Key Largo | Islamorada | Marathon | The lower keys | key west
The Florida Keys & Key West
C ruising the 125-mile road that strings together The Florida Keys feels like the start of a vacation all by itself. On this legendary route—the Overseas Highway—a spirit of ease rushes in, along with the ocean breeze through the open car windows. Quiet fishing villages, dense tropical plants and aquamarine waters float by on either side of the two-lane road. On the descent into Key West International (EYW), those arriving by air experience an even dreamier view of the blue expanses, teeming reefs and dots of land that comprise the archipelago. Of course, these landscapes are just a precursor to what awaits at your actual destination.
A haven for divers &
eco-adventurists
The first stop on the Overseas highway, Key Largo is a paradise for all who love playing in or on the water. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park spans 70 nautical square miles. There, anglers can fish backcountry waters running through mangrove channels and over vital seagrass beds. It's also home to legendary coral reefs. Beyond the park, The Spiegel Grove Wreck Dive—at 510 feet long, one of the largest ships ever intentionally sunk for reef creation—is a bucket-list site for divers.
Between adventures through Key Largo's unique ecosystems, discover how they're being supported and restored at the Coral Restoration Foundation Exploration Center (open Monday-Saturday). Its works include oceanic nurseries, coral planting and high-tech monitoring systems that track coral coverage over time.
5 tropical retreats for dreamlike getaways
in collaboration with:
BACK TO
THE TOP
BACK TO
THE TOP
BACK TO
THE TOP
BACK TO
THE TOP
Scuba diving
Mahi-mahi
Key Largo
Islamorada
Marathon
The Lower Keys
Art Walk
Plan your trip
Ibis Bay Beach Resort, Key West
Islamorada lighthouse | credit: Paradise Media
Sombrero Beach, Marathon
Key Largo
Bungalows Key Largo
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
National Key Deer Refuge
No Name Pub
SEE
OFFERS
Credit: Roundhouse Creative
La Siesta Resort & Villas
Thunderbolt Wreck
Lower Keys backcountry fishing
There's more to experience on dry land if you can peel yourself away from Key Largo's waters. Browse the works of local artists—lit up in the bright hues characteristic of The Conch Republic—at the Key Largo Art Gallery, a fixture of the community for more than 20 years.
As you might imagine, cuisine in Key Largo (and throughout The Florida Keys) centers around seafood caught in local waters. The Fish House is a go-to for plates of mahi mahi and grouper, slathered with succulent house-made sauces. Mrs. Mac's Kitchen is a top choice for breakfast or lunch, while Sundowners offers everything from bar bites to a whole fish dinner, plus stellar sunset views over the water.
After a satifying day of nature, local culture and incredible food, settle in at one of Key Largo's boutique waterfront inns. Rock Reef Resort, Coconut Palm Inn and Drift Key Largo are all top spots to recharge.
The Sportfishing Capital caters to art lovers, too
Islamorada's high density of fishing locations and professional offshore charter boats, plus frequent fishing tournaments help earn it its reputation as the Sportfishing Capital of the World. Angling legends like Ted Williams and Cecil Keith pioneered the sport in these very waters. Depending on the season, you can catch nearly as many types of fish as there are letters in the alphabet—from Amberjack to Wahoo.
If you'd like to get on a boat sans fishing, hop on an Islamorada eco-tour and view native flora and marine life both above and below the water. Manatees and sea turtles are among the species you might spot. Snorkeling is another favored activity here. Try the waters around Alligator Reef Lighthouse for abundant marine life that, thankfully, does not include alligators.
Art enthusiasts will find plenty to inspire them in Islamorada. The non-profit Morada Way Arts & Cultural District is a 6-block corridor of galleries and studio spaces that hosts monthly Art Walks (the third Thursday of each month). The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center hosts an art gallery, in addition to aquariums, fishing and local history exhibits. Meanwhile, The ICE Amphitheater at Founders Park caters to music fans, with a variety of free concerts kicking off throughout the year.
When it comes to mealtime, you won't want for choice in Islamorada. Lazy Days is an iconic oceanfront spot, with a "cook your catch" option for when the day's sportfishing excursion proves successful. Try the whimisically colorful Midway Cafe for an excellent breakfast burrito, or Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar for a dinner with fabulous cocktails and sunset views. Stay options include the oceanfront La Siesta Resort & Villas, kitchenette-equipped rooms at Sunset Inn and the 24-acre Islander Resort—which recently underwent sweeping renovations.
A family-friendly getaway for
salt-lifers
Thanks to its central position, Marathon is known as the heart of The Florida Keys. It's comprised of 13 islands. It's also where you'll find the famous Seven Mile bridge. Beside the "new" bridge (built 1978-1982), you'll find the historic bridge that was once part of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad—the ill-fated first land route to Key West. It's been restored with enhanced safety features and is now a beloved pedestrian and bike route. At its end, you'll find Pigeon Key, a 5-acre island with a visitor's center, railroad museum and a beach for snorkeling or fishing.
