Your next family vacation is sure to be a blast, especially when you’re on the beautiful shores of Siesta Key! There are tons of fun attractions and things to do near Siesta Key. Travel just fifteen minutes away to downtown Sarasota!
When you’re in Sarasota, don’t miss a trip to the Mote Marine Aquarium, where they’re converting their already impressive facilities with a massive expansion.
Mote Marine Aquarium
The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a nonprofit research facility that works to study the oceans and the creatures within them to learn how we can best protect them. Mote also brings the local community into their efforts by providing a state-of-the-art aquarium where visitors can learn about the wonders of the ocean. This destination is one that’s popular with locals and visitors alike!
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium first broke ground on their new Mote Sea facility on November 13, 2020. It’s expected that the facility will be completed by early 2023. Until then, visitors can explore the existing Mote Marine Aquarium and all the other wonderful family-friendly things to do near Siesta Key!
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota. They are open daily, 365 days a year, from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
What is Mote SEA?
Mote has recently announced an exciting new breakthrough in their mission to spread ocean education called Mote SEA. Mote SEA stands for Mote Science Education Aquarium; it is a brand-new facility that will teach children. The focus is all about the ocean and will help them discover the various ways we can protect it.
This facility will offer hands-on educational opportunities through its campaign “Oceans for All: Improving Access to Marine Science and Technology.” Mote has put an emphasis on accessible education. The goal is to extend valuable resources to every K-12 student in the local community (over 70,000 kids!).
New Features
Mote SEA promises to stand out among other Sarasota things to do in its purposeful location-based design. The aquarium will be located within Nathan Benderson Park, providing easy access for all residents and visitors to Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The building’s striking design was created by the local architect firm tvsdesign, which adds a sense of community.
The 110,000 square feet aquarium will hold countless exhibits filled with over 1 million gallons of water! Visitors will see incredible species like sea turtles, manatees, sharks, coral reef species, plant and animal life in remote habitats from around the world.
Finally, Mote SEA will be pushing for a community-driven experience. They will be building hands-on classrooms and interactive labs that provide every regional school with the opportunity to learn, including several no-cost options. Mote SEA wants to ensure that every student, regardless of financial situation, has access to extensive marine education.
Plan Your Next Visit
After finding all kinds of fun family activities to get into, like exploring Mote or checking out the area’s beaches, it will be time to relax and unwind in your Siesta Key condo rental. Contact us today to learn more about our vacation rentals in Siesta Key!
