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Key Largo
John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park
102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 451-1560
Just one percent of this park is on dry land. It’s facilities include a visitor’s center, a small museum, swimming areas and woodland trails. The park is best known for it’s underwater wonders. Take the glass bottom boat tour to the reef in the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary or rent kayaks, canoes or a motor boat and explore the local waters for yourself.
www.floridastateparks.org/park/Pennekamp
The Glass Bottom Boat
102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 451-1560
The glass bottom boat leaves John Pennenkamp park several times daily. See the living coral reef and it’s abundant sea life.
www.floridastateparks.org/park/Pennekamp
The African Queen
((30) 451-8080
The African Queen is the boat that was used in the Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Bacall movie of the same name. Take a cruise on this historical steamboat.
www.africanqueenflkeys.com
Dolphins Plus
31 Corrine Place, Key Largo
1-866-860-7946G
Guests have the exciting opportunity to observe and interact with dolphins. Learn all about these amazing creatures, and the importance of marine conservation, from their knowledgeable and well-trained staff of trainers and instructors.
www.dolphinsplus.com
Gulfstream Party Fishing Boat
1313 Ocean Bay Drive, Key Largo
(305) 451-9788
Fish the offshore waters and the reef. Day and night trips are available. Fishing poles, bait and instruction are provided.
Round Up Party Fishing Charters
45 Garden Drive, Key Largo
(305) 304-4193
Sailors Choice Party Fishing Boat
99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 451-1802
Key Largo Fishing Adventures
99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 942-9982
Quicksilver Snorkel Tours
Mile Marker 100, Key Largo
(305) 453-0110
They offer a comfortable ride out to the coral reefs of Pennenkamp Undersea Park and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary on this spacious 50 foot sailing catamaran. They offer three trips daily at 9:00am, 12:30pm, and Sunset.
snorkelkeylargo.com
Reef Roamer Snorkeling
99751 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 453-0110
They offer a comfortable ride out to the coral reefs of Pennenkamp Undersea Park and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary on a spacious 50 foot sailing catamaran. They offer three trips daily at 9:00am, 12:30pm, and Sunset.
reef-roamer.com/snorkeling-in-key-largo
Islamorada
Robbie’s Marina
77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada
Islamorada, Florida 33036
305-664-0535 For Fishing Charters, Snorkeling and Cruising
A Keys institution and a great experience for families. Buy a bucket of fish and head down the docks to feed the huge Tarpon that linger there. Take a stroll through the open air local shops featuring a variety of locally handcrafted souvenirs. Rent a boat, take a snorkeling trip or take one of their tours to the surrounding islands of Indian Key and Lignumvitae key.
www.robbies.com
Holiday Isle – The Postcard Inn
84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
This large resort is home to Islamorada’s famous Charter Boat Row, and three legendary bars including the Tiki Bar, Kokomos and Rumrunners. There’s a large white sandy beach that overlooks the Atlantic and the Islamorada sandbar where hundreds of boats anchor on weekends for to picnic and party. There are several shops to peruse for souveniers and a variety of unique restaurants.
Indian and Ligumnumvitae Key Tours
77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada
Take a short boat ride from Robbie’s marina to visit these historical sites. Indian key is was an early indian site, that was later settled by Captain J. Houseman, an opportunistic wrecker. It was attacked by Seminole indians in 1840. Lignumvitae key was home to a family of early settlers and a house and surrounding out-buildings have been preserved by historians. See what it was like to survive on a remote island before there were modern conveniences like electricity, refrigeration and plumbing. Very interesting and highly recommended. Note: Before you go, read the Novel Charlottes Story
The Hurricane Monument
Mile Marker 85.1
Millions of vehicles have conceivably passed through Islamorada and overlooked the Hurricane Memorial, but it is a highly significant. It was dedicated in 1937 and memorializes the keys residents that perished in the devastating 1935 hurricane. Note: Before you go, read the Novel Charlottes Story
Charter Boat Row
84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
Located adjacent to the Holiday Isle resort, you’ll want to walk the docks and see the dozens of offshore charte fishing boats that dock here. The best time to visit is at 4pm daily, when the boats return from a day at sea. Watch the show as the captins and mates display the catch of the day and then filet the fish with miraculous speed and skill while dodging dozens of pesky seagulls that wait not-so-patiently for the discarded carcasses. A must-see for fishing enthusiasts.
