What do you get when you combine fossils that are millions of years old, a meteorite that’s billions of years old, wild manatees that are being nursed back to health, and live presentations from astronomy and manatee experts that will blow your mind? The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature!

The Bishop in Bradenton offers something for everyone. Its July celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing is giving astronomy fans a month of events to geek out. The Museum’s Finding Florida special exhibition returns August 1, providing natural history nuts with an exhibition and a game all in one. Visitors choose an animal character – manatee, terror bird, giant ground sloth or armadillo – and imagine the choices they needed to make to migrate successfully from South America to Florida 3 million years ago. The manatees in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat mesmerize animal aficionados and casual visitors alike. 

In early fall The Bishop opens the Mosaic Backyard Universe, a highly anticipated new permanent exhibition especially for kids 2 to 8 years old. And far from being “just a kids’ area,” the museum is creating something unique. Thanks to an early leadership gift from The Mosaic Company Foundation, The Bishop is building a place where kids can explore and learn, encouraging them to explore the world around them in a place many first start learning about science and nature – the backyard.

Visit The Bishop's website for Planetarium show schedules, manatee presentation schedules and more information to plan your visit.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature