Miami is a special place but when your patience has run out and you want a stunning drive, then head to Key West. A road trip to Key West from Miami might be tedious for a weekend so think about leaving on a weekday mid-morning. Expect it to take about 4 hours without stopping but hey, this itinerary is all about making stops and taking your time. March through May is definitely the best time to take this Key West Road trip because the weather is not too hot, hotel rates aren’t at their peak and let’s face it, it is before hurricane season, which is June through November. Here are some fun ideas for you and the family to enjoy.
Rent a convertible, put the top down, and let the wind blow through your hair. Merger on to U.S. Route 1 and make your first stop at Key Largo, which is the first island in the Keys. Stretch your legs and get some snacks. Stop and Snorkel at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Leave room for dessert and stop by the Award-Winning Key Lime Pie” Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie factory in Tavernier.
Next stop, Islamorada and Plantation Key at mile marker 90. This means you are 90 miles from your final destination, Key West. Don’t forget to stop at World Wide Sportsman, a Bass Pro Shop, for outdoor gear and climb aboard the sister ship of Ernest Hemingway’s “Pilar.” This ship was used on his fishing trips to Cuba. It is inside the store! Lunch is next at Islamorada Fish Company, just next door. Take a dockside table where the charter fishing boats launch and feast on a whole yellowtail snapper. Feed the tarpon while waiting for lunch. If you are looking for some culture and art, perhaps you can stop by the Morada Way Arts District, full of galleries and art studios.
Time to do some snorkeling or swimming or visit the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key to feed the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin and sea lions. Stop by and feed some big tarpon at Robbie’s Marina at Mile Marker 77.
Enjoy your Scenic Drive over turquoise water on the Seven Mile Bridge that connects some of the smaller islands. After crossing the Seven Mile Bridge, pull into Bahia Honda State Park before the final leg of the journey. The sandy white beaches are recommended for swimming. If that is too crowded, no worries, there are some other amazing beaches nearby, such as Calusa Beach and Loggerhead Beac. If you are hungry, Mangrove Mama’s on Sugarloaf Key has live music and creative menu options at mile marker 19.
Finally, your hotel at Key West; arrive tired but exhilarated. Some hotel recommendations include Parrot Key Hotel & Villas, a family-oriented resort on the Gulf side away from the bustle of downtown, or for a contemporary twist on Old Town Key West, the Marker, near mile marker 0. Casa Marina Key West is a Waldorf Astoria resort and a luxury treat but expect a heaty price tag.
The easiest way to get around Key West is by bicycle, and We Cycle has rental options for the entire family. Head to Blue Heaven for a Caribbean-style dinner amid the restaurants’ cats and roosters. Don’t miss breakfast at La Creperie French Café, and then take a ferry to Sunset Key for lunch at Latitudes.
For a dose of literary history, there’s Hemingway House and the Butterfly Museum for natural history, as well as a glass-bottom boat tour for snorkeling. Explore the maze of mangroves around the airport with rented sea kayaks, but don’t miss happy hour and dinner on the Gulf Coast. You must make a stop at Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe for a frozen chocolate-covered Key Lime Pie on a stick.
Heading back, stop at Lorelie on Islamorada for the blackened catch of the day, live music and a magic show. Check into the Islander resort or Cheeca Lodge, then relax around the pool or paddleboard in the Atlantic. After lunch, the drive is only about two hours to Miami Beach. It would be hard to pack any more into a weekend adventure. Ready for your Key West Vacation? Key West Bicentennial is going on now. Make sure to be a part of the celebration.
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