There are many kid-pleasing attractions in the region, like Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, pictured here, and The Turtle Hospital, a nonprofit animal rehab center. The island community is also a haven for boating. On top of its thousands of boat slips for residents and frequent visitors, there are numerous boat rental and charter options for those who just want to experience the salt life for a weekend or so.
One of Marathon's top natural attractions is its Sombrero Reef, a 208-acre reef formation located off the shore of Vaca Key within the Sombrero Key Sanctuary Preservation Area. Join a snorkel boat tour to experience this natural treasure, which is home to Endangered Species Act-listed star corals, plus stingrays, nurse sharks, sea turtles and a wide variety of fish.
Hike through Crane Point Hammock, a 63-acre preserve with an extensive trail network. The site also features archaelogical sites, kayak rentals, a bird sanctuary, a natural history museum and a children's museum with interactive exhibits. After a day on the trails, Burdine's Waterfront Bar & Grill's homemade hush puppies will hit the spot. Keys Fisheries and Castaway Waterfront Restaurant are also great restaurants in the area. Stay options include Captain Pips, where boat rentals and snorkel trips are available on site. Stylish Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa is a relaxing retreat for couples, while Marlin Bay Resort & Marina's vacation rentals leave plenty of room for families to stretch out.
An off-the-grid hideaway
Untouched nature, secluded beaches and a taste of unhurried life are what you'll find in the The Lower Keys. Amid these 13 less developed islands, you'll find a wide variety of bird and animal life, plus fantastic paddling, snorkeling and fishing opportunities.
The National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key is the protected home of the tiny deer species that's native to this area. The Blue Hole Observation Platform, just a short walk from the refuge's parking lot, gives visitors a prime opportunity to witness osprey, anhinga and many other bird species. Pristine ecosystems you'll find throughout the islands include marshland, beaches, sand flats, tidal flats and mangroves, among others. Snorkel around 5.8-mile Looe Key Reef to witness schools of parrotfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish and angelfish.
From eco-adventures in the mangrove-fringed wilds to epic sportfishing excursions to meandering walks that trace the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway, there’s a vast range of experiences on offer. Divers, art lovers, culture-seekers, beachgoers, foodies and family travelers will all find ample draws—starting in Key Largo, all the way down to Key West’s Southernmost Point.
Read on for a guide to the Keys’ five main regions, then start planning your tropical getaway.
Lower Keys
Morada Bay
Fly fishing on a sandbar
Key West
The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is a must-visit for any literary fans. The writer's former residence has meticulously preserved interiors and a clowder of cats that may or may not be related to Hemingway's six-toed pet. There's also a museum dedicated to the brilliant Tennessee Williams, who lived in Key West for 30 years.
Art lovers will find expressive work all over town—but for a concentrated dose of creativity, The Studios of Key West is worth a visit. The center hosts exhibitions, classes and both theatrical and musical performances in one space. The Waterfront Theatre and Red Barn Theatre also put on plays and musicals throughout the year.
Key West has a nature-rich side, too. Take a boat ride 10 miles southwest of the island to fish the Western Dry Rocks, a reef and rock area known for its large populations of snapper and grouper. Divers and snorkelers, meanwhile, can check out the Sand Key Lighthouse Reef seven miles west of the island.
Boating in Key West
The southernmost playground
There's not another place on earth like eclectic, vibrant and historic Key West. The island earns its fame as a laid-back place to play, engage with a vibrant arts community and thoroughly be one's self. From the daring street performers at Mallory Square to the legendary pubs and live music spots on Duval Street to flamboyant drag shows and low-key wine bars, there's something new to experience around every corner of this pastel playground.
Visitors can get a crash course in Key West's considerable history with a self-guided tour of its 120 Historic Markers. Names like Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and President William Howard Taft are just a few that feature in the stories of the distinctive frame buildings about town.
BACK TO
THE TOP
Whether or not you hook a big one, you will eat well in Key West. Local restaurant menus are stacked with indulgent dishes that combine Caribbean and international flavors, fresh-caught seafood and endless variations on key lime pie. (Try it frozen on a stick!) Cuban restaurant El Siboney and seafood-forward Half Shell Raw Bar are just two of the 200 or so restaurant choices you'll encounter. And be sure to stay up late to experience Key West's famous nightlife. A Keys-perfect rum runner cocktail from the Green Parrot will kick things off nicely.
When it's finally time to call it a night, you've got choices running the gamut from boutique inns to large resorts. The Perry Hotel & Marina's setting on nearby Stock Island gives guests a quiet spot to recharge. Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection features a stellar beachfront location. Meanwhile, classic Key West inns like the historic Southernmost House and The Gardens Hotel put you right in the center of all the island has to offer.
