Key West and Florida Keys: travel tips
In the previous article we talked about Miami and how the Magic City can be the ideal starting point for discovering the Sunshine State, Florida. About 3 hours by car from Miami you can reach the magnificent Keys islands, an archipelago of islands and islets surrounded by a uniquely colored Caribbean sea, connected to each other by a spectacular bridge to cross by car for an unforgettable road holiday.
The last island in this chain of islets, at the southernmost point of the United States, is Key West, one of the most fascinating destinations in all of the States. Here are some tips if you plan a trip to the Florida Keys.
Pratical information
We are located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Keys are approximately 160 km long, connected by the iconic Overseas Highway (US-1), a long panoramic road that allows you to cross the archipelago smoothly to finally reach Key West at its western end, the island and most famous center of the Keys.
The Keys islands are divided into 3 groups: the Upper Keys (Key Largo and Islamorada), the Middle Keys (Marathon, Seven Mile Bridge) and the Lower Keys (Big Pine Key, Key West).
If you leave from Miami, the road to reach the Keys is easy, panoramic and unique. Stopping at several points to savor the unique atmosphere of these islands will make the journey to Key West longer, yes, but unforgettable.
Upper Keys (Key Largo and Islamorada)
The first islands we meet on our journey are the Upper Keys which essentially include Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada as well as numerous islets that can only be reached by sea. In Key Largo, snorkelers will be able to enjoy the magnificent reef that the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers. This park, open every day from 8 in the morning to sunset, allows various activities, from snorkeling with guided or solo tours, Kayak trips, sunbathing on its beaches and nature walks. The cost of admission is $8 for self parking.
Proceeding west we reach Islamorada. An obligatory stop here is the Rain Barrel Village, a friendly village of artisans heralded by an imposing lobster along the Highway. A tour of the souvenir shops will allow you to rest and then head towards Anne’s Beach, a splendid beach of fine sand and beautiful seabed where you can enjoy a little sun before continuing on your journey.
Middle Keys
The Middle Keys include fascinating islets, the most important of which is Marathon Island. It can be reached via the Long Key Bridge, the second longest bridge on the Overseas Highway after the Seven Mile Bridge. The landscape here is breathtaking. In Marathon, a must-see is Sombrero Beach. And for an unforgettable experience, lovers of the genre can swim with dolphins in the Dolphin Reseach Center.
Lower Keys
Crossing the Seven Mile Bridge takes you to Big Pine Key and the beautiful Bahia Honda State Park, one of the jewels of the Keys.
The Bahia Honda State Park is a vast equipped park where you can find the most enchanting beaches of the Florida Keys, in my opinion. Framed by the disused Overseas Railroad, Calusa Beach has turquoise waters, white sand and a beautiful seabed for snorkelling enthusiasts. In addition to Calusa Beach, the park offers two other beaches, Sandspur Beach and Loggerhead Beach
Key West
Key West is the final stop on our road trip along the Overseas Highway. The “terminus” of the Florida Keys is a dynamic island, famous for its sunsets, the lively social life of Duval Street, the eccentric and at times anarchic atmosphere of the Conch Republic… An island that seems to give a damn and in where you can enjoy life in the most genuine way possible. Key West will fascinate you as it did many years ago with Hemingway who lived there for many years.
But what to see in Key West? The historic center of the town is a real jewel. Stroll along Duval Street and its adjacent streets such as Catherine Street and Whitehead Street. Here you can come across magnificent houses, shops, restaurants and pubs and maybe some free hens and roosters walking along the sidewalk. From here, reaching the southernmost point of the United States, the famous Southernmost Point, is a must. This colorful buoy-shaped monument is swarming with tourists to immortalize the southernmost tip of the States. Also near Duval Street you will find the house where Ernest Hemingway lived as well as the famous lighthouse (Key West lighthouse).
Where to see the most beautiful sunset in Key West? Undoubtedly in Mallory Square where every evening hundreds of people reserve themselves to admire the setting of the sun until it disappears over the sea. A ritual not to be missed.
Historic buildings, the historic port, the Bahama Village, are just some of the other attractions that Key West and especially its historic center offer.
For beach lovers, Key West offers some beautiful beaches (albeit less impactful than others in the nearby Keys). Near the Southernmost Point we find South Beach and not far away the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park Beach, which in addition to the most beautiful beaches on the island allows you to visit a military fort that played an important role during the American Civil War.
Rounding out the list of Key West beaches: Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach and Rest beach.
