Florida Keys for First-Timers
Description:
Visitors are drawn to the Florida Keys to experience the island chain’s priceless natural resources to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul, and the Keys have celebrated a heritage of conservation - but let;s face it: it's a great place to dip your toes in the water and just have some fun. What other islands can your drive to?
You'll find kayaking and paddle surfing, kiteboarding, diving & snorkeling, unique museums, crazy street performers, and at night, comfy accommodations - everything from high end resorts to the smallest and most intimate of bed and breakfasts.
The islands' fishing, diving, arts and culture, history, nightlife and award-winning seafood and ethnic restaurants draw visitors back again and again, because after their first visit they catch the "Keys disease" that just won't go away. Like a strange rash.
This first-timer itinerary offers the must-sees. Rental car is convenient, if you intend to see the entire island chain - very easy and attainable to do within a single vacation.
Once you get to Key West though, park the car, rent a bicycle and get around the island easier. Even the pedi-cabs are more fun. Parking is at a premium (and small streets get clogged quickly) on the southernmost island, which lends to a very pedestrian community. The airport in Key West is only minutes away from anywhere, so you can lounge until the last precious minutes of your stay!
You'll find kayaking and paddle surfing, kiteboarding, diving & snorkeling, unique museums, crazy street performers, and at night, comfy accommodations - everything from high end resorts to the smallest and most intimate of bed and breakfasts.
The islands' fishing, diving, arts and culture, history, nightlife and award-winning seafood and ethnic restaurants draw visitors back again and again, because after their first visit they catch the "Keys disease" that just won't go away. Like a strange rash.
This first-timer itinerary offers the must-sees. Rental car is convenient, if you intend to see the entire island chain - very easy and attainable to do within a single vacation.
Once you get to Key West though, park the car, rent a bicycle and get around the island easier. Even the pedi-cabs are more fun. Parking is at a premium (and small streets get clogged quickly) on the southernmost island, which lends to a very pedestrian community. The airport in Key West is only minutes away from anywhere, so you can lounge until the last precious minutes of your stay!
Author: Julie
Day 1 - Florida Keys, Key West
Being in the Keys means being in nature, exploring the outdoors and finding an appreciation of wildlife again. Florida Keys islands are a destination yes, but they are also a series of working communities where locals strive to maintain a less-frenetic pace of life, strong communities and relaxed atmosphere. There is as much history as there is enjoyment in these natural outdoors-y things to do, so you don't want to skip them!
As of March 2010, the Key West home that author Ernest Hemingway lived in from 1931 through 1939 has been designated a literary landmark. So be sure to make a stop there and witness history.
1
Pigeon Key
Location:
view in google mapsPigeon Key Foundation
P.O Box 500130
Florida Keys, FL 33050
Phone:
+1 305 289 00252
Curry Hammock State Park
Location:
view in google maps56200 Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL 33050
Phone:
+1 305 289 26903
Theater of the Sea
Location:
view in google maps84721 Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL 33036
Phone:
+1 305 664 24314
Robbie's Marina
Location:
view in google maps77-5 Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL 33036
Phone:
+1 305 664 98145
National Key Deer Refuge
Location:
view in google maps28950 Watson Boulevard
Big Pine Key Plaza
Florida Keys, FL 33043
Phone:
+1 305 872 22396
Bahia Honda State Park
Location:
view in google mapsMile Marker 37.5
Big Pine Key
Key West, FL 33043
Phone:
+1 305 872 23537
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden
Location:
view in google maps1 Free School Lane
Key West, FL 33040
Phone:
+1 305 294 00158
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
Location:
view in google maps200 Greene Street
Take U.S. 1 to Whitehead St. and turn left on Greene
Key West, FL 33040
Phone:
+1 305 294 26339
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Location:
view in google maps907 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone:
+1 305 294 113610
Dry Tortugas National Park
Location:
view in google mapsGarden Key
Key West, FL 33041
Phone:
+1 305 242 7700Day 2 - Key West, Florida Keys
Santiago's is one of those local secrets that is hard to reveal, because we selfishly like to keep it to ourselves. You'll be hooked after the first visit, and undeniably A-plus wine list, and super prices for every budget.All the restaurants listed here are some of the island chain's standouts - ones known for a specific kind of food and level of skill involved to continue putting out the best dishes.
2
Santiago's Bodega
Location:
view in google maps207 Petronia Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone:
305 296 76913
No Name Pub
Location:
view in google mapsNorth Watson Boulevard
1 1/2 mile north of U.S 1
Florida Keys, FL 33043
Phone:
305 872 91154
La Trattoria Italian Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps524 Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone:
305 296 10755
Pierre's
Location:
view in google maps81600 Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL 33037
Phone:
305 664 32256
Island Grill
Location:
view in google maps85501 Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL 33036
Phone:
305 664 8400Day 3 - Florida Keys, Key West
Nightlife in the Keys is a bit subdued, perhaps with Key West as the exception. Whether it's live music you are looking for, jazz, salsa or a the house band that has been together for decades, the Keys has it all. Throw in a little community theater for quirks, and you have a flavorful cultural stew.
1
Looe Key Tiki Bar
Location:
view in google maps27340 Overseas Highway , Ramrod Key
Florida Keys, FL 33042
Phone:
305 872-22152
Virgilio's
Location:
view in google maps524 Duval Street
Applerouth Lane
Key West, FL 33040
Phone:
305 296 81183
Red Barn Theater
Location:
view in google maps319 Duval Street
Rear
Key West, FL 33040
Phone:
305 296 99114
Dockside Lounge
Location:
view in google maps35 Sombrero Boulevard
Bayside
Florida Keys, FL 33037
Phone:
305 743 00005
Snappers Waterfront Saloon & Raw Bar
Location:
view in google mapsMile Marker 94.5
Oceanside
Florida Keys, FL 33037
Phone:
305 852 5956Day 4 - Florida Keys, Key West
Pennekamp Park, America's first undersea park, turns 50 this year! From December 1-11, 2010 there are special celebrations throughout Key Largo planned. Be a part of history!
1
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Location:
view in google mapsMile Marker 102.5
Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL 33037
Phone:
+1 305 451 63002
Indian Key State Historic Site
Location:
view in google mapsMile Marker 78.5
1 mile west of the tip if Islamorada
Florida Keys, FL 33036
Phone:
+1 305 664 25405
Old Seven Mile Bridge
Location:
view in google mapsMile Marker 47, U.S 1
U.S. 1
Florida Keys, FL 33050
Phone:
+1 800 352 53976
Turtle Hospital
Location:
view in google maps2396 Overseas Highway
Florida Keys, FL
Phone:
305-743-25527
Southernmost Point in the Nation
Location:
view in google mapsCorner of Whitehead & South Streets
Key West, FL 33040
