The Florida Keys
Why Your Next Vacation Should Be in The Florida Keys

MARIA DIEGO
The Florida Keys are made up of 5 main keys that start at Key Largo, then Islamorada, then Marathon, then the Lower Keys and finally Key West. To drive from Miami to Key West takes about 3 hours, so all the Keys can be covered in one trip.
Perfect For: Romantic Getaways | Honeymoons & Anniversaries | Fishermen | Scuba Divers




The Florida Keys Family Travel Guide
What to do
The biggest misconception about the Florida Keys is that there are plenty of sandy beaches. I hate to break it to you, but there’s not! The Keys are all about getting out on a boat for fishing, snorkeling, cruises and exploring marine and wildlife. The nightlife can be pretty great too, if you visit at the right times of the year.
Snorkeling
From Key Largo to Key West, the dive spots in the Florida Keys are numerous and plentiful with fish and protected sea life. With dive spots like Hens and Chickens or Looe Key, your best bet is to go with a guide that can take you to a spot where you will see the most fish while snorkeling. Also, there are spots better suited for children if you’re traveling as a family. We also like taking stand up paddle boards with a few masks and snorkels and swimming in shallow areas in the bayside.








Fishing
There are seasons for catching lobster and certain types of fish, and they have to meet size criteria prior to catching them. The local Coast Guard will pull you over and check your cooler, measuring each and every fish – it’s happened to us on more than one occasion – so unless you’re an experienced fisherman with a boat in the Keys, it’s best to leave it to the professionals and hire a company that specializes in fishing while you visit. An expert fishing captain will be able to take you to the right spot whether bottom fishing or trolling, and the Keys is a whole lot of water to take a shot in the dark.
Sunset Cruises and Sailing
Another option if you’re not a huge fan of fishing is sailing or a sunset cruise. I am the black sheep in my family because I am the only one who isn’t a huge fan of spear fishing, free diving and line fishing. I usually stick to the boat, unless the water is over 80 degrees or I’m getting too sea sick from rough seas to stay on the boat. Then I go in for a swim. What I love most about boats is riding at sunset, especially on a calm day. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss while in the Florida Keys, is catching a sunset from either a boat or the view at Pierre’s or Morada Bay (more on that later).








Marine & Wildlife Sanctuaries
If you love animals or are traveling with children, you’re not going to want to miss a visit to a Wildlife Sanctuary. While there are too many to count, the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area offers a hammock forest, coastal rock and mangroves with hiking, cycling and paddling trails. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in Key Largo and the Turtle Hospital in Marathon are two other must-sees and personal favorites. Plus, each time you visit one of these places, the entry fee goes toward their maintenance costs so that you can help continue their mission.
Getting There




Fly: From 1.5-3 hours by car from Miami International Airport MIA) or fly into Key West International (EYW). Alternatively all of the keys are accesible by private yacht or sailboat..
Recommended Stay: Weekend getaway to one week.
Elevation: 0 feet
Best Time of Year to Visit: March to November
The Florida Keys
Isla Morada
Marathon
Little Palm Island




Where to Stay in The Florida Keys




Where to eat?
Key Lime Pie
Let’s not beat around the bush and get straight to the good stuff – what the Florida Keys is best known for – key lime pie! You may even want to taste-test your way down the Keys. My kids and I are gluten-free, so I’d start my list with Key West Key Lime Pie Co. They ship too! Other Key West notables are Pepe’s Cafe and Old Town Bakery.
Further up the Keys is a locals’ favorite at the Green Turtle Inn, and whether you’re getting the key lime pie on the menu or anything else, you just can’t go wrong. They are the same owners of the nearby Kayo Grill and SushiKayo Grill and Sushi, that has The best sushi I have had in the Florida. Back to key lime pie though…A final mention is either of Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen’s two locations near Key Largo. The key lime pie is to die for!








Fresh Fish and Seafood
When you’re not eating dessert first, you may want to choose the catch of the day off of every menu. Atlantic’s Edge at Cheeca for a fancier dinner with killer views or Islamorada Fish Company are two favorites for a fresh catch. Some more casual, only-the-locals-go spots can be found at the Cuban restaurant Habano’s on the Creek (when you’re starving and coming back in from a fishing trip), Made 2 Order Cafe (another pull-up-in-your-boat for a quick lunch), or the Galley Grill between Key West and Little Palm Island.
Restaurants With a View
If the view is what you’re after, which you should be in the Keys, then you can’t miss these spots. Hit Morada Bay or Pierre’s for their monthly Full Moon party – it falls on the Saturday nearest to the full moon of each month. With a sunset view and an area of sand to party post-dinner, you can’t miss this monthly event. Latitudes at the Westin in Key West has beautiful sunset views as well.




A Few of My Favorite Things
The Florida Keys
Islamorada of The Florida Keys
My family’s home is located just north of Islamorada, in Tavernier. Islamorada happens to be my favorite spot in the Keys, just because I like the combination of bayside and oceanside boating there, and the array of top-notch restaurants and fun little shops. I’ll never forget bumping into Martha Stewart at Ocean Gardens where you can find Hemingway-era nautical antiques and a vast collection of hard-to-find shells. My dad wasn’t shy and struck up a conversation with her about the Florida Keys and what she loves about visiting. She told us that Ocean Gardens is always a must-see, so there you go!
Location
Activities
Aside from the daytime activities I already listed, you can’t miss watching a sunset with a live band playing in the background. The Keys food is known for being fried, unhealthy, and yummy, and the drink menu plentiful. So plop yourself down at a bayside restaurant somewhere along the strip (my favorite is Pierre’s, at MM 82), order a drink, and relax. It’s also the perfect spot for a small destination wedding, which I can help you plan! Other activities I love to do with the kids is feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s, visiting the Turtle Hospital in Marathon and Theater of the Sea for swimming with the dolphins and educating them about marine biology.
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