Getaways to the authentic Florida
You don’t have to go all the way to Key West for a Florida Keys experience. Islamorada, two hours from Miami, is worth the trip on its own. You can kayak to historic islands, feed the tarpon at Robbie’s Marina, visit two craft breweries, take a snorkeling boat tour, even visit a top-notch museum.
The best road food along the Overseas Highway is served out of a handful of iconic kitchens, legendary Florida Keys diners and dive bars.
Once the site of a luxury resort for the rich and famous, Long Key State Park is a lovely place to spend a few hours hiking, beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. There are even three primitive tent camping sites.
The bike trail down the Florida Keys — the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail — is not complete, but here are four sections that offer scenic and safe rides.
For 66 years, a non-profit devoted to historic preservation has convinced the owners of some of the most interesting homes in Key West to open them to visitors for a good cause. For four winter weekends, you can tour historic homes and support historic preservation.
Snorkel, dive or ride a glass-bottom boat to view coral reefs at what many consider Florida’s #1 state park. There’s kayaking and camping, too!
It is possible to go to Key West on a budget. Here are some frugal tips on lodging, interesting budget restaurants and free places to go.
One of my favorite stops on the drive down the Florida Keys is Anne’s Beach, a shallow, free beach in Islamorada. I bet you don’t know the story of Anne, after whom it is named.
There’s so much to do in Key West, it’s easy to bypass the Key West Botanical Garden. But if you love unusual plants, you’ll be charmed by this serene place.
If you’ve ever dreamed about exploring a deserted tropical island, here’s your chance: Take your kayak down to the Florida Keys and paddle out to Indian Key State Park to explore jungly ruins and snorkel a rocky shoreline.