A Week of Family Fun

Description:

Theater of the Sea, located at 84721 Overseas Highway (MM 84.5) in Islamorada, offers a sit-down parrot show that is surprisingly entertaining and hilarious to watch parrots playing with shapes, ringing bells, playing poker and taking part in guessing games.

This is an educational and entertaining marine-animal park and shows are up-close and personal, and is the second oldest park of its kind in the world; the animals live there in natural saltwater lagoons, such as Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays, crocodiles, alligators, marine invertebrates and birds of prey.

While some of the animals were collected and others were born at Theater of the Sea, many cannot be released because of prolonged contact with humans and/or injuries sustained in the wild. This is hugely important during hurricane season when the animals need to be moved or secured. The care and maintenance of the animals is supported by patrons' donations.

Featuring the debonair dolphins that double as ring bearers, Islamorada's Theater of the Sea also offers marine mammal fans a variety of customized wedding packages that include dolphin and sea lion shows and even pictures with the park's tropical parrots. Couples in love can reserve the park for an evening, and Theater of Sea's trained staff will help choreograph dolphin behavior shows to their choice of wedding music. In fact, the bride can arrive at the ceremony in a floating chariot accompanied by dolphins. Customized packages are available for up to 200 people.

Theater of the Sea is open 365 days a year, with tickets available from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the place that pleases everyone in the family!

Description:

Located on its own 60-acre island, this casual resort includes a lagoon with dolphins, marina, and large Caribbean-styled rooms. All rooms include a refrigerator, private balcony, and walk-in closets. Suites are comfortably luxurious, and include sleep-sofas, separate seating areas, and wraparound terraces.

Facilities include diving, snorkeling, catamaran sunset sailing, a saltwater lagoon and pool, a surrounding fire pit, fitness facilities and a whirlpool spa.

Children's programs are also available at this resort, making it extremely popular with families.

Description:

The Visitor Center is a large complex that introduces visitors to the various habitats of the park and America's first underwater park. The center is found at the northern tip to Largo Sound. The cornerstone of the center is a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. Unique marine sights include sponges, fan corals, brain corals, parrot fish, conchs, sea horses and more. The coral reefs at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park are among the most beautiful and diverse of all living communities showcased through audio-visual programs, nature talks, and variety of tours.

Next to the center is a picnic grove, Cannon Beach, and a main concession that sells tour tickets, a sundry of supplies, rents paddleboats, and more.

Far Beach is located just moments away offering a quieter beach experience than Cannon Beach. The Mangrove Boardwalk Trail can be accessed from this parking lot. Fishing and camping are natural additions; advance reservations are necessary at this busy park.

Description:

This is a very casual spot and as the quite clever name suggests, it focuses on seafood. Try the conch steak, sautéed with key lime, or choose from stuffed shrimp, squid rings over pasta or the fried grunt platter. Chicken, beef and vegetarian dishes are also offered. Indoor and outdoor dining areas give you the option of sea breezes or air conditioning. There's a children's menu, but this may be the time to introduce the small fry to a grilled fish sandwich, which is popular and rightfully so.

Description:

Dolphins have long been considered man's closest ocean-dwelling friend. Here you can swim with one. First you participate in an hour-long educational session, then you swim with the dolphins for about 30 minutes. In a more structured opportunity, you spend 45 minutes with a dolphin trainer and then enter the pool where the creatures push you through the water and dance with you. Reservations are required for both activities, and you can also tour the facility where research is done.

Description:

Okay, this is where you need to drop all pretense and just have FUN. Not only is Robbie's a marina, but the business has one party boat, one offshore boat and a recently acquired snorkel boat in addition to backcountry captains and fishing guides. The owners strive to make it more of a tourist attraction/destination within Islamorada, by adding eco-tours and a cultural environment - they bring in artists on the weekends. Robbie's is a place where you come in and you feel you've stepped back in time to the Florida Keys of the past. As for the fishy residents, the beloved tarpon they have been hand feeding for over 30 years, they're part of the family just like a dog or cat might be. For a couple bucks you can get a bucket of bait fish and drop it into a 100-pound tarpon's mouth - watch your fingers! Robbie's Marina is located at mile marker 77.5 bayside in Islamorada.

Description:

A lighthouse rises high above this restaurant at the Whale Harbor Docks in Islamorada. The lighthouse location offers diners a water view at the Wahoo's Bar & Grill upstairs, or you can opt for the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet downstairs where more than 80 items crowd the groaning boards.

Steamed shrimp, crab legs, oysters, mussles, crab cakes, paella, conch fritters, grilled grouper, dolphin, snapper, Oriental stir-fry and sushi, and the list goes on and satisfyingly on.

Named one of the nation's premier seafood restaurants by the Food Network

Description:

Located on its own 60-acre island, this casual resort includes a lagoon with dolphins, marina, and large Caribbean-styled rooms. All rooms include a refrigerator, private balcony, and walk-in closets. Suites are comfortably luxurious, and include sleep-sofas, separate seating areas, and wraparound terraces.

