Taking a Florida Keys highway journey on the Abroad Freeway from Key Largo right down to Key West is a traditional American highway journey. Solar in your pores and skin, wind in your hair, your highway journey playlist jamming, cruising alongside this chain of islands — it’s a journey everybody ought to take of their lifetime, whether or not it’s with their household, buddies, or on their very own.
This 113-mile journey travels by way of small vacationer cities, over Seven Mile Bridge (a Florida landmark), and previous glowing water in additional shades of blue than your common crayon field. It is likely one of the most scenic drives in Florida and if a Florida Keys roadtrip isn’t in your bucket record, it must be.
HOw Many Days Do You Must Drive the Florida Keys?
Technically you may full a Florida Keys highway journey in a day, because the drive sometimes takes about 5 hours with none lengthy stops. Nevertheless, you must actually attempt to embrace the relaxed perspective of locals (or the “Conchs” as they name the locals in Key West) and take your time.
I’d advocate that you simply cease and keep not less than two nights someplace within the center keys, both in Key Largo or Marathon. This permits you extra time to take pleasure in a number of the actions and water sports activities, like kayaking within the Florida Keys.
There are 5 main areas within the string of small islands that make up the Florida Keys. From north to south these are: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, the Decrease Keys, and Key West. Every area presents a unique vibe and points of interest, so it is smart to discover a couple of locations alongside the way in which. In any other case, you would possibly as nicely simply skip the highway journey and fly to Key West — however you then miss a lot of the great things!
Attending to the Florida Keys
Attending to the Florida Keys is fairly simple, as you could find direct flights from throughout the nation to both Miami or Fort Lauderdale. From Miami Worldwide Airport to Key Largo takes about an hour, and it is just a bit additional (1.5 hours) from Fort Lauderdale.
In case you are restricted in time, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about driving a technique and flying out of the opposite, simply remember that it’s possible you’ll incur some extra automotive rental charges for a one-way drop-off.
Greatest Time to Take a Key West Highway Journey
Since Key West is the Southernmost level within the continental USA, a Florida Keys highway journey might be an effective way to flee the winter chilly, making December by way of Might peak season. Whereas the Florida Keys are fashionable with snowbirds, you may take pleasure in this enjoyable vacation spot year-round. Simply remember that the summer time months might be brutally sizzling and humid, so it’s best to plan water actions. You additionally have to be careful for afternoon thunderstorms.
The one time to probably keep away from is prime hurricane season from August by way of November, as you by no means know what to anticipate and evacuating on the Florida Keys might be difficult as there is only one highway out and in of this island chain.
The place to Keep on a Florida Keys Roadtrip
Word: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. For those who click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. My latest journey was hosted by The Florida Keys and Key West, and we acquired complimentary lodging, transportation, and a few actions. All opinions are my very own.
For those who solely have a protracted weekend, it is smart to hightail it right down to Key West for the length. Or, skip the lengthy drive and keep within the larger Keys like Key Largo or Islamorada. Nevertheless, if in case you have 4 nights or extra to your Florida Keys itinerary, think about splitting up your keep.
I just lately took a Florida Keys women’ journey with my podcast companion Kim, and we spent two nights in Key Largo at Baker’s Cay Resort. Situated within the southern a part of Key Largo, it’s a nice jumping-off spot for exploring the close by Keys.
We additionally had dinner and a spa remedy on the Playa Largo Resort, a Marriott Autograph property, close by, which had an incredible pool and waterfront space for households.
On a earlier household journey to the Keys, we stayed at Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, which is a wonderful selection for households and nice for venturing into close by Marathon.
When you arrive in Key West, you’ve got the choice of staying on the town or saving a bit cash by staying simply exterior of city on Inventory Island. On our lady’s journey, we stayed on the Perry Lodge Key West on Inventory Island, a boutique resort that provides shuttle service to the seashore and downtown.
Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo
Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo is a part of the Curio Assortment by Hilton. As with many Curio properties, this renovated property maintains the native character. The gorgeous public areas provide many areas to calm down and hang around, from swings on the patio to the library and video games space off the foyer.
There are two eating places on the property, in addition to a seashore bar that serves up complimentary champagne at sundown, and a meals truck and bar on the pool.
