than The Suites. A stay here promises lasting memories and a heightened appreciation for the natural wonders that surround us.

Popular place so it is a little hard to find parking.There are plenty of shops to find treasures, or just browse.Restaurants were buzzing with people. There is a variety of food to please every taste bud.There is a bar in the center of the beach (no swimming) with live music .It was a very pleasant day.

It's worth a stop, but many stores are generic tourist stops. You probably won't be able to make an afternoon of it, but you could kill a couple of hours.There is tons of parking, and the restaurants are fun with great views!

Great little place to walk around to visit some shops, restaurants or even hear some live music. They have a cute little beach area on the river with a few games for kids or adults. Also a great place to see some christmas lights and decorations

We enjoy the variety of restaurants and retail this mall has to offer. We very much enjoy the Pier for their food and drinks. The only real problem with Fishman's wharf is parking. There is never enough and often I have had to find parking off site.

We went to see the Christmas Lights, and we were far from disappointed! Absolutely gorgeous! Absolutely Amazing! If you haven't been, I Highly suggest! Even just for every day fun. Adorable little shops, watch some candy making, and enjoy a couple of good restaurants. 💗 There is even live entertainment on occasions! This place is definitely worth checking out! 🥰

Spent one night over there. It was awesome! The resort is on the second floor, rooms are really nice and comfy. You are 2 steps away from restaurants and parks. You can stay 2 days without any cars. Best part is every night you get an incredible sunset!

This is a great place to hang out and check out the shops. There is a tiki bar that is by the water where you can get food. Other restaurants are at the end. Really clean bathrooms. Dog friendly. There is a shop to get fudge I definitely recommend. Overall, worth a stop if you are in the area.

It's such a wonderful setting! Nice shops, a bit pricey, but in their defense, they don't sell junk like a lot of other tourist stores. Friendly service everywhere. Harpoon Harry's served up a great lunch.

My husband & I had breakfast here last week for the first time.The place was clean, but freezing! The light fixture above our booth was moving from the blast of air conditioning blowing on us & on our food. It cooled my pancakes down right away. My food was a good price at $6.99! I got 2 med pancakes, 2 sausage links, & 2 eggs too. Hubby got an omlette that was good, toast & hashbrowns that were not at all crispy, mostly white. We will try this place again, but be sure to sit in a better place there. Don't be in a hurry as though not too busy, it took a long time for the food to be cooked.

This place is run down and doesn’t have much to offer. The hotel is on the older side. The restaurant choices are few with limited menus. With newer restaurants and dining options locally, I’d stay away from here. The shops are quaint but also limited.

During winter season, there are so many BEAUTIFUL decorations up, it’s gorgeous that time of year!! I love visiting Fishermen’s Village with my friends during that season, we have fun getting ice cream and walking around looking at the lights.

Fishermen's Village is an absolute delight! This charming waterfront destination offers a unique blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment. The variety of shops is fantastic, ranging from boutique clothing to specialty gifts, providing something for everyone. Dining here is a treat with a range of options offering delicious seafood and more, complemented by stunning water views. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, perfect for a day out with friends or family. The marina adds to the scenic beauty, making it a picturesque spot to wander and relax. Highly recommend Fishermen's Village for a memorable experience by the water!

Beautiful day strolling through Fishermen's Village with all the lovely shops and food choices. Later in the week I helped to assist with a fun and interesting class trip on one of the touring boats. Great kid-friendly experience!

Beyond expectations!Great staff, helpful, polite....Everything you need is on location,from great coffee shops, ice cream shops and retail shops.Tiki bar on the sand,local cruises leaving on site.My Siberian husky,had a blast totally dog friendly,kids loved the live music and ice cream shops.....Most definitely will be back soon!

I love Fishermans Village. We are only an hour away. We go and sit on water at tiki bar have a drink , look in shops, then have lunch.We have NEVER be disappointed when we have been here. Food is always great. We usually eat at Harpoon Harry's, but the Brew House is good alsoYes the shops are pricey but what's not.Booked a room for this weekend always wanted to stay. Looking forward to it.Highly recommend especially at Christmas

Cool shops for tourists, a lot of clothes and jewelry and florida-themed keep sakes. Good ice cream but not I don't recommend the coffee (very sweet syrups). Great experience overall

We purchased some souvenirs from the shops at Fishermans Village and took a sunset cruise on Miss Elissa. It was an amazing place with a lot of things to do. Made some wonderful memories there.

Shops with island clothing and decor. Restaurant, bar & hotel. Nice walking area with places to sit & rest or people watch.It's great to see pets are allowed, too 😄

It's very nice. Had a little bit of everything. Nice restaurants and tiki bars. Clothing shops. Cruises around the harbor. Very dog friendly.

Everything was wonderful!! The atmosphere & the food was fantastic.The margaritas were wonderful.We sat at the bar and listened to music.It was just a lovely lunch.We will definitely be back!

Fishermen's village is similar to a mall with one hallway. It has a roof covering the shopping area to keep it cooler than outside. The place was overall very neat, but prices were shockingly high. Outside of the building there is a beautiful pier with great views.

We visited for the first time on a Wednesday about mid-day, and thought the place was great - although it's probably a lot more crowded on weekends and evenings. It's a nice place to unwind, have a drink or a meal, and we really enjoyed our ice cream cones. Looking forward to another trip up there.

What a cool place to shop, browse, grab some food and have a drink of your choice. Multiple eateries and bars. Indoor or outdoor options. Great Tiki bar on the west side to catch a sunset. Fun place to spend a day or evening.

Fisherman’s Village is a really nice place to spend an afternoon shopping, relaxing by the water with a cool drink or an ice cream most of the time there is a small band or singer playing! If you want to watch the sun set come an hour before Sunset to get a seat in the Campfire pit chairs and watch the beautiful Sunset! You also can go out for lunch or dinner, there are several Resturaunts on the water to eat! Captains table is one of the places we have dinner. The food is very good, prices are reasonable and the view is very nice!

A great place to spend an afternoon! Lots of shops mixed with restaurants and bars. Great atmosphere with some open areas giving the feeling your outside and all built along the waterfront. So pull up a chair at your favorite restaurant and sit seaside or hang out at one of the bars with your toes in the sand. Either way you will enjoy your time with friends or family!

Beautiful sunsets to enjoy at some of the really good restaurants there. Some shops are more pricey and high-end, and some are more reasonable with expected tourist apparel and souvenirs. Great place to take the kids for lunch or some ice cream, then walk around a little. They have cute little photo op places, too.

4.6

(13337)

4.5

(2372)

1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, USA

21 lists

I absolutely love this place! The birds are beautiful and cared for so well here. The volunteers show a passion for the animals and have so much knowledge to share. Each time I have been there I have had volunteers tell stories about the birds and more information about them. I plan to continue to come back more and urge people to donate and come learn about the birds here. They also have a cute gift shop at the end to buy shirts and other items as well!

Nice small bird rescue. They have nice enclosures and friendly staff. Several owls, and larger birds of prey and also some smaller birds. We spent about 45 min. here on a hot July day. The gift shop was not overly expensive and is air conditioned. The entrance is free but a $10/ adult suggested donation is asked and $5/ child. The money goes to care for the birds.

I adored this place. Staff was amazing with tons of knowledge for the animals and you walked in and knew the animals were very well loved and cared for. The owl was awesome and the crow who says "HI" just made my day! There is also a cute little playground and beachy/picnic area on the other side if the parking lot where you could relax with the kids and have a peaceful day. 😊 Great time!

We really enjoyed walking through here and learning about the bird. The staff are outstanding - friendly and knowledgeable, with stories about every bird. They had a great horned owl out while we were there, and later a kestrel, so you really got to get up close and see them. Absolutely stop by here if you have a chance.

Only a half acre with lots of heart, and with plans for a new 3 ACRE space nearby!! They have many great species of birds and other wildlife being housed here. Many of them wouldn't survive in the wild either due to injuries, illness, or their natural coloration (like Luna, Peace River's most well known bird, a leusistic Screeching Owl)!! Peace River Wildlife Center is FREE, with donations being one of their owl-nly sources of funding, so stop by and see Luna and all the other wonderful birds and animals and consider making a donation!!^-^

Great place to visit. They do a very good job of taking care of these animals. Very friendly people work there who care very much about the animals. They also give good explanations about the animals

I have been to Punta Gorda about 5 times and had never been to this cute little rescue. I am an animal lover and am part of the mission to rescue as many as possible! This is set on a beautiful piece of land right by the ocean where they have a playground, picnic tables (I don't think it's dog friendly because of the animals that are there but don't quote me on that) bathrooms, and a store! It's a very aesthetically pleasing area, and the animals are so happy and taken care of! I got so many pictures and videos! I love being able to see animals close-up that I hadn't seen before! Little Luna is SO cute! They have two beautiful bald eagles with missing wings that are very content and healthy! They rescued a possum and squirrels as well, but I wasn't able to see them because I think it was too hot for them at the time! All these animals matter and I'm so glad that this quaint little rescue that runs on donations and volunteers only can help them!

Beautiful wildlife center. Staff so kind and knowledgeable. Love Luna the white owl and spirit the talking crow. Very fun and cute place.

