Things to do in Florida Keys

There are many things to do in Florida Keys. This posts highlights activities and tours easily covered during a 4-5 day stay. Plus, we also recommend several affordable accommodations in the Keys (inexpensive is hard to come by), and dining recommendations within easy walking distance, or a very short drive.

Curving out from beneath Southern Florida, the Keys are a 113-mile long archipelago, of sandbar islands, mangroves and teal water framing magical sunsets. But if you’re coming for beaches, you’re better off staying north in Miami. The Keys do have some small beaches, but they are not the main attraction.

The Overseas Highway journeys from Key Largo to Key West, crossing some 43 bridges along the way, linking the numerous islands together, and includes one bridge that stretches 7 miles across open water.

Unless you want to focus your time exclusively in the farthest point south – Key West, we suggest basing yourself in Key Largo. This will allow you to easily access the various Keys on day trips, but also enable a venture to Everglades National Park for the day. Additionally, there are more affordable accommodation options in Key Largo, plus great dining, and it’s one of the main ports for accessing snorkeling boat trips out to the reef. The town of Key West is notoriously expensive, as are many of the exclusive waterside accommodations in the less populated Keys.

Affordable accommodations and great dining locations have been noted at the end of this post.

Evening before Day 1

After driving down from Miami the afternoon before, check into your Key Largo hotel, and head out to Snooks Bayside Restaurant for a sunset dinner, and live entertainment. Dining is outside on a large patio by the ocean. The catch of the day, paired with a nice chilled white wine, is a great way to start your Florida Keys adventure.

Day 1 – things to do in Florida keys

Rested, and ready for an early morning departure, we suggest spending your first day driving down to Key West as your main destination for the day, but also enabling you to get oriented to other places you may wish to return on subsequent days. Key Largo to Key West is about 97 miles. Allow 2 hours to drive down, via Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Pigeon Key as points of interest, which you will be returning to visit on subsequent days.

Key West

Parking in Key West is paid, and can be hard to come by. But if you don’t mind a short walk, you can park at the Coast Guard Marina area, and easily walk around Old Town. While there could be many other things to do in Florida Keys, during your visit to Key West, these are doable during your day trip, assuming you got off to an early start from Key Largo.

Hemmingway House

This Spanish Colonial house is where American writer, Ernest Hemingway lived from 1931-1949. He had many cats – whose descendants basically still run the place. You can walk the parameter of the property via city streets, but for a full dose of Hemmingway and history, be sure to take the tour.

Tennessee Williams Museum

Seems the Keys were a haven for writers. Tennessee Williams, who lived in the Keys for more than three decades, was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20^th century. This museum is a great place to learn about his literary contributions.

Green Parrot Bar

Established in 1890, as the first and last bar on Highway 1, its motto used to be “A sunny place for shady people.” The ramshackle interior, local artwork on the walls, and parachute stretched across the ceiling add to the atmosphere, as do the eclectic mix who pull up for a drink here. The Green Parrot books great bands – think funk/rock/jazz/Latin grooves, and there’s never a cover charge.

Key West Lighthouse

This lighthouse was built in 1848. You can climb the 88 spiraling steps to the top, and also visit the lighthouse keeper’s cottage to check out historical photographs and artifacts.

Southernmost Point

At the top of most visitors list for things to do in Florida Keys, is to record their visit to this red and black buoy with a photograph. From this point, it is just 90 miles to Cuba.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

The southernmost park in the US, is also home to an impressive fort, built in the mid-1800s, that played a role in the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War. The beach in this park is the best in Key West – white sand, tropical fish, and a fine spot to view the sunset.

A great place to grab lunch, is Pepper Pot Island Cafe, a little further south from all the tourist crowds in Old Town. Authentic Caribbean food, made fresh to eat in or takeaway. The owner is incredibly genuine, the food is amazing, and the hot sauces are incredible. 730 Emma Street, Key West.

If the days are long, you can likely make it back to Key Largo before sunset. May we suggest, Rowell’s Waterfront Park, a public space open to the west, at the north end of Key Largo? After that, drop the car back at your hotel and walk over to C&C Woodfire Pizza, for the best custom made and woodfired pizza you’ll taste this side of Italy. Be sure to pair it with a cold beer.

