beaches florida keys |

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.

The popular Lower Keys park is perfect for kayak outings. You can kayak around the island or head out to tiny picturesque Little Bahia Honda Island.

In honor of the 100th birthday of US national parks, here’s a park that deserves to be on your must-see list. We loved camping at Dry Tortugas National Park off the Florida Keys. It takes some time, money and effort, but, wow, does it pay off.

For a quick trip to the Keys, consider Gilbert’s Resort. The upgraded 1950s-era motel and tiki bar is the first lodging you reach on the road to Key Largo. Then, kayak nearby Garden Cove and discover its picturesque sunken barge, a good place to snorkel.

Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge and Campground offers a quiet lower Keys alternative to the hustle and bustle of Islamorada and Marathon.

Key West has so many restaurants that it’s hard to make a decision where to eat. Next time I go, though, I have an intriguing list of restaurants filled with local color and character– and I’m sharing it with you. It comes from a fellow blogger who ate his way through Key West recently.

Sure, the Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys is a scenic drive. But wouldn’t it be beautiful to take it really slowly and see everything? That’s what Tamara Scharf did. She walked from Key Largo to Key West, alone and in six days. Here’s her story, with tips on how you can walk the best sections she experienced.

EVERGLADES CITY — Whitewater paddling in the Everglades? Well, almost. The tides move in and out of the Ten Thousand Islands so quickly, the water rushes and ripples through the passes, so you need to catch the current going in the right direction if you want to make headway.

EVERGLADES CITY — One of my favorite Florida getaways is to boat out to the outer islands and camp for a weekend on a remote, pristine beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico.

This isolated cluster of islands 70 miles west of Key West is accessible only by boat or seaplane. But treasures await you, especially if you camp over for a few nights. Yes, you can camp here! Snorkeling and kayaking, too!

The charming Riverview Hotel accommodates guests at the gateway to New Smyrna Beach’s arts and entertainment district, a half-mile strip of historic homes, quaint galleries and friendly pubs leading to one of Florida’s most popular beaches.

FloridaRambler.com is published by Florida Rambler Media Partnership to serve an unmet need for reliable information about things to do outdoors in the authentic Florida. Our stories are 100% original, produced exclusively for our readers and based on personal experiences. Our writers are experienced Florida journalists writing about our state’s beaches, hiking, bicycling, canoe and …