Until you’ve had your first trip to the Florida Keys, it might seem like it’s a destination that you can just show up and enjoy that Keys Life. Well, it takes more planning and understanding than that. The Florida Keys are a gorgeous destination, but space and resources are limited, so visiting with a plan is important. That’s where we come in!
The Keys Explored is all about helping visitors experience the beauty and fun of the Florida Keys while not having a lasting negative impact on either the environment or the people who call it home. Problems like pollution, traffic, housing shortage and supply issues can easily have an effect on such a sparsely populated or developed place. Maine is awesome, and the towns are remarkable, but it is delicate.
Unless you grew up in Florida, you might not understand how the state is laid out and how to get around. We can help with that! Here on theKeysExplored.com we’ve got the following topics and guides to help you plan an awesome trip:
I first fell in love with the Florida Keys as a little kid when I saw a commercial that showed people driving a convertible on the 7 Mile Bridge in the Keys. I saw turquoise water and sunshine and it looked imaginary. That’s when I first knew that I had to have the Florida Keys in my life. Fast forward to being an adult and discovering that the Keys really are as I imagined.
Whether you are into diving and snorkeling, want to really dig into Florida history, or you just want to relax in the tropics, the Keys are perfect for exploring. Islamorada has the beautiful resorts you can picture yourself lounging at. Marathon is the gateway to fishing that you’ve seen pictures of but never experienced. Key West is the coolest town with brick lined streets and chickens everywhere. It’s dreamy, and that’s why you’re going to make a plan to explore the Florida Keys.
We are sure to write about each place we stay as we go from key to key, so if you’re wondering where to stay in the Florida Keys, we’ve got suggestions! When we’re booking hotels we look at ranges of dates to find the best rates, keeping our destinations flexible since we’ll have to drive through all of the Keys anyways.
To get an idea of different hotel and B&B costs, browse the map below.
We love that you’re interested in exploring the Florida Keys. It’s such a unique destination because it’s not a bunch of coastal beach towns like you might expect, but it’s a collection of communities, marinas, preservation areas, and State Parks that all together make for a truly unique travel experience. Vacation in the Keys usually includes a day or two on a boat, perhaps some fishing, definitely some snorkeling, and by the end of your trip you might even be into birdwatching.
As you’re driving the Overseas Highway between Key Largo and Key West, you’ll see vestiges of the Keys of the past. Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway once travelled the length of the Keys into Key West, but the great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 changed all of that. From the Hurricane Monument in Islamorada to the broken bridges of the Lower Keys, you can’t escape what once was. Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Mel Fisher all left their mark through the years too. As you visit the different islands and communities, take a little time to add some history to your trip. You’ll be glad you did!
Now, about beaches… Yes, there are a few beautiful beaches in the Florida Keys, but they are few and far between. Most water access points are either via the marinas among the mangroves or across the ancient reef tidepools and seagrass beds. If you’re planning on an exotic beach vacay, readjust your expectations now. Yes, there are some beautiful resorts that have their own beaches, but again, beaches aren’t everywhere. That’s why we spend so much time on boats!
Great! We love sharing the experiences of people who enjoy the Keys life also. If you’re interested in contributing content to TheKeysExplored.com, please send us a note so we can chat and start sharing your points of view.
Our travel partners are a huge help in us creating and sharing Florida Keys content. If you represent a lodging facility, event venue, tour company, restaurant or local tourism group, please reach out to see how we can work together. TheKeysExplored.com is a part of the 2TravelDads family, so we have opportunities here, there and beyond. Looking forward to working together!
Check out our other sites too, because we love to share our adventures and work with locals to help people visit respectfully and create great memories. Our full family of sites includes:
If you’re interested in having us help tell your local story and partner up to encourage responsible tourism and supporting local businesses, please let us know! We love projects like this and are happy to share.