These people are very kind and willing to take the time to about their animals. Very passionate for their work. And on top of that, the enclosures themselves are fairly well maintained. Its not any kind of huge zoo and has the primary focus on birds, but its still nice to spend spme time to appreciate the wildlife of Florida. On top of that, this is a wonderful location, right on the river with a nice picnic area, a boat launch, small pier, playground, sandy beach. Just a great place for a picnic or day outside the house

Excellent place to visit very adult and kid friendly! After visiting the bird sanctuary walk out to the river and watch the water boating fishing and kayaking nice little stop donations no charge

If you love birds, this is the place for you. We also enjoyed the boardwalk through the mangroves. There is also a boat ramp and places for fishing.Great place for young and old alike.The people are super friendly and love teaching about the uniqueness of their birds.

Nice little bird sanctuary with some beautiful birds. No entrance fee but you can donate money at the entrance to help support the rescue efforts and upkeep of the residents. Nice little gift shop and it's pretty shaded so you can go on a hot day. I loved seeing the owls.

Staff and volunteers were great. They had so much knowledge of the birds. The birds were beautiful, we really enjoyed seeing and learning their stories.

Lots of nice "Dog Friendly" trails running through different types of Southwest Florida terrain. Most trails are loops that average a little over a mile in length, but can be combined to add up to several miles. Trails can be muddy during the summer rainy season. If you're hiking during the summer bring mud boots and bug spray.You have a very good chance of seeing an alligator, armadillo or an eagle on your hike.There is a museum on site that has history of the area and some of the wildlife information.The gates to drive in close at 4:00 everyday, but you can hike in and visit until sunset. The earlier you get there, or the later you stay, gives you the best chances of seeing animals.

This place is beautiful, peaceful and the employees share LOADS of information about the animals… their name, age, and history is just the beginning. The area is spotless and has a nice gift shop where the proceeds go directly to caring for the birds. Restrooms, free parking, beach and picnic area. Definitely recommend ( especially for children)

What a great discovery! We met some friends at a nearby restaurant and I saw this on Google maps. Being an avid birder I decided to surprise my group by going there. We were very happy we did. A lot of lovely birds near enough in large cages for you to interact some. Volunteers had several birds out so you could see them up close. Amazing to see the Great horned owls up close and hear them hoot.

So good to see so many injured animals getting such good care. It was a clean healthy place and the gift shop is really nice .

Absolutely adorable gift shop items and reasonably priced. I loved all the animals. Great place to visit and also a great place to educate children. I definitely recommend stopping and supporting Peace River Wildlife Center!!!

What a fantastic way to end the year!Our family trip to the Peace River Wildlife Center was nothing short of amazing, and it's all thanks to the incredible experience they offer.A special shoutout to our guide, Michael, who was a treasure trove of knowledge and kindness. His passion for wildlife and the environment made our visit even more meaningful. I also enjoyed speaking with Michael about technology.The Wildlife Center is home to an astounding variety of animals, each more fascinating than the last.But the star of the show was undoubtedly the American Bald Eagle. Seeing such a beautiful and majestic creature up close was a humbling experience and easily the highlight of our visit.I can't recommend the Peace River Wildlife Center enough to both visitors and locals. It's a gem that truly encapsulates the beauty and diversity of our natural world.And the best part? There's no entry fee! They operate on recommended donations, making it accessible to everyone.If you're looking for a memorable and educational experience, this is the place to be.Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with nature and support a fantastic cause!And make sure you stop by the adjacent hotdog stand before you depart!

I absolutely love this place. The people here do the most amazing work with the local wildlife and give the best homes to those animals that could not survive in the wild.

Great mission! Thay had quite a collection of birds in their care.The shade of the small wall is quite nice. You are so close to the birds. And the gift shop was quite nice. There is a small kids playground nearby.I stopped by for the Ponce de Leon monument, but stayed much longer at the Peace River Wildlife Center.

Linda was an incredible tour guide at Peace River Wildlife Center. Her knowledge of the birds and animals was impressive, and her kindness and welcoming nature made the experience unforgettable. I highly recommend her tour to anyone interested in visiting Peace River Wildlife Center! The sanctuary is so beautiful and it’s truly amazing how they care for the wildlife. Can’t wait to visit again! Thank you again Linda for such a lovely time!

Love visiting this place. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The gift shop is cute! Always pick something up as a gift or for myself.

I came to see Luna, but unfortunately, we missed the time when Luna was out for photo opportunities.If you ever wanted to see anosprey up close, then you should visit this birdsanctuary.There is also a park nearby with a beach view. We encountered a few royal tern birds.

This place is awesome. I saw so many birds that I have only seen from a far. The 2 women were great educators on the different birds and why they had to stay there. The gift shop has great souvenirs and it all goes back to the center. I highly recommend a stop here for any age.

4.8

(1564)

4.5

(1060)

3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, USA

+45 other lists

The information boards about the manatees were very Informative. Plenty of seating and shade for those taking their time along the walk. Very much enjoyed the music from the lady playing the hand pans in the pavilion.

What a lovely park. The workers are helpful and friendly. I like coming here because they have rentals for my family and friends to join in on the fun! They also have clean bathrooms that are fully stocked.You're able to go either up the river or out towards the bay for different experiences. The houses around there are nice to look at and up river there's a farm with cows! I frequent often.

Among our most incredible vacation experiences ever! Kayak rentals are reasonably priced and the manatees are abundant (we visited in January). Absolutely would do this again!

It is a beautiful area to paddle around. They have kayaks for rent, and you can bring your own and launch there. The parking was $5. We saw 3 manatees while we were paddling around in the early afternoon.

This was a surprise! We were looking for covered playgrounds to burn some energy while staying out of the sun.Before we even made it to the playground we took a walk through the mangroves, saw some manatees, hung out by the water, played on the boardwalk, and hung out with a (fake) alligator.Parking is a reasonable $2/hr. Parking is plentiful for the size of the park. There is a gift shop with snacks and reasonably clean restrooms.There are lots of walking trails, all gentle and easy. The highlight of the visit was the walk along the water, which had covered awnings every 50 yards or so which provided VERY comfortable manatee viewing areas on a hot 90F day. The water channel appears to be a power-plant cooling discharge...my guess is that manatees like the warmer water. I was chasing a 3 year old so I didn't have much time to learn (but the opportunity is there with lots of signage).We got to see a few manatees without a lot of waiting. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip...we're big animal people. What toddler parent isn't?There are boardwalks over the water through the mangroves that lead to a kayak launch area (it would be LOTS of fun to rent a kayak here...maybe when the kid is a little older), another manatee viewing area, and other locations within the park.The playgrounds are on the smaller side and better for kids under 4 probably.This was a great visit and will be a future stop. If you bring lunch, this could be a two hour visit. More if you rent a Kayak.

Great place to learn a thing or two about Floridas wildlife, kayak on the orange river, and, if it's winter time and the water is below 68°F, you probably will see manatees!!! It's very inexpensive to rent a kayak, the facilities are clean and functional, and the employees are kind and helpful. You really can't get lost and it's very safe! They also have a little gift shop with snacks and such. I definitely recommend! Have fun 😊

I visited the manatee park with high hopes of seeing these gentle giants, but unfortunately, there were none in sight. The park's size was smaller than expected, and the overall experience left me disappointed. Considering the absence of manatees, I doubt I'll be returning.

This was our second time at the Manatee Park! It’s such a great place to enjoy watching the Manatee and their baby’s, pluss sharks, and other fish close up between January and March. They have an area with butterfly’s, a snack bar, inside area with tons on back ground information about the Manatee, they sell refreshing snow cones, they have a Gift shop and if you want to see Sea Turtles, snakes etc you can go down the street in overflow parking and get a ride to visit the Florida Aquarium buildings where they rescue sick turtles etc and see them up close as they get rehabilitation and later get released back into the ocean. We had a great time and it’s Free!

We first went late in the day. We walked along the boardwalk & saw two manatees surface!! We went back the next day to rent kayaks. We rented for 2 hours & saw a ton of manatees! We saw several pods hanging out near the banks while we were out. Highly recommend going out in the kayaks (the tour sounds cool if you've got time!). The water there was very dark & murky, but we had no problems finding manatees. There were tons of them!!

What a nice park. I have been a lee county resident for 40 years and have never been to this park. I took my kids for a meet up with our homeschool group and it truly is a gem. We had fun looking for manatees and walking the small trail they have. We went and looked out over the water. We visited the small shop and got drinks. The kids played on the playgrounds and we walked around the entire park. I would recommend anyone visit this place. Definitely will be back. You pay for parking but it’s $5 for the entire day. You can also kayak, launch your own or rent one from the park.

I love this place! We used the public kayak launch, which isn’t too far a walk from the nearest car drop off point. It’s a cool mangrove area within the park, but this leads you out to the Orange River. They also offer kayak rentals here. We didn’t see any manatees, however we did see turtles, and lots of bird and fish. The current was not even noticeable as we headed east on the river but once we turned around a wind kicked up making the current pick up against us. Overall easy awesome paddle!

It was nice. I saw the rare atala butterflys. Not a single manatee, but it just wasn't the season. Sad i didn't get to see one on my vacation, lol.

Awesome Park, we visited on 12/28/2023. There were a dozen or more manatee swimming that day do beautiful site to see. They also offered kayaking with the manatee, which looked really cool, but we had other things to do. I'd highly recommend seeing this if you're in the area.

Nice smaller park right on a canal and a smaller river. A shorter trail will take you along the canal and to the river. Unfortunately the river was extremely warm (92F, 33C) here in March, so it is too warm for manatees. So no animal sightings at all. There are restrooms and a gift shop.

