We’ve partnered with Hotels.com to share our 20 favorite things to in the Florida Keys.
Stretching for roughly 100 miles off the tip of the Florida peninsula, the Florida Keys make up one of America’s most over looked treasures. Locally known as the Conch Republic, the keys are made up of about 1700 small islands (though only about 43 are connected via bridges), and it’s the most tropical place in the contiguous 48.
Traveling here is a no brainer. It’s one of those rare destinations that checks off every box on the easy to travel test – very accessible via Miami International, it’s road trip-able, and it’s affordable. If you need another reason to visit – it’s literally gorgeous, so stunning that even the highway shoulder is inviting.
I’m not going to say that our ‘best of the Keys’ list is a must follow. I will say though that tucked into this post are the kinds of experiences you’ll talk about for years and your kids will never forget.
Accommodations ::
Each Key offers different experiences, each with their own personalities. For easy accommodations, dining, and activities, I would highly recommend not passing over Key Largo on your trip. Especially around mile marker 99, there are a collection of hotels and restaurants that make the vacation walkable. Hotels.com has a variety of hotels in The Florida Keys to make sure your accommodations fit your needs and vacation styles. Here are a few of our favorites:
Jules Undersea Lodge Key Largo
No list of amazing accommodations would be complete without this, the Key’s most unique hotel. Jules Undersea Lodge is the only hotel in the world where rooms are accessible solely by SCUBA. Certification is available in the lagoon upon arrival.
Visitors can visit in the lodge for a pizza lunch or stay overnight.
Mangrove Marina Tavernier
Spend your vacation on a houseboat. This unique hotel is a collection of houseboats docked at Mangrove Marina. Though the boats don’t leave the dock and swimming in that area is prohibited, there is easy access to boats, kayak, and SUP rental.
The Happy Crabby Key Largo
Off the coast of Key Largo is the Happy Crabby – a floating tiny home that is the definition of solitude. Upon check-in, guest get a dinghy to set their own timetable going to-and-from shore. Nearby there is a float-up tiki bar and sport rentals including jet ski and kayaks. At night, guests are all by themselves in their floating hotel room.
Hawks Cay Resort Duck Key
The best ocean playground in the Keys. Hawks Cay is a waterfront resort with its own protected lagoon and beach, tucked into another lagoon that opens out to the expansive Gulf. This is a great spot for families (obvi, and there’s a splash park) but it’s also an amazing spot for couples. With a wide range water sports, the calm waters are the perfect opportunity to try out kayaking or SUP.
Sunset Key Cottages
When we were on our Honeymoon, my Aunt Rita reserved us a table here for dinner. It’s simply one of the most elegant places to see the sunset in Key West. The cottages are an extension of this luxury, and they are priced accordingly.
If you are in the mood to splurge and live in the lab of island luxury, this is the first place you need to book.
Activities ::
Snorkeling
Stretching out into the Gulf all by itself has set the Keys up to have the best snorkeling in the US. Also, it means that there is some nice snorkeling right off the beach and great snorkeling via short boat rides. (Of course where there is snorkeling there is also diving, but since neither Jade nor I dive, this list will not cover SCUBA spots)
Looe Key (Departures from Big Pine) – First created as a marine sanctuary in 1981, this area has a long history of protection. It’s hands down some of the best snorkeling in the Keys, but, unlike our other recommendations, this area is deep which can bring in larger fish and sharks. You’ll need to book a tour out to the reef. Short tours last approximately 3 hours.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo) – John Pennekamp State Park is not just a great place for snorkeling, it’s has a little of everything that makes a trip to the Keys’ unique – kayak & SUP through mangroves, glass bottom boat rides, but we’re here to talk about the snorkeling.
With regular tours and affordable prices, this is a great place for beginner snorkeling. It’s also super easy for families looking for some flexibility in their day. Earlier tours are usually less crowded.
Alligator Reef (tours from Islamorada) – You need to book a tour to get out to Alligator Reef, part of the barrier reef that’s best identified by its old lighthouse. There are a few different spots to snorkel, the shallow reef area, right beneath the lighthouse which is home to larger fish, and deeper areas which are home to larger fish and the occasional shark. Your exact experience will depend on your tour.
Animal Encounters
Dolphin Research Center (Marathon) – The DRC is a research and rescue facility that’s part education part entertainment. General admission includes dolphin shows, chats with trainers, a splash park. However, the DRC really excels in its wide range of dolphin encounter experiences including ‘painting with a dolphin’, ‘swimming with a dolphin’, and ‘trainer for a day’ programs.