Day 2 – things to do in Florida Keys

While you’ll be returning to the Keys over the next several days, day 2 of things to do in Florida Keys involves venturing to the Everglades. One of the benefits of staying in Key Largo is the easy proximity to add a day at Everglades National Park to the journey. Head north from Key Largo towards Florida City, and then head down Hwy 9336 to the entrance for Everglades National Park.

Everglades National Park

While other US National parks flex their mountains, oceans, rivers, lakes, vast forests or ancient trees, the Everglades on initial first glance look like a flatland swamp. But look a little closer at this fascinating land of marine estuaries, mangroves, freshwater marsh, cypress trees, pine rockland, tropical hardwood hammocks, plus the extraordinary cast of wild creatures that inhabit the place, and the parks quiet majesty becomes evident.

For a closer look at these recommended stops in the park, be sure to check out this post: Is Everglades National Park worth a visit?

Start your tour of Everglades National Park with a stop at the visitor center.

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

You can get a park map at the visitor center and updates on ranger interpretive talks taking place. There are a number of exhibits here to help you understand the unique biodiversity and habitat, importance that the Everglades play in water management for the state of Florida.

Royal Palm visitor center

The Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail start at Royal Palm. Just 4 miles past the visitor center, you’ll find the access to both Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail. They both start close to the Royal Palm visitor center. The Anhinga trail with its loop boardwalk over wetlands gives you a sense of what makes the Everglades so special. Ranger interpretive talks are at 10:30am and 2:30pm daily. If you’re looking for an alligator spotting, your chances are good here.

Nike Missile Base

While you may have come to the everglades for the wildlife and to escape civilization, did you know the park also houses a former secret US Military site, and a major player in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, able to launch nuclear missiles?

You are able to tour one of the three missile barns, a missile assembly building, and see the exterior of the guard dog kennel and barracks.

Guided tours are fascinating. Often lead by retired US Military veterans, you’ll get to view an actual missile, see the panel switches and protocol required to fire a missile, and immerse yourself in the stories and news during that tense time in US history.

Access to the site is only available through ranger guided tours, held 10am and 2pm daily. Tours last 1.5hrs.

Be sure to stop off and tour Mahogany Hammock and Nine Mile Pond, either on your drive down to Flamingo, or on the return.

Mahogany Hammock

Mahogany Hammock is essentially a tree island, a tropical oasis in the Everglades river of grass. A short boardwalk trail immerses you in the jungle feeling of the hammock.

Nine Mile Pond

What makes the stop unique is its placement in the proximity to the flow of fresh water and salt water, making it one of the only places where you are apt to see freshwater alligators and salt water crocodiles in the same proximity.

Flamingo

Flamingo is the southern-most area of the Everglades. Be sure to check out exhibits at the Guy Bradley Visitor Center, and spend some time wandering the harbor and shoreline. Manatee and crocodiles can often be spotted in the harbor late afternoon. Boat tours, as well as kayak and canoe rentals are available out of Flamingo, so there are lots of options for a guided afternoon, or self-discovery and exercise exploring the mangrove waters out to the ocean.

If you’ve only got one day in the Everglades you’ll need to choose between a day in the north or a day in the south. Arriving via Florida City lends itself to orienting towards the south, plus it enables you to fully embrace the proximity and eco-system at play, relative to the mainland and Florida Keys.

Everglades National Park organized tours

If you prefer to join a guided tour or group adventure, check out GetYourGuide (insert link here). Options include an airboat tour and wildlife show, mangrove kayak eco tour, Everglades by airboat and nature walk, Everglades airboat ride and gator encounters. You can also purchase entrance to top sights in Everglades National Park, such as Gator Park, Everglades Alligator Farm, and Everglades Safari Park.

Depending on how much time you spend exploring Everglades National Park, you may wish to grab a bite to eat in Florida City on the way home, or keep things simple, perhaps even grabbing another wood fired pizza to go at C&C, and chill back at your hotel.

Day 3 – things to do in florida Keys

Day 3 of things to do in Florida Keys involves getting active! Marathon is a great place to rent bikes and tour around, due to its proximity to excursions which are cycling friendly. This 10-mile long island community is conveniently situated in the middle of the Keys island chain of Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key.

