1. Marinelab, Marine Resources Development Foundation
City: Key Largo, FL
Category: Education
Telephone: (305) 451-1139 or (800) 741-11
Address: 51 Shoreland Dr.
Description: Since 1972 the nonprofit Marine Resources Development Foundation (MRDF) has offered students an in-depth introduction to the ecology of the Keys. The MRDF provides customized programs for students, who learn about sea life in the Emerald Lagoon or explore the MarineLab Undersea Laboratory. Customized programs also include scuba certification, coral reef ecology, mangrove ecology, and a trip to the Everglades.
2. Island Dolphin Care
City: Key Largo, FL
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (305) 451-5884
Address: 150 Lorelane Place
Description: Island Dolphin Care specializes in working with special-needs children interacting with dolphins. This not-for-profit facility provides assisted therapy to children with critical illnesses, disabilities, and special needs who come from all over the world.
3. Alabama Jack’S
City: Key Largo, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 248-8741
Address: 58000 Card Sound Rd. (Oceanside)
Insider Pick:
Description: There are a couple of reasons why one drives the back door into the Florida Keys. Card Sound Road, north of Key Largo, offers incentives to take this scenic excursion. The traffic is not as heavy, the wildlife is more prolific, and you can eat at Alabama Jack’s. No trip to the Florida Keys is complete without stopping at this Caribbean honky-tonk. Don’t be turned off by the outside of the place; it’s what’s inside that makes this a true Keys treasure. Alabama Jack’s is rated as having the best conch fritters and key lime pie by everyone who manages to find the place. It sits on the water, where you can feed the fish, check out the mangroves, and enjoy the friendly Keys attitude of the staff.
4. Jacob’S Aquatic Center
City: Key Largo, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 453-7946
Address: 320 Laguna Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Your children can splash for hours at the fun water park at Jacob’s Aquatic Center. A mock-up of a pirate ship looms in the center of a shallow splash pool that’s perfect for toddlers. Older kids will also enjoy swimming in an adjacent pool. Polite and astute lifeguards are on hand, and swim lessons and training are available.
5. Dolphins Plus
City: Key Largo, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 31 Corrine Place
Description: Both Dolphin Cove and Dolphin Plus offer structured as well as natural dolphin swim and wade programs for children as young as 3 years old.