The rooms at Baker’s Cay have been refreshed, however the constructing nonetheless maintains outside corridors. There are two wings of the resort, one fronting Hammock Seaside, which is a tiny seashore tucked beneath the mangroves, and the opposite close to sundown seashore, which is the primary seashore that includes the dock and water actions.
Understand that the seashores within the Florida Keys are comparatively small, lined with palm bushes and some rows of seashore chairs. The actual attraction of the seashore space is the clear water and outside actions.
You’ll be able to ebook all types of excursions and water sports activities from the resort, together with wave runners and paddle boarding. Children additionally love the problem of the resort ABC scavenger hunt, with letters scattered all through the property.
Perry Lodge Key West
The Perry Lodge is positioned on Inventory Island, an up-and-coming space roughly 20 minutes exterior of downtown Key West. This trendy, boutique resort caters to younger households, teams, and {couples}.
Despite the fact that the resort isn’t inside strolling distance to downtown, they do provide scooters for lease for $45 a day, or free shuttle service on the hour from mid-morning by way of the night.
In fact, you may all the time hang around on the resort. Hire a cabana across the pool, hand around in a hammock, take pleasure in an tour from the marina subsequent door, take pleasure in oysters on the pool bar, or expertise fabulous sea-to-table eating at Matt’s Inventory Island Kitchen and Bar.
The rooms are as tastefully adorned as the general public areas, many providing balconies overlooking the pool. The Perry Lodge Key West is a superb selection for these in search of sensible, inexpensive luxurious who wish to keep out of the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Extra Key West Lodge Choices
Locations to Cease on a Florida Keys Highway Journey Itinerary
While you’re staying within the Key Largo space, take a while to discover. It’s identified for its fishing and scuba diving, and close by Islamorada is likely one of the cutest small cities in Florida. Different points of interest embrace:
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
The underwater playground of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a must-visit and first cease in your Key West drive. This undersea park covers 70 nautical sq. miles, whose coral reefs might be explored by glass-bottom boat, scuba, or snorkeling expedition to see marine life and tropical fish. Upland areas provide mangrove swamps, strolling trails, picnic tables, swimming, and a customer heart.
Lunch at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen is a long-time favourite of locals and vacationers, as you may inform from the license plates lining the partitions. Attempt the crab desserts or the conch fritters, simply you should definitely save room for some key lime pie.
See extra solutions on the place to eat in Key Largo!
Robbie’s of Islamorada
Robbie’s Marina is likely one of the hottest locations within the Keys and a should cease in your Florida Key highway journey. Most guests cease right here to feed the tarpon fish, buying buckets of fish and paying an entrance price to entry the docks. Nevertheless, there’s additionally a restaurant and bar on website referred to as the Hungry Tarpon. Simply be sure to arrive early as a result of the parking zone fills up quick.
Robbie’s additionally presents all types of water excursions, together with snorkeling, parasailing, scuba, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing charters. We took a snorkeling tour from Robbie’s out to Alligator Reef (don’t fear, there aren’t any alligators, though you may even see a nurse shark!) It was fairly uneven on the day we went out, so in the event you get seasick it’s possible you’ll wish to inquire about situations earlier than you board.
Boat Excursions
You may additionally wish to think about a glass-bottom boat tour or sundown cruise with Key Largo Princess. The glass-bottom boat tour will let you see the underwater world of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Key Largo Nationwide Marine Sanctuary with out going beneath the water!
For those who take my recommendation and spend a few nights in Key Largo earlier than heading right down to Key West, you’ll nonetheless have fairly a drive in entrance of you. The journey from Key Largo to Key West took us almost 5 hours, with a couple of stops alongside the way in which.
For extra stops in your Florida Keys highway journey, try these choices.
Marathon
In case you are getting hungry whereas driving by way of Marathon, plan to cease for lunch at Island Fish Co. and Tiki Bar, which is a superb spot to catch the sundown too. Or head off the freeway to go to Burdine’s Waterfront Marina. Each have a scrumptious fried key lime pie, however Burdine’s is fairly distinctive and served chimichanga model.
While you’re there, cease and go to the ocean turtles at The Turtle Hospital, with rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured turtles. Simply remember that reservations are really useful.
