Best Family Places to Eat Between on Route 113

Florida Keys Road Trip: 25 Crawly Things To Do Between Primal Largo and Key W

The Florida Keys are one of the all-time spots in the The states to go along a road trip. In only 100 miles, hop from key to key, get snorkeling, dine at seafood restaurants, endeavor fundamental lime pie, get shopping, and bask countless views of brilliant aquamarine water. Information technology'due south a gorgeous bulldoze with lots to exercise.

There are several ways to plan your Florida Keys road trip. With one day, bulldoze from Miami to Central West, visiting the highlights along the style. For those with more time, spend several days in the Florida Keys, spending the night in Islamorada, Marathon, or one of the other keys.

In this guide, we embrace the best things to exercise on a Florida Keys road trip, when to go, and how to programme your time. Nosotros also have a detailed 7 to 10-day itinerary that includes Miami, Key West, the Florida Keys, Biscayne, Everglades, and Dry Tortugas National Parks.

Quick Facts virtually the Florida Keys Overseas Highway

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway is 113 miles in length, joining the mainland of Florida (starting in Florida City, just south of Homestead) to Key Westward.

To bulldoze direct from Key Largo to Key West, it takes roughly ii.five hours to travel a distance of 100 miles.

At that place are hundreds of islands, likewise called "keys," that make up the archipelago of the Florida Keys. These small islands are joined by a series of bridges. The longest bridge is 7 Mile Bridge, which joins Knights Key in the Middle Keys with Little Duck Primal in the Lower Keys.

Before the construction of the Overseas Highway, the Keys were linked past the Overseas Railway. Portions of this railway were destroyed a powerful hurricane that made a direct hitting on the Florida Keys in 1935. The railroad bridges were then transformed into roadways. In the 1980's, new highways were constructed but the old railway bridges can still be seen today. Some of these have been converted into fishing bridges.

Florida Keys Road Trip

We take visited the Florida Keys multiple times. Most recently, Tim and I route tripped along the Florida Keys in February 2018 and Dec 2021.

There is A LOT to exercise from Fundamental Largo to Central W, so don't wait to practice everything we list in this guide in only one day. You volition have to choose the things the look the most interesting to y'all or separate the drive into two or more days.

This list is only includes things to exercise from Key Largo through Big Pine Primal (ane of the last major Keys before you reach Central West). We have a separate article about the best things to do in Key Westward that y'all can read here.

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Best Things to Practice on a Florida Keys Road Trip

This list is ordered geographically, starting in Primal Largo and ending in Key Westward.

#1 Become Snorkeling or Diving in Key Largo

Key Largo is world famous for its diving and snorkeling. The best identify to go is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. At that place are numerous dive companies and snorkel companies that volition take you out for a few hours or longer.

Nosotros hired Keys Diver to take u.s.a. on a 4-60 minutes snorkel trip to the John Pennekamp reef. We were extremely lucky that our excursion went on schedule. Boats did not leave Cardinal Largo for 6 consecutive days before our trip due to loftier winds and rough water. For our scheduled tour, we could go out on the water, but the crew was limited where to have us because of the crude weather condition.

We booked this excursion because you have the opportunity to visit multiple reefs as well as a famous statue called "Christ of the Deep." Because of the rough seas, the crew could just take usa out to one snorkel spot.

Tim and I had a good time, but not a great time. The snorkeling did not live up to our expectations. Either the crude waters impacted the quality of the snorkeling, or we accept just done this at besides many other spots around the world for Key Largo snorkeling to thrill us. We saw lots of barracuda and contrasted tropical fish, just naught "Wowed!" us. For a four hour trip, with half of that a gunkhole ride to and from the reef, nosotros were honestly disappointed.

However, I want you to know that this was in no way whatsoever fault of Keys Diver. They were wonderful, offer a safety, fun, comfortable experience. We have no complaints about their service and highly recommend them. Still, it'due south the quality of the snorkeling that left Tim and I disappointed.

If you have never been snorkeling before, and the waters aren't besides rough, this is nonetheless a very worthwhile feel. Keys Diver too offers shorter 2-hour snorkel trips that requite yous a good intro into snorkeling.

For more than information, visit the Keys Diver website here.