A beautiful park with a butterfly garden, walking paths, kayak launch, two small playgrounds (no swings), and lots of nature. We did not see any manatees as we were there during a time where they have typically left back to the ocean. There is a gift shop open until 5pm and public restrooms.

a wonderful place to take the family and kids for a day trip, or if you’re new to swfl. the manatees are gentle creatures, and you’re able to rent kayaks to ride alongside them in the water. there are trails to follow in nature and a fun park to distract the kids for a while so parents can take a breather

The park is very small and picturesque, we went at around 9 in the morning and we saw many manatees poking their heads out and tails. I would recommend going there at opening time to see the manatees as they like it a little bit cooler and will surface more of their body at the temperature. The boardwalk was gorgeous, and very education for the little ones. They have bathrooms, playgrounds, and a butterfly garden. They also have kayaks you can rent and go around the mangrove forest being up close with the manatees. The parking was also very cheap with it being only 2/hr, and the place was definitely worth the time!

Love this park! If you are in the area and even just have 30 minutes to spare; stop by! You can see a lot of manatees, rent a kayak, and enjoy some of the boardwalks and nature throughout the park. The park also has a playground near the bathrooms and the parking lot!Parking can be hectic here, so it’s worth mentioning that parking is only $1 per hour for standard cars or $5 per day for standard cars. Note that Large vans and/or tour buses/vans have separate rates than standard vehicles. The parking kiosks accept cash and card, you may just have to use a different kiosk depending on your payment method.

Great park! Parking was only $1 for an hour, and the kiosk closest to the gift shop accepts credit and debit cards. Plenty of spots to stop and view the manatees. We have visited the park in the past but were unable to spot any, but this trip we easily spotted many swimming around and coming up for air. There are some boardwalks and walking trails in the park to enjoy the area. Worth stopping by if you’re in the area!

Trooop bien! Activité de faire! Le parking est de 5$ la journée, mais le parc en lui même est gratuit. Il est possible de réserver le kayak sur place, et je recommande vraiment de le faire on a vu vraiment plein de lamantin! C’était impressionnant et super bien à faire.(Translated by Google)Sooo good! Activity to do! Parking is $5 per day, but the park itself is free. It is possible to reserve the kayak on site, and I really recommend doing so, we really saw lots of manatees! It was impressive and really good to do.

Cheap fun for all. Paid for parking. A very nice and clean park. The manatees were so neat to watch. The gift shop was reasonably priced. We did not kayak due to it being a very windy day. The paths within the park were clean, smooth, and easy to get around. The butterfly garden was beautiful.

My niece and nephew took me to Manatee Park and it was so fun! So many manatees. Just hanging out, getting warm. Need a break from stress or anxiety, highly recommend coming here and hanging out. The animals give off such chill vibes. 😄

Went with my family to check out Florida wildlife, wasn’t disappointed! lot’s of manatees were in the canal and we could see there noses, tails, and bellies popping out of the water. Cool trees and nature paths to walk around, cute little gift shop as well. Highly recommend itPlaning to visit again to spend more time

4.5

(5085)

4.5

(2306)

10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USA

+72 other lists

I went to Edison and Ford Winter Estates during a trip to Fort Myers. I took a guided tour which was approximately $30. Our tour guide who called himself an historian, provided a lot of good insights regarding the lives of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and kept us engaged during the entire tour. It was approximately 100 degrees outside that day but he managed to keep us in the shades most of the tour. You're not allowed to go inside the homes but you can peek through the doors/windows. After the tours which was approximately an hour and a half, I went back inside the museum to visit some of the exhibits of Edison and Ford. I also visited the grounds which are well maintained and beautiful. I could have spent a whole day there.

I learned so much. It was like a trip back in time. The grounds, lab, and museum are well worth a visit. Just check the weather first. If there is thunder they close the grounds. The museum with all of the phonographs and Model Ts are still open during thunderstorms though. They will stamp your receipt so you can come back.

Gorgeous grounds .. fascinating friendship between Edison & Ford ..💡 🚗 Thoroughly enjoyed walking through the gardens & seeing inside the houses. Loved how we were able to take a self guided tour & see inside the homes. The houses 🏘 have 1/2 opened doors to allow for a wonderful view of the various areas of the inside of the homes. The gardens, houses, workshop & museums are meticulously kept. A very enjoyable experience & we learned a lot! Highly recommend!

Well worth the stop. It's always fun to visit places where wealthy industrialists from the 19th century vacationed. Both men were true pioneers from 1880s through their deaths in the 1930's and 1940's .Take your time use the app and do a self guided tour. It really well done.

This place was awesome. Tons of history. The self guided tour was great using the app. Gardens, houses, exotic plants and trees, ford vehicles, workshops, technology. It was a look into a couple of the men that helped shape the world we live in today. Highly recommend.

Came here on the first day that they celebrated their holiday nights special event. Booked the guided tour and our tour guide did a fantastic job explaining all the information. It’s a very expansive estate at the same time the guide didn’t waste any time and we were able to finish the tour after an hour without issues.It is absolutely beautifully decorated and they aren’t normally open this late but it’s beautiful to see all the holiday lights being set up. It’s quite a unique experience.They also had some food vendors which we partook in a few treats since it was getting late and it was a replacement for dinner. Recommend buying guided tour tickets early as they do sell out pretty quickly.

I had a wonderful experience at this museum, which featured both outdoor and indoor exhibitions. Additionally, they offer two engaging activities for people of all ages, making it a delightful experience. The workers were extremely friendly, adding to the overall enjoyment. If you find yourself in Fort Myers, I highly recommend visiting this museum!

Went today with my wife. Had Bailey as our tour guide. We loved the experience. We got to see where Thomas Edison and Henry Ford spend summer months. Homes were amazing and the grounds were well maintained. The cost of the tour goes to property maintenance as we did see some lingering damage from Hurricane Ian. We have lived here three years and I am so glad we finally went. Perfect for locals and visitors to see a little piece of history right here in Ft Myers.

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates is a must see when near the Fort Meyers, FL area. It is truly an amazing iconic walk through the past. Not only the history but the museums with their stories. And all set on breathtaking views of waters and lovely gardens. The history of great people of the era that visited or stayed there is amazing to read about.

A great place to visit if you're in the Ft Myers area. We got a cool little " private" tour because only 4 of us had paid for the guided tour. Scott was so knowledgeable about every aspect of Edison's history. He was very impressive. There is a museum with Ford's cars and some of Edison's inventions. Across the road are their estates which sit on beautiful waterfront grounds. We learned a little about Ford, but the majority of the tour focused on Edison. There is a cute gift shop at the end of the tour.

Absolutely loved visiting here! I've been here before many years ago but it was great returning. There is so much to see and learn about! Having the app was beneficial but the option to call the number in order to do the self-guided tour is so nice! We wished we had more time! I highly recommend visiting and exploring the estates!

Well maintained residency, location is near the water with great view. The parking is free. If you buy tickets online, you need to exchange them to waist bands at ticket office first. It is better to visit the museum first because it has so many first hand real things to see and read. Also the garden and the park adjacent to the ticket office are great, many nursery items for sale. Spent about 2.5 hrs today but could do more especially at the museum.

Fun experience with the family! Please note that if you are going on a reciprocal membership please be sure all reciprocal members names are on cards or you need to pay for those not named.Gardens were well maintained with really interesting specimens. I had no idea the extent that Edison and his assistants experimented with plants.Plan for the weather as most of the exhibits are outside. Gardens close in thunder alerts. You cannot walk through houses, but they have opened all the doorways to see in many of the rooms. Highlight of the gardens is the self guided audio tour. Short, entertaining, informational and well done!Museum is quite interesting and air conditioned :)

A great place to take a 3-hour break. They have guided tours and self-guided tours. The self-guided tours have follow-along references using your cell phone. Great for keeping your own pace.There were just as many children excited to see the Winter Estates as the adults.A few of my favorite highlights are in the images of the laboratory, the Ford, and the pier.At the end of your visit, cool down in the museum. And before you go, there is a seating area with some refreshing drinks in the shade.So neat to see what the inventing minds of our country had for their everyday use.

Don’t let the price which may seem high shy you away from this gem of a destination in Fort Myers. There are plenty of places to stop and admire the view and the beautiful grounds without a lot of noise or heavy people traffic. I spent 30 minutes on a bench under coconut trees just listening to birds and the waves of the river splashing against the shore. The app is full of great facts and content to make the self tour fully immersive. The staff were all so pleasant and helpful.

If you're in Fort Myers, you've gotta check out Edison and Ford's winter estates—it's a real gem. First thing you'll see is this massive Banyan tree at the entrance that's just mind-blowing. Seriously, it's like nature's welcome hug.Inside, there's this mix of cool old buildings, beautiful gardens, a research lab, and a museum dedicated to Edison and Ford. It's not just history; it's like stepping into their world.Oh, and don't miss the on-site store – they've got some really unique stuff. Plus, You can see the native plants of Florida from the garden next to the on-site-store.Whether you're into history or just want a chill day surrounded by good vibes, these estates are a winner. It's not your average tourist spot; it's like a little escape into the past with a touch of nature. Don't miss out! 👍

Very interesting exhibits, thought I knew quite a bit about Edison, but a lot of this was new. Interesting insights into his life and friends.The grounds were very nice as well, nicely maintained and interesting plantings.

