Key Takeaways
- The TECO Manatee Viewing Center and St. Pete Pier are both nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Free Attraction.
- Voting runs through June 15; the public may cast one vote per day online.
- Both sites attract visitors with unique, environmentally focused experiences that draw millions each year.
- The competition also includes high‑profile destinations such as Niagara Falls, the Freedom Trail, and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
Overview of the USA Today 10Best Competition
USA Today’s annual “10Best Readers’ Choice Awards” pits the nation’s top tourism sites against one another in categories ranging from “Best Museum” to “Best Free Attraction.” This year, two Florida landmarks—the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach and the revitalized St. Pete Pier—have earned spots among the nominees. The contest draws submissions from destinations across the United States, including iconic sites like Niagara Falls (New York) and Boston’s Freedom Trail. The sheer breadth of nominees underscores the diversity of free attractions that travelers can explore without spending a dime.
Nationwide Nominees and the Florida Contenders
Among the slate of nominees, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center and St. Pete Pier stand out as the only Florida representatives. Other contenders include the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach and historic attractions such as the Freedom Trail. For both Florida sites, the nomination is the culmination of years of community advocacy and investment aimed at showcasing local wildlife and waterfront culture to a national audience.
Manatee Viewing Center: Core Features and Attractions
The TECO Manatee Viewing Center, situated adjacent to the TECO power plant, serves as a seasonal sanctuary for hundreds of manatees that migrate to the warm water discharge each winter. Visitors can follow paved trails, explore elevated viewing platforms, and peer into a raised touch tank that offers close‑up encounters with the gentle mammals. The center also houses an education building that provides interactive displays on manatee biology, conservation status, and the role of warm‑water discharge in wildlife management.
Historical Growth and Community Impact
Since opening as a modest viewing platform in 1986, the center has expanded dramatically. What began as a single trailer and a lone observation post has evolved into a multi‑facility complex that welcomed over 500,000 guests during the most recent season. Jamie Woodlee, an employee with 26 years of service, recalls the early days: “It started out as one little viewing platform, a trailer on the ground,” she says. Today, families and school groups alike flock to the site to learn about the manatees and to support ongoing conservation efforts.
Visitor Experience and Amenities Admission to the Manatee Viewing Center remains entirely free. Guests can wander along accessible trails, pause at multiple viewpoints to photograph the manatees, and engage with interactive educational exhibits. Seasonal programming often includes guided talks, hands‑on activities for children, and special events that deepen public understanding of marine stewardship. The staff emphasizes that the center is “free as far as what you can do here,” reinforcing its mission to provide inclusive, educational recreation.
St. Pete Pier: A Modern Waterfront Destination
St. Pete Pier, which reopened in 2020 after a multi‑year renovation, is a 22‑acre waterfront complex that draws roughly 2.3 million visitors annually. The pier’s amenities include a variety of restaurants, a sandy beach area, playgrounds, and several ecological observation points. The site’s environmentally friendly design incorporates permeable paving and native landscaping, which attract a diverse array of marine life—including sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles—making wildlife sightings a regular occurrence for strollers and picnickers alike.
Environmental Stewardship and Wildlife Observation
Arian Cangas, a longtime St. Pete resident, highlights the pier’s ecological benefits: “There’s a lot of wildlife because a lot of this pier is environmentally friendly,” she notes, pointing out frequent sightings of sea animals that thrive in the pier’s sustainable infrastructure. The pier’s commitment to conservation is evident in its use of renewable energy sources and its partnership with local marine research groups, which monitor water quality and predator‑prey dynamics within the harbor.
Comparative Popularity and Visitor Numbers
While the Manatee Viewing Center attracted more than half a million guests in its last full season, St. Pete Pier dwarfs that figure with an annual visitation nearing 2.3 million. Both attractions have performed strongly in previous 10Best rounds, with the Manatee Viewing Center finishing as a runner‑up in the competition two years ago. Their differing scales reflect complementary audience interests: one offers intimate wildlife encounters, the other provides expansive recreational options.
Voting Mechanics and How to Participate
USA Today invites the public to vote once per day for their favorite free attraction through its online portal, with voting open until June 15. The voting process is straightforward: users navigate to the competition website, locate the nominee of choice, and submit a single ballot per IP address. This daily limit encourages sustained engagement while preventing ballot stuffing, ensuring a fair reflection of public preference.
Conclusion and Implications for Florida Tourism
The inclusion of both the TECO Manatee Viewing Center and St. Pete Pier in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards underscores the growing national recognition of Florida’s unique, eco‑centric attractions. Whether travelers seek up‑close encounters with gentle sea cows or a vibrant waterfront experience filled with dining, play spaces, and wildlife sightings, these sites offer free, high‑quality options that celebrate the state’s natural heritage. As voting proceeds, the outcomes will not only honor the current successes of these venues but also amplify their visibility, potentially spurring further investment in sustainable tourism across the region.