Lower Flroida Keys (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau)

Lower Flroida Keys Channel (Steve Bly/Florida Keys News Bureau)

Sunset in Florida Keys (iStockphoto)

Islamorada Bonefishing (Florida Keys Tourism)

Sunset over Key Largo, Florida (Florida Keys CVB)

Tightrope walking at the sunset celebration in Key West, Florida (Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau)

Fishing in Key Largo, Florida (Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau)

View of Key West, Florida (Florida Keys and Key West tourism)

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What to do in Florida Keys

There’s a certain irony to the fact that the Florida Keys’ Overseas Highway is the medium by which most people experience a place where land and sea merge. Starting at mile marker 127.5 and stretching out into the blue yonder all the way down to Key West, the road skirts dive shops, tacky tourist stands, marinas, and pristine state parks. You’re never far from the ocean, but get stuck in weekend traffic and you’d swear you’ve entered the seventh ring of commuting hell. Which is exactly why you should pack some swimming gear, fins, snorkel, a picnic... maybe even a tent... and plan to ditch the asphalt as often and as soon as you can. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on Key Largo and Bahia Honda State Park, just outside of Key West, are two great spots to dip your toes in the sand and start that car-free existence.

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Traveler Reviews of Florida Keys

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Alistair rates Florida Keys
My wife and I drove through the Keys on the way to our honeymoon in Key West. At the time, given that we only had a four-day honeymoon, it felt like a mistake to be spending four hours in the car stop-starting between Miami and Mile Marker Zero. That said, I'm glad we we were able to experience driving off the mainland and journeying into what feels quite a unique part of the States. It wouldn't have been the same from the air! My favorite stop was at Bahia Honda State Park, where we got out to enjoy the short trails and quiet beach. If you're in a rush to get to Key West, I'd recommend you fly. Also, avoid weekends and holiday periods, as the Overseas Highway can be slooowww-going if you get stuck behind that inevitable line of RVs and open-top sports cars!
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Pete rates Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a big area, but there's plenty to do along the 2 and half hours of Route 1 from Florida City to Key West. If you're traveling down from Miami, I suggest you stop at "Robert is Here" fruit stand in Florida City before your adventure in the Keys. Robert, who often times is there, has the freshest most succulent fruit you'll ever come across. (I highly recommend the Mangos.) Key Largo, one of the first keys you'll encounter, has some great Dive Shops (Seadwellers being one of them) and the best access to the reef. Further down you can stop in Islamorada to hit one of the few sandy beaches in the Keys. There's plenty of resorts, hotels, and cheap motels along route 1 that you can find somewhere to stay. The Keys definitely get busy on holidays and weekends when people from Miami head down to get away.
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