Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USA

Address:	3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USA
Phone:	+1 239-275-3435
Site:	calusanature.org
Rating:	4.3
Working:	10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 11AM–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 14

Melissa Tomany

The planetarium and museum are very unreliable. They tell you one thing and then do another. I booked a field trip and they closed during that time. I managed to get them to push their closing in a day later because Id already booked for the field trip and put it on our schedule. They only did it after I pointed out breach of contract and sent several emails as proof. They asked what movies we requested for the children and I happily filled them out. They didnt play either of the movies and instead played movies that the children found boring because they were over their head. The man and the planetarium droned on and on for over 30 minutes with the children becoming restless. The most recent time they were found telling people to different things were in regards to the eclipse glasses. I had called asking if they had eclipse glasses and they told me that they would have them that afternoon. When I asked if I could reserve them or pay ahead I was told no. They suggested that I come in first thing the next morning. When I arrived there were no eclipse glasses available because they had already reserve them for other people. I was highly disappointed because when I asked to reserve them I was told I could not. I guess they just like some people better than others.

Suzan Ringlen

Given the fact that this is a non profit and that the amount of people who attended was unprecedented I must still object. The animals there are close to being abused! My first shock was seeing an alligator in a pond that was not much larger then a large bathtub, it was covered in mud and slime and all alone. I then went into the main building to find turtles swimming in also algae murky water. Outside was a eagle in a cage so small I wondered if it could spread its wings to there full span. One of eguanus was not the beautiful green but a washed out grey color. All the animals seemed totally unhappy and out of there element. This made the circus or zoo look like a luxury. If these animals can not he cared for in a humane manner they should not be there! Lee county should take some responsibility for this. It is not a good representative for our fine county to our citizens and visitors. Please someone help these poor tortured animals. Im a senior on a fixed income so all I can do is voice my outrage. As for the event it was disorganized and under staffed. Maybe well do better in 2026.

Catamaran Sailor

Great local gem! Before we visited, I had no idea there was a big planetarium right in town, and at a nature center with trails and gators and all. We brought our out of town visitors in spite of a couple of negative reviews, and we were so glad we did! They have a great energy, three miles of nature trails (with bobcats and other local nature wandering around) and some really friendly and knowledgable staff and volunteers. The planetarium shows were fun and new, and we got a live tour of the local night skies before the show, with pointers on how to find comet Lovejoy this month. The kids especially loved the butterfly pavilion, the two enormous gators, the "space walk" and the owls! Amazing selection of turtles and some really huge snakes at the animal demo, too.

Carina Austin

I often come to enjoy the wonderful things the nature center has to offer with my family (we even have a family package, to visit more often), however today we came in a group of more than just our family of which two were mentally and physically handicapped, and Heather in the planatarium made our experience horrible. She made comments regarding one handicapped man in our group taking a long time and many more rude comments about people within the other groups... and in my opionion you dont make comments like that when working with the public people or anyone for that matter, I will think twice before going back into the planatarium and hearing her degrade handicapped people or anyone for that matter again.. she was absolutely RUDE!!!

Alexandra Zaba

My husband and I loved this small nature center and planetarium. Well be back. They have nature trails, reptile tanks, alligators, large birds, and small mammals, and they offer reptile feeding shows. Among the animals are rescued animals. The planetarium sports some interesting sky shows. You can learn quite a lot there about nature. Everything is well documented, and potentially of interest for both kids and adults. The three staff members we talked to were nice and had informative responses. Judging from the state of some of the cages/tanks, and description signs, they do seem, however, to need some donations/funding. But the place is definitely worth seeing, and worth our support.

T4iga

Das Planetarium ist nicht was man in Deutschland unter einem Planetarium versteht. Hauptthema war Treibhauseffekt und Klimaerwärmung. Für mich leider etwas enttäuschend, da ich mit dem Thema vereist vertraut bin. Die Mitarbeiter waren freundlich und hilfsbereit und die Tiervielfalt unerwartet hoch.

Cheryl C

The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium was a perfect day trip for my daughter and I. The staff is very friendly and educational/entertainment factor was balanced keeping even the youngest in the audience interested and attentive. Course anytime theres a live snack in the room most people are!! The Planetarium shows were great. Then theres the trails to walk and all the animals outdoors and in to view. We will definitely visit this affordable place again.

Nicole Ashmore

Had the children there it was very educational for them. They enjoyed the planetarium as well as I did. There was a young boy in his early teens that demonstrated what not to do with the reptiles. Walk the whole boardwalk very peaceful got some great photos of the children. Looking forward to the Halloween hopefully the ghost of orchids will be in bloom.

Melissa Willcott

Had a lovely afternoon learning and taking a stroll. A smaller place but you can tell its run by people who care. Loved all the animals, great experience. Super friendly volunteers as well, one man told us all about the local furry and feathered residents and how they hope to improve and expand the park!

Robert Cusumano

We were waiting for the planetarium show to start. The man working there told us to enjoy the animal show and the show would start after that. Well the show started without us and they would not let us in. We traveled from Port Charlotte and it ruined our day

Andrea Mccain

I love what they do there. The people are passionate and caring. The shows and education are great and really help to tell the story about old world Florida. They need more help! If you can spare some time, volunteer. You will feel better for it (I sure do.)

Robert Allen

Informative staff. It was a slow Sunday. We only anticipated a 2 hour stay but we spent 5 hours there. The staff is friendly and gave us some hands-on with feeding and holding some of the animals. We were so busy we completely forgot about the planetarium.

Dean Stephan

They have a vulture in a tiny cage. The racoon is pacing up and down stressed. Theyre all under the building (outside) but its dull and dark. The bald eagle is in a tiny cage. These animals shouldnt be in such small cages. Not worth it.

MedEx Evo

Very enjoyable trails (one was under construction when I visited, but it was still pleasant) fun exhibits and it was interesting seeing the animals in rehabilitation. I loved the planetarium and the butterfly garden!