The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the Miami – Key West Tour was the USA’s first undersea park, and covers around 70 nautical square miles with mangrove swamps, shallow water coral and deep sea reefs.
Visitors can snorkel with multitudes of fish and explore the Christ of the Deep Statue and remnants of an old Spanish shipwreck, and those preferring to stay dry can enjoy a glass-bottomed boat tour.
Bahia Honda State Park is rightly considered the best beach in the Miami – Key West Tour.
On a nice warm day this is highly recommended stop for a cooling swim, stroll in the sand, or a nap under the palm trees. And don’t miss taking the classic photo of the derelict railway bridge.
The first turtle hospital in the world, the sea turtle and rescue center on Marathon is a must-visit during your Florida Keys road trip. Many injured or sick sea turtles require medical care. Deeply concerned with the increasing number of injured sea turtles in the area, a nonprofit hospital was established in 1986 with the aim of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing these turtles back into the ocean when possible.
The Turtle Hospital is committed to providing compassionate care for injured sea turtles. They offer necessary surgeries, engage in public education, conduct important research, and work to support environmental legislation aimed at protecting these magnificent creatures. The hospital also hosts tours and educational programs, which create wonderful opportunities for visitors to observe and learn about sea turtles up close.
Kick off your island adventure in Key Largo, the gateway to the Florida Keys. Home to America’s first undersea park, this spot is famous for colorful coral reefs, curious fish, and that iconic underwater statue. Snorkel, dive, or hop on a glass-bottom boat, your tropical getaway starts here.
Time-travel to the early 1900s on Pigeon Key, a pint-sized island packed with history. Once a base for railroad workers, it now charms visitors with vintage buildings, ocean views, and tales of Flagler’s grand vision. Ride or walk the Old Seven Mile Bridge to reach this hidden gem.
At only 80 pounds, the endangered Key Deer is the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer and they are found exclusively in the Miami – Key West Tour.
Keep an eye out for these adorable little deer, they can be spotted wandering around the island and you’ll see slow driving zones to help protect them. The best place to see them is at the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key.
Get your cameras ready for a quintessential Florida Keys photo opportunity with “Betsy,” the giant lobster! Located in Islamorada at the entrance to the Rain Barrel Artisans’ Village, this massive, anatomically correct sculpture of a Caribbean spiny lobster stands an impressive 30 feet tall and 40 feet long. Created by artist Richard Blaze in the 1980s, Betsy has become one of the most photographed roadside attractions in the Keys, offering a fun and quirky stop to commemorate your scenic journey south.
Duval Street is the vibrant heart of Key West, showcasing the island’s true spirit. Renowned for its famous bars like Sloppy Joes (Hemingway’s favorite hangout) and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (the oldest Margarittaville still running) , shops, and restaurants, this lively thoroughfare is a central hub for nightlife and events, including the famous Key West Food and Wine Festival. To fully experience all Duval Street offers, consider taking the Miami to Key West Tour.
South Florida isn’t just known for its stunning beaches—it’s a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, particularly for tarpon feeding! The tarpon is a large, silver-hued fish that has been said to live up to 50 years (one in captivity lived 68 years), can grow up to 8 feet in length, and weighs a whopping 280+ lbs!!!. Thriving in warm, subtropical waters, this impressive species has attracted fishermen since the early 1900s. The Florida Keys is undoubtedly the tarpon fishing capital of the world. For a truly unique Florida Keys experience, stop at Robbies Marina on Islamorada and try your luck at tarpon feeding. Be sure to incorporate this thrilling fishing experience into your itinerary when traveling from Miami to Key West.
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Key West, a vibrant beach town where endless stretches of sandy coastline meet year-round sunshine! Dive into the breathtaking beauty of the third-largest barrier coral reef in the world, a paradise for snorkelers and divers alike. Once the wealthiest city in the United States on a per capita basis, Key West is bursting with history and charm. Key West is the southernmost drivable destination in the continental USA—an epic bucket list moment!
The name “the Keys” comes from the Spanish word “Cayo,” meaning “small island,” and with just 25,000 full-time residents, this enchanting destination welcomes people from all corners of the globe. Embark on an exhilarating driving tour from Miami to Key West, where stunning scenery and rich culture await.
The Seven Mile Bridge is a stunning structure in the Florida Keys, extending out into the ocean and linking Knight’s Key in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. It was the longest continuous concrete segmental bridge in the world when completed, and it remains one of the longest segmental bridges globally today.