#ii Caribbean area Club

The Caribbean Club's claim to fame is that it was a filming site for the movie Key Largo (starring Humphrey Bogart) in 1947. It is the oldest bar in the Upper Keys.

This bar and restaurant sit on Florida Bay. Chairs and tables sit on the sand under the shade of palm trees and the sunsets are unbeatable. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, there is live music on their waterfront stage.

Location: 104080 Overseas Highway, mile marker 104.i
Hours: vii days a week, 7 am to 1 am

#3 Accept a drinkable at Sharkey'south Sharkbite Grill

Located in the marina in Central Largo, Sharkey'south Pub serves pub food and great drinks. If your day is catastrophe in Key Largo, consider ordering ane of their jumbo sized rum buckets.

Location: 522 Caribbean Drive, just east of Mile Marker 99.7
Hours: 7 days a week, 7 am to 2 am

#iv Mrs. Mac's Kitchen

Mrs. Mac's Kitchen is one of the almost popular places to consume in Key Largo. This is a small eating place serving brunch, dejeuner and dinner. The walls are covered with license plates from the United states and around the world and the ceiling is stuffed with dollar bills.

This was our first stop in the Keys, arriving hither in time for brunch. I had the fish and grits and Tim ate the caramel bacon waffle (yum…sweet and salty!) with a side of alligator sausage.

Annotation: There is a second Mrs. Mac's Kitchen (Mrs. Mac's Kitchen II). If you want the quirky, original eating place, visit Mrs. Mac's Kitchen at mile post 99.3.

Location: 99336 Overseas Highway, Mile Post 99.3
Important Annotation: Closed on Sundays

#5 Harriette'southward Restaurant

If the wait is also long for Mrs. Mac's Kitchen, or if you want to consume at a restaurant that is a piffling less touristy, it'south a quick drive downward Overseas Highway to become to Harriette'southward Restaurant.

This small restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. They are known for their Key Lime muffins.

Location: 95710 Overseas Highway, mile marker 95.8
Hours: vii days a week, 6 am to 3 pm

#6 Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary

This sanctuary is home to more than 100 birds that cannot be released back into the wild. Owls, pelicans, vultures, hawks, and other species native and migratory to the Florida Keys have a home here. The sanctuary is gratis to visit but donations are appreciated.

Location: 93600 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, mile marker 93.6
Hours: seven days a week, 7 am to 7:xxx pm
Price: Free merely donations are appreciated

#7 Take a Slice of Central Lime Pie

There are numerous restaurants claiming to have the all-time Cardinal Lime Pie in the globe. Tim and I sampled Key Lime Pie at several restaurants in the Keys (our waistlines got a bit bigger on this trip…nosotros pretty much ate our style through the Keys and Key Due west) and our favorite spot is the Blond Giraffe Primal Lime Manufactory.

Buy just a slice or a whole pie to go and savor ane of the Florida Cardinal'due south tastiest dishes. The Blond Giraffe has a wonderful outdoor seating area, with tables and Adirondack chairs in the shade of giant trees. They also serve java and lots of Key Lime flavored delicacies. Enjoy!

Location: Tavernier, Mile Mark 92.ii
Hours: Dominicus 9:30 am to 9:xxx pm; Mon through Sabbatum ix am to 8:30 pm

#eight Marking 88

You lot volition see several beachfront restaurants and bars on this list. Dining al fresco on the embankment, under the shade of palm trees, is 1 of the best things to do in a Florida Keys road trip.

Located on Plantation Key, Marking 88 serves mitt-crafted cocktails, fresh seafood, local beer, and, you guessed it, key lime pie. The mojitos are great, and I really liked the blackened tuna sashimi.

We had a tabular array correct on the beach with swings every bit chairs. This would be a smashing place to spend the afternoon and evening.

Location: Islamorada, mile marker 88
Hours: Hours vary by 24-hour interval, simply in general they are open from eleven am to 9 pm, after on weekends. Go updated hours on the official website.

#9 Go Shopping at the Rain Barrel Hamlet

For some other quirky spot in the Keys, make a quick stop at the Rain Barrel Sculpture Gallery. You know you are in the right spot when you run across the gigantic lobster out front.

This gallery is a collection of small-scale shops selling everything from air current chimes to Tiki heads to wear and jewelry and craft. It'southward a fun place to browse, go souvenir shopping, or to merely buy something strange and unusual. This was our favorite weird identify to become shopping in the Florida Keys.