Facilities include diving, snorkeling, catamaran sunset sailing, a saltwater lagoon and pool, a surrounding fire pit, fitness facilities and a whirlpool spa.

Children's programs are also available at this resort, making it extremely popular with families.

Description:

There's just something awesome about butterflies – they represent rebirth, natural beauty, quiet strength. At the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, visitors get to walk among hundreds of butterflies in their natural habitats. Stunning, is the best way to describe it. What I did not know was that these butterflies were not gathered from the wild (Key West is as far south as you can get in the US, so it seems we have to get everything shipped in!), but it turns out that the captive breeding of butterflies is best suited for tropical climates like the Keys, and "overage" gets released into the wild to help culture our native trees, plants and shrubs. It's a fascinating place. Hours 9a.m.–5p.m. daily. Admission $12, children 4-12 $8.50, seniors and military $9, children four and under, free.

Description:

Opened in 1934, this educational and entertaining aquarium features diverse exhibits on sea life in the area and live demonstrations. Wander among the many varieties of marine life or take a guided tour. Aquarium demonstrations include shark and fish feedings daily at 11a, 1p, 3p and 4:30p. Children usually enjoy the touching area, where visitors can touch marine creatures in shallow pools. Admission fee.

Description:

Pirates of the Caribbean are closer to you now than ever before and one man is responsible for it: Pat Croce. He's been a live commentator on the NBA on the NBC show and has been a bestseller author. But this time he's done things differently. The Pirate Soul Museum opened by him in Key West pays tribute to pirates across the world. Don't be surprised if you find Captain Johnny staring at you with weird hair-dos and masks, because it's a winding journey into the alleys. You can touch Captain Kidd's loots and weapons and see history unfold.

Description:

Located by the historic Key West waterfront, this open-air marketplace and entertainment complex is a great place to start or end your visit to Key West. Known for its magnificent sunsets, the area is also home to many shops, including Shell Warehouse, Key West Sponge Market and Caribbean Cargo. The Square also features daily entertainment, which includes guitar music, juggling, and animal performances. Local sightseeing tours also depart from the Square. Call for additional information.

Description:

Located on its own 60-acre island, this casual resort includes a lagoon with dolphins, marina, and large Caribbean-styled rooms. All rooms include a refrigerator, private balcony, and walk-in closets. Suites are comfortably luxurious, and include sleep-sofas, separate seating areas, and wraparound terraces.

Facilities include diving, snorkeling, catamaran sunset sailing, a saltwater lagoon and pool, a surrounding fire pit, fitness facilities and a whirlpool spa.

Children's programs are also available at this resort, making it extremely popular with families.

Description:

The Dolphin Research Center, mile marker (MM) 57 bayside on Grassy Key, specializes in behavioral research and maintains liaisons with university research programs and independent scientists around the world.

Founded in 1984 as a not-for-profit teaching and research facility, the center and its staff have received numerous conservation awards for the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured marine mammals. With human attention and kindness, the animals return to good health and provide fun-filled programs that educate visitors about dolphins, sea lions and the environment.

Dolphin Encounter is the center's swim program, or visitors can try DolphinSplash, a wade-in program that offers the opportunity to get waist deep in the water with the dolphins. Hands-On Training, Meet the Dolphin and Paint With A Dolphin offer a wide range of interactions.

New in 2011, the facility also features a water recreation "sprayground" for families. Visitors can initiate whale, manatee and dolphin sounds while splashing through sprays of water that shoot out of marine and island-themed figures including a super-size dolphin tail. Perfect for kids of all ages!

The Dolphin Research Center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with continuous dolphin and sea lion sessions.

Description:

Educational tours of the facility are offered to introduce visitors to the resident sea turtles and to the hospital's curative programs for loggerhead, green, hawksbill and Kemp's ridley turtles. Moretti credits Dr. Doug Mader, the hospital's current staff veterinarian, for bringing the facility to its present level. In addition to turtle rehabilitation and public education, the Turtle Hospital's goals include conducting and assisting with research that aids sea turtles in conjunction with state universities, and working toward environmental legislation that makes beaches and water safer and cleaner for sea turtles.

Description:

Crane Point is one of the most important archeological and historical sites in the Florida Keys, dating back to some of the islands' earliest settlers. Its 63 acres incorporate the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys, the Florida Keys Children's Museum, nature trails, a wild bird rehabilitation center, rainforest, butterfly garden and flight habitat.

Kids are touchy-feely creatures, and at the Children's Museum they can get a nose-to-nose look at iguanas, fish and other creatures that call the Keys home. One part of a two-part museum complex called The Museums of Crane Point, this facility keeps kids captivated while they learn.

The dress-up-like-a-pirate opportunity here is popular, too. Outside, there is a mile-long loop trail, and kids are likely to enjoy a prowl around the remains of a Bahamian village and a look at the restored George Adderly House. Walking shoes and mosquito repellant are highly recommended. Admission fee is minimal, considered a donation to help the Crane Point preservation foundation.

