The Florida Keys are one of the most laid-back and unique things to do in Key West, Florida, in the United States. Situated 120 miles off the southeast coast of Florida, this sunny paradise fringed with palm trees is a popular destination for snorkelling, diving, boating, fishing, most popular beaches, camping, unique places and taking in the breezy, barefoot vibes characteristic of the Sunshine State. In addition, it has many of my most priceless childhood memories. Unique Things To Do In Florida Keys.
Remember that the term “the Keys” might refer to any number of locations: the northernmost key, things to do in key largo; key west attractions, which is over two hours distant; or any other key in between, including Tavernier, Islamorada, and Marathon. With its airport and many attractions, Key West is arguably the most well-liked destination for tourists, while Key Largo is the nearest for those travelling from Miami.
best things to do in the florida keys
Attend a festival or two
Florida’s profusion of festivals throughout the year proves that its residents have a good time. Visit Key West at the Key Lime Festival, Mango Fest, or its most well-known occasion, Fantasy Fest, an annual 10-day street celebration with various festivities.
Go snorkeling
You haven’t truly visited the Keys if you depart without submerging yourself in its azure waters. Whether you swim offshore from a beach or arrange for a chartered cruise to take you out to any of the hundreds of stunning, fish-filled coral reefs or shipwrecks, there are many fantastic snorkelling places throughout the islands.
Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s of Islamorada
Suppose you’ve ever wanted to feed the tarpon by hand at Robbie’s of Islamorada for $2.50 and experience facing a fish twice your size. It’s one of those exhilarating Florida-only pastimes that will add some spice to your scrapbook. You’ll receive a heaping side of entertainment even if you only want to eat lunch at this eatery.
Eat Key lime pie
Key lime pie is what the Florida Keys are to America what apple pie is to America, so make sure you grab a taste before you go. My favorite is the version at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, which has two locations in Key Largo, that is served ice cold, crusted with graham crackers and topped with whipped cream. Delicious frozen Key lime pie wrapped in Belgian chocolate is available at Kermit’s and Mattheessen’s in Key West.
Eat a sloppy joe at Sloppy Joe’s
Established on the day that Prohibition was lifted in 1933, Sloppy Joe’s has been a staple of the Key West community ever since. Savor The Original Sloppy Joe Sandwich, a blend of ground beef, onions, peppers, and spices, while taking in live music, dancing, and people-watching.
Learn about local history
Places like the Truman Little White House, Florida’s only presidential museum, where you can tour Harry Truman’s Winter White House from 1946 to 1952, and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, a National Historic Landmark where you can take a guided tour and see Civil War cannons, offer glimpses into the history of the Keys. A trip in one of President Truman’s vintage limos at the later museum is part of the VIP White Glove Tour.
Eat at The Fish House
It is impossible to visit the Florida Keys and not consume an abundance of fresh seafood. One taste of the mahi Matecumbe at The Fish House, one of the few restaurants that still purchases fish directly from nearby commercial fishermen and filets it completely on-site, will give you a whole new perspective on life, even if you’re not a seafood fan.
Go deep-sea fishing
Have you ever desired to hook a fierce sailfish or haul in a huge tuna? Or may you want to catch your grouper, wahoo, or snapper? The water is teeming with fish, and plenty of charters are available for half-day and full-day fishing excursions, making the Keys an excellent location to fulfil your deep-sea fishing fantasies.
Go scuba diving
Scuba diving in the Keys is unquestionably superior to snorkelling there. Because there are so many accessible dive sites in Key Largo, such as historical shipwrecks and vibrant coral reefs, the area is known as the “Dive Capital of the World.” This area is also home to the world’s third-largest live barrier reef. Make a reservation for a diving excursion for half or a full day to discover the excitement. Are you not accredited? At Rainbow Reef Dive Center in Key Largo, you can schedule a one-day introductory course or earn your open-water certification in three days.
Dry Tortugas National Park
You have never visited a national park quite like Dry Tortugas National Park, which is 99 per cent underwater and 70 miles from the mainland. Part of the attraction is its remote and challenging position (you can only get here by boat or seaplane) and its amazing blue waters and old fort.
