The Florida Keys are a little bit of everything. Tropical, vibrant, funky.
And because of that, there are a lot of things to do in the Florida Keys that are super unique.
If you’re looking for fun things to do beyond your typical vacation itinerary, these are the best places to add to your Florida Keys bucket list!
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Key Largo
Key Largo is the northernmost island in the Florida Keys and the first key you’ll drive through if you are doing a Florida Keys road trip. It is known as the “Dive Capital of the World.” Here are some of the most unique things to do in Key Largo:
Dive to the Christ of the Abyss
At John Pennekamp State Park, take a snorkel tour or scuba down to see the iconic underwater statue surrounded by colorful coral reefs and tropical fish.
Sleep in an Underwater Hotel
The Jules’ Undersea Lodge is the only underwater hotel in the U.S.! You scuba dive to your room and spend the night surrounded by sea life. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, but you do need to be scuba certified to get to your room, so not everyone will be able to do this activity.
Kayak Through the Mangrove Tunnels
Kayaking through the mangroves is as peaceful as it is unique. You’ll glide over crystal-clear water filled with fish, birds, and sometimes baby sharks or manatees. It’s great for both experienced or beginner kayakers. This makes it a great family activity in Key Largo for everyone in your party to enjoy.
Visit the African Queen
See (or ride) the original boat from the 1951 movie The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart. It’s docked right in Key Largo and offers short canal cruises.
Islamorada
Islamorada is known as the “Sport fishing Capital of the World”. To me, this is where the Florida Keys start to feel like true island life. This village of six islands blends tropical luxury with small-town charm — think waterfront tiki bars, pastel cottages (ok, and a lot of them are mansions) and gorgeous water. It’s laid back and true paradise.
Visit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
This nonprofit rescue center lets you walk among rehabilitated pelicans, herons, and owls while learning about their stories — a peaceful and heartwarming stop. It is technically located in Tavernier, just north of Islamorada/just south of Key Largo.
Feed Tarpon at Robbie’s
Hand-feed giant tarpon leaping out of the marina waters. You buy a bucket of fish for $3 which is plenty to share with a few people and pay $1.50 per person to enter the dock area. It is thrilling, splashy, and a Keys rite of passage.
Visit the History of Diving Museum
Dive into the evolution of underwater exploration with fascinating exhibits, rare helmets, and treasure-recovery stories from the Florida Keys’ shipwrecks.
Try a Sandbar Charter
Hop on a local boat to the Islamorada Sandbar, where you can float in waist-deep turquoise water surrounded by boats, music, and tropical vibes — it’s like the Keys’ own version of a floating party island.
Taste Locally Made Beer
Visit Islamorada Brewery or Florida Keys Brewing Co. for a locally-made craft beer. Both of these breweries are colorful, laid-back, and locally run. Islamorada Brewery has island-inspired cocktails as well if you have someone who doesn’t like beer in your group.
Visit the Rain Barrel Village
A quirky collection of artist studios and souvenir shops — and home to the massive “Big Betsy” lobster statue that’s a must-stop photo op.
Marathon
Marathon is south of Islamorada in the heart of the Florida Keys. It offers a perfect mix of family fun and old Florida charm.
Visit the Turtle Hospital
Take a guided tour of this working sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center. You’ll meet recovering sea turtles and learn about their care — and your visit helps support their release.
Walk or Bike the Old Seven Mile Bridge
This 2.2-mile pedestrian path offers sweeping views and ultimately leads to Pigeon Key. Pigeon Key is a tiny island filled with historic railroad cottages from the early 1900s – you can also take a train to Pigeon Key if you don’t want to walk.
Paint with Dolphins
At the Dolphin Research Center, you can join a session where dolphins create art by holding brushes in their mouths and painting alongside you.
Snorkel at Sombrero Reef
Accessible by boat, this protected coral reef is home to marine life such as sea fans, parrotfish, and stingrays — one of the best snorkeling spots in the Middle Keys.
Big Pine Key & Bahia Honda State Park
Big Pine Key is easy to drive through without realizing you’re there, but in my opinion it’s worth stopping. Bahia Honda used to be a hidden gem but is definitely popular now (though still incredibly unique!)
Spot Endangered Key Deer
Visit the National Key Deer Refuge, home to the world’s smallest deer. They roam neighborhoods and aren’t hard to spot. But don’t touch or feed them. They are proteced!
Stargaze in One of Florida’s Darkest Skies
The Lower Keys offer incredible stargazing with minimal light pollution — especially at Bahia Honda State Park. You can even join ranger-led astronomy nights.
Climb the Old Railroad Bridge
Hike to the top of the old Bahia Honda Bridge for panoramic views of turquoise waters — it’s one of the best photo spots in all of Florida.