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection
While The Lower Keys is rightfully thought of as a place for respite in nature above all else, there's an artistic streak here, too. Visit galleries like Artists in Paradise and Stock Island Art Studios to to get a firsthand look. The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce also puts on an annual art fair on Big Pine Key (Nov. 29, 2025).
You'll find cheekily named drinking and dining spots like No Name Pub (have a pizza and stick a dollar bill on the wall) and The Square Grouper (try the flash-friend conch). Kiki's Sandbar makes delicious tropical cocktails and has great burgers in case you need a break from seafood (though they serve that, too). Divers may want to consider a stay at Looe Key Reef Resort & Dive Center for easy access to the aforementioned reef. Anglers and true outdoorsy types, meanwhile, may prefer to set up camp at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge. Sugarloaf Lodge offers budget-friendly motel-style stays with water views.
Fantasy Fest
Lazy Way
Biking in Key West
Key Largo | Islamorada | Marathon | The lower keys | key west
Key Largo | Islamorada | Marathon | The lower keys | key west
Key Largo | Islamorada | Marathon | The lower keys | key west
Key Largo | Islamorada | Marathon | The lower keys | key west
A haven for divers &
eco-adventurists
The first stop on the Overseas highway, Key Largo is a paradise for all who love playing in or on the water. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park spans 70 nautical square miles. There, anglers can fish backcountry waters running through mangrove channels and over vital seagrass beds. It's also home to legendary coral reefs. Beyond the park, The Spiegel Grove Wreck Dive—at 510 feet long, one of the largest ships ever intentionally sunk for reef creation—is a bucket-list site for divers.
Between adventures through Key Largo's unique ecosystems, discover how they're being supported and restored at the Coral Restoration Foundation Exploration Center (open Monday-Saturday). Its works include oceanic nurseries, coral planting and high-tech monitoring systems that track coral coverage over time.
The Sportfishing Capital caters to art lovers, too
Islamorada's high density of fishing locations and professional offshore charter boats, plus frequent fishing tournaments help earn it its reputation as the Sportfishing Capital of the World. Angling legends like Ted Williams and Cecil Keith pioneered the sport in these very waters. Depending on the season, you can catch nearly as many types of fish as there are letters in the alphabet—from Amberjack to Wahoo.
If you'd like to get on a boat sans fishing, hop on an Islamorada eco-tour and view native flora and marine life both above and below the water. Manatees and sea turtles are among the species you might spot. Snorkeling is another favored activity here. Try the waters around Alligator Reef Lighthouse for abundant marine life that, thankfully, does not include alligators.
A family-friendly getaway for
salt-lifers
Thanks to its central position, Marathon is known as the heart of The Florida Keys. It's comprised of 13 islands. It's also where you'll find the famous Seven Mile bridge. Beside the "new" bridge (built 1978-1982), you'll find the historic bridge that was once part of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad—the ill-fated first land route to Key West. It's been restored with enhanced safety features and is now a beloved pedestrian and bike route. At its end, you'll find Pigeon Key, a 5-acre island with a visitor's center, railroad museum and a beach for snorkeling or fishing.
There are many kid-pleasing attractions in the region, like Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, pictured here, and The Turtle Hospital, a nonprofit animal rehab center. The island community is also a haven for boating. On top of its thousands of boat slips for residents and frequent visitors, there are numerous boat rental and charter options for those who just want to experience the salt life for a weekend or so.
An off-the-grid hideaway
Untouched nature, secluded beaches and a taste of unhurried life are what you'll find in the The Lower Keys. Amid these 13 less developed islands, you'll find a wide variety of bird and animal life, plus fantastic paddling, snorkeling and fishing opportunities.
The National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key is the protected home of the tiny deer species that's native to this area. The Blue Hole Observation Platform, just a short walk from the refuge's parking lot, gives visitors a prime opportunity to witness osprey, anhinga and many other bird species. Pristine ecosystems you'll find throughout the islands include marshland, beaches, sand flats, tidal flats and mangroves, among others. Snorkel around 5.8-mile Looe Key Reef to witness schools of parrotfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish and angelfish.
The southernmost playground
There's not another place on earth like eclectic, vibrant and historic Key West. The island earns its fame as a laid-back place to play, engage with a vibrant arts community and thoroughly be one's self. From the daring street performers at Mallory Square to the legendary pubs and live music spots on Duval Street to flamboyant drag shows and low-key wine bars, there's something new to experience around every corner of this pastel playground.
Visitors can get a crash course in Key West's considerable history with a self-guided tour of its 120 Historic Markers. Names like Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and President William Howard Taft are just a few that feature in the stories of the distinctive frame buildings about town.
SEE
OFFERS
SEE
OFFERS
SEE
OFFERS
SEE
OFFERS
SEE
OFFERS