Great experience! Very cool to walk around and see the story of their lives. Would recommend for all ages! Especially history or Ford fans. Could spend anywhere from an hour to multiple hours to see everything and walk around. Recommend planning for at least two hours

Lovely and contemporary historical experience with a highly insightful museum. Admittedly, touring the estate was rather brutal in the Florida heat, but it was an excellent experience overall. I recommend taking a good interest in the gardens, as there is much to be found in their subtle luxury.

On a recent first visit to Ft. Myers, I decided to check out this amazing place on the river. I never knew that Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were next door neighbors in their winter homes! Both men are legendary American icons. The grounds of the estate are gorgeous. Throughout the tour there were volunteers to explain and demonstrate things. I particularly liked Edison's office and home. They have a fantastic museum with an original model T. There is ample parking and the admission fee was reasonable. This is a must see!

We really enjoyed our visit! The grounds are beautiful. I love looking at the houses and the porches on the houses. It takes you back to another time. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and did a great job! I do recommend it. I wish I could have taken more pictures but my battery died unfortunately!

We've lived in Fort Myers for a few years, yet this was the first time we were willing to dish out $30 to visit this place. We picked a good time, because the place is very beautiful when covered in Christmas lights. The Christmas trees decorated by local classrooms were particularly nice. The history and exhibits at the estate were interesting, but I'm not convinced worth the $30 entrance fee by themselves.

I was in town for another event but spent the rest of the day here touring the grounds and museum.I absolutely enjoyed my visit. Staff was very friendly and helpful. They had a mini presentation on how to work the old phonograph devices that I enjoyed listening to.There's lots of small little walking trails on the grounds including one by the river that is very nice. You can't get lost and there are benches to sit everywhere.I enjoyed using the app to tell me about certain spots.I'm not much of a plant person but they have plants everywhere here. Some very pretty.I am a history nerd and this is a great place if you like history. I learned a lot.

There are small museum and laboratory at the property, cross the street with Edison and Ford ‘S winter houses. The museum is very informative with lots of the outstanding inventions- light bulbs, batteries, phonograph, cars etc. The staff are very hospitable. The winter houses are very nice beside the river. I especially like Edison’s Gardens- fruit trees, plants imported from all over the world.

We went for Holiday Nights and loved it! They did such an amazing job decorating for the holidays. We loved learning about the estates and the families who lived there. There were plenty of docents around to answer questions and they were very knowledgeable. The interpretive signs were also very helpful. We had a laugh over the house rules. "Don't kill the black snakes under the porch. They are there for a reason!" And "Don't tell us about Palm Beach. We don't care." There were many photo ops throughout the estates. The gift shops had really nice things from snacks to books to Christmas ornaments.

Canadian here! 👋🏼 🇨🇦An amazing experience to say the least.We went on the 90min tour, there are also options to just explore on your own as well - you can definitely join in the tours or listen in here and there if you only have the exploring pass.Otherwise once the tour is over you have free roam until the estate closes for the day.My family has owned a vacation property here for the last 10-15 years and this was my first time visiting the estates. Our tour guide Ray was very informative, knew the history like the back of his hand and kept us engaged and laughing.I highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in the production of latex through plant extraction and the beginnings of Ford as a whole.The garden is beautiful with a WIDE variety of plants that will keep you thinking/saying woow the entire time.The gift shops are very cute and lots to look at.Only thing I can say is MAKE SURE YOU BRING YOUR OWN WATER! It gets very very hot out there!

Wonderful visit. The guided tour is recommended if you want to ask questions or learn more in depth knowledge if the premises and their occupants. Didn't realize that the Edisons and Fords were good friends. Great gift shop with a number of books to choose from, great kids toys and handmade art pieces.

It's a fine place, can't really walk around the homes, the lab was restricted but cool. There's a museum part attached which was interesting. Also a great place to walk around and see the labeled plants.

Very Nice botanical gardenBeautiful Old cars ( inside).A part of the American industrial story, well explained.( Edison, ford, Firestone), The goal of the botanical lab:How to make , rubber faster, With different plants on trial.from1927.Perspective : a War coming ?!

Absolutely wonderful. It's like taking a walk through history. I would like to extend special thanks to one of the volunteers, named Steve. He seems very passionate about his job and made our tour that much more special (it was my first time in the U.S.). Highly recommended. Beautiful place. Greetings from Hungary!

We came on a Saturday evening for the Holiday Nights light show. It was such a cool experience. The houses had the top glass doors open. You could look into the rooms but could not enter. The gift shop was also open, and there were plants for purchase. The only thing we could not do was the museum as it had closed a couple hrs before we arrived. This is a family event, so bring the kids. The bathrooms were clean. There was music playing as well as snacks and drinks available for purchase. The Banyan trees are an amazing sight to see. The parking does fill up, but there is plenty of overflow parking available. I recommend to anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit.

I certainly enjoyed my guided tour by Baylee. It is a nice change of pace to tour leisurely around some cool old homes and gardens. Younger children may be a bit board but I thought it was worth the $25. I am sure it costs a whole lot of money to maintain the property.

A must-see attraction when in the Fort Myers area. Took the guided tour and it was a great experience. Started with a 15-minute intro to Edison, Ford, and the history. The group (~12 persons) walked around with the guide and we stopped regularly to get more info about the buildings, plants and trees, history, etc.

If this is the type of history you enjoy, you'll probably like touring the grounds and poking your head into the homes, Edison's study, and the museum. The homes are underwhelming in my mind; period furniture that you'll see at just about any historical home/building of roughly the same era. That being said, it isn't totally my thing, so you might notice interesting differences. The grounds are pretty with a variety of plant life and a nice walk along the river. The museum is brief, but once again, interesting if this is your type of history. The laboratory adjacent to the museum was the not intriguing thing for me.

We opted to attend the guided tour, well worth the experience. Our presentor was very knowledgeable and added stories and answered questions. She was great! I learned many things I would have never thought about asking.Before the tour, we walked through Edison's and Ford's workshop, then the museum. I was interested to learn about Edison's relationship and love of baseball.Touching note: the statues of Edison and his wife Mina share a gaze across the lot.

4.7

(6398)

4.5

(5754)

2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA

+71 other lists

While Sanibel Island is still recovering from Hurricane Ian, the drive through Ding Darling is open. We were there mid-afternoon so didn’t see many birds, it was peaceful and beautiful.

I would definitely recommend biking through the whole refuge. When we arrived we paid $1 per bike and was shown the whole 8ish mile road we could ride. It was a blast being able to stop and get off our bikes at the lookout and the bay view. Although there is some rebuilding still happening we had a wonderful time biking through. It is nice because it’s one way traffic only so if you have kids you feel safe. Overall we cannot wait to come back. (Also loved the information stations)

I’m giving this place five stars for the potential with a big ole’ disclaimer to pay attention to your season!! April was not a great season for this place. Went the last week of April and opted to walk the four mile loop. My fiancé and I sadly agreed it was the most boring walk we’ve ever taken. Pretty much straight gravel with overgrown swamp area, which didn’t show anything interesting. Saw a total of three or four birds and a tree crab. Only interesting thing was the tri-colored heron nest. Trail was hot with little shade or places to sit/take a breather. That being said, the place clearly has potential and it’s not their fault that the overgrowth was high/water was high/birds were not in season. I’d recommend not walking unless you know it’s a good season for the wildlife and opt instead for a bike, car ($10 entry fee) or the tram (separate fee). The people on the open-air tram looked like they were having a blast! And they got a tour guide. The walk was $2 (discounted car entry if you came back later) and just was not exciting. We might try again during a different time of year, but would definitely not walk in the future. Lovely gift shop and kind volunteers. Shout out to Trish for being super helpful!

An incredible place. The information center is full of historical insights about the island and the man behind the Ding Darling preserve. There are plenty of interact-able displays and activities that both children and adults alike can enjoy. The trail itself is four miles long and features a plethora of birds, animals, fish, and plant life. If you're visiting Sanibel, this place should definitely be on your to-do list.

Nice visit to this beautiful park. It was way to hot to do any walking exploration but we will be back to do so when it cools off. They honor veterans by free admission for life if you get the America The Beautiful Card.

I first visited J Ding Darling about 18-19 years ago. Then three years ago before Hurricane 🌀 Ian. I’ve finally made it back here and I’m so grateful and thankful that it is still here. Some things are familiar and some have changed. There is a lot more to do here in the Wildlife Refuge so come check it out! I didn’t spend as much time as I would like to one day as my air conditioning doesn’t work in my car and it was a very hot day outside. I can’t wait to research and learn about all of the fish I witnessed flying/jumping out of the water. There are trails, observation areas, I even seen people fishing and I think you can even kayak here possibly. So much to do in nature❤️

Ding Darling was an absolutely beautiful location to visit. The one way drive around the loop was really nice as it had plenty of places to pull over and park the car so you could get out and enjoy the beauty. The wildlife was amazing. A great place to go if you are a Wildlife Photographer.

Absolutely loved driving through J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The entrance fee paid for three days of visits. You may use your vehicle or pay for a tram ride with a guided tour. There are also hiking trails if you choose to walk, fishing is available, as well as kayaking along the water. I chose to drive and had an amazing time. I saw many different species of birds, three manatees, an iguana, crabs, jumping fish, and many more interesting views and finds. I went at low tide and saw many birds feeding and went in the evening just before closing. Both visits were exciting with great finds. Highly recommend!

