June 2020
Rough Draft: Florida Keys
Due to the COVID quarantine, I am creating rough draft, “off the shelf” travel itineraries for when travel resumes normal operations so we do not waste any time getting out and exploring!
A popular request was an itinerary for the Florida Keys and I can’t say I blame you – this looks like a fabulous post-quarantine getaway, especially as international travel seems to be on hold. The time you have for this vacation will play a big role in how you structure an itinerary. While the Florida Keys can easily stand alone as its own vacation, if you have more time it can adjunct onto a Florida trip to extending to Miami or Everglades National Park. It is also easy to focus on one island in the Florida Keys exclusively. It really depends on what you want to do with the time you have!
From Miami, the southern most point of the Florida Keys is 3.5 hours and from Ft Lauderdale the drive is 4 hours. This gives some flexibility to flight routes and prices since it is really not that big of a difference in travel time. While it is a longer drive, it is certainly a scenic one and there are so many stops you can make along the way. I would get the drive out of the way at the beginning of the trip and then make my way island hopping on the way back.
Best time to visit seems to be in the winter months but it does depend on what you are going to the Keys for. If your focus is water activities, make sure it is seasonally warm enough to do so. Avoid hurricane season in the fall or buy some good travel insurance. And I read it can be extremely hot in the summer months.
Key West definitely has the most going on so you could spend your entire trip on this island. Key West is also great if you need a shorter trip or only have a weekend to spent in the Keys. Here are some things to consider when building your itinerary for Key West:
- Take a sunset cruise or watch at the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
- Explore beaches and waters
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
- Take a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park by ferry or seaplane
- Water activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, kayaking, water jets, paddleboarding, and more.
- Visit some of these locations for lo-key sightseeing:
- The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Southernmost Point of the Continental US
- The Ernest Hemingway Home
- Truman Little White House
- Audubon House and Tropical Gardens
- Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden
- Allocate relaxation time!
For us, I want to explore as much of the Keys as possible. Five islands in five days in an aggressive itinerary for some people, especially since one of the “keys” to visiting the Florida Keys is relaxation. That being said, it is not our speed to sit still and we like to fit as much as possible into our trips. So know this rough draft itinerary may not be best for everyone and because of that, I included how to make your own version at the end of the post.
Here is how I would structure 5 days in the Florida Keys:
| Day 0 | Arrive in Miami Drive to Key West |
| Day 1 | Water activity of choice Mallory Square for sunset |
| Day 2 | Explore Downtown – Ernest Hemingway House – Southernmost Point Fort Zachary Taylor State Park |
| Day 3 | Drive to Big Pine Key Kayak Keys Backcountry or explore Bahia Honda State Park Drive to Marathon Turtle Hospital or Bahia Honda State Park Drive to Islamorada |
| Day 4 | Robbie’s Marina Florida Keys Brewing Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center Drive to Key Largo John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Depart |
To make your own itinerary, here is a guide of what there is to do at each popular island spot as well as where to eat. Pick things from each category to mix and match to create your trip!
Key West
| Things to Do | Places to Eat |
Visit:
Book sunset cruise or watch from Mallory Square (Sunset Celebration)Day trip or camping overnight at Dry Tortugas National Park – take a seaplane or ferryWater activities:
| El Siboney Blue Heaven Firefly Key WestFritas Garbo’s GrillBistro 245 Hot Tin RoofBagatelle Fisherman’s Cafe Cuban Coffee QueenMatt’s Stock Island KitchenEl MochoHogfish Bar and GrillGreen Parrot (Bar) |
Islamorada
| Things to Do | Places to Eat |
| Robbie’s Marina Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center Florida Keys Brewing | Bob’s Bunz Bad Boy Burrito Morado Bay Chef Michael’s Pierre’s Restaurant Ciao Hound Marker 88 Cafe Moka |
Key Largo
| Things to Do | Places to Eat |
| The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort Coral Restoration Foundation Education Center John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (snorkel or Scuba) | Mrs Mac’s Kitchen Key Largo Chocolates and Ice Cream Sundowners The Fish House Sol by the Sea Snooks |
How would you spend a trip to the Florida Keys?
If you have been to the Florida Keys before, let me know what I missed and what your favorites are!