This attraction will let you learn all about Manatees. If you are lucky there will be many many of them around to see. Also great historical exhibits and films. more

On our way from Tampa to Sarasota, we stopped at this location, so our children could see some animals in their "normal environment" and it was well worth it. We started with a walk down a nature trail that was very neat and well-made. We didn't realize that this wasn't the viewing area and were getting ready to leave disappointed,... more

Probably the finest surface viewing area for manatees I have seen is located next to an enormous power plant on a beach not too far from Tampa. A lengthy canal runs along one side of the plant and on the side away from the plant, there are two viewing platforms plus a small visitors center. An additonal pier runs further... more

My wife and I try to stop by TECO's manatee viewing center when we are near Tampa. It's a very nice place to see manatees in a more natural setting than a zoo or aquarium. The water isn't all that clear, so you can't see the manatees as well as you can in zoos. But, last time we went, we... more

Tampa Electric has done something really neat down in Apollo Beach - they have built a manatee viewing station so people can watch the manatees that come there in the winter to swim in the warm waters next to the plant. The best time to go in right around Thanksgiving or into the winter months. There are two platforms that... more