12 Top-Rated Attractions & Points to Do in the Florida Keys
To the south of Miami are the Florida Keys, a chain of reefs islands that expand for greater than 110 miles between the Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
Until a devastating cyclone in 1935, they were connected by a rail line including Secret West, from which there were boats to Havana, Cuba. The frankly engineered Overseas Highway, US 1 now runs over 42 bridges and also various man-made embankments to the southeastern tip of the USA.
Lots of people quickly think of Trick West when they contemplate the best areas to see in the Florida Keys, yet there is much more to see. The little islands of Sands Trick, Elliot Secret, Cotton Key, and also Old Rhodes Secret, lying off Biscayne Bay, are currently part of the Biscayne National Underwater Park, developed in 1980. Off Trick Largo are the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park as well as the Trick Largo National Marine Shelter.
The Florida Keys are full of wild animals, spread beaches, lovely hotels, and a lot of water experience chances, consisting of snorkeling, diving, and swimming with the dolphins. Travelers can locate lots of intriguing background right here, as well, specifically thanks to pirates that made use of to call the Keys house.
Strategy your journey to the islands with our checklist of the top attractions in the Florida Keys.
1. Duval Street, Trick West
Duval Street, Key West
Duval Road, which runs from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point marker, is house to museums, keepsake stores, galleries, and cafés.
A superb location to people-watch while sightseeing and tour, Duval Street hosts numerous yearly events and parades, consisting of the Hemingway Days event each summer season and the Dream Feast, a ten-day costume celebration each October.
Duval Road is residence to some of Trick West's most historical destinations, consisting of the Ernest Hemingway Residence and Museum, the Southernmost Home, and also the former Hair Cinema.
Learn more:
Premier Traveler Attractions in Secret West
2. Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is house to what is undoubtedly the best beach in the Keys, and among one of the most gorgeous beaches in Florida The park actually has 2 separate coastline areas, one large stretch facing the open sea, as well as an additional smaller sized beach area that looks throughout to the old railroad bridge.
Sights go over from either side. The park covers roughly 400 acres as well as provides snorkeling watercraft scenic tours, beach devices service, and also giving ins. There is also a camping site location, as well as barbecue websites.
Address: 36850 Abroad Freeway, Big Pine Trick, Florida.
Official website: www.bahiahondapark.com
3. Dry Tortugas National Forest
Dry Tortugas National Forest
Found in the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, 70 miles from Key West, Dry Tortugas National forest comes just by boat or seaplane, although many people do this as part of a trip. You can take a Dry Tortugas National Park Field Trip by Catamaran from Secret West.
This island chain of seven beach-ringed islands is likewise house to Ft Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fortification that uses up one island in its totality. The park is a favored amongst snorkelers and also scuba divers for its coral reefs and also seagrass, as well as the many shipwrecks that can be quickly spotted under the surface.
Popular snorkeling places are the Historical Coaling Pier, Fort Jefferson's moat wall surface, as well as Yard Key's coral reefs heads. Those with their very own watercraft can check out around Loggerhead Key's Little Africa Reef as well as the Windjammer Wreckage.
Address: 40001 SR-9336, Homestead, Florida
Official site: www.nps.gov/drto
4. Ernest Hemingway House and Museum, Secret West
Ernest Hemingway House as well as Gallery, Secret West|Ewen Roberts/ photo customized
Located in Secret West, this former residence of writer Ernest Hemingway is an essential piece of Florida's social history. Visitors can explore the residence, which is equipped with many of the initial items, including Hemingway's valued collection of 17th- as well as 18th-century Spanish furniture.
The gardens bordering the house are a piece de resistance here as well, popular not just for the numerous species of flowers however, for the 40-plus cats who stay here, every one of whom are offspring of Hemingway's initial pet dog cats.
Address: 907 Whitehead Road, Secret West, Florida
Main website: www.hemingwayhome.com
5. John Pennekamp Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Off Secret Largo are John Pennekamp Reef State Park and also the Florida Keys National Marine Haven, where the abundant underwater life and also a number of accidents attract many snorkelers as well as scuba diving divers. The park has a little swimming area with a shell-covered beach, yet lots of people come here to snorkel or dive.
