If you enjoy brilliant white sand, aquamarine ocean water, and that laid-back beach lifestyle,
it’s time to book a trip to the Florida Keys.
The Keys are a chain of islands—large and small—accessed by a true feat of American
engineering: the Overseas Highway, US 1.
While Key West is probably the first locale to spring to mind, there are a ton of smaller
and equally (if not more) gorgeous islands to explore.
Many have been turned into national or regional parks, replete with well-groomed hiking and
biking trails, sparse stretches of beach, and exotic wildlife.
Speaking of wildlife, the Florida Keys are home to some of the most well-run, open-to-visitor
sanctuaries in the US, like the Turtle Hospital and the Dolphin Research Center.
Key West’s Duval Street has you covered if shopping and dining are more your pleasure.
And there’s no shortage of historical attractions in the Florida Keys either.
Check out the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Harry S. Truman Little White House, and more.
Are you looking for things to do in the Florida Keys?
Perhaps you’re curious to see if it’s the spot for your next American vacation.
So fill your suitcase with your best swimsuits, plan out the cocktails you want to try, pack
your snorkeling gear, and watch on for our top picks in this perfect all-season destination.
Duval Street - Key West
One of the best things about traveling is having the chance to just wander around a
new town or city, exploring the culture and culinary traditions of the area.
And one of the best places to do this in the Florida Keys is Key West’s Duval Street.
This one-and-a-quarter-mile stretch—which includes the famed Mallory Square—is packed
with cafes and restaurants, museums, art galleries, and souvenir, craft, and clothing boutiques.
There are also historically exciting tourist sights like the former Strand Theater and
St. Paul's Episcopal Church to admire.
Check the calendar to see if there are any festivals during your visit, too!
Overseas Highway, US 1 - Florida Keys
The road trip is an iconic American tradition, and few highways in the country rival the
views seen from Florida’s Overseas Highway.
The highway was built in the 1930s to connect the Florida Keys islands with the rest of
the state, replacing an extensive railway line destroyed in a hurricane.
This daring feat of engineering boasts 113 miles of roadway and 42 bridges extending
over the azure waters and bright white sands of the tropical Keys.
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Bahia Honda State Park - Big Pine Key
If you’re looking for a remote island getaway, you’ll find it at Bahia Honda State Park.
This idyllic location is one of the southernmost parks in the Florida Keys; reach it by driving
to the west end of the famed Seven Mile Bridge.
There are empty swimming beaches, pristine, warm water, and all manner of rare wildlife.
If you really want to get out into the wilderness, pack a tent and plan to stay at one of the
many ocean-front campsites.
Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters - Key West
Marine architecture buffs will enjoy a visit to the Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters,
an iconic structure built in 1848.
Though the lighthouse and quarters were officially retired in 1969, the now open-to-the-public
structures have been renovated to showcase how the lighthouse functioned in the 1900s.
Visitors can tour the buildings to admire the historically accurate furniture and exhibits
that detail the lighthouse's history.
Challenge yourself on the almost 100 steps you need to tackle to reach the lighthouse!
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo
If anywhere in the USA were home to the country’s first underwater park, it would be the Florida
Keys.
And indeed, that’s exactly what the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is!
This place is a scuba diver’s paradise, with abundant coral reefs, a wide array of
marine wildlife, and even old shipwrecks to explore.
If you don’t dive, you have two options: don a mask and snorkel or charter a glass-bottom
boat.
There are also beaches, walking trails, and picnic spots to enjoy on land.
Harry S. Truman Little White House - Key West
Though most well known as the 1940s “Winter White House” of President Harry S. Truman,
this majestic building has a fascinating mili9tary history.
In 1890, it was used as the naval headquarters for the Spanish-American War and later served
as a World War I and II base.
Today, the building is fitted out as a museum dedicated to the life of President Truman
and his Cold War successors.
Those botanically inclined will be thrilled to visit the institution’s beautifully curated
gardens.
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Key Largo
Wild crocodile populations have been declining in the Florida Keys for decades.
