12 Things to Do on a 2-Day Road Trip to Key West
Key West is my kind of laid-back paradise. Seedy and unpretentious but colorful and warmhearted, this tiny island has never failed to cheer up and entertain me. Salty-caramelized, hot and malleable with a twist of crazy – this is Key West life in my overly romanticized mind.
Key West completes a string of The Florida Keys tropical
islands, being the states’ southernmost point and a famous spot for tourists
from over the world. 3-4 hour scenic drive from Miami to Key West is a
destination by itself, with lots of fun activities offered by Florida Keys on
the way.
Being a Miami local for I-can't-believe-how-fast-time-flies 10 years, I've visited Key West religiously roughly once a year. I never lack reasons for yet another crazy getaway to my beloved island.
As I am sort of trying to keep up with the travel blog here (oh, naive naive me, thinking this would be an easy task), I figured I owe it to myself and to a few readers I've managed to attract (again poor poor me, hoping readership would be popping like popcorn if only I keep writing) to publish one of those "10 things to do..." posts about Key West.
Without further ado, here’s my suggested itinerary for your very best 2-day road trip adventure through the Florida Keys to Key West!
As I am sort of trying to keep up with the travel blog here (oh, naive naive me, thinking this would be an easy task), I figured I owe it to myself and to a few readers I've managed to attract (again poor poor me, hoping readership would be popping like popcorn if only I keep writing) to publish one of those "10 things to do..." posts about Key West.
Without further ado, here’s my suggested itinerary for your very best 2-day road trip adventure through the Florida Keys to Key West!
DAY 1
(Head out at 7 am Saturday, get back by midnight Sunday)
1. Key Largo Snorkeling
About an hour drive from Miami (this timing varies depending on the starting location), Key Largo is the first large island in the Florida Keys Archipelago. Book your snorkeling tour in advance as it is very popular with tourists and busy all year round. 9 am trip will give you an hour of snorkeling and you’ll be done by noon – wet, happy, hungry and ready to see more!
Price: Under $50
2. Robbie's Tarpon Feeding
While rather controversial, tarpon feeding is enough fun and unusual activity for me to pass on. Right after the snorkeling tour I suggest you head to Robbie’s (30 min drive) to have lunch, relax in an atmosphere of local charm and reggae style live music, feed tarpons and watch pelicans trying to steal both the fish and the thunder.
While rather controversial, tarpon feeding is enough fun and unusual activity for me to pass on. Right after the snorkeling tour I suggest you head to Robbie’s (30 min drive) to have lunch, relax in an atmosphere of local charm and reggae style live music, feed tarpons and watch pelicans trying to steal both the fish and the thunder.
Price: Under $10 (feeding fish, not yourself)
3. Seven Mile Bridge Scenic Drive
The Oversees highway connecting Florida Keys islands is
a 113-mile chain connected by 42 bridges, one of them 7 miles long. The Seven
Mile Bridge was among the longest in existence at the time it was built. Should
I go into details how beautiful this drive must be? Yeah, it’s pretty amazing. The
water colors are magnificent, ranging between all shades of aquamarine, emerald
green and blue. Sit back, enjoy the views and maybe ponder a bit over the
beauty of our world and the treasure that is our life.
Price: Free
4. Bahia Honda Beach and State Park
Bahia Honda Beach and State Park is a great spot to
take a break from driving and stretch your legs. Spend some time on the beach,
have a few refreshments (if you brought any along) and walk a short trail to the
abandoned Rail Bridge. The views are amazing here, so take a camera!
Price: Under $10
Price: Under $10
5. Seafood Feast
30 min drive from Bahia Honda and the road splits in
two – you are entering Key West! Accommodations on the island are rather pricey but always
packed – definitely book a room beforehand and go for a nice Victorian B&B
over a generic hotel room (not much difference in price but a lot in experience).
If you follow my itinerary, you’ll arrive around dinner time and the options
here are endless. I say, you can’t visit Key West and not indulge yourself in a
seafood feast! My personal favorite
is Alonzo's Oyster Bar – fresh oysters, clams, mussels, shrimps, conch ceviche will please any seafood gourmand out there. And
if you are in time for 4 - 6:30 happy hour – just keep eating! It’s half priced.
Price: Happy Hour Under $50 per person
6. Sunset Watching
It is cliché for a reason. When in Key West, go to Mallory
Square and watch sunset. With a tropical drink in hand. Pink rainbow in the sky
and on the water, sailboat silhouettes against the setting sun, music, laughs,
happy faces – even crowds of tourists somehow complement this place rather than
spoil it.
Take a walk along the plaza to watch street performers and arts showcasing - while nothing spectacular, the atmosphere is fun and cheerful with a cherry of bizarre on top.
