The Florida Keys are right around the corner from the States, yet many magical worlds away. A beautiful coral archipelago, the Florida Keys are a subtropical utopia that instantly spellbinds you into a vacation state of mind. Whether you’re lured by its aquamarine waters, shimmering beaches, countless activities, or delicious fresh food, it’s the perfect island getaway.
If you’ve never been to the gorgeous, world-renowned Florida Keys, you’re in for a treat. However, if you’re wondering what to do in the Florida Keys (can you say “road trip!”), consider visiting these intriguing destinations.
A tour we think you'll love
1) Discover Fun-Filled Adventures At Night
Ready to check out Florida Keys nightlife? Then join Night Kayak Key West, and explore the Keys’ fascinating nocturnal marine life in our glass-bottom kayaks. Our unique kayaks are equipped with bright LED lights that breathtakingly illuminate the sea creatures below.
We’ll also slip through labyrinths of mangroves – we’re exceptional because we’re the only night kayaking company that explores them. Intrigued? Then book your tour with Night Kayak Key West today!
2) Explore Key West, The Ultimate Tropical Getaway
You’re officially off the clock! Key West, the southernmost point in the continental US, is a great place to throw away the rule book and embrace a live-in-the-moment lifestyle. It’s a spirited location with a party atmosphere.
Key West boasts gorgeous beaches, and it also abounds in nature, culture, history, boat tours, and plenty of water activities. The southernmost point is marked with a colorful, anchored, concrete Southernmost Point Buoy.
If you’re wondering what to do in Key West, your vacation won’t be complete without visiting:
The Hemingway Home And Museum
Renowned for his economical writing style, Ernest Hemingway is also famous for his love of six-toed cats (polydactyls). Nicknamed Hemingway cats, visitors can see them contentedly basking in the sun, sprawled on poolside benches, or even roosting in the property’s palm trees.
There are about 60 of these furry residents, and all are descendants of a cat named Snow White, a gift from a ship’s captain in the 1930s. As the author quipped, “One cat leads to another.”
Today, his yellow house in Old Town operates as a museum filled with Hemingway memorabilia. Here he wrote some of his most acclaimed works, including “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “A Farewell to Arms.”
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Your heart will flutter when you enter the winged kingdom of the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory located at the southernmost end of Duval Street. This magical conservatory is home to hundreds of kaleidoscopic butterflies, 20 exotic bird species, and two showy flamingoes.
Housed in a glass-domed, tropical haven, these delicate creatures fly freely and may even perch on your shoulders! The conservatory also has an art gallery, learning center, and gift shop.
Duval Street
Less than a mile long, Duval Street is the heart of Key West, a lively hub of pubs, shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions in the Florida Keys. It runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and is a block away from the vivid Southernmost Point Buoy. The street is named for William Pope Duval, Florida’s first territorial governor.
Mallory Square
Mallory Square is a waterfront plaza in Old Town Key West. A popular gathering spot, the Square is a great place to people-watch and soak up the intoxicating Gulf of Mexico views. Mallory Square is laden with touristy gifts and trinkets. Luckily, there are also unique, one-of-a-kind items such as woven baskets, mouth-blown glass, and paintings crafted by local artisans.
Want to wet your whistle or whet your appetitive? You’re in the right place. From conch fritters to Cuban coffee, you’ll find it here.
Mallory Square is also home to one of the most popular Florida Keys attractions, the famed, nightly Sunset Celebration. Hundreds of visitors convene two hours before the sun sets to watch its sherbet hues melt over the horizon. The lively celebration includes jugglers, magicians, psychics, clowns, and live music. If you’re wondering what to do in the keys, Mallory is a great place to start.
3) Dive Into Paradise – Experience The Magic Of Key Largo
There could be no better endorsement of Key Largo than Humphrey Bogart filming a movie there. It acquired fame when “Key Largo,” the 1948 movie starring Bogart and Lauren Bacall, lit up the silver screen.
Known as the “Diving Capital of the World,” Key Largo has exceptionally clear, turquoise waters and intricate coral reefs near the ocean floor that draw scuba divers from around the globe. Unlike party-hearty Key West, Key Largo is a low-key destination.
4) Hit The Road To Paradise – Drive Along The Epic Overseas Highway
One of the most scenic drives in the Keys, the Overseas Highway is 113 miles of two-lane pavement straddling the open waters between Miami and Key West. A stunning feat of engineering, the Overseas Highway spans an astonishing 42 bridges and 44 tropical islands. It’s perfect for a road trip between the islands. The bridge even shared screen time with Timothy Dalton in 1989’s James Bond movie, “License to Kill.”
The Seven Mile Bridge is a scenic section of the Overseas Highway that links Knight’s Key (Middle Keys) with Little Duck Key (Lower Keys). There are actually two bridges located here: The modern Seven Mile Bridge, which is open to vehicles, and an older bridge (nicknamed Old Seven), which is only open to pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists.