Passionate ecologists created the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge in 1980 to help
address this issue.
The park includes numerous important habits, from hardwood and mangrove forests to briny
salt marshes.
It’s home to rare local creatures like crocodiles, the Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly, and the
Key Largo woodrat.
The park isn’t open to the general public; you'll need to volunteer if you want to visit
this incredible ecological wonder.
Dry Tortugas National Park - Key West
Are you keen to experience some of the fascinating military histories of the Florida Keys?
Then we suggest a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park.
Except for several small islands, this unique archipelago is almost entirely covered by
the ocean and can only be accessed by boat.
The expansive 19th century Fort Jefferson sits on one of these few pieces of dry land.
Underwater, divers, and snorkelers can explore coral reefs, plains of seagrass, an ancient
moat wall, and numerous shipwrecks.
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum - Key West
Do you love diving deep into research about the underwater world?
Then be sure to include a trip to the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in your Florida Keys
vacation itinerary.
This museum is dedicated to the undersea archaeology of the region.
It‘s to a wide variety of artifacts and relics from the Florida Keys' ancient and
more recent inhabitants.
Explore the permanent collections, go on a behind-the-scenes tour, book your kid into
an educational program, or peruse souvenirs in the gift shop.
Turtle Hospital - Marathon
Everyone wants to experience a turtle up close.
But with today’s rapidly declining wildlife populations, it's essential to do it sustainably.
And there’s no better place to give back with your tourist dollar than at the Turtle
Hospital in Marathon.
As soon as someone reports an injured turtle, experts at the Turtle Hospital head out in
their ambulance boat to collect the turtle, bringing it back to the center for rehabilitation.
Visitors can only view the turtles; no physical interaction is allowed to protect these precious
wild animals.
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park - Key Largo
Another preserve well worth a day trip is the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical
State Park, which serves to protect one of America’s last remaining West Indian tropical
hardwood hammocks.
This incredible tract is home to over 80 species of rare local plants and animals and boasts
wheelchair-friendly nature trails.
You can take a self-guided tour of the park—read the informative signs along the way—or book
a range-led tour.
Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of the endangered American crocodile!
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - Key West
Ernest Hemingway is one of America’s—indeed, the world’s—most famous authors.
And if you visit the Florida Keys, you’ll get the opportunity to explore his home.
Today, the building is decked out as it looked when the renowned writer lived there.
Did you know Hemingway was an enthusiastic collector of 17th- and 18th-century Spanish
furniture?
The house is surrounded by incredible gardens, one of the major attractions, and is also
home to the descendants of Hemingway’s original polydactyl pet cats.
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
One of the highlights of a trip to the Florida Keys is getting the opportunity to walk, bike,
or even skate the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
The views of the azure blue ocean the Keys are famous for are unrivaled.
Several fishing bridges dot the trail, perfect for dropping a line in the water to catch
your dinner.
You can also access other attractions like the Everglades, Biscayne, and Crocodile Lakes
National Parks from the trail.
You can even camp along the route!
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center - Key West
Are you passionate about marine conservation and want to learn more?
Head to the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.
This educational space is excellent for keeping kids occupied.
It boasts interactive exhibitions, artificial reefs filled with coral and tropical fish,
and one of the world’s only underwater research laboratories.
If you want to support the center, you can buy some unique souvenirs at the gift shop.
And best of all, entry and parking are entirely free!
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory - Key West
Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, and you’ll get the chance to interact with
beautiful butterflies.
It’s like something out of a Disney movie!
This glass-enclosed sanctuary and educational center is home to almost 60 butterfly species
and over 20 rare bird species.
You’ll learn how butterflies move from the caterpillar stage to spreading their multicolored
wings.
Stop by the Butterfly Gallery and gift shop to view (and buy) unique butterfly-themed
artworks.
Do you think this is a comprehensive list of things to do in the Florida Keys?
Or would you add some places, events, or sites we’ve missed?
Debate things not-to-be-missed and share your secret scenic spots in the comment section
below.
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