Go camping
In the Keys, camping is an inexpensive and enjoyable way to see a different aspect of this breezy paradise. One of the nicest spots to camp in Florida is at Bahia Honda State Park, which offers both RV sites with water and electricity hookups and rustic campsites.
Find No Name Pub
No Name Pub lives up to its motto—”a nice place if you can find it”—with its quirky vibe and surprising location. Despite being there for almost a century, this Big Pine Key mainstay is still not well-known and difficult to locate. Look out for the adorable and diminutive native Key deer while you search.
Drink Cuban coffee
Given that Key West and Cuba are only 90 miles apart, it is understandable why the Keys have some of the greatest Cuban coffee. Visit the well-known Cuban Coffee Queen in Key West or Morita’s Cuban Cafe in Cudjoe Key.
Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.
Grab a cup of Cuban coffee and head to the Southernmost Point of the Continental United States of America, which is a concrete buoy that is anchored and indicates the lowest latitude of the states that make up North America. No one will think you visited best things to do in key west without taking a picture in front of this monument (as well as Mile Marker Zero on Whitehead Street), even if there is always a line.
Hemingway Home and Museum
The Hemingway Home and Museum, the mansion of famed American author Ernest Hemingway during the 1930s, features an extensive exhibition of the bizarre history of the Florida Keys. The primary draw is the colony of six-toed cats that dwell in and around the house, primarily descended from Snow White, a cat that a ship captain gave to Hemingway. The studio, garden, and house itself all interesting as well.
Try local brews at Islamorada Beer Company.
The sole brewery and distillery in the things to do in key largo, Islamorada Beer Company, is a great place to relax if you enjoy a cold beer. This craft beer haven features over 60 beers, merchandise, cocktail sampling, and a pet-friendly garden. In particular, the Key lime coconut ale is delightful.
Watch the sunset
You can expect breathtaking sunsets from almost anywhere in the Keys because only a narrow strip of land separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Florida Bay. However, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar in Marathon, which has a view of the famous Seven Mile Bridge, is one of the best places in the Keys to watch sunsets.
Underwater hotel in the United States.
There are many distinctive places to stay in the Keys, but Key Largo Undersea Park’s Jules Undersea Lodge is exceptional. This things to do in key largo overnight stay involves a scuba dive to get situated 30 feet below the ocean floor, including dinnertime pizza delivery.
Order conch fritters
The modest conch fritter, a Bahamian speciality of fried sea snail that most people agree is wonderful, is a prime example of Floribbean cuisine. The Conch Republic, so named by Key West’s “micronation” when it angrily broke away in 1982, is the best site outside the Bahamas to enjoy conch fritters.
Little Palm Island
Little Palm Island, the only private island resort in America and the epitome of luxury island living is sometimes called “paradise on earth.” It’s four acres of island pleasure with fifteen thatched-roof bungalows, a restaurant, spa, pool, Naturally, they each feature views of the ocean and a copper soaking tub.
Run, bike, or rollerblade the Old Seven Mile Bridge
A pedestrian-only section of the bridge, which runs parallel to the current Seven Mile Bridge and the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, reopened for walking, bicycling, and rolling 65 feet above the Atlantic Ocean following a multi-year repair.
Climb a lighthouse
There are six historic lighthouses in the florida keys activities, including things to do in key west Lighthouse, so seeing the world from a different angle is one of many things to do while visiting. Alligator Reef Lighthouse is a popular snorkelling location, distinguishing it from a real lighthouse.
Experience old Florida at the Caribbean Club
The Caribbean Club is the oldest bar in the Upper Keys, opening its doors in 1938. Not to mention the sunsets, live music, and Key lemon pie rum punch—this restaurant is well-known, but it gained notoriety in 1947 when Humphrey Bogart shot the film “unique things to do in key largo”.
Snorkel to see Jesus.
John Pennekamp State Park is the best place in the Keys for snorkelling. It is home to some of the unusual things to do in key west, nicest reefs in the area as well as the undersea Christ of the Abyss, an Italian sculptor Guido Galletti’s figure of Jesus that is submerged 25 feet below the surface of the ocean.
Swim with dolphins
Although I generally oppose interactions between caged animals, the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key is one location that does it well. This 90,000 square foot saltwater lagoon “dolphinarium” is a nonprofit research and education center that is home to bottlenose dolphins and a few California sea lions.
