No doubt about it: Key West is expensive. But despite its small size, Key West is packed with things to do and see — and some are even free. Here are a half dozen places to go where you’ll soak up Key West culture without opening your wallet.
A different view of Marathon from the moorings of Boot Key Harbor, the heart and soul of the Keys’ vibrant maritime community.
One of our favorite stops on the drive down the Florida Keys is Anne’s Beach in Islamorada. Located at mile marker 73.5, Anne’s Beach is a rare thing in the Florida Keys – a natural sandy beach. And it’s free.
Legendary diners, cafes and dives — our favorite roadside restaurants along the scenic Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys.
There are thousands of things to do in the Florida Keys, but these 8 activities are a must for your bucket list.
Like a lot of visitors, for years I had overlooked Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on my visits to Key West because it is tucked away out of sight. But the historic fort and great beach are worth discovering.
Visitors Guide with things to do in Key Largo includes dive and snorkel tours, kayak trails and rental locations, parks and beaches on Key Largo, restaurants and bars, places to stay, places to camp, RV services and where to find groceries.
There are excellent reasons to stop in Islamorada on your Florida Keys trip. Kayak to Indian Key, feed the tarpon at Robbie’s Marina, visit two craft breweries, plus there’s a cluster of cultural attractions and a top-notch museum.
Key West has a lot of off-beat charms, but one of my favorites has always been the chickens that you hear crowing and see strutting everywhere. But don’t feed them! It’s now against the law. Learn about the fascinating feral fowl that are part of Key West’s funky charm.
Florida Keys state parks are some of the most intriguing & beautiful places in the Keys. Some are little-known & off the beaten path. Get our insider tips.
With their big eyes and tiny size, this endangered species is easy to love. Visitors to the Keys often want to know where to see Key deer. Now there’s a new free nature center in Big Pine Key in the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge.
Visitors who think Key West “has been ruined” often blame the huge cruise ships that are frequent visitors spewing thousands of day-trippers onto the island. That might be changing, as Key West residents passed three referendums Nov. 3 requiring cruise ships to be smaller and fewer.
A new and improved guide to the scenic Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys with points of interest, restaurants, campgrounds and lodging, kayaking and beaches with expanded descriptions, photos and highlights.
Ernest Hemingway ended up in Key West like many others — by accident. He came for a day and stayed for a decade, and his influence is unmistakable.
I asked our friend, Key West guidebook writer Karuna Eberl, if she’d like to write about what it’s like being in the Florida Keys during this quarantine. She and her husband live on Cudjoe Key and I wondered how empty the Keys must feel without tourists. I didn’t expect this moving reply.
Once the site of a luxury resort for the rich and famous, Long Key State Park is a terrific place to spend a few hours hiking, beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking in the Florida Keys. While most of its highly prized beachfront campsites are closed, a few tent sites are open.
You’re looking for inexpensive lodging and you find Key West houseboat rentals on Airbnb or VRBO. Before you book, read our tips & questions to ask.