Barbecue areas and an info center with screens on the environments as well as marine life supply remarkable understanding into the aquatic setting. A range of tours are offered, consisting of glass-bottom watercraft trips for a close-up take a look at the world below the ocean surface.
The longest of the Florida Keys, Trick Largo is a good intro to the Keys way of living, with lots of marinas, tackle shops, and also diving opportunities.
Address: 102601 Overseas Highway, Secret Largo, Florida
Main website: www.pennekamppark.com
Lodging: Ideal Household Resorts in the Florida Keys
6. Mallory Square, Secret West
Mallory Square, Key West
Mallory Square is a dynamic location in Old Town Key West that is best known for its every night sundown party. Each night, entertainers and suppliers collect to develop a cheery atmosphere while tourists admire the legendary sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.
You will certainly locate an intriguing mix of efficiencies, from tightrope-walking cats and also pets on unicycles to sword swallowing and also fire balancing. Mallory square is likewise residence to numerous stores, including the Secret West Sponge Market, an area where you can enjoy their tiny gallery committed to the sponge-harvesting market that supported Secret West in years past. You will certainly likewise locate numerous browse stores, a treasure-hunting store, as well as various other specialty shops.
Mallory Square is additionally the last quit on the Conch Trip Train route, which takes travelers on a 90-minute sightseeing excursion of the Old Community, including stops at Truval Town, near Duval Street, where you can jump off to discover a few of the area's attractions and prominent points to do, including the Southernmost Point as well as the Secret West Lighthouse.
Address: 400 Wall Surface Street, Key West, Florida
Main site: www.mallorysquare.com
7. Key West Butterfly as well as Nature Conservatory
Key West Butterfly as well as Nature Conservatory
The Secret West Butterfly as well as Nature Sunroom gives you with the distinct possibility to stray the glass-enclosed conservatory where nearly 60 varieties of butterflies skyrocket openly among the plant-filled environment. Along with the butterflies, more than 20 species of exotic birds are additionally maintained right here.
You can also discover the butterfly life cycle in the Discovering Center, where a 15-minute instructional movie loopholes constantly. Various other exhibitions display the different sorts of butterflies, and also you can check out live caterpillars in all stages of the life process.
Drop in at the Butterfly Gallery on your escape. Right here, you can check out samplings as well as artwork, as well as roam via the gift store.
Address: 1316 Duval Street, Secret West, Florida
Main site: www.keywestbutterfly.com
8. National Key Deer Refuge
National Key Deer Sanctuary
Located between Marathon and also Trick West, Big Pine Key is residence to Key deer and also the National Secret Deer Haven. This small varieties reaches the dimension of a big pet dog when totally expanded.
The haven was established in 1957 and also was produced as a sanctuary for the jeopardized Key deer, which were virtually non-existent by the 1950s due to hunting.
Also on Large Pine Secret is Blue Water Opening, a freshwater fish pond situated in a previous quarry that draws in turtles and also alligators.
Address: 179 Secret Deer Blvd., Big Pine Secret, Florida
Main site: www.fws.gov/refuge/national_key_deer_refuge
9. Dolphin Research Center
Dolphin Proving Ground|Reinhard Web link/ image customized
The Dolphin Proving ground enables visitors to find out about Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Experience the different "dolphinalities" during narrated sessions as well as view the instructors engage with the dolphins.
You can likewise take part in interactive programs that consist of swimming with the dolphins. Dolphin-lovers will likewise appreciate a tour of Island Dolphin Care on Trick Largo, a facility that join dolphins to give special therapy for individuals with different health and wellness conditions. Scenic tours include an overview of the programs, dolphin watching, and also a touch-tank.
Address: 58901 Abroad Highway, Grassy Key, Florida
Main site: www.dolphins.org
10. Turtle Medical facility
Turtle Healthcare facility
A visit to the Turtle Medical facility in Marathon will give you the one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn more about the process of rehabilitating damaged sea turtles at one of the state's leading rescue centers.
The Education and learning center is open daily, and also all visitors need to take among the 90-minute assisted scenic tours readily available per hour. Excursions enable you to see the sea turtle rehab tanks, the medical facility area, and even feed the permanent homeowners that can not be released back into the wild.