Price: Free
7. Bar crawling
Duval in Key West is Miami’s South
Beach – it never sleeps, it is always crowded and perfect for bar crawling! Duval
is easily my favorite among the two. I love its laid back atmosphere, shorter
walking distances, cordial attitude, cozy appeal and devil-may-care craziness! Definitely go to
Aqua to see a drag show and have some laughs. Just remember to leave your judgmental
goody-goody self behind the doors – open-mindedness and sense of humor are a
must! Then start bar hopping. Or crawling. Whichever you prefer. Listen to some live
jazz, get frozen daiquiris, switch to a rock band, have shots with the
bartender, meet the locals, drink some rum, meet strangers who can't remember if they are tourists, get temporary tattoo,
dance on the bar… maybe a tequila shot? I am only kidding, but you get the
point – Duval is a party paradise and a little party never killed nobody :)
Price: sky is the limit
DAY 2
8. Jet-ski Tour
Any vacation gets better when you have a nice variety of
activities. Being on an island calls for trying a fun watersport and Key West kindly (rubbing hands vigorously in anticipation of gain, in fact) offers a great deal of options: jet skis, kayaks, peddle boards, boats, etc. I suggest starting your second day with a Jet Ski tour. It doesn't damage your wallet as much as renting a boat, but gives you the same great opportunity to see and explore
the island from another perspective, from the water. Throw in here tons of fun
driving a Jet Ski and a refreshing sensation of wind slash waves coming your
way (which is always a huge bonus on a tropical island with prevailing hot
temperatures). Reserve your spot in advance not to waste precious vacation
time.
Price: $100-$150
9. Exploring the island on a bike
There are yet so many places to explore in Key West and, though all being in close proximity, walking all day long would run you out
of steam. Biking provides an alternative which is fun, convenient and
reasonably priced. Bike rentals are on each corner on Duval, together with
scooter rentals as your second best option. Go on adventure without a
destination and pedal along less crowded streets with no tourists, no hassle
and only a red rooster here and there. Enjoy Key West’s joyful pastel colors
architecture, quiet charm and abundant tropical vegetation. Check out scenic Roosevelt
Boulevard and White Street Pier.
Price: Under $20
10. Duval Street and Old Town
Duval is where you were bar hopping yesterday, remember?
Probably not :) So,
here’s your second opportunity to take delight in the distinct allure of this tightly
built up street with its endless galleries, gift shops and cafes. Everything here
is tourist targeted and so quite overpriced, but you can find some really
ingenious pieces. Don’t buy anything for the asked price – bargain!
Refresh yourself and prevent dehydration (it's always hot and humid on the island) with cooled coconut water from the coconuts cut only a few hours (minutes) ago by the small-scale street entrepreneurs. These babies (coconuts, not entrepreneurs) are delicious, healthy and quench the thirst perfectly!
Refresh yourself and prevent dehydration (it's always hot and humid on the island) with cooled coconut water from the coconuts cut only a few hours (minutes) ago by the small-scale street entrepreneurs. These babies (coconuts, not entrepreneurs) are delicious, healthy and quench the thirst perfectly!
Price: free to walk and watch
11. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
12. The Southernmost Point
11. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
After spending all day under the baking sun you are probably
quite well done and crispy by now. If so, this is the best time to transfer
your juicy, browned body into a well air conditioned room and to enlighten your
mind with a piece of lore. I am referring to visiting the Ernest Hemingway Home
and Museum – the former residence of the author. Take a guided tour or explore
the house on your own – it’s just lovely either way. For those of you far from literature,
history and all that jazz – there are 6-toed cats in there! Lots of them!
Purring, sleeping, stretching furry weirdos who claim to be descendants of the Hemingway’s
cat and refuse to leave the premises.
Price: Under $15
12. The Southernmost Point
You can’t leave Key West without a picture with the
southernmost point buoy! It is a must and should not be neglected. It is like
leaving Paris without seeing Eiffel Tower or London without a picture in a
red telephone booth. It should be regulated, really. Police officers should be
stopping cars leaving the island and demanding an image with passengers' happy faces next
to the buoy and in case they’ve got none, giving them a warning and placing their mug shots on the wall of shame of people who DID NOT show reverence to the island’s
pride. I am kidding, of course, and not trying to downplay the importance of
the buoy :) It is an interesting spot with a history to it which one would want to know.
Price: Free
In the end a few random suggestions:
Beer lovers consider stopping by the World of Beer Bar (500+
global beers).
Hot spices lovers and not cliché gifts seekers stop by Peppers of Key West (free sampling, names like “Anal Angst X-Hot Sauce”
and over 600 sauces selection).
After you had a blackberry-caramel with a twist of pumpkin beer
and tried a couple of “Ass in the Tub” hot saucers, have a romantic sunset photo
session and be done. It’s time to go home!
If you read through until this moment - you are my hero and thank you for being so amazing! :)
Best one written so far because it comes from the heart......really liked it and want to make the trip down to try it all!
ReplyDeleteOh you know me so well, Mike! I guess I am slowly finding my writing style...which apparently is rather sarcastic :D And you would love Key West for sure!
DeleteBy the way, thank you for being my best follower! ;)
Key West seems so magical! The sunset photos are reason alone to go. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSilly Medley: Lifestyle and Travel
Thank you, dear, for reading ;)
DeleteSo many great things to do, love this list! Just added Key West to my travel bucket list!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mintnotion.com
Glad to hear, Eden! Key West won't disappoint you :)
DeleteYou are amazing!! Thank you to share all details we need... Thanx for your time pretty lady😘
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteCurrently planning my trip to Key West and came across your list. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad, thank you! ;)
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