Located along State Road 54 of Odessa, the Starkey Ranch is a huge green expanse that boasts of beautiful environs. The ranch is visited by locals as well as tourists to spend a tranquil time amidst a countryside. Besides offering various facilities for picnics and get-togethers, the Starkey Ranch also hosts community events and local fairs and festivals. Call ahead to know more.
Seeking the refuge of the warm canal waters near the old Big Bend Power Station, manatees were seen flocking to this area. From this, the Manatee Viewing Center was born and has since been designated a habitat sanctuary for these peaceful creatures. The onsite educational center features colorful displays and exhibits along with a hurricane simulator. A butterfly garden encapsulating the centers solar panels rounds out this ecologically and environmentally friendly tourist attraction.
At The Alligator Attraction you can get up close and personal with Florida's spookiest native. Come and feed, train and hold real live alligators. They have several foot long little gators, as well as one eight foot adult to view. While you're their you can also pay a visit to the tortoise and lizards that also call the attraction home.
The Palm Harbor Library is conveniently located and is an invaluable public resource. The library boasts a vast collection of a wide genre of books including fiction, self-help, biographies, education, public records magazines, periodicals, and electronic media like DVDs, movies, e-books, audiobooks and much more. The library also has plenty of community and conference rooms and frequently hosts local events, music shows, exhibitions, book-readings, and other cultural activities. The building is exceptionally clean and the staff and librarians are always friendly and eager to assist.
Overlooking Saint Joseph Sound, Rotary Centennial Nature Center is a part of the Honeymoon Island State Park. This nature center showcases a number of exhibits that take you through the state park’s geological background and its flora and fauna. Apart from this, this facility is also equipped with a gift shop that sells items like t-shirts and souvenirs. Walk to the the edge of this nature center and revel in the views of the nearby mangroves that are scattered across the area.