You’re going to spend your fair share of time on the sand and in the ocean when you’re vacationing on Anna Maria Island, but when you choose to take a break from the sun and want an educational and engaging activity for the whole family, be sure to visit the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in the city of Bradenton Beach. Recognized as the “largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast,” this is truly a must-see with its permanent and special temporary exhibits, planetarium, and even a manatee habitat! Since you’re likely going to visit the boutiques, shops, and restaurants on historic Bridge Street, you’ll be just a few miles from the museum, so be sure to make the trip!
As with other things to do in Bradenton Beach, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is relatively close to many Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, so you’re never far from all of the exciting things to see at this Bradenton museum.
Find out more about the museum here, and then plan a day to see for yourself the wonderful exhibits of space, the wilderness, archaeological material, and so much more.
About the Museum
History. Nature. Culture. Science. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, which opened in 1947, has it all! With a focus on regional culture, the museum offers insight into the world and even the universe.
The museum consists of two exhibitions examining maritime history, the environment, and fossils and archaeological artifacts representing earlier Florida cultures and wildlife. There are also ever-changing temporary exhibitions that offer specific artifacts or focus on particular environmental systems through photographs, interactive displays, dioramas, and more.
Renovations over the years have introduced such exhibits as the Gallery of Medical Science objects, a gallery of fine arts and decorative objects, and an entire environmental wing housing exhibits displaying the pine uplands, Gulf waters habitats, and other notable ecosystems and habitats in the wilds of Florida.
There’s also a state-of-the-art planetarium that debuted in 2013, a manatee habitat exhibit opened in 1993, and galleries renovated throughout the early 2000s. An innovative and interactive Mosaic Backyard Universe, the newest addition to the museum, was introduced to visitors in 2018 and has been entertaining children ever since. At the same time, the museum added classrooms to teach further and entertain students, parents, and entire families.
Exhibits
The museum has both permanent and temporary exhibits, so there’s always something new to discover when you visit.
The first-floor permanent exhibition takes you through the history of early Florida, with fossils and items that show the animals and cultures that existed centuries ago. The second floor houses other permanent exhibits that examine Florida’s geography, economics, culture, and environment. Both floors also contain temporary exhibitions in the first-floor East Gallery and the second-floor Rincon Gallery. Examples of the types of exhibits that have been opened in the past include a study of Florida’s aquatic systems, dinosaur discoveries, the rivers of Florida, and a cultural and historical examination of Cuba.
You might see insects, quilts, or even an exhibit on how the human body works!
The recently renovated Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, re-opening in June 2021, presents manatees that have been rescued from the wild and are being rehabilitated from injury or illness to be released back to their environment. Be prepared to learn everything about these unique animals, from their anatomy to the history of their lives, as you watch them in a cypress spring that closely resembles their natural habitat.
The manatee habitat was once home to Snooty, a beloved manatee who came to the museum in 1947 as a baby and lived there until his death at the age of 69 in July 2017.
The newer Mosaic Backyard Universe is an appealing and enjoyable interactive exhibit that the young ones will love. Billed as “our backyard is your backyard,” your kids can climb a treehouse, find fossils in a Dig Pit, sea turtles in a freshwater pond, use their imagination in a Carboard Rocket, and find something that piques their interest in a Science Shed where they can use microscopes and other scientific tools and further explore topics in astronomy, geology, paleontology, or biology.
Planetarium
The full-dome planetarium theater uses a dual projection system and the latest software. It provides an extraordinary astronomy experience as it explores the solar system, galaxy, and beyond. You’ll see planets and nebulas, travel to the fringes of our solar system, and even witness the effects of a black hole on the objects around it and see how it bends light. This show will bend YOUR mind!
The state-of-the-art digital equipment allows for an increase in brightness and contrast resulting in a stunning visual display that makes the planetarium one of the top astronomy facilities on the state’s west coast. The system even updates with live on-air astronomical events as they happen: discoveries in our galaxy or solar system can be unveiled right before your eyes!
The price of admission to the all-digital planetarium is included in the general admission price to the museum. Shows typically run between one and a half and two hours between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., depending on the day.
Plan Your Next Stay
Book your next stay in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals and experience the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature! Check out our available rentals and bring the whole family to the island.
Admission & Hours
Tickets for the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature can be purchased online. You will receive a confirmation email once you purchase with a barcode needed for admission. You can print the barcode or display it on your phone at the door.
Pricing is as follows:
- Adult: $20
- Senior Citizen (age 65+): $19
- Youth (age 12-17): $16
- Child (age 5-11): $12
Discounts apply for Florida teachers, college students, and active military members.
The hours for the museum are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. The museum is open throughout the year except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
The museum is located at 210 10th Street West, Bradenton Beach; you can access free parking up to three hours on the street at the museum or various parking lots and garages nearby, including the County parking garage at the corner of Manatee Avenue and 10th Street West.
If you’re staying in Anna Maria Island, the museum is about 30 minutes away; go 50th Street east to Gulf Ave., turn right, then left onto FL-64 E/Manatee Ave., left on 6th Ave. West, then left on 10th Street West.
Book Your Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental
Whether you’re staying on Anna Maria Island or considering Bradenton Beach rentals, Mike Norman Realty is sure to have the accommodations you need.
Whether you want a house, a condo, or a cottage, Mike Norman Realty has plenty of Anna Maria Island waterfront rentals. Sleep two, four, or even 12 in rentals that allow you to enjoy spectacular views, watch the sunset, or rise and walk right to the beach. Besides the spacious and comfortable bedrooms, you’ll enjoy 1-3+ bathrooms, dining rooms and kitchen eating areas, and even beautiful landscaping that makes the outside as appealing as the inside!
Depending on the rental you choose, you could enjoy such amenities as King- and queen-sized beds, a garage, outdoor features like a grill and heated pool, a full-size washer/dryer, a fully stocked kitchen with new appliances, balconies, and big-screen TVs. You’ll also be just a short walk to shops and restaurants.