Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center

"Up close with Florida wildlife"

On a hot and rainy day, we left our hotel and found ourselves at this Nature Center.  If we were locals, we'd be there at least twice a month!

My 4 year old son loved the boat inside the Learning Center.   Complete with life jackets, binoculars (view-master slides of shore wildlife), and a daily catch of stuffed animals, this was a great spot for some pretend adventures.  

The almost 2 year old LOVED the touching tank: a spider crab, giant hermit crab, conch, starfish, and more, all at the tips of her fingers!

Another big hit was the Mangrove tank -- a big aquarium full of coastal fish that swim in the roots of the mangroves of the Gulf coast.  A bump in let the kids feel like they were really inside with the fish, without getting wet.  

Smaller tanks held the "catch of the day" -- a variety of aquatic wildlife and information about them.  

Not a huge place, but a wonderful stop for some learning and play.  Staff were welcoming and knowledgeable.  Admission includes access to the estuary, a truly serene and educational place.  We didn't make it to the estuary because of heavy rain, but the view from the rocking chairs on the 2nd level was amazing.