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RV Lifestyle guide
Top 13 Museums in Florida
byPhyllis Khare and
Michal Ben-Ari and
Mike Wendland and
Wendy Bowyer
Live update: Updated June 18, 2022Copy link
Copy link1. Princess Place Preserve
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Mike WendlandFascinating off the beaten path place.. see https://rvlifestyle.com/princess-place-preserve-florida
2. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Mike WendlandGreat place for dolphin shows and more on the Emerald Coast!
Uriel MaslanskyThe shows are amazing!
3. Destin History & Fishing Museum, Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Mike WendlandDestin FL calls itself “the worlds luckiest fishing town””. The Destin Fishing Museum cells is why. We wrote about it at https://rvlifestyle.com/rv-trip-destin-fl-the-worlds-luckiest-fishing-village/
4. Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Phyllis KhareJust south of Avalon is the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. It is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the history of the United States Navy SEALs and their predecessors.
This museum really is fascinating and an inside look at the history of an elite, super-secret group of warriors, rarely and
only more recently in the public eye.
Hours are 10am-4pm Tues-Sat and 12pm-4pm Sun. Admission is $15/person.
To learn more about the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum and things to do and see at Port St. Lucie, Florida, head to our blog here:
https://rvlifestyle.com/things-to-do-at-port-st-lucie/
5. Elliott Museum
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareWhile you’re at Stuart Beach, visit the stunning Elliott Museum which may have the world’s greatest collection of antique Ford trucks (as well as 95 vintage cars, 10 vintage motorcycles, and 5 wooden boats). Plus exhibits on the local history of the area.
Hours are 10am-5pm daily and admission is $14/person.
To learn more about things to see and do at Port St. Lucie, Florida, head to our blog here:
https://rvlifestyle.com/things-to-do-at-port-st-lucie/
6. Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareFor a glimpse into the history of the island, head for Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge. This house served as a refuge for shipwrecked sailors during the days when this area earned the nickname “The Treasure Coast”.
This is the oldest building on the Treasure Coast and the only fully-restored house of refuge (of 10) in Florida. The House is now a museum displaying historical maritime artifacts, personal items, and furnishings belonging to the House's “Keeper” and family, and pieces salvaged from old shipwrecks.
For more things to see and do at Port St. Lucie, Florida, head over to our blog:
https://rvlifestyle.com/things-to-do-at-port-st-lucie/
7. Fort Mose Historic State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis Kharehttps://rvlifestyle.com/fort-mose/
Fort Mosé is a small Florida fort established when Spain was ruling, slavery was flourishing in the US colonies farther north, and because slaves were much less harshly treated by the Spaniards, there was a constant flow of escapees coming into Florida. Enslaved people who made it across the border had the option of securing their freedom by converting to Catholicism and agreeing to a term of military service. This state park tells the history in its museum, also there is a place for canoes, kayaks, bird viewing.
8. Museum of Discovery and Science ("IDs)
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareWith two floors and packed with hundreds of interactive exhibits, the Museum of Discovery and Science explores a variety of different fields of science.
You can explore the wetlands of the Everglades with a ride on the Everglades Airboat Adventure. Then experience hurricane-force winds in the Storm Center.
Plus, understand Florida’s prehistoric past with a giant prehistoric megalodon, saber-toothed cat, and an Imperial mammoth.
And enjoy the playful antics of North American river otters in their two-story indoor/outdoor habitat. There’s also a spectacular six-story-high IMAX theater.
The museum is open year-round, Mon-Sat from 10 am-5 pm, and Sun from 12 pm-5 pm.
To read more of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-things-to-do-in-fort-lauderdale-fl/
9. History Fort Lauderdale
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareHistory Fort Lauderdale houses a historic village with the largest concentration of historic buildings remaining in Broward County.
There are four different museums here that explore and preserve the local history including:
Fort Lauderdale History Museum
1907 Pioneer House Museum
1899 Schoolhouse Museum
Hoch Heritage Center/Research Library
The museum is open year-round, hours are 12 pm-4 pm Mon-Fri and 9:30 am-4 pm on weekends. There are guided tours daily at 1, 2, and 3 pm. Always call and check ahead.
To read more of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-things-to-do-in-fort-lauderdale-fl/
10. Historic Stranahan House Museum
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareThe Stranahan House showcases the home built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, Fort Lauderdale’s founding father and his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the area's first school teacher.
The house has served as a trading post, post office, community center, town hall, and home to the Stranahans. This is a place that has been pivotal to Fort Lauderdale since it was built and played a significant role in the economic and social life of this community.
Admission to the museum is by guided tour only. Tours are given daily at 1, 2, and 3 pm and last about 45-60 minutes.
To read more of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-things-to-do-in-fort-lauderdale-fl/
11. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareTo get some more local history, take the trolley north to its final stop at the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.
The Bonnet House was created by Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Bartlett in 1920. The land where the house was built was given to him and his wife, Helen Louise Birch as a wedding gift from her father Hugh Taylor Birch.
Both lovers of art and ecology, they decorated and built this unique house to compliment the surrounding land. It served as a winter retreat where Helen could compose music and sing while Frederic, a talented and aspiring artist, could work on his art in a place full of inspiration and natural beauty.
Frederic’s art is one of the main attractions of the Bonnet House Museum, as well as the artwork that they collected over the years.
It is gorgeous here, the house gets its name from the beautiful Spatterdock Lily or Bonnet Lily and there are ponds with bonnet water lilies and tropical gardens surrounding this historic 35-acre courtyard-style waterfront home.
The inside is magnificently ornate as well. You can explore the Main House and gardens but don’t miss the Shell Museum Complex. It showcases shells from around the world, Orchid House, and the Bartlett’s private Bamboo Bar.
The Bonnet House is open 9 am-4 pm Tues-Sun and guided tours are available every day on the hour from 9:30 am to 3:30pm. Make sure you check ahead to verify the schedule.
To read more of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-things-to-do-in-fort-lauderdale-fl/
12. Crane Point Hammock
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareOn Marathon, you can explore the local history by visiting the Crane Point Museum, Nature Center, and Historic Site.
This complex is situated on a 63-acre property of a protected thatch-palm hammock. It offers a lot to do and a great insight to the area's cultural and natural history.
Near the entrance is the Crane Point Museum where you can learn about local wildlife and the region's indigenous peoples. Then visit the Butterfly Meadow garden and you can take one of several interpretive nature trails to the Adderley House which is the oldest house in the Keys outside of Key West.
Continuing on the nature trail, you’ll hit the Marathon Wild Bird Center, the Crane House, and The Point which offers
spectacular, solitary views of the Florida Bay beyond it.
The entire nature trail is about 1.5 miles one-way, if you don’t want to walk there are free trolley tours and the drivers are a wealth of information!
Admission is $14.95/person and hours are Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm.
To read more of our Marathon, FL recommendations, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-places-to-go-in-marathon-florida/
13. The Hemingway Home and Museum
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareCome visit the one-time residence of the famous American writer, Ernest Hemingway. He once called this beautiful story house his home, in the 1930s.
You can visit both the house and the grounds, a gift shop, and try to spot any cats that might be descendants of Hemingway's kitty. Be sure to bring cash since they only accept that form of payment for admission.
To find the best Key West RV parks, head to our websites: https://rvlifestyle.com/best-key-west-rv-parks/
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