Planning a vacation to the Florida Keys? Here are some unforgettable experiences to have on your trip to the Florida Keys for families, couples, and anyone looking for some fun, sun and adventure. Read on for our top picks for things to do in the Florida Keys for any type of traveller!
Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the Florida Keys offers so much to see and do. It’s a little dose of the Caribbean in the U.S. Go on an adventure tour by snorkelling or kayaking through some of the Florida Keys waters, experience one of the world’s most famous sunsets at Mallory Square, and dive into the unique Conch culture and way of life.
Read on and discover 12 amazing experiences for your next Florida Keys vacation, including tips on how to get the best deals on flights and hotels for your trip.
12 top things to do in the Florida Keys
- Snorkelling tour at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Bike the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
- Visit the southernmost point in the continental U.S.
- Take in some history at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
- Support the rescue program at the Turtle Hospital
- Go yoga on a paddle board
- Bring the kids to the Mallory Square Sunset Festival
- Go on a hunt for the best key lime pie
- Explore the arts scene on Duval Street
- Find the best beach in the Florida Keys
- Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Go on a dive and explore a shipwreck
1. Kayak or go on a snorkelling tour at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
There are a number of things to do in the Florida Keys when it comes to water activities and other outdoor fun. Located in Key Largo, the John Pennekamp State Park with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary offer trips including snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides, PADI scuba instruction and more. Known as the country’s first undersea park, there are mangroves, reefs, and marine life in the area to be explored. If you’re feeling adventurous with the family, there’s also the option to rent a canoe or kayak! If you plan on swimming around some of the beautiful sets of coral reefs in the area, make sure you bring eco-friendly sunscreen as the marine life is very sensitive. You can book and call ahead on their website.
2. Bike along the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is a long, paved linear path between Key Largo and Key West that stretches over 140 kilometres. The paths are made for pedestrians and bikers alike. This excursion is free of charge (you just need to rent a bike for the day!) and is open year-round to the public from 8 a.m. to sundown. Make sure to pass the Historic Long Key Bridge, which is one of the trail’s highlights. It’s a fun way to explore the Florida Keys, and catch some sun and exercise along the way!
3. Visit the southernmost point in the continental U.S.
Wondering where the southernmost point in the continental U.S. is located? It’s in Key West. Well, the monument is. The official Southernmost Point Buoy can be found on the corner of Whitehead St. and South Street in Key West and this heavy piece of concrete that resembles a buoy is around the area of the southernmost point of the continental U.S. The monument was re-painted by local artist Danny Acosta following the damage of Hurricane Irma in 2017. It remains a popular spot on any must-see list of the Florida Keys and one of the most heavily photographed attractions in the U.S. Still need some southernmost point action? Book a stay at the Southernmost Point Guest House, which is the southernmost residence in the continental U.S.
4. Take in some history at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Famous American writer Ernest Hemingway lived in Key West from 1931 to 1939. This former residence has been transformed into a museum located in the charming Old Town of Key West, and he wrote his novel ‘To Have or Have Not’ here. The large, Spanish Colonial-style house is surrounded by lush gardens, and more than 40 cats also live on the property. According to legend, Hemingway was given a six-toed cat by a captain when he lived there, and the legacy continues today. Take a tour with an informed guide or browse by yourself.
Still craving some Hemingway? Head to Sloppy Joe’s on Duval Street, which was the author’s favourite watering hole. Sloppy Joe’s also hosts the annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest.
5. Support the rescue program at the Turtle Hospital
Did you know that five out of the world’s seven sea turtle species are found in Florida? They’re an important aspect of local culture and marine life in the area, and The Turtle Hospital in Marathon has a mission to rescue, rehab, and release sea turtles. Take a day trip to the Turtle Hospital for an hour and a half educational tour of the facility and see a variety of turtles and you’d only spot in the wild otherwise. Tours are scheduled daily. It’s a non-profit initiative where over 1,000 mature turtles have been released back into the sea since the program began in 1986. There are also educational exhibits in the waiting area of the hospital to learn about the various local turtle species during your visit. Keep a lookout for Bubble-Butt, a Green sea turtle who is the Turtle Hospital’s longest resident!