Renting bikes in Marathon

Bike Marathon Bike Rental rents cruiser bikes at a flat rate of $25 for the day. www.bikemarathonbikerentals.com Rentals include bike locks, and all cruiser bike have a large front basket. They do have options for e-bike, but the Keys are so flat, they are hardly necessary.

Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key

We rode our bikes out to the Old Seven Mile Bridge, which is a “rail to road conversion” utilized only for bikes and pedestrian traffic. Originally the Keys had a railway, built in 1936. But the state of Florida bought the abandoned East Coast Railway right of way for $640,000, and between 1936-38 converted it to vehicle use. In 1938, with the conversion complete, people could drive all the way to the Keys. In 1982 a new bridge replaced it for cars. And in 1982 a new bridge replaced it for cars. In 2021 Florida competed rehabilitation of 2 miles of Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key.

Pigeon Key

We would recommend riding bikes out to Pigeon Key and checking out the historic homestead and buildings that housed workers who built the original rail bridge, to fully appreciate history of the area, and the engineering challenges of building a seven mile bridge across the ocean.

Sombrero Beach

Get in some more exercise riding back through town and out to Sombrero Beach, towards the north end of Marathon. The Keys notoriously lack a lot of beaches, but Sombrero is the exception with beautiful white sand and teal water awaits. This public beach area also has bathrooms, making it easy to change into beach wear. There’s something freeing about riding cruisers in flip flops, with no helmet, and a basket off the front with bathing suits and beer. Don’t forget to back pedal to brake!

After an afternoon at the beach, return the bikes to Marathon and head back to Key Largo. Hit up Sundowners Seafood or the Big Chill, for some great seafood and live music in the evening. Or grab some take out, and take it to John Pennecamp State Park at the north end of Key Largo, and dine on the public space picnic tables by the ocean, while watching the sun set over western waters.

Day 4 – things to do in Florida Keys

Day 4 of things to do in Florida Keys, is the day to get out on the water. There is no shortage of boat tour options to get you out on the water when visiting the Keys. And many of the companies are located in Key Largo, making it yet again, another good reason for being a great base for touring the Florida Keys.

Snorkeling Tour

We chose Sundiver Snorkel Tours. The Sundiver is located at 201 Ocean Drive, Key Largo, with the tour boat moored out back on one of Key Largo’s channel fingers. We booked through Viator https://fave.co/3wtwlIW where you can view this tour. But you can also search GetYourGuide for other options. https://fave.co/4dAwWsL (make each of these AF links on site – snorkel Key Largo)

Tours out to the reef are 2.5 hours long, and at the time we booked cost $95 Cdn. Tours depart at 12 noon, but check in is at 11am. There is also a departure later in the day. Flippers, mask and floatation devices are provided. For heath reasons, snorkels are not provided, but you may bring your own, or purchase for $15 US.

The boat tour is also an enlightening glimpse at the real estate wealth tied up in the waterfront property of Key Largo, as you tour out towards the open water. Massive homes and their equally massive yachts moored close by, appeared largely unoccupied with only marginal seasonal use.

Snorkeling the reef

Our boat pulled a buoy on the reef, about 30 minutes off shore. Guests swam off the boat touring the reef life, using inflated jackets and noodles to make viewing the sea bottom and marine life easier. We saw lots of colored fish, multiple barracuda and coral. Atlantic coral is naturally more earth tone and beige, compared to the red and purple Pacific coral, so don’t dismiss the Keys as having dying coral, although it is certainly under threat from warming oceans, storms and rising sea levels. Most coral that appears white, indicating it has died, is primarily due to boats hitting it with their propellers, or people standing on it.

If you’re lucky you may even spot turtles amongst the seagrass and beautiful bright teal blue water against the white sand bottom. At one point followed along from above, a whole school of 12 barracuda, each about 3ft long.

