Things To Do
The Florida Keys ahave a rich and storied history that includes the romance of the high seas, as a hub for privateers commissioned by foreign governments to capture merchant ships carrying goods from the new world back to locales like Spain and France. The privateers gone rougue that became known as pirates. Ship salvagers that made a living off nearby shipwrecks, sponge fishermen, commercial fishing enterprises, vibrant communities of writers and artists, and more recently as a vacation destination for tourists.
Key Largo
There are tons of things to see and do in Key Largo. You can visit John Pennekamp State Park and take the glass-bottom boat tour, take a ride on the original African Queen steamboat, experience the reef on a snorkeling excursion, set out for a sunset cruise on a sailboat or catamaran or spend an afternoon swimming with dolphins.
The African Queen
Mile Marker 100, Holiday Inn Marina, Key Largo,FL 33037
(305) 451-4655
africanqueenflkeys.com
Pennekamp State Park Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Mile Marker 102, Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 451-6300
pennekamppark.com/glassbottom-boat/
Sun Diver Snorkel Tours
102840 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 451-2220
www.snorkelingisfun.com
Dolphins Plus
101900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 453-4321
www.dolphinsplus.com
Tavernier/Islamorada
Tavernier and Islamorada are known for their many famous attractions that have entertained droves of tourists for decades. You simply can’t say that you’ve experienced the Florida Keys, unless you have visited Robbie’s Marina and fed the Tarpon! Also learn about the storied history of the keys at the History & Discovery Center, the Indian Key Historic State Park and the Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park.
Theater Of The Sea
Mile Marker 84.5 Oceanside, Islamorada, FL 33036
(305) 664-2431
www.theaterofthesea.com
Robbie’s Marina
77522 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL
(305) 664-8070
www.robbies.com
The Keys History & Discovery Center
82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
(305) 922-2237
www.keysdiscovery.com
Indian Key Historic State Park
U.S. 1 Mile Marker 85.5, Islamorada, FL 33036
(305) 664-2540
www.floridastateparks.org/indiankey
The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary
93600 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070
(305) 852-4486
www.missionwildbird.com
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Mile Marker 78.5, Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
(305) 664-2540
www.floridastateparks.org/LignumvitaeKey/
San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park
U.S. 1 Mile Marker 85.5,Islamorada,FL 33036
(305) 664-2540
www.floridastateparks.org/SanPedro
Marathon & The Lower Keys
Marathon and the Lower Keys are a transcendental experience. You’ll experience the 7 mile bridge, (often called the eighth wonder of the world.) Be sure to visit Bahia Honda State Park to experience a beach that looks and feels like a dreamscape. Visit the Dolphin Research Center, where wild dolphins come and go naturally… (not captivated) and the Turtle Hospital that rehabs majestic, but injured giant Loggerhead sea turtles.
Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
305-872-3210
www.floridastateparks.org/BahiaHonda
The Dolphin Research Center
58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050
(305)289-0002
www.dolphins.org
The Turtle Hospital
2396 Overseas Highway. Marathon, FL, 33050
www.turtlehospital.org
Key West
Key West is the Southern-most city in the United States. Many tourists to the keys bypass the 100 mile drive through th uppper and middle keys via direct flights to the Key West airport. This is the most famous Florida Keys destination, with the most storied history. Every inch of this island oozes with history… it’s the former home of privateers, pirates, treasure salvers, presidents and has served as a muse and retreat for many famous artists and writers. You’ll be amazed and inspired by the unique West-Indies architecture of the homes and businesses, and the vibrant and eccentric culture of the residents. There is so much to see and do in Key West, that the absolutely reccommend taking one of the many informative trolley tours as soon as you arrive. these tours will give you a breif overview of the island, highlighting it’s endless attractions. the most famous attractions include the Hemmingway House, The Mel Fisher Treasure Museum, the Famous Sloppy Joe’s bar and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville restaurant.
The Key West Conch Tour Trains
303 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 294-5161
TheMel Fisher Maritime Museum
200 Greene St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-2633
https://www.melfisher.org/
Sloppy Joe’s Bar
201 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040