WHAT TO SEE AND DO ON THE ISLANDS OF MARATHON

Boot Key Harbor

MM 49 oceanside, near the City of Marathon Community Park, Marathon; www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/.This is one of the Keys' largest protected harbors with a field of more than 200 moorings. Dockage, launching ramp, fuel, boat rentals and restaurants are nearby.

Crane Point

MM 50.5 bayside, Marathon; 305-743-9100, www.cranepoint.net. This 63.5-acre tract is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys. Crane Point contains evidence of prehistoric Indian artifacts and was once the site of a Bahamian village. The Museums of Crane Point include the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys and the Florida Keys Children's Museum. Other features include nature trails, one of the oldest homes in the Keys outside of Key West, a wild bird rehabilitation center, rainforest, butterfly garden and flight habitat.

Curry Hammock State Park

MM 56.2 oceanside, Little Crawl Key; 305-289-2690, www.floridastateparks.org/curryhammock. Fishing, swimming, kayaking and picnicking are offered at this waterfront park, which also offers a popular beach launch for kite boarders.

Keys Cable

MM 59 bayside on Grassy Key; 305-414-8245, www.keyscable.com.
Billed as the nation's first cable park to offer full kiteboarding instruction, the park has two two-point cable systems that are independently operated atop a seven-acre lake, allowing for a fully customized ride for one rider at a time. The park offers full equipment rentals as well as instructional and private coaching. Half-day, full-day and membership rates are available. Keys cable is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dolphin Connection 

MM 61 oceanside, Hawk's Cay Resort, Duck Key; 305-734-7000 or 888-443-6393, www.hawkscay.com. Hawk's Cay Resort guests and non-guests can interact directly with the dolphins in either a saltwater lagoon or dockside encounter.

Dolphin Research Center

MM 59 bayside, Grassy Key; 305-289-0002,www.dolphins.org. This acclaimed non-profit marine mammal research and education facility offers a swim program called Dolphin Encounter. Meet the Dolphin and Paint With a Dolphin are among the other interactions available.

Key Colony Beach Golf & Tennis

8th Street at MM 53.5, Key Colony Beach; 305-289-1533. A nine-hole, par-3 public course is open seven days a week, along with two lighted hard courts.

Old Seven Mile Bridge

MM 47 bayside, Marathon. Once the centerpiece of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad, the bridge remains a historic and scenic landmark stretching beside the contemporary Seven Mile Bridge. A prime spot for walking, jogging, cycling and sunset viewing, it also provides access to Pigeon Key.

Pigeon Key

MM 47 bayside, Marathon; 305-743-5999, www.pigeonkey.net. Dotted with quaint cottages, historic Pigeon Key formerly served as a camp for laborers erecting the Seven Mile Bridge. The island now showcases a museum and offers opportunities to picnic and snorkel. Tours are available by ferryboat to the island, departing from the Pigeon Key Visitors Center on Knights Key, MM 47.5 oceanside.

Sombrero Beach

Sombrero Boulevard at MM 50 oceanside, Marathon. This well-maintained Middle Keys gem is a free-access public park and beach that features a kayak launch, volleyball courts, children's playground, shady picnic pavilions equipped with cooking grills, freshwater shower and restroom facilities. The park at Sombrero Beach also is handicapped accessible.

Turtle Hospital

MM 48.5 bayside, Marathon; 305-743-2552,www.turtlehospital.org. Opened in 1986, the Turtle Hospital treats injured sea turtles and, when possible, returns them to the wild. Daily educational tours introduce visitors to the resident sea turtles and the hospital's curative programs for loggerhead, green, hawksbill and Kemp's ridley turtles.

Marathon Community Theatre

MM 49 oceanside, Marathon; 305-743-0994,www.marathontheater.org. Comedies, musicals, dramatic presentations and readings are offered at the popular theater whose history dates back to 1944.

For more information, visit the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce website at www.floridakeysmarathon.com or call 800-262-7284.

For more Florida Keys & Key West travel information, including electronic brochures and videos, visit the Keys website at www.fla-keys.com.

For personal service, call toll-free, in the U.S. and Canada, 1-800-FLA-KEYS (800-352-5397).