New manatee skeleton at Environmental Learning Center, Vero Beach

I've mentioned here on this blog that the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach is a great Florida daytrip to spend a few hours with the kids -- all free.

In about a week, the Environmental Learning Center is getting a new exhibit on display -- a manatee skeleton put together by a Vero Beach doctor. Read about how he put the manatee skeleton together here. The article says the skeleton should be on display in about a week.

The Environmental Learning Center is a five-minute ride from Disney's Vero Beach resort.

Happy Daytripping!

Fall festivals make for great cheap Florida day trips

I love this time of year. Many cities, counties and non-profits sponsor fall festivals and street parties to welcome October. And while October in Florida often doesn't seem much different than September or even June, attending a free fall festival helps you pretend for just a little bit that the seasons could possibly change in the Sunshine State.

Here are a few free events to consider attending this weekend:

Stuckeyfest: I've never been to this before, but just the name sounds really interesting. Here is the info from the Lake County website:
Stuckeyfest is a free event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 2231 Taylor St., Mascotte. Family games such as Jello Jiggs, a parade at 4 p.m. and a block party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Autumn in the Park: Twenty-third annual Artwork and crafts festival. The number of vendors and crafters often varies at this event, but there is usually a lot of different artists to make meandering around the event, sponsored by the Treasure Coast Pilot Club, worthwhile.
Autumn in the Park is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Riveside Park, Vero Beach.

Family Days: Carnival, parade, entertainment, bounce houses, games, crafts and community expo continuing through Sunday in Port Orange. Most of Family Days activities are free, except for the carnival rides.

Environmental Learning Center, Vero Beach

Another great idea for FREE family entertainment. The Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach is a 64-acre campus that teaches about Florida's habitat.

The island campus is located just west of Disney's Vero Beach Resort at the base of the Wabasso Bridge.

Ospreys nest on the campus and telescopes are set up offering a close-up view of the birds in their nests with their young.

Hands-on activities include a touch tank, dry lab and manatee puppet demonstrating how manatees eat.

The 64-acre campus also includes boardwalks for mini-hikes through marsh, hammocks and mangrove forests. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours quietly while learning about Florida's environment. Get out of the heat by visiting the gift shop. There's also a lending library of nature and environment books for adults and children.

The ELC also offers free guided nature walks and canoe and pontoon tours (for a nominal fee). Groups can arrange for an overnight sleepover at the ELC.

Admission to the Environmental Learning Center is free to everyone.

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. In the winter months, this is extended to 4 p.m.

Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach

(772) 589-5050
http://www.discoverelc.org/