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RV Lifestyle guide
Top 12 locations in Florida for Paid Admission
byPhyllis Khare and
Michal Ben-Ari and
Mike Wendland and
Wendy Bowyer
Live update: Updated August 9, 2022Copy link
Copy link1. 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/
2. St. Lucie County Aquarium
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareThe largest display is a living model of a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem. The other displays include:
seagrass, mangrove, lagoon hardbottom, nearshore reef habitats, and deepwater Oculina coral reef.
There are several smaller aquarium displays and microscope displays where you can get a glimpse of the microscopic marine world. A touch tank also gives you an up-close encounter with local marine life.
Hours are Mon-Sat from 10am-4pm and Sun from 12pm-4pm. Admission is $4.25/person.
To learn more about the St. Lucie County Aquarium and more 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/
3. 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/
4. Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareRight across the street from the Elliott Museum, you can explore the Florida Oceanographic Society Coastal Science Center.
It has a 57- acre marine life nature center featuring a 750,000-gallon gamefish lagoon, stingray touch tank, daily programs on sea turtles, and local fish identification. Plus, nature trails with guided tours.
Hours are 10am-5pm Mon – Sat and 12pm-4pm Sun. Admission is $12/person.
To learn more about the Coastal Center and things to see and do at Port St. Lucie, Florida, head to our blog:
https://rvlifestyle.com/things-to-do-at-port-st-lucie/
5. Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareSpread out over 8.5 acres, the garden serves as an educational and interpretive center for native plants and wildlife of the Florida Keys and Caribbean.
Here you can take a self-guided tour and explore the diverse Florida Keys ecosystem filled with plants and trees native to the tropical habitat, including palms, orchids, and numerous flowering plants. Much of the flora and fauna are protected, endangered, or threatened species.
To learn more about the Garden, and more things to see and do in Key West, Florida, head to our website:
https://rvlifestyle.com/things-to-do-in-key-west-florida/
6. Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareOne block away from the buoy is the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory!
The main attraction here is a 5,000 sq ft glass-enclosed conservatory where 50-60 different exotic butterfly species flutter freely through tropical flowers and leafy trees.
To learn more about the Conservatory and about things to see and do in Key West, Florida, head to our website:
https://rvlifestyle.com/things-to-do-in-key-west-florida/
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. FL Las Olas Beach
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareTo 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. Dolphin Research Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis KhareThe Dolphin Research Center began as a marine mammal retreat in the 1950s. Local fisherman Milton Santini collected Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to form Santini's Porpoise Training School.
The Center now focuses on marine mammal care, research, and education and houses 22 dolphins and three sea lions.
The Center has 90,000 sq ft of lagoon for the dolphins to play in and offers several programs to swim, play, and interact with the dolphins.
The Center is open daily from 9 am-4:30 pm and admission is $28/person.
To read more of our Marathon, FL recommendations, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-places-to-go-in-marathon-florida/
10. 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/
11. Turtle Hospital
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Phyllis Khareust down the road from Crane Point is The Turtle Hospital. This is an amazing facility that rescues and rehabilitates sick
and injured sea turtles so they can be returned to the wild.
Since they opened their doors in 1986 they’ve rehabilitated and released over 1,500 turtles!
The Turtle Hospital offers guided educational tours that are an hour long. You'll learn about sea turtles and get a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area.
These tours are run hourly from 9am to 4 pm. There is limited space on each tour so we’d recommend you get a reservation if you want to visit.
The Education Center and Gift Shop are open daily from 9am-6pm and admission is $27/person.
To read more of our Marathon, FL recommendations, head to our website: https://rvlifestyle.com/7-best-places-to-go-in-marathon-florida/
12. 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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