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Crane Point Museum, Nature Center, and Historic Site Review

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Crane Point Museum, Nature Center, and Historic Site

Address: 5550 U.S. 1, (MM 50.5 BS), Marathon, FL, 33050 | Map It
Phone: 305/743-9100
www.cranepoint.net

Category: Museums/Galleries
Location: Marathon

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Fodor's Review:

Tucked away from the highway behind a stand of trees, Crane Point—part of a 63-acre tract that contains the last-known undisturbed thatch-palm hammock—is delightfully undeveloped. This multiuse facility includes the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys, which has displays about local wildlife, a seashell exhibit, and a marine-life display that makes you feel you're at the bottom of the sea. Also here is the Children's Activity Center, with a replica of a 17th-century galleon and pirate dress-up room where youngsters can play swashbuckler. On the 1-mi indigenous loop trail, visit the Wild Bird Center and the remnants of a Bahamian village, site of the restored George Adderly House . It is the oldest surviving example of Bahamian tabby (a concrete-like material created from sand and seashells) construction outside of Key West. A recreated Cracker house demonstrates the vernacular housing of the early 1900s. A boardwalk crosses wetlands, rivers, and mangroves before ending at Adderly Village. From November to Easter, docent-led tours, are available; bring good walking shoes and bug repellent during warm weather. Events include a Bahamian Heritage Festival in January.

Cost: $8
Open: Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. noon-5; call to arrange trail tours

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