Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium
The Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium of Sarasota is home to the only two trained Manatees in the world. But Hugh and Buffet were not the only reasons we wanted to check out this branch of the Mote Marine Lab. We visited the Lab on City Island in Sarasota, but there are also campuses in eastern Sarasota County, Boca Grande, and the Florida Keys. This campus can be found at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota, Florida. With three little ones in tow, we were lucky to find a playground outside before heading into the aquarium. This allowed the kids to blow off some of that energy and excitement to prepare for their day of learning about marine life and the world around it.
The tour guides were highly knowledgeable and happy to be there. This made each attraction more engaging for us and the kids. They can answer questions and truly enjoy teaching visitors about wildlife and exhibits. Another fantastic thing about Mote Marine Lab is that you can touch some wildlife. There is an area called contact cove where you can pet stingrays in a display that mimics their natural habitat. Some other surprises for the kids that kept them happy and occupied were the puzzles and interactive games they could play while learning. There is also an aviary on the campus where you can see and learn about birds being rehabbed in the facility. Many of them have plaques describing why they are currently being helped at Mote Marine Lab and why they can not be released.
Check out their LIVE SHARK TANK camera!
Something to note for those seeking a full-blown aquarium experience is that the Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium is a research center, first and foremost. However, there is still plenty for the young ones and even adults to experience. The shark exhibit, the alligator, and the otters were big hits with the little ones. These are housed in a different building, so some walking is involved, but you can get through the whole place in an hour if you wanted to.
When you visit Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium, you are helping support their research efforts and rehabilitation of birds in the aviary. Everyone wants to create the best experience for the animals and the visitors. During feeding time, you can see how well-socialized and friendly the animals are. It makes you understand how well cared for they are in this facility. So, we highly recommend a visit if you are in any areas with a Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium campus.