Location: Plantation Primal, Mile Mark 86.7
Hours: Open up daily 9 am to 5 pm

#10 History of Diving Museum

If you have an interest in scuba diving, this is a cool museum to visit. Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer have spent the last 40 years assembling the largest collection of dive helmets, scuba gear, armored suits, and diving memorabilia in the world. Immerse yourself in diving history in this very well designed and informative museum.

Location: Islamorada, Mile Marker 83
Hours: Daily from x am to five pm
Admission: Adults $15; children 6 – 11 $7
Website: world wide web.divingmuseum.org

#11 Morada Bay Beach Café

When you lot retrieve of the Florida Keys, what comes to mind? White sandy beaches, palm trees, crystal clear aquamarine water, and mayhap even tropical drinks? If you are looking for those things, you can find them all at Morada Bay Beach Café.

This bay front restaurant is one of our favorite spots along the Florida Keys. The setting is awesome, the nutrient is succulent, and the drinks are fifty-fifty better. Put this café high on your list for lunch or dinner as you route trip through the Keys.

Location: Islamorada, Mile Marker 81.six
Hours: Daily 11:30 am to 10 pm

#12 Florida Keys Brewing Company

Merely beyond Overseas Highway from Morada Bay is the Florida Keys Brewing Visitor. This is a great spot to sample some local beer.

We ordered a flight of beer and I drank most of it (and the drinks at Morada Bay!) since Tim was our driver.

Location: Islamorada, 200 Morada Way, Mile Marking 81.6
Hours: vii days a week, 11 am to 10 pm, open until xi pm on weekends

#thirteen Midway Café & Coffee Bar

This small restaurant is a smashing place to terminate for coffee, broiled goods, snacks, and breakfast or dejeuner.

Location: Islamorada, mile marking eighty.5
Hours: seven days a calendar week, 7 am to 2 pm

#14 Feed a Tarpon at Robbie's

This is a must do in the Florida Keys…if y'all dare!

A tarpon is a large fish that can grow up to viii feet in length. At Robbie's you lot can hand feed these large guys.

It sounds simple…hold a small, dead fish in your hand, dangle it just above the surface of the water, and drop it into the mouth of a tarpon when it comes charging up out of the water.

But it's not and then easy.

First of all, there are the pelicans. If you're not careful, those darn pelicans will eat your bucket of fish before you lot become a run a risk to fifty-fifty try to feed a tarpon. The pelicans surrounded us, getting very close and even a footling aggressive, trying to steal our fish. We quickly learned that if you stomp your anxiety and accelerate on them, they volition fly away.

I actually was non trying to feed the pelicans. They just had me cornered!!

The pelicans also linger in the water and they will steal your fish out of your hand before the tarpon does. The trick is finding a spot of open water that is pelican-complimentary. The enclosed "puddle" on the deck of Robbie's is the perfect spot for this.

At present, you take your chance to feed the tarpon. Dangling your hand over the water the beginning time can feel a little alarming. In a glimmer of an centre, the tarpon rushes out of the h2o, snatching the fish from your paw. If you don't let become of it quick enough, you will feel their tiny, abrupt teeth.

Just it's tons of fun and Tim and I loved every infinitesimal of it, even chasing away those pesky pelicans!

Just as a side note, Islamorada is known equally the "sport fishing capital of the world." Robbie's also offers numerous line-fishing excursions if you are interested.

Location: Islamorada, Mile Marker 77.5
Hours: vii am to 8 pm

#15 Long Key State Park

Long Fundamental State Park is 1 of several state parks that you can visit on a Florida Keys road trip.

Activities include kayaking, swimming, and relaxing on the beach. Yous tin can also hike the Golden Orb Trail, a 1.1-mile loop that goes through mangroves, the coastline, and hammock copse. We did this in 2021 and part of the mangroves accept died, from damaged sustained during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Golden Orb Trail

Location: Long Key, mile marker 67.5
Hours: viii am until sunset
Cost: $5.l for two or more people, 50 cents for each additional person

#sixteen Dolphin Enquiry Center

Rather than hosting dolphin shows, this research center focuses on education, enquiry, and rescue of marine animals. The animals at the Dolphin Research Center come from rescue centers or are born here.