When Hurricane Donna inflicted damage in 1960, a new and more comprehensive, sturdier Seven Mile Bridge was built next to it. Today, the Old Seven Mile Bridge, originally known as Knights Key Bridge, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the original bridge remains intact, and it’s used as a fishing pier and to access Pigeon Key. Venture onto this historic pathway while driving along the Miami to Key West route.
Next, we’ll delve into the heart of the Everglades along the renowned Gumbo Limbo and Anhinga Trails. The Gumbo Limbo Trail offers a shady stroll through a tropical hardwood hammock, showcasing a unique ecosystem characterized by its namesake gumbo limbo trees with their distinctive peeling red bark. As we walk beneath the dense canopy, keep an eye out for air plants, ferns, and a variety of birdlife.
Connecting seamlessly, the Anhinga Trail winds through a sawgrass marsh, offering exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing. This is a prime spot to observe alligators, turtles, various wading birds like herons and egrets, and of course, the anhinga (or snakebird) with its distinctive drying posture. The boardwalk trail makes for easy walking and provides fantastic vantage points for photography and observing the intricate web of life within this wetland environment. These two interconnected trails offer a fantastic contrast in Everglades habitats.
Our exploration concludes at the Eco Pond Trailhead, a tranquil spot known for its excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. This peaceful pond attracts a variety of wading birds, alligators, turtles, and other fascinating creatures that come to feed and bask in the sun. Take a leisurely stroll along the trails surrounding the pond, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife encounters. This is a perfect place to relax, observe the natural interactions of the Everglades ecosystem, and capture some final memorable photographs. The calm waters often reflect the surrounding vegetation, creating beautiful scenery.
Prepare to be enchanted by the Mahogany Hammock Trail, a boardwalk that meanders through a dense, tropical hardwood hammock. This “island” of trees rising above the surrounding wetlands is a biodiversity hotspot, teeming with unique plant and animal life. Towering mahogany trees, strangler figs, air plants, and a variety of ferns create a lush and verdant environment. Keep an eye out for colorful tree snails and a variety of bird species that find refuge in this shady oasis. This short, easy trail offers a captivating glimpse into a different facet of the Everglades ecosystem.
For a breathtaking overview of the vast Everglades landscape, we’ll ascend the Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower. Rising above the sawgrass prairie, this observation platform offers panoramic vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. Experience the sheer scale of the “River of Grass” and gain a true appreciation for its seemingly endless expanse. Our guide will help you identify key features of the landscape and understand the unique hydrology that sustains this remarkable ecosystem. This elevated perspective provides an unforgettable sense of the Everglades’ grandeur.
Start your Everglades visit with a stop at the Everglades Alligator Farm, where you can safely see alligators up close. Watch thrilling alligator shows, explore reptile exhibits, and snap photos of crocs, snakes, and more. It’s a fun and exciting way to meet the park’s most famous residents.
Located in the Florida Keys, Anne’s Beach is a small beach named after local environmentalist Anne Eaton that’s the perfect stop on a Miami to Key West driving tour. Boasting a picturesque 1,300-foot boardwalk, this family-friendly beach offers great photo opportunities and shallow waters ideal for wading. This hidden gem, nestled between the water and mangroves, provides a peaceful and less crowded experience compared to other local beaches.
Built-in 1851, the charming two-story Hemingway House showcases the beautiful Spanish Colonial style and holds a special place in the hearts of many as the former home to Nobel Prize author Ernest Hemingway. After he died in 1961, it became a National Historic Landmark and remains the largest residential property in Key West. Today, it has become a beloved venue for weddings and events, creating lasting memories for couples and their families.
Hemingway chose to name all his cats after famous personalities including the first cat Snow White, and the museum proudly upholds this delightful tradition to this day. The Hemingway House cats are quite unique, as many of them are descendents of his original six-toed cat and there’s around 60 at the museum with six toes. Additionally, there is a cat cemetery in the garden dedicated to the cats that lived at the property and have since passed away. Their graves are marked with names and dates. A visit to the Hemingway Home and Museum is like stepping back in time that appeals to both literature enthusiasts and general visitors, making it a heartfelt must-see for anyone driving along the Miami to Key West route.
The southernmost point in the continental US is in the Miami – Key West Tour, marked by a striped concrete buoy.
From here it’s just 90 miles to Cuba, and despite local legend it’s not possible to see the lights of Havana. It’s a popular selfie spot and long lines form to take photos, so go early to avoid the crowds.