6. Do yoga on a paddle board
Love yoga on the beach? Why not take it a step further! Several companies around the island, such as Lazy Dog Paddle Yoga or Serenity Eco-Therapy, offer paddleboard yoga for all skill levels. Also known as SUP Yoga, this activity fosters an intimate connection with Mother Nature and the surprises can throw at you. Hop on a board, paddle out and stretch your muscles at the Florida Keys sea.
Attention for beginners especially: check the weather forecast before signing up for a class, since strong winds can make balancing next to impossible!
7. Bring the kids to the Mallory Square Sunset Festival
Every night at the Mallory Square Dock you can catch the Sunset Festival, and enjoy two hours of festivities before the sun goes down. With a variety of street performers from unicyclists, jugglers and sword-swallowing acts, to live comedy shows and music – there is plenty to keep the entire family entertained. There’s also no shortage of food vendors and lots of local merchants selling handmade goods and souvenirs.
Offering beautiful views of the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, Mallory Square is the perfect place to end your evening in the Florida Keys. This is an experience that actually captured the heart of Mark Twain and Tennessee Williams. Spectators show up hours early to reserve their spot, so be sure to give yourself enough time to enjoy the show.
8. Go on a hunt for the best Key lime pie
Key lime pie is on almost every dessert menu in the Florida Keys, so it can be tempting to try them all! The area’s omnipresent dessert is named after the limes native to the Florida Keys and is a tangy, creamy custard pie and topped with meringue or whipped cream. There are so many restaurants and so many places to choose from, but one noteworthy pie can be found at The Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory along the Overseas Highway. The shop also offers everything Key lime – from cookies to candles, to rum cakes. Consider doing a food tour in the Upper Keys like Key Largo or Islamorada and spend the day indulging in different seafood dishes, some fresh beer and of course, the signature Key lime pie. Try a few spots on your Florida Keys vacation and see which one you like best!
9. Explore the arts scene on Duval Street
Key West’s main drag of Duval Street is full of things to do both day and night! By day, check out the many bars and restaurants, art galleries like the Peter Lik Gallery and a lot of locally-owned shops to find the perfect souvenir to bring to your loved ones at home. You can also rent a bicycle to ride the entire stretch from beginning to end. At night, Duval Street is a definite party and cultural hub. Explore the many bars along the strip, or take a haunted tour to learn about the street’s history.
Alternative Travel Tip: Why not take a writers’ conference and immerse yourself in more of Key West’s artsy history? The Key West Literary Seminar and subsequent Writers’ Workshop is held every January. Our very own Margaret Atwood was the keynote speaker at this year’s seminar.
10. Find the best beach in the Florida Keys
It wouldn’t be a trip to the Florida Keys without a day at the beach! In Key West, Smathers Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park are some of the most popular spots to find some relaxation, sand, sun and all of that much-needed beach time. The Bahia Honda State Park is located in the lower Florida Keys, and is more of a hidden gem that we recommend checking out! Approximately 100 kilometres off the coast of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico is the Dry Tortugas National Park. The area includes protected coral reefs and seven islands where the stunning scenery and clear waters make it the perfect place to find some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys.
Travel Tip: Book a tour and take a ferry or seaplane to this gorgeous national park. Camping is available at the Garden Key if you want to make this excursion an overnight trip. Looking for more beach fun? Check out our guide of the best beach towns in Florida.
11. Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
One of the top things to do in Key West is spending some time at the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Located along Duval Street, you can find about 60 different species of butterflies, a variety of birds and other local species, all under a glass enclosure where these beautiful creatures can live in a comfortable environment. It’s a popular place to bring the family for a few hours, where the kids can learn about butterflies and see live caterpillars feed at the learning centre. Make sure you catch a glimpse of the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory flamingos.
12. Go on a dive and explore a shipwreck
The last on our list of fun things to do in the Florida Keys is a definite thrill! Explore the seas by what’s known as the ‘Shipwreck Trail’, where divers have the opportunity to dive amongst a variety of shipwreck ruins in the Florida Keys waters. See the Wreck of the USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vanderberg, the Wreck of the USS Spiegel Grove and Christ of the Abyss, that are all resting in relatively shallow waters of seven to 12 metres deep. These sites are part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. There are a variety of dive shops in the area that rent out scuba diving gear and offer classes for your scuba diving certification if you don’t have one already.
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Ready for an adventure in the Florida Keys? Here’s how you can save on your next trip.
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