ATTRACTIONS

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF THE FLORIDA KEYS AT TROPICAL CRANE POINT HAMMOCK: MM 50
743-9100. www.cranepoint.net  Located at Crane Point Natural History Museum. Daily fish feedings and hands-on discovery of many sea critters in their touch tanks and 15,000-gallon saltwater lagoon. Programs and interactive displays. Visit their 17tl'-century galleon, Los Ninos de los Cayos, an interactive vessel complete with pirate clothes and treasure. Open Mon - Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun noon - 5 p.m.

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER: MM 59
www.dolphins.org  Enjoy fun-filled, educational dolphin and sealion demonstrations from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Get wet in the Dolphin Encounter swim program and Dolphin Splash wade-in program. Shake flippers dockside in Meet the Dolphin. Other terrific interactive programs also available. Grassy Key, 289-1121.

HISTORIC PIGEON KEY: MM 47
www.pigeonkey.net  Located at the Old Seven Mile Bridge, 289-0025. Visit them at www.pigeonkey.org. Take a ride on "Old Henry" into Florida's past. Relive the early railroad years at the turn of the century. Buy your tickets at the gift shop in the antique railroad car located on Knight's Key oceanside. Admission: $7.50 adults, preschool children free.

KEY COLONY BEACH GOLF COURSE: MM 53.5
www.keycolonybeach.net  Turn at the light onto Key Colony Beach Causeway then first right, 289-1533. Challenging nine-hole, par three public course. Club rental and pull carts available. Open 7:30 a.m. - dusk daily.

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATER: MM 49.5
5101 Overseas Highway, MM 49.5, Marathon; www.marathontheater.org Playhouse (305)743-0994 Cinema (305) 743-0288. Your ticket to great entertainment in the heart of the Florida Keys! This nonprofit theater, established in the 1950s, offers four mainstage productions per year in the playhouse and first-run movies nightly in the cinema. Chorus and dance groups perform around town. For show information, call the movie hotline at 743-0288 and the theater box office at 743-0994.

MARATHON WILD BIRD RESCUE CENTER: MM 50.5
www.marathonwildbirdcenter.org  Located at the Tropical Crane Point Hammock, 743-8382. They specialize in the care of sick and injured birds from the Middle Keys area. Several species are non-releasable and can be viewed in flight habitats. If you encounter an injured bird, call 743-8382.

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF THE KEYS: MM 50
www.flmnh.ufl.edu  Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Sat. and noon - 5 p.m. Sun. Get a view of ancient Native Americans, pirates, wreckers and railroaders. Exhibits include representations of the natural Keys environment, see tropical fish in our saltwater lagoon and nearly two miles of nature trails that taking you into a tropical palm forest. A must see is the historical "Adderly Conch House".

OLD SEVEN MILE BRIDGE: MM 47
Stroll along a piece of the Keys’ history and watch the sunset or drop a line and fish from the world’s longest fishing pier, “Old Henry,.” the train transports visitors over the bridge to Pigeon Key.

TROPICAL CRANE POINT HAMMOCK: MM 50
743-9100. www.thefloridakeys.com  Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Sat. and noon - 5 p.m. Sun. Get a view of ancient Native Americans, pirates, wreckers and railroaders. Exhibits include representations of the natural Keys environment, see tropical fish in our saltwater lagoon and nearly two miles of nature trails that taking you into a tropical palm forest. A must see is the historical "Adderly Conch House".


BEACHES AND PARKS

CRANE POINT MUSEUMS AND NATURE CENTER: MM 50
5550 Overseas Hwy, Bayside, Marathon (305) 743-9100, www.cranepoint.org. Hike 64 acres of native thatch palm hammock on mapped trails to Florida Bay, includes admission to Museum of Natural History, Children’s Museum, Adderley Town Historic Site, Garden Exhibits and Wild Bird Center. (AMEX, MC, VISA)

CURRY HAMMOCK STATE PARK: MM 56.2
Marathon (305) 664-4815. Bicycling and hiking. Picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms.

PIGEON KEY ISLAND: MM 47
Marathon, (305) 284-0025, www.pigeonkey.org. Ride the train from Knights Key, Oceanside across the bridge. National Historic Site, island tours, picnic areas, restrooms, museum, plenty of trees, and snorkeling (bring your own gear) (AMEX, DS, MC VISA)

SOMBRERO BEACH: MM 50
Marathon. Deep water beach, playground, restrooms and picnic area.

TRANSPORTATION AND CAR RENTAL

KEYS SHUTTLE
(305) 289-9997 – 1-888-415-9997 www.keysshuttle.com For a comfortable ride between the Fort Lauderdale and Miami airports and your destination in the Florida Keys, book passage on the Keys Shuttle. We carry a maximum of seven people on each roomy 15-passenger van. Call for a schedule or visit our web site.

ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR
9400 Overseas Hwy, Marathon (in the Airport) (305) 289-7630.

