The Best Way to See The Florida Keys

We’ve just released the 2^nd edition of our popular Great American Vacation Ideas Florida Keys Travel Guide!  It’s chocked full of tips to the best beaches, best fishing spots, fantastic lodging, fabulous dining, and the sites you just can’t miss.  And the best part, no establishment every pays to be featured in our guides!       

So, what’s the best way to see about The Florida Keys?   Here’s one of our favorite Great American Vacation Ideas blogs:

The Florida Keys are America’s version of the Caribbean.  Warm tropical breezes, beautiful blue ocean waters, coral reefs filled with colorful sea creatures, and some of the best fishing in the world lure millions of people to this slice of paradise each year!  So, what is the best way to see the Florida Keys?

1.     Swim with the Fishes – North America’s largest coral reef sits just offshore the Florida Keys.  Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with tropical fishes, stingrays, coral, sponges, lobsters, and even the occasional shark.   John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the ultimate destination for snorkelers, with trips out to the reef and even sunken Spanish ships to explore inside the park!  But, Pennekamp isn’t the only place to snorkel.  There are literally hundreds of charters that will take you out to explore the wrecks, reefs, and more!   Plus, there are plenty of places throughout the Keys where you can swim with dolphins and porpoises.

2.     Step Back in Time – Interested in what life was like before the famed Overseas Highway was built?  Take a guided boat tour to Indian Key Historical Park or Lignumvitae State Park to see how the early settlers lived.  These parks are only accessible by boat and have retained that rustic, turn of the century feel. 

3.     Hit the Beach – One of the biggest misconceptions about the Florida Keys is that there are miles and miles of beaches.   There aren’t!  Instead, you see the Atlantic Ocean hugging one side of the road and the Gulf of Mexico the other.  But, there are a few fine beaches here.  Our favorite – Sombrero Beach in Marathon.  Palm trees swaying in the breeze, soft sand, gentle surf, and a limited amount of coral makes this a hit with both locals and tourists.

4.     Take in Some History – Key West is a city steeped in history.  Visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to explore a fort that placed a pivotal role during the Civil War.  Explore Harry Truman’s Little White House.  Stop by the Hemmingway House to see where To Have and Have Not was written.  Spend the night at the La Concha Hotel where Tennessee Williams wrote parts of A Streetcar Named Desire.

5.     Be  Adventurous – Take a fishing charter out to the Marathon Hump or go tarpon fishing in the back bay.  Climb aboard Conch Air to get a birds-eye view of the 7 Mile Bridge.  Hop aboard a seaplane or charter boat tour to explore Fort Jefferson, situated on Garden Key in the heart of The Dry Tortugas.

Interested in learning how to plan the ultimate Florida Keys vacation?  Our Florida Keys Pocket Travel Guide will help you do just that.  Our guide takes an in-depth look at each Key’s must see attractions, delectable restaurants, beaches, lodging, snorkeling, and fishing.

Do you have a Kindle, IPhone, or IPad?  Then, purchase our guide directly from the Kindle Store: www.amazon.com/dp/B009J1D8QY.  Or purchase the PDF version from our website:  www.greatamericanvacationideas.com/Florida.html