5) Key Lime Pie Delight – Savor The Sweet And Zesty Goodness
Key Lime Pie isn’t just dessert – it was named Florida’s official pie in 2006. The pie is deceptively simple to make: just combine lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened, condensed milk in a graham cracker crust. Condensed milk is a primary ingredient because in the 1930s when the pie originated, fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated keys.
There are many variations of the tangy dessert, including:
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Topping it with strawberry whipped cream
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Topping it with macadamia nuts
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Topping it with raspberry sauce
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Drizzling it with chocolate syrup
Key limes are so special to Key West that they’re celebrated in an annual Key Lime Festival.
6) Big Pine Key, Where Adventure And Relaxation Collide
Big Pine Key is a great destination for an escape from life’s stresses and troubles. Big Pine is part of what is called the Lower Keys. About 30 miles north of Key West, Big Pine is known for its gorgeous scenery and idyllic environment. Walk, bike, fish, and discover its abundant wildlife. You may even encounter cute, petite, wild Key deer in their natural habitat. Try to resist endlessly saying, “Awww.”
Big Pine Key is highly regarded as having one of the best, clearest snorkeling and diving reefs in the Keys. For divers, the big attraction on the key is Looe Key Reef. Part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which spans 2,900 nautical miles, it’s teeming with breathtaking schools of reef fish, eagle rays, sea turtles, and huge parrotfish and pufferfish.
7) Dive Into Adventure At Bahia Honda State Park
Close to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park is the perfect place for both divers and landlubbers. The 524-acre park is part of Bahia Honda, a virtually uninhabited island in the lower Florida Keys.
The park has some of the most translucent waters in the Keys, making it a paradise on Earth for snorkelers and scuba divers.
The park boasts three stunning beaches:
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Sandspur Beach
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Calusa Beach
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Loggerhead Beach
8) Visit Dry Tortugas National Park And Fort Jefferson
Contrary to its name, Dry Tortugas National Park is anything but that. Less than one percent of its 100 square miles is dry land. Remote and scantly visited, its seven islands can only be accessed by seaplane or boat.
One of its biggest claims to fame is the sprawling Fort Jefferson. This 16-acre, historic fort was constructed during the Civil War to help the military protect Florida’s coastline.
The national park has a rich variety of wildlife to explore. At Dry Tortugas, you can immerse yourself in nature. It’s a haven for myriad species including:
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Swirling schools of tropical fish
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Ancient coral reefs
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Sea turtles
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Three-hundred bird species
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Lobster
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Squid
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Octopus
The park is perfect for people who want to put as much space as possible between themselves and civilization.
9) Embark On An Unforgettable Adventure To Fat Deer Key
Situated within Marathon, Fat Deer Key is an unspoiled gem offering plentiful outdoor activities and pristine natural beauty. The island boasts soft, sandy beaches, varied wildlife, and flourishing mangroves. You may be familiar with mangroves from images of Everglades National Park. Originally called Bonefish Key, it was whimsically renamed in the early 1900s for the rotund deer residing there.
Its jewel-hued waters teem with tarpon, grouper, and snapper, making the island a fishing enthusiast’s delight. If you prefer to simply observe the marine life, you may even glimpse frisky dolphins and burly manatees.
10) Discover The Quirky Charm Of Duck Key
If you’re looking for a relaxing island location where people are strolling, leisurely riding bikes, or moseying along on golf carts, then you’ve found Duck Key. Comprised of five islands linked by old-world-style Venetian bridges, the Key is a mecca for water sports, including swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. It’s also populated by warm, welcoming residents who’ll make you feel right at home.
For the ultimate encounter with marine life, visit the Dolphin Connection. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime meet and greet with these sociable animals, which includes:
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Melon (head) rub
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Handshake
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Dolphin kiss (This one sounds particularly good!)
These animals were originally trained as US Navy dolphins and, like many retirees, are living their best lives in the tropics.
11) Encounter Playful Dolphins In Grassy Key
Grassy Key, part of the island chain that comprises the city of Marathon, Florida, is home to the 50-year-old Dolphin Research Center. One of the Key’s centerpiece attractions, its two acres of closed lagoons are dedicated to researching and preserving these clever mammals.
The research center also offers opportunities for tourists to interact with or swim with the center’s aquatic residents. According to legend, this small, sleepy key wasn’t named for its foliage, but for a settler named Grassy.
Visit The Florida Keys And Unlock The Vacation Of A Lifetime
When you visit the Florida Keys, endless possibilities await. From lively Key West, where the party never ends, to laid-back Dry Tortugas, you’ll find your perfect vacation paradise.
Want to kick your trip up a notch? Then Night Kayak Key West is at your service! Our LED-lighted, glass-bottom kayaks will brighten a magical world of nighttime sea creatures gliding through the ocean’s dark depths.
Our glass bottom boat tours will also explore a must-see place that other kayaking companies don’t: the mysterious Florida Keys mangroves. Let us illuminate your next vacation, and book your tour today!
