Staycation Directory

Posts Tagged ‘Free Things to do In Florida’

In 1986, Tampa Electric built a manatee observation platform at Big Bend Station and officially welcomed the first manatee watchers to its warm water discharge viewing area. Since then, the Manatee Viewing Center has hosted more than one million visitors who have come to see these endangered marine mammals.

The center features an Environmental Education Building where you’ll get a chance to learn about the manatee’s biological characteristics and habitat.
The center is open to the public from November 1 through April 30. The center is handicapped accessible, with vending machines, picnic shelter and gift shop.
A self-guided natural trail is also open, ideal for viewing the tidal flatlands.
Mangroves, one of Florida’s native trees, are a common and very important part of Florida’s estuarine ecology and economy.


The museum has an observation platform for viewing Manatees during the winter months. Displays and a video about Manatees are located in the education building. There’s also displays of coastal water birds, Florida landscaping, and power plant generation.

Big Bend and Dickman Rd

Apollo Beach, Florida

813-228-4289

Type of Admission: Free

Staycation Directory is a personal courtesy, I compile the venues on my own time for your convenience. Sorry if you area is not yet covered. If you have a staycation idea or know a cool place that you would like to share with us? We are looking for some great local ideas especially for your hometown!
Submit it HERE under add the location form.
Have FUN!

Mounts Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. It is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden with over 2,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants from six continents, including plants native to Florida, exotic trees, herbs, citrus, and palms. Its eighteen plant collections represent arid-land plants to aquatics to edible landscapes, and range from temperate North American trees to rare tropical fruits.

The Garden began as a 3.5 acre (1.4 hectare) County site for pasturing 4-H horses, named in honor of Marvin “Red” Mounts. Planting of tropical fruit trees started in 1954, and over the years today’s 14 acres (5.7 hectares) botanical garden has emerged. It also has a hedge maze. The biggest plant sales are in April and November. This Garden is also the location of where the Palm Beach Chapter of The Rare Fruit Council International meets every month for their monthly meetings. Mounts Botanical Garden is open to the public Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Features a pond with fish, turtles, and other wildlife. Visitors can also stroll the walkways lined with labeled plants.

531 N. Military Trail
West Palm Beach, Florida
561-233-1749
Type of Admission: Free

Staycation Directory is a personal courtesy, I compile the venues on my own time for your convenience. Sorry if you area is not yet covered. If you have a staycation idea or know a cool place that you would like to share with us? We are looking for some great local ideas especially for your hometown!
Submit it HERE under add the location form.
Have FUN!

Spanish River Park

There is a mile and a half of beachfront in this 95-acre park, which runs from the ocean to the Intracoastal. A good place to swim and sun, as well as fish, walk, run, canoe or kayak. Designated surfing area on north end. Directions: Take Yamato Road east to Federal Highway, south to Spanish River Boulevard, then east to Ocean Boulevard and a short distance south.

Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic shelters with grills, nature path and large playground. The boat dock is closed and in the process of being rebuilt. Ten pavilions are available for rental; call 561-393-7815. A beach wheelchair is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Inquire at the Spanish River Gatehouse when you enter the park. Note: no nearby restaurants or cafes.

Lifeguards: On duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Rules: No alcohol, no pets. No fishing between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. when bathers are present.

3001 N. State Rd.
Route A1A
Boca Raton, FL

Staycation Directory is a personal courtesy, I compile the venues on my own time for your convenience. Sorry if you area is not yet covered. If you have a staycation idea or know a cool place that you would like to share with us? We are looking for some great local ideas especially for your hometown!
Submit it HERE under add the location form.
Have FUN!