The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel Island

4.4

#3 of 75 in Museums in Southwest Gulf Coast

Specialty Museum · Museum

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Put your hand in a tank with domestic mollusks or see fossilized shells at The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. This nonprofit museum teaches visitors all about shells and their role in art, medicine, architecture, cuisine, and even the economy. Spin the museum's classification wheel and learn how to arrange and identify Florida shells. Watch a video showing huge mollusks in their natural habitat, or use a microscope to observe micro mollusks. Kids can spend some time in the children’s learning interactive lab. Discover how to plan a Sanibel Island trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.

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The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum reviews

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1,659 reviews

Google

4.5

By Engelclan97

The museum isn't very large but it is so fascinating what you learn and how passionate the staff is and eager to teach you. My husband and I went together and it was one of the best places we...

The museum isn't very large but it is so fascinating what you learn and how passionate the staff is and eager to teach you. My husband and I went together and it was one of the best places we... more »
By Goingeverywhere5

We loved this place and it was one of our favorite highlights from visiting FL. The staff were friendly, the building was beautiful and clean. The exhibits were detailed and interesting. The have an..... more

We loved this place and it was one of our favorite highlights from visiting FL. The staff were friendly, the building was beautiful and clean. The exhibits were detailed and interesting. The have an..... more »

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Google

By Timmy Shigley

Any trip to the island has to include a visit to the shell museum. First thoughts are that it will be small and cheesy...aka touristy. This couldn't be farther from the reality. This is a very nice well maintained and educational opportunity for all ages. Be prepared to spend some good quality time seeing and learning about all of the exhibits. They have a nice friendly staff and a small gift shop as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and will return again.

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By Kevin Simmons

At first glance you think 30 minutes and done. How wrong I was! We were lucky to come right at the time for the marine biologist to talk about the Giant Pacufuc Octopus. We were able to see her feed it as well. This place is full of history of shells, how the have been used as tools, currency etc. Hands on with a variety of mollusks. Staff very knowledgeable. 3 plus hours of enjoyment and education. Plus they have some monster shells there. Enjoy

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