From our friends at the Monroe County Tourist Development Council

Key West

Located closer to Cuba than to Miami, Key West is Florida’s irreverent southernmost subtropical paradise, a unique confluence of history, climate, natural beauty, cultural diversity, architecture and unabashed romantic appeal.

Palm-lined streets with gingerbread mansions and tin-roofed conch houses were home to Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost and Jimmy Buffett, a few of the famous people who discovered solace and inspiration in the island city whose Bahamian and Cuban heritage in large part was inspired by Bahamian wreckers, commercial fishermen, spongers and Cuban cigar makers.

Residents and visitors to the island actively participate in sightseeing, diving, fishing, watersports, golf and shopping by day, and then become part of the sunset celebration held each evening at Mallory Square, when tightrope walkers, jugglers and animal acts perform before the fiery sun settling into the Gulf of Mexico.

At night, streets filled with sidewalk cafes, open-air bars, legendary pubs and world-class restaurants with island specialties come alive. Drama, musicals and comedy flourish on local stages.

Lower Keys

Where the Florida Keys island chain takes a graceful westerly turn toward the sunset, the Lower Keys are home to two national wildlife refuges, a national marine sanctuary and a state park, and are surrounded by a marine environment filled with abundant terrestrial and marine wildlife.

This quiet region of small islands is connected from the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge at Sunshine Key, mile marker (MM) 40, to Stock Island at MM 5, by community resilience, family-owned resorts, RV parks, campgrounds, quaint B&B’s and licensed vacation homes, as well as eclectic restaurants, native wildernesses and rich history.

Along your road trip explore Little Duck Key and Veterans Memorial Park, a perfect family stop for its sandy beach, picnic areas and pet-friendliness.

A mile further southwest is Ohio Key and Sunshine Key RV Camping Resort, with pool, family restaurant and modern amenities.

Near MM 37 is Bahia Honda State Park and Recreation Area, whose white sandy beaches and abundant wildlife frequently earn the area “one of the most beautiful beaches in America” accolade.

Shop, dine or explore the National Key Deer Refuge, a large expanse of mostly undeveloped pinelands where the diminutive Key Deer live, when you reach Big Pine Key at MM 33.

Or, venture out to the freshwater habitat of the Blue Hole or No Name Key for a backcountry kayak adventure.

Marathon

Marathon is one of the Keys’ most marine-friendly cities with nearly 1,200 wet slips, 1,200 dry slips and major facilities to accommodate transient cruisers.

Marathon City Marina, considered the Keys’ jewel for cruisers, administers 226 mooring balls and has limited dockage. Both mooring balls and dockage are available by the day, week or month.

There are also special mooring and managed anchorage fields in Boot Key Harbor as part of a statewide environmental protection pilot program. Boats on a mooring ball do pay a fee.

Other features include two dinghy docks, storage, private showers and bathroom facilities, social center, coin-operated laundry and parking.

Islamorada

Perhaps the world’s highest density of professional offshore charter boats with tournament-grade captains can be found in Islamorada, a village of islands where backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly fishing were pioneered.

Highly skilled recreational fishing guides ply their trade here, in the style of legendary fishing figures Ted Williams, Jimmy Albright and Cecil Keith.

Islamorada may be the only place on Earth where it is possible to catch a sailfish offshore and pursue bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish in just inches of water in the backcountry, all in the same day.

Islamorada is, however, much more than sport fishing capital of the world.

Travelers on group tours through the Florida Keys — multi-generation families, reunions, seniors, foreign or special interest groups — can find unique experiences, soft adventure and quality.

In Islamorada, permanent and traveling exhibits featured at the Keys History & Discovery Center incorporate the first Florida Keys inhabitants, shipwrecks and salvage, Keys pioneering families, sportfishing legends, Henry Flagler’s Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad, and reflect upon nature, art or history of the Keys.

Key Largo

Key Largo, the first and northernmost of the Florida Keys, is an hour’s drive from South Florida’s two major airports, and a world away.

Home to tropical hardwoods, winding creeks, two state parks, a national park and a portion of a national marine sanctuary, Key Largo boasts some of the most fascinating botanical scenery in the state.

Accommodations from small family-owned properties to vacation homes and condominiums or large resorts are available for all tastes.

Visitors can enjoy Key Largo’s ties to the sea including scuba diving, snorkeling, an underwater hotel, sport fishing, eco-tours, beaches and dolphin encounter programs. The island also offers numerous on-shore attractions including nature trails and a rehabilitation center for wild birds.