BUDGET RENTAL
9400 Overseas Hwy, Marathon (in the Airport) 1-800-527-7000


DINING

KEY COLONY INN: MM 54.0
Fine Italian and fresh seafood, veal, pasta, steaks and chicken. Wine and beer, children’s menu (AMEX, MC, VISA) 305-743-0100

BURDINE’S WATERFRONT: MM 47.5
Wine and beer, entertainment outdoor dining on the water (MC, VISA) 305-743-5317

CASTAWAYS RESTAURANT: MM 47.8
Historic landmark, Seafood, steaks, wine and beer, outdoor dining on the water (All Major) 305-743-6247

THE CRACKED CONCH CAFE: MM 49.5
4999 Overseas Hwy, MM 49.5. Steaks and seafood, full bar, outdoor dining (All Major) 305-743-CAFE

HERBIE’S RESTAURANT: MM 50.5
Homestyle family dining. Surf and turf, wine and beer. 305-743-6373

DOCKSIDE LOUNGE
35 Sombrero Blvd., Daily lunch and casual dining. Full bar, nightly entertainment, outdoor dining on the water (All Major) 305-743-5952

FISH TALES MARKET AND EATERY MM53
Welcome to a “local’s favorite” where only the freshest local seafood is sold. Fish Tales is a family owned and run full service restaurant, seafood and meat market. George, Jackie and Johnny Eigner, former owners of the popular Grassy Key Dairy Bar, are on site to give their customers that personal touch. All of the seafood in both the market and restaurant is harvested right here in the Florida Keys. From fresh fish, stone crab, lobster and shrimp to hand cut aged steaks we offer a full line of products. We can “cook your catch”, or sell you ours.
Stop by and check out our market; offering spices to spreads, rubs to recipes and don’t forget our homemade desserts!
Open Monday - Saturday 10 - 6:30

THE ISLAND TIKI BAR & RESTAURANT: MM 54
12648 Overseas Hwy, MM 54. Seafood, steaks, Mexican, full bar, children’s menu and outdoor dining on the water 305-743-0000

KEYS FISHERIES
End of 35th Street, Gulfside. Seafood, wine and beer - outdoor dining. (DS, MC, VISA) 305-743-4353

THE WRECK: MM 59
Wine and beer, children’s menu, outdoor dining (MC, VISA) 305-743-8282

SPARKY'S LANDING: MM 53.5
1 mile off US 1, Oceanside in 589 Sadowski Causeway, Key Colony Beach Marina 305/289-7445

FRANK'S GRILL: MM 52
Italian and American Cuisine, Gulfside in Town Square Mall 305/289-7772


KEYS EVENTS


MAY 2011

 

MAY 5-21

Marathon Community Theater presents: Bilthe Spirit

Marathon Community Theater, Marathon 

305-743-0994or www.marathontheater.org

 

MAY 18-23

Faro Blanco invitational Tarpon Tournament

To fund Ronald McDonald Summer Camp for disabled youngsters,

Marathon , 609-617-0026 or 609-645-1840

 

MAY 19-21

Red Barn Theater presents: Short Attention Span

Key West, 305-296-9911

 

MAY 19-22

Key Largo’s Original Music Festival

Venues throughout Key Largo

305-394-3736 or www.keylargosongwritersfestival.com

 

May 19-22

25th Annual Coconuts Dolphin tournament,

Key Largo, 561-512-4455

 

May 20-22

Florida Keys Triple Slam Fishing Tournament,

Big Pine Key, 305-872-7679

 

May 23-25

Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament,

 Islamorada, 305-372-0428

 

May 28

10th Annual Yamaha Dolphin

Masters Invitational

Key West Historic Harbor, 305-304-7674

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE 2011

 

June 3-5

Islamorada Dolphin Tournament,

Whale Harbor Marina 305-852-2102

 

June 5-10

Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament,

Islamorada, 305-942-0428

 

June 8-12

Key West Pride, 305-535-7797

 

June 9-12

2nd Annual Key West Bacchanalia,

food and wine event 305-766-3356

 

June 10-12

Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament

305-872-2411

 

June 17-18

7th Annual Island Grill

Dolphin Tournament & Fun Day

To benefit Baptist Hospital’s Children’s

Cancer Center, Islamorada, 305-852-2102

 

June 18

The Original FKCC Swim Around Key West

And Swim Meet,

Key West, 305-809-3562

 

June 18-19

Marathon Community Theater

Presents Tah-Dance, 305-743-0994

 

June 19-24

Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament,

Islamorada, 305-942-0428

 

June 24-26

Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby,

304-304-7674

 

 

 

June 25-26

11th Annual Dolphin & Blackfin Tuna Fun

Fishing Tournament, Marathon 305-743-5317

 

 

 

JULY 2011

 

 

July 2

Conch Republic Ladies’ Dolphin Tournament

Key West, 305-304-7674

 

July 4

Marathon Beach Party & Fireworks Show

Sombrero Beach, 10:30 AM –dark 305-743-5417

 

July 6-8

Florida Keys Outfitter IGFA Inshore

World Championship, Islamorada , 305-664-5423

 

July 9

27th Annual Underwater Music Festival,

Looe Key, 305-872-2411

 

July 14-17

Mel Fisher Days Festival, Key West, 305-296-6534

 

July 17-20

Del Brown Permit Tournament,

Key West, 305-942-0428

 

July 19-24

Hemingway Days, 31st year celebration,

Key West, 305-296-2388 or 305-294-0230

 

July 20-23

Key West Marlin Tournament

305-292-2710

 

July 21-23

Sloppy Joe’s 31st Annual Hemmingway Look-alike contest

Key West, 305-296-2388 Ext.121

www.sloppyjoes.com

 

 

July 22-24

Dolphin Flashover to benefit firefighters,

Marathon 305-942-7223

 

July 27-28

Mini- Lobster Season

 

July 29-31

Key Largo Food & Wine Festival

Key Largo, 305-394-3736

 

 

AUGUST 2011

August 6

Lobster Season Opens

 

August 11-14

Captain Tony Days Festival

Key West, 305-296-0160

 

August 12-14

Key West Lobsterfest

Duval Street, Key West, 305-294-2000