TTRACTIONS TO SEE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE KEYS
Part of the enjoyment of going to Key West is the drive to get there. It has the flavor of the Caribbean Islands, but is situated here in the United States. We are listing some of the fun spots that we have enjoyed seeing. You may not be able to stop at all of these on one trip, but we expect you’ll be back on a return visit and can do them later.
Miami is a unique spot. The water is turquoise and the sand is white. At night the Art Deco district, South Beach, wakes up to neon lights and thumping music. There are a lot of outdoor eating areas across from the beach. If you have time, staying a night and enjoying all the sites Miami offers is fun.
Key West is about three hours drive from Miami if you drive it without any stops. However, we highly recommend you slow your pace up and savor the drive.
Florida City has Air Boat rides. This is where Hurricane Andrew hit a few years back and devastated this little town. The air boat park closes at 5:00pm and cost about $12.00 for a half hour thrill ride. You will see real alligators and a few other exotic animals there as well.
In the Keys everything is measured by mile markers(MM).
It starts around MM120 and works its way down to MM1 in Key West.
MM99.5 Dolphin Plus, swim with the dolphin. Call at least six weeks ahead to make reservations. Age ten and older. 305-451-1993.
If you are getting hungry about now on your trip, go to Lorelei, a little past Key Largo. It has a nice outside atmosphere. Lorelei’s landmark is a huge mermaid on the Gulf side. If you blink, you might miss it.
MM86 is Treasure Village shops. It is an area that has a lot of fun shops to visit. It’s landmark is the giant lobster and the store’s purple building. Across the street form it is an art boutique that’s fun to browse in as well.
MM84.5 The Holiday Isle, located on Islamorada is known for it’s party atmosphere in the evenings. Parking might be hard to find, but we highly recommend you stop here and get yourself a fruit smoothie and walk around. Get your camera out for lots of fun pictures.
MM83.5 One of our favorite places to eat is called The Whale Wharf Inn. It opens for dinner at 4:00pm. Sundays is 11:00am. It has all you can eat crab, shrimp, etc. $18.00 early bird, $20.00 after 5:00pm. It’s location is just over the bridge from the Holiday Isle. We often eat here on the trip back up from Key West.
MM 81.5 is the Worldwide Sportsman tackle shop with a unique restaurant behind it on the water with a great outdoor atmosphere.
MM 77.5 Robbie’s boat Rental Marina. This is a must stop. For a couple of dollars you can feed the five feet long Tarpon fish a bucket of fish. Dangle the bait close to the water and see them come snapping out of the water at the speed of lightning. Don’t loose your hand.
MM 72 offers an old fashion WATER HOLE. If you have your swim suits on, go for a dip by free falling from ropes hug on the trees and drop into the gulf. The only problem is that there is no fresh water to shower off with when you are finished. If you don’t want to get wet, you may be able to still swing for the adventure without dropping into the water. Don’t try it if you are very clumsy unless you want to ride the rest of the way to Key West in wet clothing. By now you’re probably tired of stopping and touring, but if your aren’t, here are a couple more places.
MM59 Dolphin research Center also offers swim with the dolphins. 305-289 1121
MM53.1 Captain Hook’s Marina at 4:00 feed the little sting rays and sharks in a small pool out in front of their place. Those stingrays love to be scratched by their feeder.
MM50 Florida Keys Children’s Museum - It’s small but well done for a museum out in the middle of the keys.
After you leave Marathon Key (about MM 50) and enter the 7 mile bridge, you’ll notice an old retired bridge running along side of you. This was built years ago by Henry Flagler. His dream was to build a train to reach Cuba from New York City. He almost made his dream come true until a hurricane destroyed it. There are museums to visit so you can learn more about Flagler’s challenging and inspiring feat. The bridge is now used for the recreational fisherman. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movie, ?True Lies? rebuilt part of this bridge and then blew it up again. In the movie, Jamie Lee Curtis was in a run away limo on this bridge.
MM33 Big Pine Key was rare small deer living on it’s island. Every year many get killed by automobiles so the speed limit is slow through here. They dearly love their deer so not to get a traffic ticket, obey the speed limit on Big Pine Key.
MM37 Bahia Honda is our most favorite beach in all the Keys. In was voted as best beach in the US in 1994. One day while in Key West, take a picnic up to this beach. Buy some cheap blow up rafts to use for this day trip. In the summer the water temperature is in the high 80’s. There’s a wonderful nature walk near the little convenience and rental store. The trail goes up onto the bridge. When you’re up on the bridge there are two breathtaking views. One is looking around the panoramic view of the Bahia Honda area and the other is looking into the water from so high up. It takes your breath away. At that little rental store you can take a snorkel trip out to the reef. It leaves around noon. When you return stay around and BBQ. It’s a great place to stay the whole day but remember to bring your sun block. Robert Redford filmed his movie, “Up Close and Personal” here for a scene with him and Michelle Pieffer. It must be a romantic spot if Redford chose it.
MM25 Monte’s restaurant and Seafood Market, located on the gulf side. Stop for a little snack of smoked Amberjack with it’s special dipping mustard sauce. They also have fresh jumbo shrimp and great clam chowder. You feel like you’re on vacation when eating all this fresh seafood from the ocean.
That’s about it, in a half hour from here you’ll be entering Key West.
