6/11/2023 0 Comments Keykey florida![]() ![]() If you’ll be visiting next year, look for the Key West Attractions Association’ annual six-week-long Kids Free Florida Keys promotion every September following Labor Day through October. This 2022 booklet costs $54.99 (plus s+h) and contains buy-one-get-one-free discounts on top Key West tours, attractions, watersports, and even restaurants, racking up visitor savings up to $850. To save money on some of the city's best activities and attractions, consider getting a Vacation Discount Booklet from The Key West Attractions Association. Know that most sites charge admission fees, ranging from $2.50+/person to enter state parks to $15-$25+/person to enter museums. There’s a reason the Conch Train/Trolley tours are popular-they give you a great visual overview of the island’s iconic sites, allowing you to hop on and off throughout your journey. Do your research ahead of time, starting with the website maintained by the Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Board. the Conch Republic offers a smorgasbord of activities. From historical sites and botanical gardens to museums and state parks. There’s a lot to see in this compact part of the Keys. “This voluntary recognition program aims to reduce the impact of divers, snorkelers, and anglers on the Keys’ ecosystems,” she says. Serrate also suggests looking into the Blue Star Operator program established by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary with input from local Keys dive and snorkel shop staff/owners and REEF Environmental Education Foundation. At the very least, take a sunset cruise to see the blaze of orange and crimson colors from the water as you watch the sun set into the Gulf of Mexico. Try something new, like SNUBA, stand-up paddle boarding, or kayaking. If you don't have a boating license, take a boat tour (think eco-tour or glass-bottom boat tour). If you don’t dive, go snorkeling to catch a glimpse of the incredible coral reef and marine life teeming in the clear waters. But you don’t need to own a boat or be a licensed SCUBA diver to enjoy the stunning turquoise waters of the Keys. This is not the time to stay on dry land the entire time. ![]() And if you fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale, bookend your Keys visit with a fabulous stay at National Hotel (Miami’s South Beach). ![]() I’ve enjoyed some amazing stays at Reef House Marina (Key Largo), Hawk’s Cay (Duck Key), and Margaritaville Beach House (Key West). If you plan to enjoy all the Keys, your best bet is to stay two or three nights in the Upper or Middle Keys (like Key Largo, Islamorada or Marathon) and then two or three nights in Key West. With stunning views across 42 bridges, the Overseas Highway makes a spectacular scenic road trip. From Miami to Key Largo it’s about 1.5 hours, and then from Key Largo to Key West, expect a three-hour drive via one primary corridor-the Overseas Highway (a.k.a. Instead, consider flying into Miami or Fort Lauderdale, renting a car, and driving through the entire Keys. While you can fly into Key West International Airport at the southern end of the island chain and just catch a shuttle/taxi to your Key West hotel, you’d miss out on the amazing must-see sites throughout the Keys. I also reached out to Ashley Serrate, representative for the Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Board, for some additional expert advice to ensure you get the most out of your visit to this iconic island chain. To help streamline your first trip to the island chain, let me dispel a few myths about the Keys and provide some been-there-done-that tips. Never been to the Florida Keys before? If you’re planning a trip to this idyllic island chain, you might want to know a few things before you go.Īs an Orlando-area resident, I’ve lived in Florida for nearly 25 years, exploring the Sunshine State from coast to coast-including multiple trips to the Keys. ![]()
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