I would recomend the Island Tiki Bar mile marker 50 ish Great waterfront bar and resturant. The other place I would recomend is Cabots mile marker 52 ish a little classier waterfront resturant.Plus they have live entertainment outside on the deck. If you cet out at night and want y to see the real keys go to the Brass Monkey Bar mile marker 50. This place is fun and dangerous all at the same time. don't bother showing up there till 1:00 am lol.

You can rent a boat at the marina at Hawk's Cay and it just a few minutes ride out to a reef to snorkle. they have a chart at the marina/rental place to show you were everthing is.

This is a funky place you can take the family for lunch or dinner. It is in Marathon, gulfside.

http://www.keysfisheries.com/restaurant.html

mike, kids are 6/8. i think i'll take them on the snorkle excursion.
i was considering the deck boat (2hrs/ $99) just so they can see the back waters. i don't think i need to take them offshore yet.
and when we are in palm beach, the extended family is going offshore fishing on a charter.

RLW... now thats what im talking about.

I have a list of things to do down ther which I will send to you on monday
they rent liyyle glass bottom boat with small out boards that are nice to go through the duck key canals you may even see a shark in Toms harbor Herbies in Marathon is great for kunch

Stayed there in a 2 bedroom villa back in Jan 2003, great place for the family.

The Florida Powerboat Club has a run going down there next weekend. Sounds like about 20 boats or so.

We have done the FPC run to Hawks Cay. Very Nice. I believe Hawks may still offer the "Swim with the Dolphin Experience".

We were going to try to make the FPC run to Hawks this year but just got back from Mexico. The Easter run is also good. Not may boats and a lot of good people and beautiful scenery.

my kids are a few inches short to swim w/ the dolphins, but the have a dockside experience where you can pet and feed them. They also teach you basic hand commands that you get to use. should be fun for all, especially since my daughter is dolphin crazy.
thanks for all the info... i'm starting to really look forward.

in Marathon is the original Dolphin Research Center hom eof the original Flipper