Bahia Honda State Park
Despite the fact that the Florida Keys aren’t identified for its seashores (see this record of the finest Florida Seashores), Bahia Honda State Park is claimed to be one of the vital lovely seashores within the nation. It makes cease for a day or simply some seashore time at Bahia Honda Key.
Massive Pine Key
Simply after Bahia Honda State Park, you’ll enter Massive Pine Key. That is residence to the Nationwide Key Deer Refuge so be sure to drive slowly by way of this space and preserve your eyes peeled for the native key deer. These tiny creatures are fairly cute and never too onerous to search out.
Cease for lunch or a drink on the No Identify Pub. It appears like an area joint however regardless of being off the freeway, loads of vacationers have already discoverd it. No Identify Pub is usually identified for his or her rooster wings and the tons of of greenback payments that grasp from the ceiling and partitions.
Issues to do in Key West
Quickly you’ll arrive at your closing vacation spot…Key West…the Conch Republic. You’ll be able to simply spend every week having fun with Key West, particularly in the event you take pleasure in getting out on the water. Remember to plan to remain not less than two or three nights to get an actual style of the Keys. Simply be careful you don’t get “Keys illness” and find yourself shifting down there like so most of the individuals you’ll meet down there.
Along with procuring on Duval Avenue, trying out the Key West Aquarium, stopping on the Butterfly Conservatory, visiting Ernest Hemingway’s home, and getting a photograph opp on the Southernmost Level within the Continental United States marker, listed below are another enjoyable issues to do in Key West. And if in case you have the time, I’d advocate a day journey to Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park.
Sundown Celebration at Mallory Sq.
Key West sunsets are well-known, as are the Sundown Celebrations at Mallory Sq.. You can see meals carts and all types of avenue performers from hearth jugglers to tightrope-walking cats. Simply you should definitely line up on the water’s edge early to get a main spot for watching the sundown.
The Sundown Deck on the Margaritaville Key West Lodge is a main sundown viewing alternative. For those who can’t discover a seat there, or if a cruise ship is obstructing your view, head over to Sundown Pier and stake out a rail-side desk. In fact, the perfect place to see the sundown can be over at Latitudes at Sundown Key.
Sundown Catamaran Cruise
Don’t miss a sundown when you are in Key West. After having fun with one night in Mallory Sq., get out on the water for an unobstructed view. There are lots of several types of sundown cruises, from main social gathering boats with reside music and disco lights, to smaller catamaran cruises.
We picked a sundown catamaran with Sebago Key West. There was loads of room to maneuver across the catamaran and the crew was very attentive. The cruise included an open bar of wine and beer, together with 4 programs of sunshine bites together with cheeseburger sliders and key lime tarts.
I’d additionally advocate the two-hour sundown cruise with Wild Dolphin Adventures or the sundown and snorkel combo sail with Sundown Sail Key West.
Island Journey Tour
Key West has a couple of seashores, however to expertise the Keys, you could spend time on the water. You will discover each sort of water exercise, however one which we beloved was the Island Journey Eco-tour from Fury Key West.
This half-day tour included breakfast and lunch. It began with a brief snorkel time in a coral backyard, the place we noticed loads of sponges. Subsequent, we headed out to Girl Key for an eco-kayaking tour alongside the mangroves. We additionally had loads of time to hang around on the sandbar and paddle board.
On the way in which again we even lucked out by recognizing a pod of dolphins alongside the aspect of the boat. This was such a enjoyable tour, however you should definitely deliver loads of reef-safe sunscreens and solar hat as a result of the solar is powerful out on the water.
Key West Meals Excursions
In case you are a foodie, ensure to enroll in an tour with Key West Meals Excursions. They provide a seafood tour, Cuban tour, and cocktail tour. We took a seafood tour with Rose, who was a tremendous information and former chef and he made the tour so attention-grabbing.
We sampled meals in 5 totally different areas and ended our day at a brewery. In case you are in search of extra meal solutions, you should definitely try my suggestions on the place to eat in Key West.
And that wraps up your Florida Keys highway journey. If you could lower your time brief, you may all the time ebook a one-way automotive rental and fly again from Key West. In any other case, use your return journey to hit a number of the locations you could have missed in your drive down.
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