Sharky’s Sharkbite and Grill is actually located across the channel from where the Sundiver boat is moored. So we returned there for dinner and drinks later. Sharky’s has a live band nightly, with much of the seating available outside on the first or second floor patio, making it a great place for a warm Florida evening. The fish tacos are awesome, as are the Matai and Sharky’s Punch – a generous 3 run combo drink, that will leave you glad you walked there if you choose to have a second. Fortunately, the walk back to Key Largo Motel was a 10 minute walk/stumble. But other accommodations noted earlier, such as Waterside Suites and Marina, are also close by.

Day 5 – things to do Florida Keys

Day 5 is departure day. Heading back up to Miami is a 1 hour drive, so you can easily take in some of Miami sites, or just lounge on the beach for the rest of the day. But, before you leave Key Largo, you must visit Pinecrest Bakery at least once. It opens at 5:30am, so it’s great for an early morning visit when everything is just coming out of the oven.  Coffee, pastries, Cuban sandwiches. You know it must be amazing when the locals at there at the 5:30 opening!

Are there other things to do in Florida Keys? Absolutely. But this sample itinerary with points of interest, activities, dining and accommodation recommendations will give you a great sample of what the Keys have to offer.

Lonely Planet has a great guide called “Miami & the Keys.” It covers Miami, all of the Florida Keys thoroughly, and includes an Everglades Feature. Highly recommended as a supplement for travel in this area.

Link here for a deeper dive into how to spend a day exploring Everglades National Park – Is Everglades National Park Worth a Visit?

Rental car recommendations

Miami airport has tons of options for car rentals. We used SixT, because they were the most affordable during the time period we were renting. But car companies’ base prices on supply and demand, so it’s worth doing some comparison shopping between vendors like Budget, Avis, Enterprise, Alamo and SixT. Check prices and dates here: Expedia. Hertz, National and Enterprise have EVs and hybrids in their fleets too.

Affordable Accommodation recommendations in Key Largo

We stayed at the Key Largo Inn, but these other accommodations come recommended, and we did check them out for proximity to activities suggested in this itinerary.

Waterside Suites & Marina

Furnished with the comforts of home, plus and outdoor pool. Easy access to snorkel and boat tours out on the reef. Equipped like an apartment. Walkable to restaurants near by (Sharky’s Sharkbite Grill, and C&C Woodfire Pizza) Located at 201 Ocean Drive, Key Largo

Key Largo Inn

Original Keys road stop motel vibe. A bit dated, but also comfortable and about as inexpensive as it gets in the Keys. Includes breakfast. Mature palms and pool courtyard was likely much more tranquil when the hotel was first built, without the road close by. But if you’re out exploring most of the day, does that matter if it’s so reasonably priced? Located at 99202 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo

MB at Key Largo

Midsize hotel fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Bright rooms, old-school tropical vibe color scheme. Some rooms have balconies that catch a fine breeze. You can borrow bikes or kayaks, or just lounge by the seaside pool. Located at 147 Seaside Ave, Key Largo

Dining recommendations in Key Largo

We visited all locations listed here, so they come with a personal recommendation!

Snooks Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar

Patio dining and open air bar at the waters edge. Western facing for beautiful sunsets. Happy hour 4:00 – 6:00pm, with live music 5:30-9:30pm. Menu features daily local catch from the sea, plus beef and chicken options. Open for both lunch and dinner. A 5 minute drive from accommodations suggested in this post. Located at 99470 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo

C&C Woodfire Pizza

Serving up the best pizza hand down. Fresh prepared, wood fired before your eyes, traditional thin crust style. Steaks and chicken dinners also available, but people come from all over and will willingly line up and wait for the pizza, so why would you go for anything else? If you’re staying at the Key Largo Inn, C&C is right next door. An easy stumble home after adult beverages. Located at 99201 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo

Sharky’s Sharkbite Grill

American grub, cocktails and live tunes. Casual waterfront hub from morning until late. Great fish tacos, served fresh with the catch of the day. Easy walk from Waterside Suites and Marina. 10 minute walk from Key Largo Inn, through quiet residential streets. Located at 522 Caribbean Drive, Key Largo

If you’re in search of live music in Key Largo, while grabbing a bite to eat, be sure to check out: Sharky’s Sharkbike Grill, Snooks (both noted above), Big Chill, Caribbean Club and Sundowners Seafood.