FLORIDA PLACE TO EXPLORE
Manatee Observation and Education Center
St. Lucie County · Atlantic Coast
A small center on Moore's Creek in downtown Fort Pierce where manatees turn up year round and admission costs three dollars.
ABOUT THIS PLACE
The center sits at 480 North Indian River Drive on Moore's Creek, a lagoon inlet beside a marina and a few steps from downtown Fort Pierce. Manatees use the creek through the year rather than only in winter, which is unusual, though they are wild and nobody promises a sighting. Staff record every one that comes in and pass the data to research partners tracking the local population, so a visit contributes something. Inside are aquariums, exhibits on the lagoon and its animals, and activities built for children, with scheduled programs including a story time called ManaTales and talks given at the creek side. Outside, an accessible garden and observation deck explain seagrass, mangroves and the rest of what holds the lagoon together, and there is a butterfly garden. Admission is three dollars and children five and under go free. It opens Tuesday through Saturday from ten to three and closes Sunday and Monday
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