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Crane Point Museum & Nature Center

Crane Point Museum & Nature Center

Crane Point Museum & Nature Center
4.5
Speciality MuseumsNature & Wildlife AreasHistory Museums
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
We are CLOSED for the month of September for maintenance So we can make crane Point, even more, spectacular for you. See you in October. Take a walk back in time through our 63 acres of hardwood hammock. Crane Point Museum & Nature Center is a non-profit organization in Marathon, Florida in the heart of the Fabulous Florida Keys featuring a museum of natural history, a fish pedicure, and beautiful nature trails throughout a 63-acre hardwood hammock. This nature reserve contains evidence of pre-Columbian civilization and was once the site of an Indian village. We are pet-friendly!
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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  • 01/01/2024 crane point
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awsome place!! Great kayaking too
    Was the best place on the island to go - Great for kids and adults alike!!!!! And we were lucky enough to be the first people to take the New kayaking adventures they just started . You don’t even notice the place ( or how pretty it is) until you notice it’s hidden tucked away - but after going through there it is definetly a destination plus!!!!’ The kayaking was GREAT !!!!!! We had done the older known trails couple Years in row- but the island adventure kayaking and snorkeling was awsome there .
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 October 2023
  • Diana L
    Olivebridge, New York20 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice family To Do
    This was a really nice wander. I would definitely recommend it for couples and Families. They had some interesting exhibits and the grounds were lovely. I will warn you, they have some very large golden silk orb weaver spiders webs in and around some of the paths in the woods. They were pretty amazing to check out, but if you're not a spider lover, you might want to stay low ;-)
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 October 2023
  • JoAnne L
    Komoka, Canada55 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A hidden gem and a trip back in time!
    What a gem! So nice to find a non touristy type of activity learning about the area and walking the spectacular grounds. So much history and so well preserved. Great job. The gift shop is fantastic, interesting products and VERY good prices! Worth the trip even if you just want some gifts to take home! Highly recommend this trip.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 November 2023
  • 37Rycroft
    Windsor, United Kingdom121 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely place
    Great visit to Crane Point, after a friendly and informative greeting, we had our picnic in the courtyard with giant tortoises, and then walked through the park, lots to see, and if you keep your eyes open you can see wildlife in the trees around, we saw a large yellow iguana in a tree, and butterflies. At the shore we fed the parrot fish, and sat down for the fish pedicure, which was very ticklish but fun. It is quite a lot of walking, and can be very hot, but there is also a trolley tour. The bird sanctuary was closed whilst it’s being moved, but would also have been interesting. Recommended if you like to see what the keys used to look like, and don’t mind walking. Will try and make a second visit before we leave.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 November 2023
  • George V
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Crane Point Museum and Nature Center
    Crane Point had a very interesting museum as well as wildlife area. The museum was very interesting and was very nice. The wildlife area had well kept trails to walk on. There was also a couple of interesting houses along the way. Would definitely recommend for others.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 December 2023
  • jobria3
    Atlanta, Georgia47 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Crane Point Hammock Tour
    Take the tour. You’ll be driven thru the whole hammock by a volunteer guide. There is so much information and interesting facts. You’ll tour the old house which is very cool. Only way in is on the tour. There’s the fish pedicure and lots of photo ops as it’s just beautiful.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 January 2024
  • Lori W
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highly recommend Kayak/Snorkel
    Highly recommend Crane Point’s kayak and snorkeling package. Lijah was so accommodating!! They have brand new kayaks and snorkeling gear. We paddled out to two different islands. The first island we counted about a dozen large, colorful iguanas (orange). Lijah has nicknamed the largest iguana, “Sasquatch-iguana“!! We packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed the beautiful day on the other island. After lunch, we continued kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico. We saw some beautiful fish along the mangroves without suiting up to snorkel. Some fish that we saw were clown fish, parrotfish, and many others. After being out on the water for approximately 3 1/2 hours, we returned to Crane Point’s beautiful nature preserve. Next we did the fish pedicure. (Highly recommend the kayaking as a MUST DO! Thanks Lijah)
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 January 2024
  • Debbie H
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great fun for a reasonable price
    We enjoyed our afternoon at Crane Point. Don’t miss the trolley tour. They fill up so call in advance to reserve a space. It is a tremendous value for everything there is to see and do there. Ronnie our guide was very knowledgeable about all the flora and fauna.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 February 2024
  • CHRIS B
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Thanks Dee
    Wonderful facility, well maintained, easily walked or ride the tour guide trolly. We rode the trolly Dee was our hostess. She did an amazing job telling us about the history and nature of the area. Take the trolly and you get inside the Crane House, walkers do not get thgis option.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 February 2024
  • Sally D
    Franklin, North Carolina83 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent Trolley Tour
    We have been to Crane Point several times, but this is the first time we took the trolley tour. It was great. Ronnie was incredibly knowledgeable about every facet of the park from history to plants and spiders. It was fun to be able to explore inside the Crane house. We would highly recommend!
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles895 reviews
Excellent
539
Very good
239
Average
76
Poor
22
Terrible
19

Razorback_Ed
Hot Springs, AR118 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
I don't know exactly what I expected , but was somewhat dissappointed with this. This is a virgin hammock and you did get to see how this part of Florida looked before development. I thought we would see more birds, but then again, we went in the middle of the day. We walked all the way back the Crane House and the Point. The house was closed so we could not really see much at all. We enjoyed the wild bird center and the Adderly house which was the house the original settler of the land lived in.
Once we got to the point, it was a long hot walk back to the museum and we were too hot and tired to enjoy the museum. It would be better if we had gone earlier in the morning when it was cooler.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am sorry you were disappointed. We are a true hardwood Hammock with walking trails. We had to discontinue trolley tours per Monroe County Guidelines. Again I am so sorry you were disappointed.
Written 2 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Martin M
Annapolis, MD215 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
It is interesting to see how the Keys must have been both for the gentry and the fishermen. This is a lovely well kept park with quiet and pretty easy walking trails. We saw a tram full of visitors who seemed to also be enjoying themselves but we liked walking and seeing and hearing many birds. It had rained recently so some of the secondary paths were muddy and had puddles that had to be skirted but that is what getting out in nature is all about.

