Due to a large-scale expansion project, the exhibits building will be temporarily closed starting on Monday, March 24, 2025. The Museum anticipates re-opening in 2026.
Free admission
Journey through a South Florida estuary and learn why they are one of the richest ecosystems on Earth and how they have supported people for thousands of years, including the powerful Calusa who once controlled all of South Florida.
The over-size underwater segment of our South Florida exhibit is a popular photo or selfie scene.
The artifact-rich Fishing Heritage gallery highlights 6,000 years of fishing along Florida’s Gulf coast, including a 1,000-year-old fishing net and canoe paddle.
Enter a palm-thatched building and find yourself in a Calusa leader’s house during a political ceremony in the year 1564.
In the Native American Legacy Gallery you can get a close-up view of some of the most rare and interesting objects in the Museum’s South Florida archaeology collections, among them a famous 1,000-year-old painting of a woodpecker and other works of art in wood.
Why are estuaries so rich? Delve deeper with a hands-on discovery wall and more in the Natural Habitats Center.
Stroll through a full-scale mangrove forest and mud flat full of plants, animals, light and sound to explore the nature of these rich coastal ecosystems.
Learn about the vibrant traditions of the Indian people who live in South Florida today—the Seminole and Miccosukee.
Mangrove Boardwalk
Stroll through a full-scale mangrove forest and mud flat full of plants, animals, light and sound to explore the nature of these rich coastal ecosystems.
Natural Habitats Center
Why are estuaries so rich? Delve deeper with a hands-on discovery wall, touch screens, videos and more.
Underwater Walk-Through
Imagine you are a small fish as you enter a 12-times life-size underwater scene to discover tiny organisms that sustain the estuary.
Fishing Heritage
This artifact-rich gallery highlights 6,000 years of fishing along Florida’s Gulf coast, including a 1,000-year-old fishing net and canoe paddle.
Calusa Leader’s House
Enter a palm-thatched building and find yourself in a Calusa leader’s house during a political ceremony in the year 1564.
Native American Legacy Gallery
Get a close-up view of some of the most rare and interesting objects in the Museum’s South Florida archaeology collections, among them a famous 1,000-year-old painting of a woodpecker and other works of art in wood.
Today’s South Florida Indian People
Learn about the vibrant traditions of the Indian people who live in South Florida today—the Seminole and Miccosukee.
People lived and fished on Florida’s Gulf coast long before the first pyramids were built in Egypt.
The Calusa built towns, engineered canals and followed complex religious, political and artistic traditions.
Estuaries are bodies of water where freshwater flowing off the land meets and mixes with salt water of the sea. They are often called “cradles of the ocean” because many fish and shellfish spend all or part of their lives there.
