Florida Keys
Overlooking the Seven Mile Bridge, this huge, festive spot has an unbeatable location (it's not called Sunset for nothing) and wide-ranging appeal: namely a huge menu of seafood and grilled meat dishes, plus a raw bar, sushi and plenty of kid-friendly options. There's also an appealing swimming pool (heated in winter) that's free and open to all.
This place is justifiably popular; reserve ahead. It's a great spot for drinks too.
9.99 MILES
This park, with its long, white-sand (and at times seaweed-strewn) beach, named Sandspur Beach by locals, is the big attraction in these parts. As Keys…
25.94 MILES
Named after local environmentalist Anne Eaton, this tiny beach is one of the finest seascapes in these parts. The small ribbon of sand opens upon a sky…
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
6.11 MILES
A visit to this small, interactive aquarium starts with a free 20-minute guided tour of some fascinating marine ecosystems. There are also more immersive…
Long Key State Recreation Area
20.3 MILES
The 965-acre Long Key State Recreation Area takes up much of Long Key. It’s about 30 minutes south of Islamorada, and comprises a tropical clump of gumbo…
3.15 MILES
This is one of the nicest spots on the island to stop and smell the roses. And the pinelands. And the palm hammock – a sort of palm jungle (imagine…
12.5 MILES
Perhaps the best-named island in the Keys, No Name gets few visitors, as it’s basically a residential island. It’s one of the most reliable spots for Key…
Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary
18.93 MILES
Looe (pronounced ‘loo’) Key, located 5 nautical miles off Big Pine, isn’t a key at all but a reef, and is part of the Florida Keys National Marine…
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
29.87 MILES
This key, only accessible by boat, encompasses a 280-acre island of virgin tropical forest and is home to roughly a zillion jillion mosquitoes. The…
1.41 MILES
Be it a victim of disease, boat propeller strike, flipper entanglement with fishing lines or any other danger, an injured sea turtle in the Keys will…
2. Pigeon Key National Historic District
1.95 MILES
For years tiny Pigeon Key, located 2 miles west of Marathon (basically below the Old Seven Mile Bridge), housed the rail workers and maintenance men who…
2.06 MILES
The marina, better known as Boot Key Harbor, is one of the best maintained working waterfronts in the Keys. Come during Christmas to see a ‘boat parade’…
2.6 MILES
One of the few white-sand, mangrove-free beaches in the Keys. It’s a good spot to lounge on the sand or swim, and there's also a small playground.
3.15 MILES
This is one of the nicest spots on the island to stop and smell the roses. And the pinelands. And the palm hammock – a sort of palm jungle (imagine…
6. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
6.11 MILES
A visit to this small, interactive aquarium starts with a free 20-minute guided tour of some fascinating marine ecosystems. There are also more immersive…
7.9 MILES
This small park has covered picnic tables and good access to the mudflat and mangrove habitat that makes up most of the Keys’ coastline. The views onto…
9.28 MILES
This park is small but sweet and the rangers are just lovely. Like most parks in the Keys, it’s a good spot for preserved tropical hardwood and mangrove…