Living Coast Discovery Center

Went to this place yesterday. Didn't really know that it was a recovery center. The animals are wounded and recover at this place and then return to the wild, if they can. The sea turtle was essentially paralyzed but was so sweet and still a joy to watch. The staff was super friendly and you could tell that they cared deeply for all the animals there. Also we didn't know about the shuttle. You park in one place and take a shuttle to get to the location and then back to your car. It runs often but it didn't seem like a lot of people knew especially uber drivers.

Sweetwater park on the Bay,next to the new Gaylord Hotel is great for all the family. Walking trails from the RV camp to the Hotel along the Bay. Playgrounds for children were packed with families having a wonderful time.

We had such a great experience at the Living Coast Discovery Center! From the moment we arrived, everything was easy and welcoming. Parking was simple, with clear signs pointing us where to go, and the free shuttle was just steps away from the lot. One highlight of our visit was watching the sea turtle feeding—it was both fascinating and educational! Inside the center, we loved seeing all the smaller animals, like snakes, lizards, jellyfish, and fish. Outside, the open tank area with stingrays and sharks was really cool to explore. Our favorite part, though, was the bird exhibits. Seeing a bald eagle up close was incredible (something we hadn’t even seen at the zoo!), and the staff member there was super friendly and knowledgeable, sharing lots of interesting facts. This place is such a gem! It’s also a nonprofit organization, so your admission fee goes directly toward supporting their amazing work and exhibits. We’ll definitely be coming back. Our baby was so engaged the entire time—she especially loved the sea turtle! I highly recommend this spot to bring your little ones to. The staff were so welcoming, and the whole experience was fun, educational, and memorable. Thank you to everyone at the Living Coast Discovery Center!

I went during their Owl-O-Ween event and arrived as soon as they started. It was not busy at all and nearly everyone was in costume which added to the fun in my opinion. I loved looking at the stingrays and sharks and learning about them (the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable). They also have snacks, fish and birds at this facility. I think this is a great place to bring children!

No matter what age, my daughter has always enjoyed going to Living Coast Discovery Center. They have several interesting exhibits as well as adorable animals. We love the burrowing owls, roadrunner and even the creepy spiders living in cacti. Eek! They also have 2-3 touch pools full of sensory fun. We enjoy the touch pools because some living creatures don’t feel the way they look. It’s always interesting. Outside of the living coast, there are several trails for a little hiking. We like the views and things you encounter during the hike (bugs, animal skeletons, feathers, etc). Price for an adult ticket is $20 and $15 for children 3-12. It’s worth the price for the educational fun.