Relax on the Keys’ Prettiest Natural Beach
Bahia Honda has the rare sandy beaches the Keys are famous for, perfect for a swim or picnic beneath the bridge.
Key West
Key West has to be the funkiest, quirkiest island of them all. There is no shortage of unique things to do in Key West:
Visit the Southernmost Point
It’s cliché but iconic — snap a photo at the colorful buoy marking the southernmost tip of the continental U.S.
Tour the Ernest Hemingway Home & See Six-Toed Cats
Explore the Hemingway House – the former home of Hemingway himself. The home and grounds are absolutely stunning but the real star of the show is the cats. You can meet the famous six-toed cats that descended from Hemingway’s own pet.
Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Step inside a glass dome filled with hundreds of butterflies, flamingos, and tropical plants — it’s peaceful and magical.
Explore Shipwreck Treasures
At the Key West Shipwreck Museum, climb a 65-foot lookout tower and hear dramatic tales of wreckers who salvaged sunken treasures from the reefs.
Visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Tour a Civil War-era fort and snorkel right off the beach — it’s one of the most scenic and historic spots in Key West.
Take a Ghost Tour or Haunted Pub Crawl
Discover Key West’s haunted past on a lantern-lit tour through its oldest streets and bars — spooky, funny, and full of character.
Take a Seaplane or Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park
Seventy miles west of Key West lies a remote island fort surrounded by crystal-clear waters and coral reefs — one of the most unique national parks in the world.
Snorkel the Reef
I cannot recommend snorkeling in the Florida Keys enough. The water color on your boat ride is incredible and that’s not even the star of the show. The Florida Keys are home to the biggest coral reef in the continental US and snorkeling here is an absolutely incredible experience.
Visit the Smallest Bar in Key West
It’s literally called The Smallest Bar in Key West — a cozy hole-in-the-wall spot that fits only a handful of people, but makes for a big story.
See the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Watch jugglers, musicians, and street performers as the sun sets over the Gulf. I won’t lie, this is a pretty “touristy” activity, but it’s an iconic nightly ritual full of Key West energy. You have to do it at least once.
Walk Through the Key West Cemetery (Respectfully)
It’s quirky, historic, and full of humor — gravestones read things like “I told you I was sick.” It’s a uniquely Key West way to experience history and personality.
Visit During Fantasy Fest
Fantasy Fest is one of the most outrageous and unforgettable events in the Florida Keys. It is every October for 10 days. The best way to describe it is kind of like Mardi Gras meets paradise — there are parades, elaborate costumes, themed parties, and a vibrant, anything-goes energy that takes over the entire island.
Most events are adult-oriented, there are also family-friendly moments early in the week, like the pet parade and the Goombay festival, which focuses more on the island’s Bahamian heritage with music, dancing, and food. The Goombay festival is also the kickoff to Fantasy Fest!
If you’re traveling with kids, check out my post on Key West with kids for more ideas.
Go on a Schooner Sunset Sail
Yes, you can take a sunset cruise at almost any waterfront vacation destination. BUT it’s pretty rare to do it aboard a schooner! This schooner sunset sail takes you out on a historic schooner with a full open bar.
Ride the Conch Tour Train
The Conch Tour Train is quintessential Key West. You’ll be taken around the island to learn about the island’s history and you can hop on and off of the train as much as you want throughout the day. It’s a great way of getting around the island while learning at the same time.
Try Unique Key Lime Pie Desserts
Definitely try key lime pie while you are in the Florida Keys! But this is a unique list, so we’re getting unique. Try these fun takes on key lime pie desserts:
- Key lime pie french toast at Harpoon Harry’s
- Key lime pie nachos from Kermit’s – it’s key lime ice cream with chocolate chip cookies to dip into it (they have a few locations – the nachos are at the 123 Duval St location)
- A chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick (you can get these from all over in Key West)
- A key lime colada (you can also order these at most bars/restaurants in Key West)
Try to Land a Quarter in a Fish’s Mouth
Captain Tony’s is one of the most popular bars in Key West that’s also said to be haunted (so that’s pretty unique already).
But when you visit, you might notice people outside of the bar throwing quarters backwards at the bar’s sign. What they are actually doing is trying to land a quarter in the grouper’s mouth that hangs above the Captain Tony’s sign. It’s said to be good luck if you land the quarter in the grouper’s mouth!
Final Thoughts
There is nowhere else in the world quite like the Florida Keys, so it’s not surprising that there are so many unique things to do there!
Finding new, unique things isn’t hard to do in the Florida Keys and it’s one of my favorite things to do. Hopefully this gave you some inspiration for unique activities for your trip!