Theater Of The Sea
84721 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada
305.664.2431
This is a historic attraction that originally opened in 1946 and is Florida’s second oldest marine park. It occupies the former rock quarry that was created during the building of the Florida Keys railroad. It’s famous for it’s dolphin and sea lion shows.
www.theaterofthesea.com
Marathon & The Lower Keys
Bahia Honda State Park
Mile Marker 36.8 – 12 miles south of Marathon
One of the most beautiful beaches you will ever experience. It’s a state park and campground with enchanting views of the Atlantic. The shallow, warm turquoise waters and hardwood hammocks are great places for families with young children that want to explore.
www.floridastateparks.org
The Dolphin Research Center
58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key
(305) 289-0002
The dolphin research center is a non-profit with a mission to research dolphins. The center also acts a rest home and rehabilative facilty for injured dolphins and those retireing from busy lives as theme park attractions. Meet with the dolphin handlers for a very informative lesson about these amazing animals.
www.dolphins.org
The Turtle Hospital
2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon
(305) 743-2552
Originally the turtle hospital was closed to the public and served at a reabilitation facilty for sick and injured sea turtles. This non-profit hospital, now allows visitors to witness their operations and learn about conservation.
www.turtlehospital.org
The Seven Mile Bridge
Technically, this is not a tourist attraction, but rather the eighth wonder of the world. It was constructed originally in 1909 for the Florida Keys railroad. The original bridge was destroyed by a devastating hurricane and had to be reconstructed. Parts of the old bridge remain as relics. The new bridge was paved over and became what is known today as the highway that went to sea. It’s an amazing feat of engineering, and a definite must-see.
Key West
The Key West Conch Tour Train
1-888-916-8687 (TOUR)
This is the first thing you should do when you arrive in Key West. Spirited and knowledgeable tour guides introduce you to the city, it’s history, architecture and points of interest. Take the tour, you can enter and exit as many times for the price of a one day pass, but I reccomend you take the entire tour first, take otes and plan your itinerary from there.
www.conchtourtrain.com
The Hemmingway House
907 Whitehead St. • Key Wes
(305) 294-1136
Tour Ernest Hemmingways home in Key West where he penned many of his famous novels. The home has been lovingly preserved with all of it’s original furnishings and Ernest’s personal belongings. While ou are ther witness the lush gardens and the famous six-toed Hemmngway cats, that are all descendants of his beloved pets.
www.hemingwayhome.com
Mel Fisher’s Shipwreck Museum
200 Greene Street, Key West
(305) 296-9936
Do Not miss this attraction! This is the best thing you will see in the keys. It will be the highlght of your trip. The late Mel Fisher grabbed headlines in 1985 when he finally discovered the pirate treasure of the Nuestra Senore Atoche in warm shallow waters just 40 miles off the coast of Key West. It was an ancient spanish galleon that sank in 1622. The ship was filled withover 400 illion dollars of tresure that included religious relics, gold bars, silver and emeralds. Visit the museum, watch a short movie about the discovery than see the treasure first-hand. After the tour, proceed to the gift shop where you can purchase actual artifacts. Note: Before you go – watch the National GeograpicDocumentory – Search for the Atoche.
www.melfisher.com
The Liberty Schooner
245 Front Street, Key West
www.chamberofcommerce.com/key west
The Audobon House Key West
205 Whitehead Street, Key West
(305) 294-2116
www.audobonhouse
Mallory Square Key West
400 Wall Street, Key West
www.mallorysquare.com
Fort Zachary Taylor
601 Howard England Way, Key West
www.fortzacharytaylor.com
Dry Tortugas National Park
800-634-0939
www.drytortugas.com
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