Manatee Viewing Center

Manatee Viewing Center Manatee Viewing Center was voted the #2 Best Free Attraction in the country! Open Nov 1 – Apr 15.

The Manatee Viewing Center’s mission is to educate the public about the Florida manatee and its habitat. The center is a state and federally designated manatee sanctuary. During the center’s open season, Nov. 1 through April 15, displays, interactive exhibits and more teach visitors of all ages about the life cycle of the manatee and the challenges it faces. Center volunteers and staff, many of them TECO Energy retirees, answer questions and provide additional educational information.

SNOUTS UP!They’ve gotten SO close…three years in a row at 2nd place.Now it’s time to bring home the gold. The Manatee Vi...
06/03/2026

SNOUTS UP!
They’ve gotten SO close…three years in a row at 2nd place.
Now it’s time to bring home the gold.
The Manatee Viewing Center is BACK on the ballot for USA TODAY’s 10Best Best Free Attraction – and this could finally be our first-place year!
Vote every day at the link in the comments, and please share this post!

06/03/2026
Big news! The Manatee Viewing Center is nominated again for USA TODAY’s 10Best Best Free Attraction!After 3 runner-up fi...
05/28/2026

Big news! The Manatee Viewing Center is nominated again for USA TODAY’s 10Best Best Free Attraction!

After 3 runner-up finishes, we’re aiming for #1 this year – please help us get there!
Vote here: https://ow.ly/nOYo50Z4R21

PRO TIP: You can vote once a day per device.

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

This Memorial Day, Tampa Electric proudly recognizes the courage, service and sacrifice of our fallen heroes and extends our gratitude to the military families who carry their legacy forward.

We will never forget those who gave their lives in service to our nation.

05/24/2026

Thanks to FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay and Blake DeVine News for highlighting the Manatee Viewing Center and the national recognition it’s receiving in the USA TODAY 10Best contest for Best Free Attraction. We appreciate the support in helping share this special place with even more people across the country.

05/24/2026

Two Bay Area landmarks are gaining national recognition after being nominated in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for best free attraction.

A big thank you to FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay for featuring the Manatee Viewing Center and helping spotlight our USA TODAY ...
05/23/2026

A big thank you to FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay for featuring the Manatee Viewing Center and helping spotlight our USA TODAY 10Best nomination for Best Free Attraction.

We appreciate everyone who continues to visit, learn about manatees and support the conservation efforts that make this place so meaningful to our community. Voting is open through June 15 and you can vote once a day: https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/60733/

Two Bay Area landmarks are gaining national recognition after being nominated in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for best free attraction. 🔗⬇️

We’ve gotten SO close…three years in a row at 2nd place.Now it’s time to bring it home.The Manatee Viewing Center is BAC...
05/22/2026

We’ve gotten SO close…three years in a row at 2nd place.

Now it’s time to bring it home.

The Manatee Viewing Center is BACK on the ballot for USA TODAY’s 10Best Best Free Attraction – and this could finally be our first-place year!

We’re excited to share that the Manatee Viewing Center is once again nominated for USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Aw...
05/18/2026

We’re excited to share that the Manatee Viewing Center is once again nominated for USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Free Attraction.

For the fourth year in a row, the MVC was selected by a panel of travel experts — and after three straight years as runner-up, we’re hoping this is the year we bring home the top spot.

Voting begins Monday, May 18 at noon EDT, and you can vote once per day through Monday, June 15 at 11:59 a.m. EDT.

Thank you for supporting the Manatee Viewing Center.

Vote here: https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/60733/

05/16/2026

Address

6990 Dickman Road
Apollo Beach, FL
33572

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18132284289

Alerts

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