Nice informative information center that highlights the wild life in the reserve. The best part is of course the ~5 mile one-way drive through the reserve. You can drive yourself or take the tram. You can stop at many places along the way to look at the birds, the mangroves, the needle fish, etc. There is also an observation tower. There are one or two osprey nests right by the road (with chicks in them when we were there). We went on a weekday afternoon and it was so quiet.

This nature preserve was a highlight of my trip to Florida. The birds were amazing, some being birds I've never seen before. Also saw an alligator in the water. Staff is very friendly and I loved their enthusiasm while explaining what was all offered here. I also enjoyed the gift shop where I found some nice souvenirs. I would highly recommend.

Very enjoyable drive through the preserve. The ability to pull off anywhere and check out the wildlife is nice. Wasn't too busy on a Saturday. The man working the ticket booth gave a good suggestion of the Indigo Trail directly by the ticket booth. Wandering down it to the observation tower allowed us to see a few nesting birds.

Fantastic wildlife refuge, only $1 pp for bicycle riders and tons of wildlife to see. A flat and beautiful road and trails (4 miles from start to finish if you don't go through the indigo trail). Highly recommend to get some outdoor wildlife time on the island, saw tortoises, raccoons, pelicans, egrets and herons!

What a great visit! We saw up close a Yellow Crowned Night Heron catch a crab and the interesting way he ate it, enjoy the attached video! We were here in mid-January, lots of white American pelicans, Herons (Great Blue, Little Blue, Green, Tri-Color and above), Roseate Spoonbills, Red Egrets, and lots of sand birds. Lovely visitor center(check out the restrooms for fun fact-finding questions). Very easy to drive around the four miles and stop wherever you want and get out and look and view the wildlife. Cost is $10 for your car. There’s quite a few dead trees because of Hurricane Ian, but still plenty of birds to see and enjoy. Highly recommend!

Soon to be 5 stars as soon as all the wooden walkways over the shallow waters are repaired. Walkers now share the road with cars and bikes. 5 star restrooms (voted best in the country a few years ago) and gift shop.

If you haven’t experienced Ding Darling, you are missing out. It’s a must see all times of the year. I have done the Tram tour through wildlife drive by Tarpon Bay Explorers, also rented kayaks from them which is fun. I’ve driven through myself and several times rode bikes through. The Web during nesting season is awesome. The nature center is educational and everyone is so friendly. And you can’t stop there without checking out the bathrooms!

Everytime I come to Sanibel the Ding Darling preserve is a must! Since more than 25 years now I love the island and this nature park! The vegetation growing back since Ian. I saw a lot of birds, Horseshoe Crabs and Racoons! Everytime I find peace and beauty here! The staff is amazing too!

Keep in mind that the whole area is recovering from hurricane Ian so it might not look the same as it used to. Google took us to the end of the one way of the drive, so keep an eye on their sign for the entrance. There is a $10 entrance fee, which was not worth it for us as there wasn't much to see but dead trees. Couple bird's nests were cute, also the observation tower. All but two trails were still closed and we didn't get to see much. We live a little north from there and similar parks there are free. Looks like might be a good spot to fish as the island is small.

A wonderfull drive though wildlife refuge. We had some wonderful bird sightings. The roads and facilities are well maintained and the staff are friendly. The restrooms at the information center are clean.

Meh. If I could sum up our visit of this place it would be that. Of the whole drive only one trail was open and aside from cool jumping fish, some roadside crabs and a couple birds we saw absolutely nada. Must have been an off day but we all agreed we would have rather taken the time to go to a beach.

4.5

(695)

4.5

(5591)

1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA

5 lists

The boat is cool, being a 12,000+ HP jet powered catamaran with food and drinks on board. That being said, the trip was like other mass transit options. Lots of waiting in lines and mass humanity. The personnel were nice enough, the boat was fairly comfortable, the experience of sailing across the Gulf of Mexico was great. The downside to it was the crowding and the waiting.

My husband and I took key west express instead of driving so we could just relax. All of the staff aboard were super friendly. Thank you for a great experience. We can't wait to go back again with you guys

OMG we absolutely loved going to Key West on the express. The ride was smooth, and the staff was amazing!!! If going to key West you have to get there by key West express. My husband had talked about doing this for years, this was his 30th gift from me. We will do this every time we are in Florida. You don't want to miss it trust us.

Key West Express is absolutely fabulous! We had such a great trip yesterday from Ft. Myers to Key West and back. All the crew members went above and beyond. There were plenty of tasty snacks on board as well as a few souvenirs. I highly recommend! The views are breathtaking.

This is the best way to get to Key-West. 4 hours or less depending on the weather. Boat is clean. Beware people do NOT keep masks on. Cocktails are served so there are loud people as well. Beautiful view from the top deck.

Fun and convenient. Smooth rides from Fort Myers Beach to Key West and back, under excellent weather conditions in February. I didn't realize how big this boat was; the main level cabin is about 36 feet wide with tables for up to six along the sides and rows of seats in the middle. Cocktail bar and snack bar in the center with reasonable basic food to hold you over. Second level is similar inside seating. Highly recommend to climb the stairs all the way up to the 3rd level (outside deck) - it is very windy up there but it feels great and the view is amazing.

While on vacation, I decided to take this ferry from Fort Myers to Key West. I had parking near where the boat was docked. I boarded with no problems, but there was no direction on where to sit. The seats were comfortable. The seats with tables were all taken by those who I guess were experienced riders. The ride to Key West was smooth, but 4 hours felt a lot longer than I imagined. The bar and gallery were quite pricey, but I wasn't surprised. The ride back to Fort Myers was a lot rougher. Several people got sick, but the staff handled it well. I stayed up top where the up and down wasn't felt as much, but the wind on my face and ears was intense. The staff was friendly. It was not a bad experience but something I won't do again.

Our trip from Fort Myers to Key West was sparsely populated so we could sit about anywhere we wanted. The trip back was almost full, but it was still comfortable. It is the best way to travel from SW Florida to Key West!

From the time we arrived in the parking lot it felt like we were traveling abroad for a big vacation. Staff greeted us with open arms, helped with questions, and got us underway on time. The ride was fun and refreshments reasonably priced-just wish they had frozen drinks with umbrellas. Would definitely do this trip again! You don’t need/want a car on Key West-parking sucks. Walk, get a scooter, bike, whatever, it start your trip on the Key West Express.

Key West Express was easy to find and parking is not free. Parking cost 51.00 from Friday to Sunday. Fee per person was 119.00 for both ways to and from but check online at their website for sales. From the moment you enter the parking lot a man greets you and shows you were to go and park. Collect your own luggage from the car and take it onto the boat where they will store it for you but be aware space for luggage is limited so get there early, if not you may be taking it with you which isn’t terrible but you have it by you taking up room. Boarding was easy with your boarding pass (if you don’t have a boarding pass go to the window and they will issue you one) my husbands boarding pass was on another booking number so I could not print his pass for some reason. A glitch in the system and they should fix that issue but the lady at the window was knowledgeable about that so she printed the pass and we were on our way. The crew greets you as you board and disembark. And if you have any issues there are plenty of nice people to direct you along the way. Upon boarding a man takes your luggage and you can then take your seat. You will collect your luggage at the end of the trip. It will be on the lower level and they direct you to circle around and collect your own luggage then proceed to disembark. Seat choices are first come first served, no assigned seats, and restrooms are plentiful. Restrooms are not fancy but have everything you need to go including hand washing and hand sanitizer. They are outside and inside. The inside you have tables and a cash only bar where they sell food and liquor and beer on the first floor. Long Island iced tea was 9.50 not bad and nicely made with plenty of liquor. Hot dog and hot pretzel was good. Two liquor drinks, a hot dog, bag of Doritos and a hot pretzel with cheese was 27 dollars. Not badly priced we thought. We sat outside on the way down from ft. Meyers to key west. It was around 90 degrees and sunny and very comfortable at first. But three hours of constant wind was a little much for us so on the way back we sat on the second floor where they had inside tables also and you can move around and go outside when we wanted too. There are spots outside where you have less wind. They have two different boats. The one we took down was different than the one we caught back so keep that in mind. Seats are plentiful so you shouldn’t have an issue. The trip took about three in a half hours or so. Food and booze like I said is cash only. People left there things at their seats and moved around with no issues. Trip was smooth and it was nice not to drive down ourselves. We caught the 6pm boat back from Key West with no issues. Keep in mind check out is usually 11 am so if you’re taking the 6 pm boat you may have a little wait. We had lunch and did some shopping to kill time. We thought leaving the hotel at 4 pm was good. The hotel stored luggage for us, and then called us a cab. We were there by 4:20 and was able to get an inside seat with no issues. All cash on board and tip the crew because they are great. Smoking is aloud on the lower level while on the boat for all you smokers. Very easy process for the first time for us. We would definitely recommend Key West Express.

Best way to get to Key West, much better than driving (we've done both). Be warned, however: making a "day trip" is a 12-14 hour day. Better to take a day or 2 on the island.Amazing vessel and the crew is top notch. Snacks are good and there is a decent selection at the bar. Ride the wind on the top deck or relax in the AC on the lower deck.I can imagine it would be a challenge to bring young children, or even teenagers, as there are times on the 4 hour trip where there is no Cell or 5G service (gasp!). You are on the open Gulf 😀.

