Around the Areanv

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel-Captiva Road near mile marker 2. The Center for Education is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Wildlife Drive, a road leading through the refuge, is accessible by car tram, bicycle or on foot, every day except Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to sunset. Admission to the Visitor Center is free; Wildlife Drive is $5 per car; $1 per pedestrian or bicyclist. Narrated tram rides are $8 for adults; $4 for children. For tram information, call Tarpon Bay Rec at 472-8900. Mopeds and buses are not permitted along the drive. Call 472-1100. http://www.fws.gov/dingdarling

The Bailey Tract Tarpon Bay Road between Periwinkle Way and West Gulf. Boardwalks and trails lead visitors through the island's diverse ecosystem. Dawn to dusk. Parking is available; motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation near mile marker 1 on Sanibel-Captiva Road. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitor's Center, exhibits, hiking trails, guided walks, beach treks and a native plant nursery which is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m, Monday through Friday. $3 for adults, children under 17 and members are free. 472-2329 http://www.sccf.org

Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) cares for injured and orphaned animals until they can be released back into the wild. On Sanibel-Captiva Road across from the elementary school. Educational presentations Monday- Friday at 11 a.m. $5 for adults, free for children under 12 and CROW members. 472-3644

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel-Captiva Road near mile marker 1. Tuesday-Sunday; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $6 for adults, $4 for children 8-13; free for children 7 and younger. http://www.shellmuseum.org

Tarpon Bay Recreation at the end of Tarpon Bay Road, (right off Periwinkle Way) follow the dirt road. Canoe & kayak rentals, store, tram rides to J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge and more.

History

Sanibel Museum and Historic Village Tour original buildings depicting life at the turn of the century, 10 am. to 4 p.m Wednesday through Saturday. Limited summer hours, so call 472-4648

Sanibel Lighthouse at the east end of Periwinkle Way. Paid parking, walk to the lighthouse, fishing pier and beach. Restrooms.

Arts & Culture

Barrier Island Group for the Arts Dunlop Road. Monday-Friday, noon - 4 p.m. Two galleries, performing arts hall, classes, film society. 395-0900 or www.bigarts.org.

Schoolhouse Theater Musicals, special song books & musical revues brought to you by J. T. Smith. Monday - Saturdays at 8 p.m. Occasional matinees and Saturday 4 p.m. performances. Call 472-6862. http://www.theschoolhousetheater.com

Sanibel Public Library Dunlop Road near city hall. Monday & Thursday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Call the library at 472-2483, or visit online at www.sanlib.org.

Captiva Memorial Library videos, books on tape, music and reading material. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Wednesday from noon - 8 p.m. Closed Monday & Sunday. Call 472-2133.