Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Grassy Key
At first blush Grassy Key seems pretty sedate. Well spotted; Grassy is very much an island
of few attractions and lots of RV lots and trailer parks. These little villages were once the
heart of the Keys, where retirees, escapists, fishermen and the waitstaff who served them
lived, drank and dreamed (of a drink). Some of these communities remain, but develop-
ment is relentless, and so, it seems, is the migration of the old Conch trailer towns.
Sights & Activities
Curry Hammock State Park
PARK
( 305-289-2690;
www.floridastateparks.org/curryhammock
;
MM 56.2 bayside; car/motorcycle/
cyclist $5/4/2; 8am-sunset; )
This park is small but sweet and the rangers are just lovely. Like most parks in the Keys,
it's a good spot for preserved tropical hardwood and mangrove habitat - a 1.5-mile hike
takes you through both environments. Rent a kayak (single/double for two hours $17.20/
21.50) or, when the wind is up, join the crowds of windsurfers and kiteboarders. You can
also camp at the park for $36 per night - sites have toilets and electric hookups.
Local waters are blissfully free of power boats, which is a blessing down here.
Dolphin Research Center
WILDLIFE RESERVE
( 305-289-0002;
www.dolphins.org
; MM 59 bayside; adult/under 4yr/4-12yr/senior $20/free/15/
17.50, swim program $120-675; 9am-4pm; )
By far the most popular activity on this island is swimming with the descendants of Flip-
per. Dolphins are free to leave the grounds and a lot of marine-biology research goes on
behind the (still pretty commercial) tourist activities, such as getting a dolphin to paint
your T-shirt or playing 'trainer for a day' ($675). Still, swimming with dolphins is an
activity that raises animal rights questions (
Click here
)
.
Sleeping & Eating
