To the south of Miami are the Florida Keys, a chain of coral islands of varying size that extend for more than 110 miles between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
Until a devastating hurricane in 1935, they were linked by a rail line extending to Key West, from which there were boats to Havana, Cuba. The boldly engineered Overseas Highway, US 1, now runs over 42 bridges and numerous artificial causeways to the south-eastern tip of the United States. The little islands of Sands Key, Elliot Key, Cotton Key, and old Rhodes Key, lying off Biscayne Bay, are currently a part of the Biscayne National Underwater Park, established in 1980. Off Key Largo are the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. The Florida Keys are filled with beautiful wildlife, expansive beaches, and plenty of water adventure opportunities, including snorkeling, diving, and swimming with the dolphins. Tourists will realize many interesting history here too, particularly because of pirates who used to call the Keys home.
Here are top 10 best things to do in Florida Keys.
1. Duval Street, Key West
Duval Street, which runs from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point marker, is home to museums, souvenir shops, galleries, and cafes.
An excellent place to people-watch whereas sightseeing, Duval Street hosts many annual events and parades, as well as the hemingway Days festival every summer and also the Fantasy Fest, a ten-day costume party each October. Duval Street is home to some of Key West's most historic attractions, including the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Southernmost House, and the former Strand Theater.
2. Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is home to what is undoubtedly the nicest beach in the Keys, and one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. The park really has 2 separate beach areas, one giant stretch facing the open ocean, and another smaller beach area that looks across to the old railroad bridge. Views are impressive from either side. The park covers approximately 400 acres and offers snorkeling boat tours, beach equipment rental, and concessions.
3. Dry Tortugas National Park
Located in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, seventy miles from key west, Dry Tortugas parkland is accessible solely by boat or seaplane. This archipelago of seven beach-ringed islands is also home to Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fortification that takes up one island in its entirety. The park is a favorite among snorkelers and divers for its coral and seagrass, as well as the numerous shipwrecks that can be easily spotted under the surface. Popular snorkeling spots are the Historic Coaling Pier, Fort Jefferson's moat wall, and Garden Key's coral heads.
4. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West
Visitors can tour the home, which is furnished with many of the original pieces, including Hemingway's prized collection of 17th- and 18th-century Spanish furniture. The gardens surrounding the home are a main attraction here as well, famous not only for the many species of flowers but for the 40-plus cats who reside here, all of whom are descendants of Hemingway's original pet cats. 5. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Off Key Largo are John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where the rich underwater life and a number of wrecks attract many snorkelers and scuba divers. The park has a small swimming area with a shell-covered beach, but many people come here to snorkel or dive. There are picnic areas and an information center with displays on the habitats and marine life. A variety of tours are available, including glass-bottom boat tours for a close-up look at the world beneath the ocean surface.
The longest of the Florida keys, Key Largo may be a good introduction to the Keys life-style, with several marinas, tackle shops, and diving opportunities.
5. Mallory Square, Key West
Mallory sq. is a spirited area in old town key west that's best legendary for its nightly sunset celebration. Each evening, entertainers and vendors gather to create a festive atmosphere while tourists admire the iconic sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. You will find an interesting mix of performances, from tightrope-walking cats and dogs on unicycles to sword swallowing and fire juggling. Mallory sq. is additionally home to many shops, as well as the key west Sponge Market, a place wherever you can relish their tiny museum dedicated to the sponge-harvesting industry that supported Key West in years past. You will also find several surf shops, a treasure-hunting store, and other specialty boutiques. Mallory sq. is additionally the last stop on the conch Tour Train route, that takes tourists on a 90-minute sightseeing tour of the old city, that includes stops at Truval Village, near Duval Street, where you can hop off to explore some of the area's attractions and popular things to do, including the Southernmost Point and the Key West Lighthouse.
6. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Off Key Largo are John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where the rich underwater life and a number of wrecks attract many snorkelers and scuba divers. The park has a small swimming area with a shell-covered beach, but many people come here to snorkel or dive. There are picnic areas and an information center with displays on the habitats and marine life. A variety of tours are available, including glass-bottom boat tours for a close-up look at the world beneath the ocean surface. The longest of the Florida keys, Key Largo is a good introduction to the Keys lifestyle, with several marinas, tackle shops, and diving opportunities.
7. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory provides visitors with the unique opportunity to wander the glass-enclosed conservatory where nearly 60 species of butterflies soar freely among the plant-filled habitat, accompanied by more than 20 species of exotic birds. Visitors can also learn about the butterfly life cycle in the Learning Center, where you can view a 15-minute educational film, see various exhibits that look at different types of butterflies, and view live caterpillars in all stages of the life cycle.
8. National Key Deer Refuge
Located between Marathon and Key West, Big Pine Key is home to Key deer and the National Key Deer Refuge.The refuge was established in 1957 and was created as a sanctuary for the endangered Key deer, which were almost non-existent by the 1950s due to hunting.
9. Dolphin Research Center
The Dolphin Research Center allows visitors to learn about Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Experience the different "dolphinalities" during narrated sessions and watch the trainers interact with the dolphins. Dolphin-lovers will also enjoy a tour of Island Dolphin Care on Key Largo, a facility that teams up with dolphins to provide unique therapy for people with various health conditions.
10. Turtle Hospital
Visitors to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon get the unique opportunity to learn about the process of rehabilitating injured sea turtles at one of the state's top rescue facilities. The Education center is open daily, and there are 90-minute guided tours available hourly that allow you to see the sea turtle rehabilitation tanks, the hospital area, and even feed the permanent residents who cannot be released back into the wild. The center performs medical treatment for sea turtles and emergency rescue for turtles stranded by tropical storms and has rehabilitated and released more than 1,500 since the hospital was founded in 1986.
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