Grassy Key

Local lore has it that this sleepy little key was named not for its vegetation—mostly native trees and shrubs—but for an early settler by the name of Grassy. A few families operating small fishing camps and roadside motels primarily inhabit the key. There’s no marked definition between it and Marathon, so it feels sort of like a suburb of its much larger neighbor to the south. Grassy Key’s sights tend toward the natural, including a worthwhile dolphin attraction and a small state park.