From Highway 1 to Duval Street, The Florida Keys offer terrific experiences that should be on every traveler’s list. Here are Fodor’s top picks for a memorable trip.
Key West Architecture
Built on stilts to keep things cool, Key West’s clapboard Conch houses feature porches with gingerbread trim. Many have been converted into atmospheric bed and breakfasts.
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Kayaking and Canoeing
Whether you prefer sea kayaking, canoeing through calm and wildlife-rich mangrove waters, or stand-up paddle boarding, the Keys provide the setting and the perfect outfitters.
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Key Lime Pie
You’re going to need a lot of time and appetite because key lime pie is everywhere, and everyone claims to make the best.
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Dolphin Adventures
From watching them in the wild or captivity to getting in the water to swim and interact with them, experiencing dolphins is a classic Keys adventure.
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The Cuba Connection
Cuba looms large in Key West, which was settled by cigar-making immigrants. El Meson de Pepe and El Siboney are two restaurants that serve Cuban delicacies.
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Duval Street
Do the Duval Crawl in Key West. There are no rules: Stop for a drink, simply wander, or shop instead of drink. But you aren’t allowed to go fun-free.
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Key Largo’s Christ of the Deep
Just outside of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on Key Largo, this submerged nine-foot-tall statue makes a divine underwater sight.
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Ernest Hemingway’s Home
You’ll see his name all over Key West, but the best place to start is his historic home, where descendants of his six-toed cats still prowl.
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Highway 1
Despite the traffic, the Overseas Highway (aka U.S. 1) is an engineering marvel and the only way to reach the southernmost point in the U.S.
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Beaches
Keys beaches, including Bahia Honda State Park, Marathon’s Sombrero Beach, and Key West’s Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, can be beautiful.
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The Dry Tortugas
Seaplanes and fast ferries deliver you to Dry Tortugas National Park, known for its birding, snorkeling, and historic Fort Jefferson.
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Fresh Seafood
You don’t have to catch your own to relish the lobster, yellowtail snapper, hogfish, and mahi-mahi that are signatures of the Florida Keys. You’ll find fresh seafood everywhere.
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Fishing
Jump on a party or charter boat for offshore or back-bay fishing. Or cast a line from one of the Keys’ many bridges.
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Sunset at Key West’s Mallory Square
Not only does the setting sun put on a fabulous show, but local musicians, magicians, and performance artists also join the act every evening.
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