Although the price of admission is reasonable, $19 for adults $17 for seniors. Lots to see here. One wing is the planetarium with some great shows, especially on weekends when they are kid oriented. Another wing devoted to underwater photography. Another wing is natural history of Florida. For the kids is the Manatee pool where they are nursing sick manatees back to health. There are many other exhibits and a small gift shop. Great place and worth the family visit.
We always have the best time when we visit the museum and especially the planetarium. We visit once a year. We love being able to enjoy everything at our own pace. There is so much to see. Snooty the manatee is the best!
Hadn't been here since I was a kid. Boy, has it sure changed! What a nice surprise. So much to see and do. Great for young and old. Everything was very well orchestrated, was leisurely enough that it wasn't an exhausting "theme park", yet you were entertained throughout the afternoon. Loved the dome outer space show, visiting/feeding Snooty the Manatee, the prehistoric exhibit, the hands-on interactive area for kids, and so much more.
Got to see Snooty being fed! My sister really enjoyed that! Found our surname on a map on second floor-wondering if we have ancestors from here? Small but well kept museum featuring the history of this area. Well worth the price and the time to really visit. Will go back.
Went to this attraction - very clean and put together, but it was just a little bit of everything and not a whole lot of everything. Museum was more detailed that the aquarium or planetarium. The manatees weren't too interested in eating and pool area seemed a little small for 2 manatees. It was interesting and would recommend it if you are looking for something to do.
Enjoyed the exhibits and watching the manatees being fed in the aquarium. Planetarium show was also vey interesting.
The museum is a well laid out history of the Bradenton area, good visuals and informative narrative, a visit to Snooty is a must, get up close to one of these incredible Manatees and learn about their lives. The Planetarium is an experience not to be missed with different shows throughout the day. Allow 3-4 hours.
This is a very interesting museum. Call ahead to see when Snooty, their 65 year old manatee gets fed each day. Manatees love romaine lettuce. The museum is an old school museum with plenty of well done dioramas and there is an actual Mammoth reconstructed from the bones found in nearby Florida which is amazing to look at. The historical exhibits are well done. Also, plan ahead to be able to see the planetarium show which we did not. Parking was easy and free on a week day. Entrance fee was a little pricey but worth it.
The Planetarium show was interesting. But Snooty, the 66 year old manatee, stole my heart. I could watch him all day. Go at feeding time & learn about his personality & his life story. Interesting exhibits about the indigenous people of Florida on the first floor. Really enjoyed the second floor, where you can open drawers and discover all kinds of wonderful items.Really loved the National Geographic photo exhibit "Ocean Soul" on the first floor by Brian Skerry. You enter a world you would otherwise not have access to. Absolutely stunning!
Plan on spending 2 to 3 hours as there is a lot to see. Save this one for a rainy day as it is one of the few indoor attractions in Bradenton.