Ship was very spacious and comfortable. Food and drink offerings were very good and reasonably priced. Handicap accessible with room to drive your scooter. Smoking deck. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. I would definitely do this again. 😊

The ride was pretty chill. They have screens with HGTV playing. If you want a choice of seat you have to get there really earlier. I'm not sure about the Fort Myers' side, but the key west side people were waiting 5 hours before loading. The crew was nice. The snack food prices are not bad, but the food was. If you want, bring cash to tip at the end, but I will say this SHAME ON THE OWNER if the crew truly needs tips to survive. The cost of this was what I would pay for a flight or a two day cruise. So if the crew needs tips to make their wages, then the owner is making bank by not paying them enough and pocketing more than they should, and then asking for $$ on wages he should be paying himself.

Awesome way to get to Key West. Boat rise was smooth and alot of fun. Very seamless on both ends of the journey. I suggest staying over the night in Key West to see the sunset at Mallory Square. The food and drinks on board were well priced as well.

The crew provided top notch service. Bathrooms are clean and there are multiple areas to sit. If you want to sit at a table, you will need to arrive early. The bar has an ok selection of drinks and the food bar sells basic snacks (hot dogs, nachos etc). This is our second time taking the Key West Express and love the experience. The vacation starts once you step foot on the boat!

Very expensive, especially since we carried two bikes. The galley food is just what you'd expect. The trip was relaxing both ways. We did not partake of the booze but the bar seemed well stocked.

First off, it's super convenient to take this to Key West.Do NOT expect first class cruise ship experience. Come in thinking it's a relaxing little ferry ride with a full bar. The food is nothing special, but at least it's something to put into your stomach until you make it to Key West.Being that my wife and I came on a Friday as the tourist season was starting to ramp up, we got sat outside on the second level. All of the interior was full. We got there an hour early, just a heads-up. It's the same going back too from Key West. Get there are early as possible if you want interior seating.With so much going on and it being a new experience for me, I found it overwhelming because I didn't know where the bathrooms were or where the bar was at first.Just get up and walk around. It's a pretty chill experience, honestly. The bar and cafeteria area are both on the first level.There are bathrooms on both the first and second level. Bathrooms are larger than an airplane bathroom, but similar to a degree.The staff was excellent and courteous. They gave us advice as we were traveling.Side note, call your hotel to see if they hold luggage. Hotels don't check in normally until 4 pm, and Key West Express will get you there around 11am. The Hyatt Centric I stayed at did hold luggage. If you stay at a hotel that doesn't hold luggage, the ferry drops you off at a place that will hold your luggage and deliver it to your hotel when it's time to check in, allowing you to wander freely around Key West until its time for check in. From what I saw on the pricing, it was pretty comparable.The one major problem was a storm front came through the night we were headed back to Fort Myers, and even with the crew trying to get as close to shore as possible, the waves were horrible. I had sea sickness almost the entire trip back. Threw up over...and over....and over.....and over. I sat outside on the first level near the smoke break area. People were running to the bathroom, and even coming outside on the deck to hurl over the railing. It was a bad storm.This is not the crew's fault though. It was still a horrible experience back.The kicker to that return back was that my wife actually got there early and got excellent interior seating....but I still ended up spending most of my time outside enjoying fresh air while dry heaving.

I highly recommend their services! From the easy booking process to parking facilities right at the dock and boarding procedures that the staff facilitated with ease, this was a pleasant experience! Howie, the friendliest bartender ever, was courteous, friendly and very efficient even with the large crowd. He got our drink orders and food choices done with yummy results. The drink and food choices are enough variety so there's plenty for your liking and prices are more reasonable than I expected. Many people use the ferry for little getaways to Key West and the staff is very accommodating with luggage. There's plenty of room to walk around and also decks for your viewing and photo taking. The facilities are very clean and bathrooms were much more spacious than expected. The staff is very thorough in explaining all rules and conduct aboard ship and they will even assist with excursions on Key West if you need. Definitely a great idea to pick their brains since they have font of information and suggestions and don't mind sharing their knowledge. I definitely recommend & a little tip, take the ferry and spend the night since Key West is so full of fun you won't want to leave!

I had a great experience taking this ferry down to Key West for the first time. Check-in process is very organized from start to finish. The services on the ferry are accommodating. I do recommend bringing a blanket and a good book to read! The ride there and back was smooth with very minimal disruptions. The crew and captain are super friendly and helpful with answering any questions you may have.

You will absolutely love the experience of taking the Key West Express to Key West! The crew is truly amazing, the boat ride, the views, the onboard restaurant and bar services...don't miss out!

It was so easy to get to Key West by catching the catamaran from Ft. Myers - much easier & faster than driving.

Seriously, the crew could not be nicer. They were affable, helpful, and considerate. The food is basically mid-grade freezer section food, which is fine. It definitely was good enough but could be better. The drinks were OK also. Same ok, not fabulous. The bathrooms were clean and plentiful. Decent shows were available to watch on the TVs to pass the time. The ride was smooth in both directions. My only complaint is that we wished the seats were more comfortable. After being in Key West all day, being in seats that could be reclined enough to put our feet up and nap would have been greatly appreciated. Overall, this is an amazing way to go back and forth to Key West.

Nice beautiful ride I would recommend taking the key West express to the keys all the staff is friendly and lovely people I will be taking the key West express again on my next visit to the keys again

Great way to travel to Key West. However, be sure and get a prescription for something if you're prone to sea sickness. Rough waters going back to Ft. Myers made for a not so enjoyable time.

We decided to take this express which is very well run and offers a bar and hot food options. It was advertised as 3.5 hrs but it took 4 hrs each way. We still had enough time on the island for a day trip.

This ferry service was excellent! Got us to Key West and back to Fort Myers on the same day! Friendly crew and great views!

4.5

(1879)

4.0

(2322)

1200 Main St, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA

2 lists

We love Ft Myers Beach. It's nice to see some of the favorites make their way back on the beach. We are there to support them. It's still a great place to be. I hope that all can pull it together and make a strong come back.

I stopped by Fort Myers Beach/Times Square to catch the sunset. It was great to see restaurants open and a lot of people at the beach. The city was hit so hard by Ian and there is still a sobering feeling but it’s good to see the progress.

Time Square on Fort Myers Beach.One of my favorite places ❤️ You have so many shops/ restaurants/ Hotels to choose from. All with in walking distance! Yahoo 🤗 You also got the fishing pier. You also have the city bus stops all along the way. It’s my happy place.💦

Couldn't find an allotted space for our bicycles. Since the hurricane happened two years ago, I was surprised that so little had been restored/accomplished in that time. It felt as tho the storm had only JUST passed thru. This is a tourist destination, and perhaps for the sake of a stronger local economy, the city should be doing everything in their power to rebuild what, right now, looks like a wasted opportunity tapping into an amazing resource-- TOURISM!

18 months after Ian people are returning and bringing the old vibe back. The buildings will be a while longer but sunset and the beach vibe are back in form. Food and drink options keep growing and recovery is going strong.

This is a fun, kitschy beach strip with all the usual shops and restaurants. No beach should be without it. There are a few nicer boutique shops included - like Local Color, which was my favorite. There was very little in that store I wouldn’t buy. Also there are several fun ice cream shops. You see the usual chains - DQ, Cold Creamery, and Kilwins - but after much research 😉we decided the locally owned 80 Flavors shop was the best. It’s a great place to pick up tshirts, sweatshirts, or alligator shaped chocolate for the folks back home.

Overall it's still looking a bit rough for a lot of the buildings in the area due to the hurricane but still a nice beach and great weather that we had while visiting. Enough open to spend time here

This place is so fun! There are so many shops, restaurants and nightlife to fill your time and entertain you! I would highly recommend coming here if you are in the area!

Nice place at walking distance to the beach, full of restaurants and souvenir shops, you can go and choose from oysters, ice cream, tacos or sushi all in one block, great variety of food, definitely worth taking a walk around and discovering all it has to offer. Don't forget to stop a the brewery.

Nice to see people back enjoying the area in general, along with the Beach and Margaritaville... a new addition that is Jimmy Buffet cool...revenue will really help the island.New clock at Times square great to see..Alot more to do w pier severely damaged, Dairy Queen and other buildings gone..but there a hopeful sign of renewal!

A fun place to look around, see a lot of people, shop for all kinds of touristy things, see pelicans up close, and eat at some pretty good little seafood restaurants. Parking lots charge $20. There is a new Margaritaville being constructed across the street so parking is at minimum. We took a Lyft to avoid all that.

4.6

(382)

4.0

(2109)

1035 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA

+41 other lists

1 list

Fantastic!!Most of the time you are in the shade. I went in June so there wasn't much water yet. Tons of wildlife. Gators, baby gators, raccoons, woodpeckers, vultures, hawks, frogs, lizards, owls, butterflies, and many many birds.Tip: we were passed by almost everyone because we would take a few steps, stop, listen, and look around. That is how I found the gators and the raccoons as well as many birds.

Absolutely wonderful experience here! Quietly walking through the park is so interesting. It’s really a great place to experience nature and see amazing animals and plants. Coming from PA, I saw so many things I’ve never seen before! I loved walking the trail and looking and listening to all that the swamp has to offer. I also enjoyed my conversation with Art, a volunteer who was out on the trail to share information with visitors. He was so genuinely kind and helpful and my family and I had a nice time chatting with him. Overall, it was one of my favorite things I got to experience in Naples.

