Florida Keys
My trip to the Florida Keys took me into a tropical paradise, with a string of beautiful islands covered in brilliant white sand and palm trees. They were connected by long bridges, each town with its own waterfront restaurants featuring inexpensive happy hours, beachfront accommodations, and spectacular big sky sunsets.
GETTING THERE
Most people drive to the Florida Keys from Miami International Airport MIA or Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL, heading down the scenic Overseas Highway. It's also possible to fly directly via Key West International Airport EYW or Florida Keys Marathon Airport MTH, and some people arrive on cruise ships.
The island chain starts with Key Largo in the north, and ends with Key West, some 100 miles down. It can be driven in a day, but not advised, it's simply too stunning not to savor.
AMAZING EXCURSIONS
Key Largo was the largest of the islands and home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It's the first underwater park in the USA and it offered access to the Florida Reef. The park had boat trips, snorkeling trips, equipment rentals, food, and a visitor's center. Reservations for the trips could be made online in advance, and they sold out quickly. I took a boat trip out on the warm baby blue water, and I also snorkeled from the shore at Cannon Beach. Underwater, there was a cool replica shipwreck, seagrasses, small shells, and some tropical fish. The beach had real historic cannons dotting the sand. There were also many hikes through the park's mangrove swamps and an observation tower.
Key Largo itself was a brilliant white island, a combination of white limestone and coral crumbles making up the surface. It had high-end resorts, mid-range hotels, small beach inns, and plenty of marinas with Manatees slowly swimming around. It also had seaside restaurants, offering excellent happy hour deals, and sweeping views.
Heading down the so-called Overseas Highway, I passed so many spectacular beaches and islands, there's simply too many to name. The Seven Mile Bridge was an engineering marvel connecting the upper Florida Keys to the lower Florida Keys. Plenty of beaches, restaurants, hotels, and shops lined the highway. Islamorada and Marathon Key were popular destinations for fishing, and water sports. There were also a couple of Dolphin Research Centers and a Turtle Hospital.
The highway finally ended in Key West, Ernest Hemingway's favorite spot. The legendary writer's legacy was found throughout the island, inside the restaurants, and at his home, which is now a museum. Also on the museum grounds were the famous six toed Hemingway cats. Yes, real cats, lounging everywhere. One of the busiest times in Key West was Fantasy Fest, a wild party which lasted several days and included a lively parade. It was a fun spectacle, but I will say not everyone was completely dressed!
My trip to the Florida Keys was an adventure filled with fabulous islands, wonderful beaches, restaurants with happy hour deals, lots of water sports, and spectacular sunsets. A journey to the Keys could be a standalone trip, or easily combined with Miami, the Everglades and other lively towns across Florida.