Description:

When the new Seven Mile Bridge was constructed, the old bridge was left in place. It's become a favorite spot for fishing, jogging, rollerblading, cycling, sunset viewing and just general absorption of atmosphere.

It's even been used as a location for many action films, and most recently was featured as the final destination in the CBS smash hit, 'Amazing Race.' You can get to the bridge at MM 47, by Knight's Key and walk out (2.1 miles) to Pigeon Key, which is, in itself, a fascinating place to get a look at Keys history. There is no admission fee on the bridge, but if you walk over to Pigeon Key, a minimal yet well-worth-it donation is accepted for the Pigeon Key Foundation.

TRAVEL TIP: A celebration to honor the historic railroad, lauded as the most unique railway in the world upon its completion, has begun in the Keys, and is to culminate in January, 2012 when Henry Flagler first arrived in Key West on his own train, a railcar called The Rambler. Planned elements for this once-in-a-lifetime 100th anniversary celebration include history tours showcasing Flagler sites, bicycling expeditions, educational presentations and explorations of Pigeon Key.

Description:

Annette is famous for all her homemade desserts. The staff is attentive, friendly & knowledgeable, bringing many years of food service to the table. Good food and good service at a fair price. Annette's Lobster & Steakhouse is easily one of Marathon's most generously portioned, reasonably priced eateries in town. Located alongside US1 in Marathon, across from the Marathon Community Park.

Annette's also believes in helping promote others - so while you're dining, glancing at the vastly decorated walls, notice the local artisans whose works are on display. Art ranges from eclectic to quirky to just jaw-dropping beautiful and original.

Do not miss Annette's on your next trip to the Keys!

NEW: 'Not Your Mamas Treats' is a new retail venue for Annette. After thousands of requests for her dessert recipes and "How can I get more of these?", she decided her customers need to be able to get her homemade fantastic sweets at home. WHOLE. So, no more 'just another baby bump' taste of your dinner mate's dessert, now you can get the whole cake delivered freshly baked, to your doorstep. Mmm, good.

Description:

Located on its own 60-acre island, this casual resort includes a lagoon with dolphins, marina, and large Caribbean-styled rooms. All rooms include a refrigerator, private balcony, and walk-in closets. Suites are comfortably luxurious, and include sleep-sofas, separate seating areas, and wraparound terraces.

Facilities include diving, snorkeling, catamaran sunset sailing, a saltwater lagoon and pool, a surrounding fire pit, fitness facilities and a whirlpool spa.

Children's programs are also available at this resort, making it extremely popular with families.

Description:

In 2008, the New York Times listed this as one of the top '31 Places To Go This Summer' and it will not disappoint. In 1992, the beach there was named among America's Top 10 Beaches, by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach. Bahia Honda is a days-off dream. With 492 acres, Bahia Honda boasts three sandy beaches -- some of the best in the Florida Keys, which are rare. This one is rivaled only by Marathon's Sombrero Beach. Shallow-water snorkeling and fishing from the beach, plus an abundance of wading and shore birds, kayaking and great views of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge complement the Sand and Sea Nature Center.

Description:

Plunked down here in 1936, this rustic spot has changed little, still offering plenty of beer and pizza. No Name is rough, it's ready and it is about as close to the "original" Keys as you are likely to get these days. Appetizers include smoked fish dip and spicy conch fritters. For dinner, try a fish sandwich, blackened chicken with Swiss, or a seafood combo with grouper, shrimp and clam strips. Pizza choices include key shrimp, Caribbean chicken, vegetarian and Mexican. Or just ask for a cold pint and enjoy the ambiance of this memorable bar.

Description:

A popular spot for gatherings of local folks, the lounge offers live entertainment and has an outdoor dance floor that's often pulsating on weekends when this spot is very lively indeed. A popular spot for sunset-watching, one of the Keys' most popular daily activities.

Description:

Located on its own 60-acre island, this casual resort includes a lagoon with dolphins, marina, and large Caribbean-styled rooms. All rooms include a refrigerator, private balcony, and walk-in closets. Suites are comfortably luxurious, and include sleep-sofas, separate seating areas, and wraparound terraces.

Facilities include diving, snorkeling, catamaran sunset sailing, a saltwater lagoon and pool, a surrounding fire pit, fitness facilities and a whirlpool spa.

Children's programs are also available at this resort, making it extremely popular with families.

Description:

Located on its own 60-acre island, this casual resort includes a lagoon with dolphins, marina, and large Caribbean-styled rooms. All rooms include a refrigerator, private balcony, and walk-in closets. Suites are comfortably luxurious, and include sleep-sofas, separate seating areas, and wraparound terraces.

Facilities include diving, snorkeling, catamaran sunset sailing, a saltwater lagoon and pool, a surrounding fire pit, fitness facilities and a whirlpool spa.

Children's programs are also available at this resort, making it extremely popular with families.