What an absolute delight of a habitat! My hubby and I are both biologists, avid birders, and native plant nerds, and we had an amazing morning on the boardwalk. This habitat is endemic to our state and can't be found anywhere else!! We saw salt and pepper square stem wild flowers and salt marsh mallow in full bloom and don't even get me started on the scarlet hibiscus! Just gorgeous! This is a truly special place that should be preserved for our future. We love that they only allow so many people on the boardwalk because we were less likely to be disturbed when getting the awesome bird photographs that we came early for. If you love Florida native plants and ecosystems as well as our lovely native wildlife than this is the place for you. We will absolutely be back for more of real Florida.

Loved the sanctuary itself. It was beautiful and well kept.However, we used to faithfully give to Audubon for many years, but after they use their charity in a political way we no longer will donate or support them. Which actually very much saddens my heart to do so but we won't stand by while our beliefs are mocked. They are a charity, for birds. It's unfortunate they have to politicize that.

First time here and we, couple in the 40's, really enjoyed this place. Majority of the board walk are in shade. We arrived around 10 am, took a leasure walk, oh and ah on air plants, looked for orchids, birds, ground animals. Took pix at the calusa land mark. Would we come back? Why not? Love this peaceful place ...

I had a fantastic day hiking/walking along the boardwalk today (it is all boardwalk). Took me about an hour to get around once.The first quarter-mile or so goes through grasslands, so no shade, but the rest of it, except for the very end where it goes through grasslands again, is mostly shaded by the very tall trees.Sunday afternoon it was pretty crowded, but that was good because there were other eyes picking out the alligators, turtles, etc.Don't forget to look up, so you can find the owls and other birds, flowers, lichen, raccoons, and of course, look down so you can see the alligators, lizards, turtles, etc.Keep your ears open for the multitude of birds, which I could never actually find because my eyes are not trained for that, and for the various bullfrogs, who were quite vocal today.Nice visitor center and restrooms, lots of parking. There is a $17 charge to get in, but it's really worth it - plus it's for the Audubon Society.The loop is about 2 miles, and since I had time, I ended up walking the trail twice and saw different things each time.Some people were commenting on not seeing wildlife, but you really need to look hard for it sometimes and don't go in there with the expectations of seeing dozens of alligators. I saw three. Four raccoons. One owl. A dozen lizards, one turtle, etc. but it was all very nice.

Located about 30 minutes from Naples, this beautiful 2.5 mile boardwalk through the swamp and the largest old growth bald cypress forest in North America.Allow about an hour and a half to complete this trail where you can spot birds and wildlife including alligators. Part of the trail is shaded but use sunblock, hat and bug spray. Restrooms available at the visitor center but not on the trail. Bring plenty of water.There is also a gift shop.Highly recommended.

Amazing! A wonderful walk along the boardwalk showing off a protected mature cypress forest. Rich in plant and animal life. Suitable for entire family. Saw many birds, alligators (and baby alligators!!), racoons, and plants. Informational signs along the way. Was a wonderful day!

I am neither a biologist or an arborist. I am a mom of three children (8, 11, 14) who were not at all convinced that a swamp was a worthy way to spend their morning. Upon arrival at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, however, their spirits were quieted and they gave space for it to be bearable. In the end, and to their surprise, we all really enjoyed it! I didn’t hear one complaint until it was time to leave.Understanding my role of mom, you will allow me to show you the swamp as my boys saw it. My oldest, a daughter, read the plaques and enjoyed the expected sights, such as the hidden bittern we spotted (pictured—you gotta look carefully!). My boys, on the other hand, saw things such as the cypress tree eating a hand rail and the nice tree hugging the other tree (aka the Strangling Fig—a misnomer in their opinion). They continued to notice more cypress trees trying to consume handrails or “melting” onto the edge of the boardwalk, but occasionally had their attention turned to the swamp beyond the boardwalk by raccoon families, a (false) sighting of a ghost orchid, and—most impressively—a very big alligator.Along the way, guides helped us see things our novice eyes did not spot. Our questions to them were simple and easily answered, but I overheard some very in depth exchanges between the guides and more knowledgeable guests than we. They were helpful in both situations.I would recommend this for any age! One consideration for those who might struggle to walk for a long while—there are benches along the way, but if you or a loved one has difficulty with distances, rest may not be as accessible as needed. There are rails to lean on along the entire boardwalk.

Great family activity. We came at the end of March so it was dry season. The first hour, we didn’t see much. Just lots of walking to see many trees and a few birds. Close to the end, it was a bit more swampy and so it got more interesting. We saw many birds and alligators. I recommend going when it is less dry so that you could see more.

Beautiful hike plan to get theirs early as they do close the trail around 1:00 since the hike takes about 1:30-2hrs. Love walking here to see all the beautiful unique air plants, any of the animals and all the bird sounds!

Such a peaceful, beautiful place. It is absolutely amazing to experience some of Florida's natural habitats and see land that is untouched (less the boardwalk providing you said view!)I took my seven year old with me for our first girls "hike". She was able to keep up, even taking the extended path (3mi.)Being from the north, I wasnt sure what I was getting into going to a swamp. Certainly not at all like the stero type I grew up with!Plenty of picture taking opportunities. A great way to connect with nature and only 20 minutes or so from the residential communities of Naples.The gift shop had so many choices to bring home a keepsake from your visit, so be sure to bring your wallet!They offer a few snacks and bottled beverages, but you'll want to make sure you had a meal before or plan to after.Restrooms at the entrance but not along the boardwalk. This didn't cause issue for us, but something you'll want to take note of before you get out there!

Beautiful park. Well maintained. Very friendly staff. There’s a nice facility at the entrance with restrooms and lots of information on the area. The entire thing is a handicap & stroller accessible boardwalk. Costs some money, like $20 an adult, but given what they do to protect our Florida ecosystem it’s well worth it. We were lucky enough to see a gorgeous owl perched on a branch not even 15 feet away. Very memorable.

This was my first time visiting and it was much more beautiful than I thought. It is an enchanting place that feels prehistoric with all the tall cypress trees. Lots of wildlife around if you look closely or listen. I didn’t see any alligators but I could sure hear them. The heat is brutal during summer so take lots of water since you might spend a few hours exploring the boardwalk and getting lost in the beauty.

You and I, dear reader, don’t know each other. We may or may not like many of the same parts of the day.If you respect your fellows and admire nature with a hushed reverence commonly shown in the awe of a centuries-old place of worship, we have common ground.If you are looking for flashing lights, blaring music and dancing bears, you are in exactly the wrong place.The most exciting non-human mammals spotted during our mid-day March visit were raccoons and squirrels. We have too many of these at home to be interested.Several on the boardwalk noticed a dark, ridged stripe basking in the sun. Probably a gator’s back. Could have been sculpted. Many small skinks and kin escorted us through the greenery.Several birds, from anhinga to ibis to ted-shouldered hawk.Lots of plant life unfamiliar to this northerner. Tall cypress, small water spangles, and lots in between.It was less eventful than I hoped - even expected - but I loved it. I could spend many days wandering these boards. I’d be sure to spot something new each time.

Fantastic park with all bridge walkway. Great place to see the nature wildlife. Highly recommended for family trip.

Wonderfully well-kept buildings and boardwalks. The preserve itself encompasses several types of habitat and really shows of the beauty of this region's nature. If you love the play of sunbeams through a thick forest canopy and trees from a thousand years ago, all in the cooling shade with a fresh scent of water, tea-stained but very clear, and to hear the songs of many birds and the soft croaking of an alligator to her hatchlings, and to catch sight of hawks riding the thermals out above the marsh, then this vast silent isolated sanctuary is for you! If you can avoid groups of people along the boardwalk, you will be rewarded with the profound quiet of nature: no distant rush of traffic, not even passing aircraft, something actually hard to come by in our area. This sanctuary has been in place long enough that you will see many cases of trees' boles growing around/incorporating the handrails of the boardwalk, and many others where the rails have been cut back to give the trees room. It's a great walk, whether you actually spot animals or not :-) OK, I know it sounds like I'm totally enthralled, and just for balance: I'm not fond of their gift shop, it's large enough and has many things, but it doesn't seem to connect with what is outside their doors. In general I like gift shops, this one just seems to me to have too much kitsch and not enough connection. Perhaps it just suffered by comparison to the gorgeous swamp we had been traversing!

Very well maintained boardwalk trail with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Lots of unique plants and animals. Well worth the price of admission for any nature lovers.

I was there in early May. I saw birds, fish, a crab and insects. It would be best to go early in the day to avoid the heat. Use bug spray. I didn't and was itchy from bites for days. I encountered only a few other people.

It was a nice cooler day to visit. The nature and beauty are unbelievable. It is a nice boardwalk path that you take for 2 miles, no way to get lost. You stay on the boardwalk the whole time. Use the restroom before you start. It does take a good hour and half to walk the whole way. We saw a raccoon, birds, a gator in 2 different areas, an anahinga (look it up)drying its feathers with wings spread out and a baby bald eagle in its nest. There are not too many creatures in the water except for the gator. Had a small lunch in the Café and a nice gift shop to look through. Nice visit. 17$ for adults. We bought our tickets in advance online.

We went on the last day before 2 weeks of upgrading. Due to our earliest many animals and bird were in the move. We heard an alligator roar very close, saw raccoons, owls, frogs, ospreys, etc. There are 4 different types of environment, not just straight mangrove. Shop was open. Rest rooms at start but not on 2+ miles boardwalk.

