One of the best road trips you can take in the US is through the Florida Keys. It’s one of those drives that’s more about the journey than the destination, although there are tons of amazing places to stop along the way.
There is one road (US 1, also known as the Overseas Highway) that goes from Florida’s mainland to Key West. But this isn’t just any drive. You’ll be mesmerized the entire way with some of the most beautiful colors of water you’ve ever seen. Even if you don’t get out of your car, you’ll feel like you’ve had a great experience. But of course, I think you should get out of the car and explore and that’s what we’re covering in this article.
The Florida Keys have so much to offer and I recommend spending 1-2 nights at each main island (Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon) if you have the time. If you don’t have the time, that’s ok! Just spend your time in the places that are most appealing to you (and maybe start making plans for a return trip!)
The stops in this post go from north to south (Key Largo to Key West) but you can easily reverse the order.
Alabama Jacks
Alabama Jacks is a quintessential Florida Keys stop. It’s a great way to kick off your vacation because this open-air bar and restaurant is right on the water with laid back vibes. You truly feel like you’re on vacation the second you enter.
To get to Alabama Jacks, you must take Card Sound Road heading into the Florida Keys. This is very important because unless you program it otherwise, your GPS will have you take US-1. If you do that, Alabama Jacks will be quite a bit out of the way.
John Pennekamp State Park
John Pennekamp is a well known state park in Key Largo. It was established to protect the only living coral reef in the continental United States.
The park will be a special stop if you like to scuba dive or snorkel. If you scuba, you will want to check out the Christ of the Abyss (also known as Christ of the Deep) statue. It is a 9 foot tall bronze statue that’s located 25 feet underwater. On very clear days, you may also be able to see it just by snorkeling as well. It’s such a unique experience and one of the most popular things to do in Key Largo.
If you don’t scuba or snorkel but still want to see life below the surface, you can also take a tour on a glass bottom boat. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory
The Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory is such a fun stop if you like key lime flavored foods because they have key lime pie flavored everything. Choose from whole key lime pies, key lime macaroons, key lime taffy, and much more. I always get a chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick when I’m here.
If the weather is nice, I highly recommend eating your snack of choice in their backyard area. It’s a really cute area with plenty of spaces to sit, string lights (if you happen to be there at dusk), greenery, and you can even personalize a lock and lock it to their fence.
Rain Barrel Artisan Village
You’ll know you have arrived at Rain Barrel Artisan Village when you see the huge lobster outside. You can’t miss it!
This stop might not look big from the parking lot, but once you enter, you’ll see that it’s actually huge! The Rain Barrel is a funky stop to buy some souvenirs for yourself or others or just a good place to window shop. They have art, clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, and other trinkets.
Village Square at Trading Post
Village Square at the Trading Post is an area shared by a few different businesses. Cafe Moka is a coffee shop (delicious coffee and almond croissants); Miss Monroe is a clothing boutique; Boo Kee Sue Botanics sells garden supplies, plants, and gifts; and Bad Boy Burrito has amazing food (but my favorite is the sushi burrito).
We love coming in here in the morning to grab coffee and wander around the shops. It’s a small space, but a great way to start the morning and definitely worth visiting.
Robbie’s Marina
Robbie’s Marina has a restaurant, some smaller shops, and a marina where you can go out on a charter or rent a kayak. Even though those are all worthy of mentioning, that’s not why I think you should stop at Robbie’s.
Robbie’s is most known for feeding the tarpon because there are over 100 tarpons that hang out in their marina. It’s $2.50 to go on the dock, but if you want to feed them (and I highly recommend it), it’s $4 for a bucket of fish. It can be a little freaky because tarpon are huge but it is so much fun!
Stop at an Islamorada Brewery
Islamorada has two breweries, Islamorada Brewery and Distillery and Florida Keys Brewing Co. and they are both amazing. If you have time, I recommend checking out both of them. They are located close to one another, making it pretty easy.
Islamorada Brewery has delicious non-beer options such as a key lime colada and mocktails. You can even get a cocktail flight! Florida Keys Brewing Co has a fun vibe with tie dye and even a resident cat. It’s my favorite after dark because of their relaxing string lights. Both have frequent live music and nice outdoor areas if it isn’t too hot.
Anne’s Beach
Anne’s Beach is an easy stop because it’s located right along the highway. This is one of my favorite places to stretch my legs on the road trip. The water here is shallow and calm. There is also a gorgeous boardwalk throughout the area with great views and picnic areas. I highly recommend walking the boardwalk whether or not you decide to have a beach day at Anne’s Beach.
Islamorada Sandbar
If you talk to anyone who lives in the Florida Keys, they will tell you that the best way to experience the Keys is by getting out on the water. The Islamorada sandbar is a popular place to do that and it’s relatively easy to get to. There are plenty of charters in the area who can take you there anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day.
This is one of the most popular things to do in the Florida Keys so it can get really busy, especially on holidays and weekends. But that is honestly part of the fun!
Loraleis
Loraleis is a restaurant located right on the water. It’s best known for their sunsets (and the huge mermaid sign in the front). While I recommend watching the sun go down here if you can, know that it will be busy during sunset and it may be tough to get a seat. Luckily, you can just grab a drink from the bar and still enjoy the views.
Loraleis has a large food selection, so there will be something to make everyone in your party happy. I love their frozen key lime pie, it’s a unique taste on the classic Florida Keys dessert!
