By Linda McClain, CTA
Looking for a Caribbean-style destination within the United States? Are you singing the blues, shoveling snow, instead of relaxing on a sun-soaked beach? Why not visit The Florida Keys?
Looking for a Caribbean-style destination within the United States? Are you singing the blues, shoveling snow, instead of relaxing on a sun-soaked beach? Why not visit The Florida Keys?
How do I get there?
Want a quick connect by air from Miami? Fly into Key West or Marathon Key.
The distance from Miami to Key West is 125 miles; about 3 hours and 45 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale by car. 7 Mile Bridge is the gateway to the Keys, and one of the 10 longest bridges in the world. Forty-two bridges connect the islands of the Florida Key chain over the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Strait.
When should I go?
Use the supply and demand theory. Plan months in advance, if possible. Hotel and camping accommodations are more expensive during peak season, mid-December to mid-August. Rates fluctuate higher when special events take place.
The Keys have two types of weather: wet and dry. From mid-November to May the weather is mostly dry.
Annual temperatures are in the low 80s. November-February temperatures are in the low 70s.
This may be surprising if you’re anticipating sizzling Caribbean temperatures. Regardless, water temperatures are consistently warm year round.
From June to November, brief rain showers are routine. Hurricane warnings and evacuation procedures give tourists and residents advance preparation, if necessary.
What can I do there?
There are about 1,700 Keys, but only about a dozen have hotels, campgrounds and are accessible by car. Want to explore and discover resources at your own pace? Visit www.fla-keys.com.
Key Largo
About an hour from Miami, it is the largest of the Florida Keys, stretching 33 miles.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Dive or snorkel at America’s first underwater state park. You can also take a canoe excursion, glass bottom boat ride, eco-tours and enjoy nature trails and campgrounds.
Hammocks State Botanical Site – Nature Preserve, home to numerous endangered species. Guided walks available.
Deep Sea Fishing Excursions – The most sought after world-class game fish can have you hooked on a prize catch – sailfish, grouper, marlin, tarpon, trout, yellowtail, redfish and more.
Tour or ride the original African Queen steamship, used in the film starring Humphrey Bogart. It remains docked at the Holiday Inn Key Largo Marina. Sometimes privately chartered – confirm availability if you are interested.
Islamorada – Situated between Everglades National Park and North America’s only coral barrier reef, it is comprised of six islands. The name is derived from the Spanish word, Islas Moradas, which means purple isles. Purple orchids and flowering bushes of amethyst are abundant here.
The village of Islamorada – Looking for tropical tranquility? Enjoy the secluded island bistros and gourmet, beachfront cafes, boutiques and galleries.
History Of Diving Museum – A fascinating exhibit for divers and snorkelers.
Indian Key Historic State Park and Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park – Visit both to learn more about Florida’s history, dating back to the 1800s.
Long Key State Park – Stroll among lush, tropical nature trails.
Robbie’s Marina – It’s feeding time! Purchase bait and feed the swarm of tarpon that frequent here.
Theater Of The Sea: Marine Mammal Park – Swim with dolphins and other creatures of the sea.
Marathon Key – Just 10 miles long and mid-way from Key Largo to Key West.
Crane Point Hammock – One of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys. It was once a site of an Indian village and also contains evidence of prehistoric Bahamian artifacts.
Sombrero and Coco Plum Beaches – The perfect environment to pack a picnic lunch and spend the day swimming or snorkeling. From April to October turtles nest on the beach at night.
Sombrero Reef – A federally-protected section of North America’s only living coral reef is just a few miles from shore.
Big Pine Key and Lower Keys
Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this is the perfect environment if you want to get away from a demanding lifestyle.
Looking for adventure? Explore over 50 miles of Key deer trails by bicycle, including trails within the National Key Deer Refuge. Home to the smallest white tailed deer in the world, over 300 inhabit the area.
Bahia Honda State Park – White, sandy beaches and abundant wildlife make this one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States.
Key West
Located in the southernmost point of the continental US, Key West is closer to Cuba than to Miami. Only 4 by 2 miles in size, driving a car is more difficult than riding a bike, here.
Ernest Hemingway Home/Museum – The author and Nobel prize winner penned novels here for 10 years. Tour the home, now inhabited by over 50 ancestry cats. The original Hemingway cats had six toes on each paw, as these do.
Duval Street is the hub of activity and is the Keys’ version of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Restaurants, bars and shops line the street.
You can take an old town trolley tour and admire the Victorian and Conch style architecture. Perhaps visit the Dolphin Research Center and Florida Aquarium, if there is time. Don’t miss Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square each evening.
Films made in the Florida Keys:
“Key Largo” – Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
“True Lies” – Arnold Swarzenegger & Jamie Curtis
“Operation Petticoat” – Cary Grant and Tony Curtis
“Up Close & Persona”l – Robert Redford & Michelle Pfeiffer
“Speed 2” – Sandra Bullock & Jason Patric
Excerpts of the film, “PT109” – Cliff Robertson
Do you want to picture yourself in the Keys, too?
Linda McClain, CTA, is owner of Capital Region based Linda McClain Travel Services “From The Islands To The Highlands, No Dream Is Too Far From Here!” For more information call 372.7657 or visit www.lindamcclaintravel.net. I invite you to contact me for travel assistance to your favorite travel destination.