If you are looking for a pleasant quiet walk where you can see the area as it must have been, this is well worth the entry fee.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ruth
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Couples
I contacted Crane Point via email and received a prompt, friendly response from the CEO, Charlotte Quinn. I was having some issues with walking and while she apologized that though the usual tram tours were not taking place because of COVID, she would try to work out something for us. When we let her know when we would be there, she took us on a personal tram tour with stops at the various points of interest. Her enthusiasm and love for this place, and her attention to detail were inspiring! We particularly enjoyed the fish pedicure and the Marathon Wild Bird Center. It will be exciting when the Adderley House (which will be undergoing structural repair) is open for visits again. The Cracker House gives a vivid idea of how life was for the first non-native settlers of the Keys. The Museum also had a lot of interesting and informational exhibits. This place is a valuable respite from the artificiality and commercialism that surrounds us.
Written 25 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Discover263794
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Crane Point is a must see nature wonderland! Absolutely take the complimentary 8 person trolley ride, as this, apparently, the only way to see inside the beautifully restored Crane home. Colin was a fantastic guide, so full of knowledge, obviously loving his volunteer career...and so adorable when other volunteers showed us the tree snail! Kudos to this community for caring for this gem!!!
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mads W
Marathon, FL9 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021 • Solo
There aren’t a lot of good walking trails in the middle keys, so if you’re looking for a little hike through the hammock, this is the place to go. The trails are pretty well maintained, but a lot of the things that I’ve highlighted to friends in the past as something that makes it worth it the visit no longer exist. The pool at the entrance used to be filled with tropical fish, but has been empty for quite a few months. The tortoises are still there, but it would be really cool if they could highlight more of the actual wildlife that lives in the keys. The taxidermied dioramas inside the museum are cool, but seeing some live animals would be even cooler!

The best part about Crane Point, and in my opinion the main reason that it is worth visiting and paying admission, is to see the Wild Bird rescue center. It is so cool to see all of the rehabbed birds from the area! They have a lot of raptors as well as pelicans and cormorants. It’s really cool to see them up close! I always make sure to drop money into the donation box at the bird center, too! I’m not sure why crane point doesn’t really advertise the bird rescue that much... I couldn’t even find anything about it in the gift shop/museum entrance, but it is the main reason to visit here!
Written 22 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria G
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
We were disappointed with our trip to crane point. There were no fish in the pools by the museum, we saw no butterflies and thought we could use kayaks, but were told we couldn’t without paying extra. The house that was refurbished isn’t open to the public, you can only peer inside the windows. The fish pedicure was a fun experience for the kiddos. But overall, this was an expensive walk on a bumpy gravel road. I would skip this attraction if you have kids.
Written 18 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon S
31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
We just happened to notice the sign as we were driving by and went the next day to check it out. What an amazing place!! We learned about the history of this property and the area. The butterfly garden was beautiful and we enjoyed the walking trails. Visiting the Cracker House and Adderly House showed us what life was like for early settlers in the keys. The Crane House was closed for renovations, so we'll definitely go back next time we're in the keys. The fish pedicure was a really fun thing to do. We were lucky enough to be visiting the bird sanctuary at feeding time, and got to see the pelicans and cormorants get their lunch!!
Written 17 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ktrap
Fort Myers, FL259 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
What a lovely spot to stop and enjoy old Florida. The walk to the point is .5 miles and shaded for the most part. The kids got to have a fish foot pedicure and we loved the inside museum and pictures.
Do not try and bring strollers. The sea shells walkway is too difficult, but the whole point is to let them run.
Written 9 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

james w
33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
My wife and enjoyed our visit! Highlight was the "fish pedicure" at the tidal pool and feeding the fish on the small bridge by the point. Nice walk back to see the structures along the walkway inluding the bird rehab sanctuary. We appreciate what they are doing to help the various injured birds! They had signs identifying the wide variety of plants/bushes/trees on the walkway which was very helpful. The historical home and biography of the early settlers of the area from the Bahamas was very interesting also. I would recommend this to people/families that want to learn more about the history of the Marathon area.👍🙂
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

April R
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Family
We absolutely loved this place. So many hidden gems around the property. The fish pedicure was a one of a kind experience. The shell and artifact collections are very cool. The trails are mostly shaded. Bring a few quarters to get fish food to feed the fish — there are some beautiful parrotfish off one of the bridges. The lady who cares for the birds in the rescue center is knowledgeable and friendly. The gift shop has unique items and we wanted to spend money there because the place itself was so fantastic. They even sell honey from their beehives. Only downside: there wasn’t much going on with the butterflies or in the butterfly garden. Maybe it’s not the time of year for that...
Written 28 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Crane Point Museum & Nature Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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