Island Hopping Is a Great Way to See The Florida Keys
The archipelago contains dozens of islands that connect Key West to the Florida mainland, giving you plenty of places to explore along the way as you make the scenic drive south.
Image: KG Glovatskiy/Shutterstock
Thanks to its fascinating history, its lonely perch at the southernmost tip of the U.S. and its outlaw reputation, Key West rightly grabs most of the headlines when people think about the Florida Keys. But the archipelago contains dozens of islands that connect Key West to the Florida mainland, giving you plenty of places to explore along the way as you make the scenic drive south.
When to Go
The Keys are a popular spring break destination for a reason—the weather is perfect at that time of year. If you’re looking for a more relaxing getaway and don’t mind the heat, consider going in the summer, when tourism slows. But that’s also hurricane season, so check the forecast before you make plans.
Little Palm Island spares no luxury.
Image: Courtesy Photo
Where to Stay
If you really want to get away from it all and you’ve got ducats to spare, book a bungalow at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa. The exclusive retreat is for adults only, has no phones or televisions and is located on a private island only accessible by boat or seaplane. Located not far from the mainland, in Key Largo, you’ll find Baker’s Cay Resort, a Hilton property with stunning water views and a tropical pool area that will put you at ease in minutes. If you’re on a budget, check out Venture Out on Cudjoe Key. A gated facility with RV sites and units available for short-term rentals, it makes for an ideal home base while you’re exploring the islands.
What to Do
Pigeon Key is a tiny island in the middle of the famous Seven Mile Bridge and is home to historic buildings that housed workers who built the railroad that connected Key West to the mainland. To get there, hop on a trolley that departs from Marathon for a tour. Afterward, drive a little farther on U.S. 1 to Bahia Honda State Park, which has sandy beaches and coral reefs and is perfect for snorkeling. Want to feel a little Sarasota pride? Stop by one of Mote Marine Laboratory’s three Keys campuses, where the organization is conducting cutting-edge research on coral restoration. Each of the facilities offers public tours at set times every week.
The No Name Pub on Big Pine Key
Where to Eat
As its name indicates, No Name Pub, located just near No Name Key, doesn’t look like much from the outside, but its tavern-style pizzas and burgers are the stuff of local legend. For a quick, filling pit stop on the road, swing by La Niña Restaurant in Marathon. The menu includes Cuban sandwiches that are enormous enough to cover lunch and dinner, plus plenty of other Cuban specialties, like Cuban coffee that will keep your caffeine level high as you power through the long drive. If you want something a little fancier, drive into Key West, where you’ll find plenty of great spots. Try the Thirsty Mermaid, which specializes in raw oysters, clams and ceviche.
Get on Island Time
Kino's sandals have been a Key West mainstay since 1966.
Image: Courtesy Photo
A Book to Pack: Anything by Ernest Hemingway would work, of course, but also consider picking up Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Judy Blume’s 1970 classic. Blume lives in Key West and helped found the store Books & Books.
A Movie to Watch: You have to go with the classics here. Put on Key Largo, John Huston’s 1948 noir starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall at the peak of their powers.
A Record to Put On: At age 82, Bob Dylan is making some of the best music of his career. His last record, 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways, contains the gorgeous, sprawling epic “Key West (Philosopher Pirate).”
Must Have Souvenir: Kino’s sandals, a Key West original since 1966.