So beautiful and peaceful! Saw so much wildlife on the large loop walk. Really easy boardwalk path with lots of benches along the way. The area is very well preserved.

Pretty place to spend the day in nature. There are public restrooms at the entrance as well as a small cafe and gift shop. The boardwalk leads through a prairie areas as well as swamp. You may see alligators, birds, deer, raccoons and if you are super lucky panthers and bobcats. The path is pretty safe since you are on the boardwalk the entire time. There are lookouts along the way and sitting areas also. Online tickets were required for Thanksgiving however you may be able to purchase tickets when you arrive. I suggest calling first.

Always a wonderful place to relax. And if you walk quietly, you can also see lots of animals. Highly recommended.

Our first time here and we thoroughly enjoyed the walk through the Audubon corkscrew swamp sanctuary. The full walk is about 2.5 miles on a boardwalk. The boardwalk goes through the swamp with safe guard rails. You get to see many areas of the swamp, some fields and prairies that are marshes as well.We saw many birds, including herons, ibis, warblers, and many more. About 30 species during our hike.There are many stops along the way with benches where you can sit in the peace and quiet and enjoy the foliage and the wildlife. I recommend it for a place of tranquility. This was my first visit through a swamp, and it was much more pleasant and enjoyable than I ever thought it would be.There are tour guides that give tours on Sunday mornings. We ran into some of these tour guides during our walk on the boardwalk. They are very knowledgeable and sometimes will point out birds, orchids and other sightings as you walk on the boardwalk. I was very grateful to run into these tour guides.There is a very nice gift shop in the visitor center with lots of gifts around birds. There’s also a little café where you can buy food. They have salads, sandwiches, and drinks that you can purchase, as well as hotdogs and condiments.If you really like your visit, you can purchase a membership on the way out, and they will credit your ticket purchase toward the membership. I highly recommend visiting this place, if you would like a pleasant hike, and to see the beauty of the swamp as well as the birds.

Very nice walk with the wooden walkway. The flora is amazing, not a lot of fàuna bút we went in summer and the water level is very high. Very well kept the entire place. Worth the visit.

4.7

(1985)

4.5

(3408)

375 Sanctuary Rd W, Naples, FL 34120, USA

1 list

It was the perfect beach day and so peaceful. Not much walking to find a great spot. The walk to the inlet was beautiful. The water and the beach were so clean. I'd go every weekend. Beautiful

If you want to have the experience of a state park and the beach this is the place.To find parking spots it's important to get there before 11am. You'll have to pay a day rate (only $6). You also have places were you can grill out (you just need to bring the charcoal)The beach is not crowded, it's clean and the water is super flat (perfect for kids) It also has beautiful shells.Perfect place to spend a whole day.

Nice beach, parking is really close to beach. As of 6/19/23 only areas 1 & 2 are open. Much better than current state of Fort Meyers area beaches.

Parking was full during the day, so I went back at sunset and this ended up being the best time to be there! It wasn't crowded and the views were gorgeous!

$6/car entrance fee. Great beach. Family friendly. Go early as the parking gets filled to capacity and the park entrance is closed to traffic until the spaces empty again. Farther up the road before the park there are additional parking, but you'll have to walk to the park. There are portable bathrooms available at the parking lots, however if your want a true bathroom and shower you'll have to walk to the park entrance. Water is calm, sand is nice. Right at the park entrance on the beach there are a sea of tents/people, however farther down the beach there is more space, less congested.

Beautiful white sand beaches. Nice picnic areas. Food truck concessions in lot 4. RV parking available at the boat ramp is away from the beach parking. Recommend bike to get from boat ramp to beach parking lots. Visit during the week for best parking options.

UPDATED REVIEW SINCE OPENING:So happy to have this beautiful slice of heaven reopened. Even though it is not nearly what it once was, it’s nice to see Mother Earth healing.YOUR GUIDE/Things to note:1) The sand got sifted here, so not only does it feel pretty good (since after Ian) but it’s a little more reassuring that the chances of slicing your foot on something from the aftermath of Ian are slimmer compared to the public beaches like Bonita. Sifting only ON the beach, not in the water- still use caution.2) NO grilling. Now that there aren’t picnic areas, grilling is no longer allowed. Please respect this- your neighbors and the wildlife really appreciate it.3) Fishing, like always, is down at area 5 ONLY (you’ll see the double red flags.. that’s your indicator that you can fish but NOT swim there- dangerous rip current).4) Please stay OUT of the roped off areas. They are there for a reason. The native wildlife is desperately needing to regrow and it is! So please just let it do it’s thing and respect the dune restoration.5)There are now honor boxes, $6/vehicle (single occupant is $4), $2/pedestrians+bikers. During the summer there is a $1 off special for all of these prices (so $5/car, $1 pedestrians, etc).6) Porta-potties only! No more restrooms or shower stations until more construction happens. Use the Blue Bill facilities if you need those (right before entering the park).7) Like always, when the park gets full try not to get frustrated at the rangers.. it’s not their fault this is a popular park. Now with only 2 parking lots, there are a lot LESS parking spots (obviously).. they have a set number of cars they need out before they let more in, just do a lap around Gulf Shore Dr and I’m sure they’ll be open again. Conner Park is a COUNTY parking lot.. so yes, if you pay there you also need to pay for Delnor Wiggins.. so my advice is just wait to get into the park so you only pay once 🤷‍♀️.I love this beach, I just wish the visitors would care for it like it was their own. So much trash is left, people constantly not following the simple rules.. it’s exhausting to watch (and to clean up after). I’ve volunteered here for the last year and a half and try to be an active member in this little community. Please just respect the park, the workers and most importantly the nature. Now more than ever it really just needs to regrow and it takes YOU to help make that a possibility.

Beautiful park with nice beach! No services or concessions, so plan accordingly.Some very sharp shells in the water...suggest wearing water shoes or sandals.

Great park. Nice beach. The beach isn't very crowded and you can trust that your stuff won't get stolen. Unless birds get into it.

The most beautiful beach! I love this spot. Right next to Vanderbilt Beach, beautiful sand and water. Well-maintained, they did a great job carefully cleaning and repairing the area after Ian, too.

Was there for memorial day weekend, the beach was really nice and clean,, the parking was easy but there's not a lot of spaces close, but they have extra space close.

This is a gorgeous beach. Very clean since it's a state park. They have portable toilets as well! There are jet ski rentals nearby. The water was very clear. You have to pay $6 for parking, there are 4 parking areas so parking is plentiful. We live local to this beach and it's one of my favorites if you want a beach that's not overly crowded.

My favorite place. Been taking my children since they were little. Every spring break !Anxious for the pavilions (showers and changing rooms ) to be re-constructed. The water is beautiful! Sand is lush ! Paradise.

4/2/2024: The 1st two parking lots are open to the public to park and access the beach. The third and back lot is closed to entry. There are porta-potties on site and bike racks, and the original guard shack is missing - so there is no attendant at the park entrance.Nice wide sand beach and a lovely short walk north to the Wiggins Pass. Easily accessible from parking lot to the beach, great for kids!

Foliage has been destroyed preventing a good shade for beach goers. Lots of thick seaweed at shore line. Some trash littered the beach. Great beach water for kids and parking was very close to beach. $6 for parking and must download app which is something being pushed on people that the people don't want!Sunset watching is the best!!! Beach is so quiet and cool and the Sunset is absolutely stunning! Bumped up my initial 4 to 5 stars!

What a beautiful spot to beach swim and sunbathe at.. the area was beautiful..more secluded..and the sand was like soft white powdery. Like being in the Caribbean..I was quite impressed... yes I love shelling but I have my favorite spots for that..here was so easy on the feet..not crowded off season but it is slammed between December-April. .. the walk from the parking lot to the beach was about a 2minute walk.. places under the trees to grill (grills there already) the water was so clear and calm..you could see the little yellow fish all around your feet. And no they don't bite or hurt..I went to the 4th turn off..I highly recommend if you like it quiet and less crowded .keep in mind if your not three early you will not get in ..they close the gate..as well the cost is less only $4 bucks for a day to park and less if your driving alone..

This is a beautiful white sand beach. The parking rates were super reasonable at just $6 for all day. It's easy to get to also.. right off Rt. 41.

Great Beach, White sand/ shells, parking close by, trolly carts to pick u up if you have a ton to bring down to beach... Bathroom just before walk to beach.

Always loved this place. I've been taking my kids and now my grandkids I'm raising now. It's still a braiding place, but since the hurricane they haven't fixed anything. All buildings and everything is gone. They only have the 1st 2 parking lots in use, test is bordered off. No bathrooms, showers, nothing but beach. I don't know why it's taking a year to get Naples best place and beach up and working. I'll donate my skills and my 2 other guys to build everything back the way it was, maybe better. It's still a great place to go for a couple hours, fill you have to use bathroom, not on beach please, at your own home. We don't live like that in the USA.Go enjoy wiggins ⛱️.God Bless

Beautiful beach with almost enough parking. Got down there a little late and had to turn around to park in the lot down the road. Just lets you know how popular the place is. Have some nice sunset photos for you to enjoy. There's a slow-mo video also but Googs cut it down to 30 seconds from a minute. There are some restrooms and a place to rinse off right outside the beach area. There's no glass or dogs allowed also.

4.8

(4390)

4.5

(1676)

11135 Gulf Shore Dr, Naples, FL 34108, USA