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Florida Keys Educational activities

Our most recommended Florida Keys Educational activities

Key West Aquarium Tickets

1. Key West Aquarium Tickets

If you have ever wondered what it is like to touch a shark or hold a live starfish, then this ticket is for you. It will get you entrance to the Key West Aquarium, which first opened its doors in 1934 and was the very first attraction in the city. During the day you will get closer to marine life than you ever thought possible, without getting wet. See some of the world’s most intriguing marine species, such as moray eels, stingrays, barracuda, parrotfish, tarpon, sharks, sea turtles and an array of tropical fish. Learn about their habitats and habits from the Key West Aquarium’s knowledgeable guides, and then get a hands-on experience as you feel and pick-up the amazing animals that live in the Touch Tank. They are all harmless, gentle creatures, just waiting to get a closer look at you too! Move on to catch the hungry sharks and sea turtles devour their breakfast, lunch or late afternoon snack; feedings occur daily at 11:00, 13:00 and 16:30. The Atlantic Shores exhibit offers visitors a chance to learn about a mangrove environment, while the 50,000-gallon tank is home to many colorful and lively tropical and game fish. Spend as long as you like at the underwater wonderland; it is open daily from 10:00 through 18:00, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Key West: Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour

2. Key West: Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour

Celebrate Key West's diverse and abundant local fruits of the sea. This 3-hour guided small-group experience stops at 6 tasting locations, each carefully chosen to give you an eclectic view of Key West's best restaurants along the historic seaport. Enough for a hearty lunch, tastings are served from adored local eateries, tucked-away hidden gems, and a fisherman-owned seafood market. This tour will allow you to bypass the Duval Street tourist traps and go straight to the spots that the locals frequent to eat, drink, and discover the island. As you stroll the charming side streets and docks, you will experience the island’s seaport, as well as the rich industrial history which has transformed through the generations. Your friendly and knowledgable local guides will share stories of local industry, including the colorful past and historical landmarks. Following the tour, you can explore Old Town with confidence and take advantage of recommendations on restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and cultural offerings. You'll also receive a collection of exclusive recipes, ensuring that you can enjoy memories from this tour for many years to come.

Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets

3. Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets

Since the first Spanish galleons began to traverse the Florida Straits in the 16th century, ships have wrecked along the treacherous reefs of Key West and the Florida Keys. Now, you can learn all about the area’s maritime past with a trip to the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Wrecking and salvaging – the recovery of wrecked ships and their cargo – was the foundation of Key West’s economy during the 1800s. The economic boom it created meant that by the mid-1850s, Key West had become the richest city per capita in all of the United States of America. Learn the history of the region’s shipwrecking past at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum, with two floors of genuine recovered artifacts. See pieces of wrecked Spanish fleets dating back to the 1600s and 1700s, as well as pieces from the Isaac Allerton, wrecked way back in 1856. Guests can even lift a silver bar, which was salvaged from the Spanish treasure galleon Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas. The museum itself is a recreation of the 19th century wrecker tycoon Asa Tift’s warehouse, and includes a 65-foot look-out tower. At the Historeum, you can also expect storytellers in period costumes and an array of audio visual displays that brings the history of Key West to life.

Key West: Sails to Rails Museum Admission

4. Key West: Sails to Rails Museum Admission

Located in the historic Key West Bight, discover this state-of-the-art museum with hands-on exhibits, raw footage, unique artifacts, and the only scale model of Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park. As you travel through this interactive timeline of Key West history, uncover the history of sponging, turtling, fishing, cigar making, and tourism that put Key West on the map. Touch a genuine silver bar from the Spanish Galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha that sank full of gold, silver, and emeralds during a hurricane off of Key West in 1522. Get to know Henry Flagler, John D. Rockefeller’s partner in Standard Oil, in the original paymaster’s railway car from the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway. Inside the Maggie Atwell House, see the only remaining wooden structure built by the FEC, learn about the backbreaking work of building the railroad over the open ocean and the mosquito infested mangrove swamps of the Florida Keys. For the younger set, the museum offers an area full of hands-on activities, picture-taking opportunities, and the National Park Services Junior Ranger Program.

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What people are saying about Florida Keys

This was the first thing we did upon arriving in Key West and we were so glad because we got the inside scoop on all the best places to eat and things to do. The people who lead the tour are locals and know this island like the back of their hand. It was so much fun and they were so nice and fun to talk to. We really had such an enjoyable and delicious time on this tour. I would absolutely do this again when we return in the future with family.

Briana was excellent. She had so much knowledge about Key West and a wonderful sense of humor. There was so much food that we elected to share one piece of Key Lime Pie at the last place we visited. The pie was excellent but we were too full!! Here's why..a mahi taco, a Cuban sandwich, lobster Mac and cheese, shrimp with a few sips of wine!! All this while learning all about the history of Key West.

Kaila was fantastic! Great presentation and storytelling. She was very knowledgeable, informative, and entertaining. She had a wonderful personality, positive attitude, and just the right energy. Food and experience will be one of the top activities during our stay in Key West. She showed us the hidden jewels and shared the diverse history of Key West and its cultures. Many thanks!!!

Excellent choice! Colorful and friendly butterflies everywhere! Gift shop has many good choices. We spent about an hour there and I would suggest the Southernmost Beach Resort for breakfast beforehand and then a short walk to the Southernmost Point afterwards. We went about 930, No line, and when we came out, the line was long. Worth the visit!

Very personable and knowledgeable guide - Chris. Excellent choice of restaurants; delicious food. Great hospitality and service. Only suggestion: End the tour in an air conditioned location that participants can cool off and chill out after the tour is over.