Full general access tickets ($28) allow yous to walk around the facility, discover dolphins and bounding main lions in preparation sessions, and nourish the educational programs. You can also swim with dolphins or spend the solar day with the trainers and researchers, all for an additional fee.

Learn almost the tour options and pricing on the official website.

Location: Grassy Primal, mile marker 59
Hours: vii days a week, 9 am to iv:30 pm
Website: dolphins.org

#17 Curry Hammock State Park

Curry Hammock is a cute park in the Florida Keys. This makes a groovy spot for a picnic tiffin, but yous tin can likewise kayak through mangrove swamps and become kite boarding and snorkeling. Kayak and SUP rentals are available at the ranger station.

Location: Mile marker 56
Hours: viii am to dusk
Price: $four.50 for i person, $half dozen for 2 people, 50 cents for each boosted person

#xviii Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

If yous are traveling with kids, this is a great identify to add together to your Florida Keys road trip.

In diverse aquariums and touch on tanks, visitors can see starfish, turtles, tortoises, sting rays, horseshoe crabs, moray eels, sharks, alligators, and tropical fish. You can also feed and interact with stingrays and nurse sharks.

Location: Marathon, mile marker 53
Hours: vii days a week, 9 am to 5 pm
Cost: $24.50 for adults, $17.fifty for children 4 to 12; click here for updated pricing

#19 Sombrero Beach

Sombrero Beach

This gorgeous stretch of beach is a brusque detour off Overseas Highway. It makes a bang-up identify to spend an afternoon. From April through October, you might get to see Loggerhead turtles nesting on the beach (practice not approach sea turtles if yous see them on the beach).

Location: Marathon, mile mark fifty.five

#20 Turtle Hospital

The Turtle Hospital rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured sea turtles so they tin can be returned to the wild. Some turtles are now permanent residents, since they have weather condition that do non let them to return to the wild. Just most turtles that enter the Turtle Hospital are rehabilitated and returned to sea.

The Turtle Hospital rescues turtles that have fibropapillomatosis, a disease that causes large tumors. These tumors are removed and the sea turtles spend several months at the hospital before being returned to the bounding main.

Physical therapy session.

Guests tin can take a 90-infinitesimal tour of the hospital facilities. Information technology's one of the best things to do in the Florida Keys and great for all ages. I recommend making your reservation in advance, considering bout times do fill up, particularly those midday.

Learn more than on their website.

Location: Marathon, Mile Marker 24
Hours: ix am to 6 pm, concluding bout is at 4 pm
Price: Adults $30, children 4 to 12 years $xv

#21 Seven Mile Span

Vii Mile Bridge is the longest bridge in the Florida Keys, joining Knights Key in the Eye Keys with Petty Duck Key in the Lower Keys. This is the one matter you lot can relish without leaving your motorcar.

The water in the Florida Keys is a vibrant aquamarine color. It really is beautiful to run into. As you drive over this long bridge, enjoy the views of this technicolor water and go on a lookout for Fred the Tree, a small tree that is growing on the old Seven Mile Bridge. In December, he is decorated for Christmas.

Drone photo of Seven Mile Bridge.

Every bit you head south you volition see the old bridge to your correct. This was the original railway bridge that was later converted into a route and more recently is a bridge for pedestrians and fisherman. The erstwhile bridge does not continuously span the seven miles and then you cannot walk ane way along this entire distance.

Portions of the Sometime Seven Mile Span are currently airtight for renovation. We were able to walk out onto the southern portion from Little Duck Key, although you cannot walk too far considering you reach a big gap in the bridge. The northern section of Old Seven Mile Bridge is expected to reopen for pedestrians in 2022.

#22 Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is a precious stone of a state park in the Florida Keys. Domicile to three beautiful beaches and a short merely sweetness walking trail, this is one of the best places to visit on a Florida Keys road trip.

Sandspur Beach is the longest natural sandy beach in the Florida Keys. Information technology was wiped out by Hurricane Irma in 2017 but is currently undergoing a renovation project. Visit the official website for projected dates of when it will reopen.

In the meantime, you can also visit Calusa Beach (a pocket-sized beach on Florida Bay) and Loggerhead Beach (a thin strip of sand with a large sandbar on the Atlantic Bounding main).