Drive the Seven Mile Bridge
If you are driving from Key Largo to Key West, you will naturally drive over the Seven Mile Bridge. But it deserves special mention because how often are you driving on a bridge for seven miles? This is a good opportunity to really take in where you are. The water in the Florida Keys is a unique vibrant color and I always say it is never quite the same color twice.
Also be on the lookout for Fred while you’re driving the Seven Mile Bridge. He is a small tree growing on the old Seven Mile Bridge.
Curly’s Coffee
Maybe you need a little energy boost to continue your road trip to Key West, or maybe you spent the night in Marathon and are starting your day here. Either way, I recommend stopping for a coffee at Curly’s Coffee. This little coffee shop doesn’t look like much because it’s in a trailer, but trust me. Locals and tourists alike love Curly’s Coffee so it is common for there to be a line around the small building. I recommend the raspberry white chocolate latte.
Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock State Park is my favorite place I’ve ever kayaked. We started through the mangroves which is such a unique experience.
The mangroves kayak trail leads out into an area called jellyfish alley which, as you may have guessed, is full of jellyfish! There were tons of them and it was mesmerizing to see so many.
From there, we kayaked to the sandbar. So with one 4 hour kayak rental, we kayaked mangroves, saw sea life, and hung out on a sandbar. Not a bad way to spend the morning!
Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach is my absolute favorite beach in the Florida Keys. The beach actually has sand unlike many of the other beaches throughout the Keys and the water is calm and clear. If you have kids, there is also a very nice, large playground in front of the beach and some covered picnic tables if you want to eat.
Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is a special place because you can see sea turtles up close. It is a real, active hospital with the mission to rescue, rehab, and release sea turtles.
In order to see the sea turtles, you must be on an education program which run daily on the half hour from 9 am to 4 pm. The education program lasts around 70-90 minutes. On the tour, you’ll get some information on the sea turtles, tour the hospital facilities, then see the sea turtles in their rehabilitation area. It’s a really unique experience and the admission goes towards the Turtle Hospital’s mission.
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is absolutely stunning. Henry Flagler is responsible for the Overseas Highway, which connected the Florida Keys to the mainland of Florida by railroad. Sadly, it was ruined in the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, but there are remnants of what used to be the Overseas Highway at Bahia Honda State Park.
It makes for stunning photos from the beach, but you can also walk to the top for even better views of the crystal blue water. There are three different beaches at Bahia Honda, so this can be a great place for a beach day. Bahia Honda is also a great place to have to snorkel and rent kayaks.
No Name Pub
You used to have to find No Name Pub on your own because it was located in the middle of nowhere. In fact, their slogan used to be, “a nice place if you can find it.” But thanks to GPS, it isn’t very hard to find these days.
No Name Pub was originally a general store and bait and tackle shop which opened in 1931. In 1936, a small restaurant and pub were added. The location was pretty out of the way, but people began to discover it. In the 1950’s, the general store and bait and tackle shop closed. It was at that point that it became known as No Name Pub and this quirky stop gained attention quickly.
In the 70s, people started hanging up their dollar bills on the ceiling, a tradition that stands today. They’re known for great pizza and cold beer.
Key Deer Refuge
Big Pine Key is home to around 700-800 key deer. Key deer are endangered so they are are protected and this is taken very seriously. Chances are, you’ll see a key deer while you drive through Big Pine so keep an eye out. You can also visit the National Key Deer Refuge, which consists of 8,000 acres aimed at protecting them.
Stroll Duval Street
Once you reach the end of your Florida Keys road trip, you’ll find yourself in Key West! You cannot come to Key West without wandering Duval Street. If you are not familiar, Duval Street is a street that runs through Key West from one end to the other with shops, bars, restaurants, and more. We love to walk it end to end at least once every trip we take to Key West. If you go in the morning or afternoon, it is more family friendly but at night it becomes full of life with most bars open until 3 am.
Tour Hemingway’s House
Ernest Hemingway loved Key West and owned a house there. It is honestly the house of my dreams and worth visiting just to see how beautiful it is, but you will also learn a lot about Hemingway. He had a very interesting life and his books are considered classics. One of the best parts about touring Hemingway’s house is that there are still descendants of his 6-toed cats living there. It always cracks me up to see them snoozing in the house.
Climb the Key West Lighthouse
The Key West Lighthouse has been around since 1848. The purpose of the lighthouse was to help navigate ships because many were unaware or unfamiliar with the shallow reefs surrounding Key West. As a result, they would wreck.
I find it fascinating that one of the original keepers of the lighthouse was a woman, who took over after her husband’s death. It was almost unheard of for a woman to be the keeper of a lighthouse back then but she did an excellent job and stayed there until her death. The lighthouse is also rumored to be haunted by her to this day. Today, you can visit the lighthouse, where you will see some incredible views of Key West.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
I highly recommend visiting Fort Zachary Taylor State Park on your trip. It’s almost like entering a whole different world on the island. You can tour Fort Taylor, a fort that is older than the Civil War. There is also a beach and in my opinion, it is the prettiest beach in Key West. If you want a beach day, umbrellas and lounge chairs are available for rent and the beach is great for snorkeling as well.
There is so much to do on a road trip from Key Largo to Key West! No matter what you choose to do, you will absolutely love this road trip. And I would guess that you’ll probably want to come back again and again!
