Located on the grounds of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Nancy Foster Florida Keys Environmental Complex, the 6,400-square-foot Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center (35 E. Quay Rd., 305/809-4750, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tues.–Sat., free) is heavy on the scientific and educational aspects, but the interpretive exhibits deliver an exceptional and detailed overview of the ecological work done throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and other nearby parks and wildlife refuges.
There’s also a beautiful Living Reef exhibit that features an enormous aquarium with live coral and tropical fish, along with a coral nursery.