Calusa Embankment and the Old Bahia Honda Bridge

Loggerhead Beach

One of the best things to do in Bahia Honda Country Park is to walk to the finish of the Former Bahia Honda Bridge. This trail was in one case part of the Overseas Railway. In 1938, the railway was converted into a road, and this was used as part of the Overseas Highway until 1972, when a replacement bridge was synthetic.

Here is the view from the top.

Location: Large Pine Central, mile marking 36.8
Price: $8 per vehicle
Hours: 8 am to sunset

#23 See the Key Deer in Big Pine Cardinal

Big Pine Key is a large island, at to the lowest degree for the Florida Keys. It was also hit hard by Hurricane Irma. In February 2018, we nevertheless saw extensive hurricane damage here, including piles of rubble, flattened buildings, and trees that are leaning and dangerously close to falling over.

Key Deer call Large Pine Fundamental home. The population of these tiny deer are endangered due to poaching and habitat devastation. Drive slowly while you are on the Lower Keys to avert hitting them with your auto.

You tin can also visit the National Central Deer Refuge, an eight,000+ acre refuge that is domicile to the Key Deer.

#24 No Name Pub

This is the coolest bar in the Florida Keys, at to the lowest degree out of the ones we visited. Located in what feels like the eye of nowhere on Large Pine Cardinal, this pub has the slogan, "a dainty place if you lot can find it."

Just put "No Name Pub" into Google Maps and follow the directions. How did we ever get around earlier Google Maps?

No Proper noun Pub dates back to 1931 and started off every bit a bar and a brothel. Information technology's no longer a brothel, but since the 1980'due south visitors have been calculation their dollar bills to the walls and ceiling of the pub. Now it looks like every square inch of the No Name Pub is covered with the faces of George Washington, with a few bills from other countries thrown into the mix here and there. Nosotros take never seen so many dollar bills in one identify. On some spots the walls are covered with 40 layers of bills!

Just out of marvel, we asked the staff how many dollar bills they think are stuck to their walls. Their answer: a half million dollars!! That'southward a lot of money, but every unmarried bill is written on with permanent ink: names, quotes, dreams, and wishes. It's controversial if all of these bills are actually worth annihilation. But what an awesome thing to see.

And the nachos are pretty good, too!

Location: 30813 Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key
Hours: Daily 11 am to ten pm

Our 10 Favorite Things to do in the Florida Keys

If you are limited on time and want some help narrowing this listing down, here are our five favorite things to practise in the Florida Keys (bated from Key West):

Feed a tarpon at Robbie's
Have dejeuner or dinner at Morada Bay Beach Cafe
Visit Bahia Honda State Park
Attempt a slice of Fundamental Lime Pie at the Blond Giraffe
Visit the Turtle Hospital
Have breakfast at Mrs. Mac'south Kitchen
Accept a potable at No Name Pub
Endeavor a flying of beer at the Florida Brewing Company
Go shopping at Rain Barrel Village
Visit Sombrero Beach

Best fourth dimension for a Florida Keys Road Trip

The months betwixt Dec and May take pleasant temperatures and low rainfall. December through Feb is peak flavour for visitors, then await larger crowds and more than expensive prices, but you also become the all-time weather condition. The summertime months, from June through Oct, are hot, humid, and wet, and you have the chance of a hurricane.

Recently, we did this in Feb and December. On both trips, temperatures were in the low eighty's, which is unusually warm for this time of year. In February, information technology was very windy. But the weather was sunny and dry out on both of our visits.

How Much Time Do You lot Need in the Florida Keys?

If yous desire to see the highlights of the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West, you will need a minimum of ii days. And even and so, it will exist a very decorated 2 days.

Most people tend to spend one day route tripping from Key Largo to Key West, visiting a few places along the style. From Key Due west, you tin either fly home or road trip back through the Florida Keys, ending your trip in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

By doing this road trip out and back, you get to spend more time in the Florida Keys and rental car prices tend to be cheaper, since yous exercise not have a i-mode drop fee.

To plan your trip, take a look at our 7 to 10-mean solar day Florida itinerary that includes Miami, Biscayne, Everglades, and Dry out Tortugas National Parks, as well equally several days in Key Westward.

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