The 11 essential things to do in the Keys in Florida

Are you dreaming of turquoise water, cocktails, tropical heat and white sand beaches? So you have to visit the Keys in Florida!

The Keys are an archipelago off Florida that delineate the border between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Only 150km Cuba , the most famous are Key West, Key Largo, Islamorada, Bahia Honda... To the edges of the US Route 1 along the entire east coast of the country from Canada to finish with the Seven Mile Bridge , culture lovers, nature lovers, sportspeople and party enthusiasts will all find happiness by going to visit the Keys.

And if you don't know what to start, follow our guide of the 11 essential things to do in the Florida Keys!

1. The House of Hemingway

If you ask that to do in the Keys, don’t look anymore: visit the house Ernest Hemingway . Two reasons make it a must Key West .

• First of all, it is a superb Spanish colonial style residence fully furnished. Emotion guaranteed in the office of the famous writer in front of his writing machine and his personal objects!
• And then... cats! All born of Snowflake, Hemingway’s first cat, they inherited its particularity: they are polydactyles, that is, they have six fingers. A very cute curiosity!

2. The Southernmost point

The Southernmost point (the southernmost point) of the United States is materialized by a large concrete tag painted in red, yellow and black. It is located on Key West at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street. The mark also marks the kilometric 0 terminal of the US Route 1 . For symbolic geography enthusiasts who will visit the Keys, it is a must!

3. Local cuisine

The cuisine of the Keys reflects their mixed culture of the United States and the Caribbean. Taste local specialties is therefore a good thing to do in the Keys. Here are some delicious examples:

• ♪ conch : it is a typical shell of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. It is usually served fried or soup called chowder. The dish is so typical that Key West even self-proclaimed Conch Republic.
• By going to visit the Keys, don't miss the Key Lime Pie. Made from lime juice, eggs and sweet concentrated milk, it is then covered with meringue or whipped. Halfway between lemon pie and cheesecake, a delight!
• Finally, if you're really an adventurer, try them alligator donutsSpeciality of Florida! But will you dare taste?

4. Nightlife

What to do in the Keys to meet local people? Enjoy nightlife! More intense on Key West, this is almost a ritual.

• First, go and admire the sunset on Mallory Square. It is a tradition on the island and animation is great.
• Then, go to the bars Duval Street. You can enjoy a mojito or a daiquiri, the favorite Hemingway cocktail!
• Finally, move your bodies on tense rhythms of salsa or reggaeton to the end of the night.

Good to know: Keys are known to be a place of LGBTQ+ tourism where openness reigns. So the place is more safe that to go out when you are gay or lesbian.

5. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

When you go to the Keys, make a stop at Natural state park John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park which is on Key Largo. Visitors can discover coral reefs, ancient ship wrecks and the magnificent underwater life that evolves underwater. There are many sporting activities available: a boat trip with a glass background, scuba diving, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking...

In addition, nature lovers who wonder what to do in the Keys will be delighted. In fact, John Pennekamp Park offers magnificent tropical vegetation, mangroves, marshes, many animal species... A real paradise on Earth!

6. Looe Key

Looe Key is a small island located inside the protection area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary . It is possible to practice snorkeling and to observe a magnificent underwater life with subtropical species and algae meadows.

The marine sanctuary surrounds the entire Keys area from Key Largo to Key West. Its purpose is to protect the environment while authorizing environmentally friendly human activities. However, some firms have harmful practices. So, when you go to the Keys, turn to the quality labels for your aquatic activities. For example:

• Blue Star: for diving or snorkeling.
• Dolphin SMART which allows to observe dolphins in their natural environment without harming them.

7. The release of a sea turtle

Go to visit Turtle Hospital on Marathon Key is one of the essential things to do in the Keys. It is a non-profit organization that uses injured sea turtles and educates the public on the protection of the oceans.

Since its opening in 1986, the Sea Turtle Hospital has rescued and released nearly 1500 individuals! If you are lucky, one of them may be released during your stay. These events occur regularly and are announced on the website of Turtle Hospital . A great time to attend if you go visit the Keys.

8. Dry Tortugas National Park

As well as the famous Yellowstone or Yosemite Dry Tortuga is one of the famous U.S. National Parks. As it is 108 km from Key West, it is only accessible by boat or by seaplane. What to add to your adventure! Dry Tortugas consists of 11 islets, one of which houses the Fort Jefferson .

Do you know what to do in the Keys at Dry Tortugas National Park? Observe nature because the place is incredibly beautiful. You can admire the lagoon of a transparent blue, coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, birds... Camp in this enchanting place, because national parks are essential when visiting the United States!

9. A boat ride

To make the most of the beauty of the islands with crystal clear waters, what better than rent a boat ?

Finally, having your own boat will allow you to discover coral reefs, heavenly coves as well as lagoons and their transparent blue, all at your own pace. So you can stop where you like to go to explore the seabeds, with a mask and a tuba.

10. Fort East Martello and Robert the evil doll

Who says Caribbean Also voodoo and ghosts... So if you come to visit the Keys, don't miss Fort East Martello . This museum welcomes an exhibition entitled The ghosts of East Martello and his most famous piece: Robert, the evil doll. He would be responsible for many harms and the death of several people. Go visit him if you dare!

11. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Butterfly greenhouse in Key West is an unmistakable to do in the Keys. You will evolve in the middle of a small tropical paradise filled with birds, waterfalls and lush plants. The visitor centre ( Learning center ) you will learn more about the life of butterflies.

How do I go to the Keys?

If you want to visit the Keys in Florida, you have several solutions.

By plane from France

To reach Florida from France , you will first have to take the plane to the Miami International Airport (MIA). From Paris , the trip lasts about 10:30 .

Many companies provide the connection with or without a call. To choose the most suitable flight for your budget and travel dates, use a flight comparison, like Ulysses For example. Then, from Miami, you will have to take a flight of about 1 hour towards Key West Airport (EYW).

By the way from Miami

There are three alternatives:

• ♪ car: from Miami, the journey lasts about 4h and costs between 15€ and 20€. L’US Route 1 will take you to Key West via the beautiful scenic road in the middle of the sea and the legendary Seven Miles Bridge.
• ♪ bus: the bus network is very developed in the United States. Since Miami, many companies have been liaising with the Keys. The journey lasts between 4h and 6h and costs from 35€ to 60€.
• ♪ shuttle to the day: for about 45€, a shuttle takes you to the centre of Miami and takes you to Key West. You then have a few hours on site before the return to the evening.

By boat

Unless you have your own boat, the only way to get to Key West by boat is to go from Fort Myers . From there, the company Key West Express liaison 3:30 .

On-site travel

Once on site, a wide range of transport will allow you to move if you don't have your own vehicle like:

• Bus
• Taxi
• Uber
• Vélo

In short, you have the embarrassment of choice!

Where to stay in the Keys?

If you have a lot to do in the Keys, the best thing is to spend several days there. Depending on your budget, you will find all kinds of accommodation, from rustic camping to luxury hotel. Do not hesitate to use a hotel comparisons to make the choice that best suits you. Know however that prices are high: from $50 campsite and $200 for a double room.

The slightly more economical alternative is to take a Airbnb . However, you should know that demand is important, so prices are rising fast. Remember to book in advance to get the best rate.