Turtle Hospital (Marathon) – A guided tour through a working sea turtle hospital which includes a peek behind the scenes and a feeding stop. Since this is a working hospital, all visits must be part of a scheduled tour. Advanced reservations are suggested.
Feed Sharks at the Stoned Crab (Key West) – What started as a result of the fishermen cleaning fish has now become a naturally occurring attraction. After noticing the growing number of sharks regularly showing up to dine, the Stoned Crab set up feeding times to let guests/diners view and even participate in the feeding. All the sharks are cage free and are free to come and go as they please.
Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden (Key West) – Tucked into a corner of Key West, Nacy Forrester’s Secret Garden is a laidback, homespun parrot sanctuary. Open only in the middle of the day, visitors can learn about the parrots, but most often end up talking, watching, and even playing music with the parrots.
Kayak All The Keys Launch from Key Largo or Marathon
If you have a bit more time on your hands and love nature, consider booking a guided kayak tour from Key Largo to Key West – an 11 day/120 mile kayak. Alternately, there are Half-Marathon Tours that guide kayakers on the 60-mile tour from Marathon to Key West over 6 days.
Indian Key Kayak (Launch from Islamorada)
Indian Key was once the county seat of Dade County and is now a ghost town preserved as a State Park. The old building and paths are still present, which make it a really unique half-day excursion. Make it really cool by renting a kayak and launching off the coast of Islamorada for the 45min kayak over to Indian Key.
Attractions ::
Dry Tortugas Tours depart Key West
In the middle of the Ocean is what I consider to be the most isolated national park – Dry Tortugas. Originally a 19th Century era fort, Fort Jefferson is now a tourist attraction accessible only by ferry or plane. We opted for the boat, which took about 2 – 2.5 hours. Once there, you can stroll through the fort, and snorkel around the outer walls.
Ernest Hemingway’s House Key West
Though not a secret, this top is the number one cultural site in the Keys. Visits can be a brief thirty minutes, or stretch on for hours as you wander through the rooms and grounds. When we visited, we were told to keep an eye out for the six toed cats. What we found is that they were everywhere and hard to miss – though I never would have thought to stop and count their toes if no one had told me ahead of time. Two other kitschy sights are the $20k pool and Hemingway’s last penny.
End of the Road
Key West is as far South as you can go in the contiguous United States, which makes it the de facto ‘end of the road’. There are two sites that celebrate this:
Mile Marker 0 – the end of US Highway 1. This is a post on the side of the road.
Southernmost Point Statue – More flamboyant than Mile Marker Zero, this buoy-esk statute is locate at the southern tip of Key West. It’s the most popular photo spot in the Keys, so arrive in the morning to have time to take a picture without waiting in line, or, cheat and just take a photo a few feet away.
Dining ::
Eat Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie gets its name from the Key Limes used to make it (as in the Florida Keys). The limes in the keys just have a different flavor (tarter) than traditional limes, which makes eating Key Lime Pie here a must. I’m kicking myself right now because I can’t remember the whole story, but, while we were traveling through the Keys for our Honeymoon, we met one of the pie shop owners. He told us the story of the rise and fall of Key West’s classic pie shops and how he (an outsider) ended up with all the famous recipes for every pie. While I can’t remember the specifics, what I can remember is that he said there is not one best pie, each shop has its own flavor which attracts its own fans.
If you want to try the some of the crowd favorites, stop by Kermits, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, and Key West KeyLime Pie Co.
72-Hour Short Ribs at Spencer’s by the Sea
Walking around Key West, it’s hard to miss the The Reach. This Waldorf Astoria Resort typically has a trail of elegantly dressed diners walking up the sidewalk starting before sunset (because well the sunset from inside is amazing). I typically wouldn’t associate a more upscale property like this with amazing short ribs, but these are definately one of the best things to eat in Florida.
Conch Fritters
Growing up in Nashville, I’d heard of conch fritters, but didn’t fall in love until I met my wife. Jade has an affinity for these battered and fried seafood bites that I’m only now beginning to understand. So, as we island hopped the keys, Jade had us ordering Fritters off every menu (just like Key Lime Pie). To make your on conch trail, make sure to check out The key Largo Conch House and Restaurant, Alabama Jacks, Sol by the Sea, and B.O’s Fish Wagon.
