Which is the Best Florida Key to Visit?

Summer is coming, and that means vacation season! If you are planning on vacationing in the United States, one of the most popular destinations is the Florida Keys. Whether you are traveling with a single companion or the whole family, the Florida Keys have something for everyone.

From the beautiful scenery to the dozens of unique attractions both in and out of the water to the varied plants and wildlife, there is so much to do in the Florida Keys than one could hope to do in the span of a single vacation.

It might not surprise you to find that the best Florida Key to visit is going to depend on your needs, personally. There are over 800 islands in the Florida Keys archipelago, and each one has something a little bit different to offer in terms of a vacation or even a day trip.

The Florida Keys archipelago is one of the best places to vacation in the United States, either as the destination of a road trip or by plane by way of the Key West International Airport.

Because they are accessible by car, the Florida Keys are a popular day trip for those already visiting Fort Lauderdale.

So, which is the best Florida Key to visit?

Key West

The Island of Key West is only four miles long and a mile wide, but it is packed with some of the best and most varied activities. If you’re interested in an adventurous vacation, Key West might be the destination for you. You can visit dolphins, go kayaking, go diving, and more!

Even if you aren’t into the more action-oriented attractions, there are art galleries, theaters, and museums.

This includes the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, a sure must stop for the nature lover in your group. Boasting over 50 different species of butterflies and 20 exotic birds, there is something beautiful everywhere you turn here. Photographs taken here are sure to be colorful and prized additions to your collection.

Because of its natural beauty, Key West is also a popular wedding destination, full of plenty of places to shop and see the sights. Smathers Beach, for example, is the largest public beach in Key West. Higgs Beach is perfect for those wanting something a little less heavily trafficked. Either one would be an ideal place for a wedding party to relax after the big event.

Does your family or friend group have someone that loves fishing? Key West has some of the best fisheries available. Although, if fishing is all you are looking for, there might be other locations that would be better suited to your needs. Still, it’s worth considering if you have multiple people in your family to consider.

Another cannot-miss stop at this destination is Blue Heaven, which is so much more than a restaurant. Blue Heaven is famous for the cats and chickens that wander the premises and the beautiful views. You will be hard-pressed to find a better Caribbean dining experience. They have a different menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

All of this makes Key West an excellent choice for a group vacation if that group contains many different people. Whether you are looking for an action-packed vacation full of adventure, or some time to recharge and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean, Key West is a vacation destination you will not regret.

Key West Old Town

Of course, you could make an entire vacation of its own by visiting Key West’s Historic Old Town. The Conch Tour Train will take you around the area, pointing out particular places of interest where you might spend your time during your stay.

It also boasts landmarks such as the Southernmost Point and Mile Marker 0, perfect locations to get pictures for your Instagram feed.

Also of great historical significance is Key West Lighthouse, a glimpse of what the island looked like many years ago preserved in a single location.

You can also visit the Hemingway Home & Museum, where American author Ernest Hemingway lived in the 1930s. The writers in your group will almost certainly want to see the estate, and the animal lovers will want to see the descendants of the six-toed cats Hemingway kept as his companions.

If you seek something with more of a festive atmosphere, you should consider Mallory Square or Sunset Pier. You can find street performers and a myriad of food vendors, not to mention the strong drinks and good music. Both are fantastic options for ambiance and fun-filled nights after the kids have gone to bed.

The Green Parrot is often regarded as Key West’s most iconic bar and one you will not wish to miss. Many other bars, as well, can be found along Duval Street.

Old Town also boasts a nightly tour of haunted locations for those more mystically inclined visitors. There’s an all-ages family ghost tour for those traveling with little ones, and an adults-only version for those who don’t mind their ghost stories a bit darker.

Finally, another good stop in Old Town is Fort Zachary Taylor, on the southern edge of the island, which boasts of being the southernmost state park in the United States. The park covers a total of 54 acres and features a fully narrated tour describing the history of the location.

Key Largo

On the opposite side of the Florida Keys from Key West, bordered by the Florida Bay on the West, is Key Largo. It sits at the northernmost point of the archipelago, so for those coming in by car, Key Largo will be one of the first locations you arrive in. This makes it an excellent place to start if you have time to tour everything you desire.

Much like Key West in the south, Key Largo has ample opportunities for diving and fishing. Key Largo also offers boats with glass bottoms to see the reef and the fish that live there. If you think you would enjoy parasailing, that is available as well.

The home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo is full of beautiful wildlife and natural scenery. It was named after a Miami Newspaper Editor who made great efforts to preserve the coral reef and stands for this exact purpose. Spanning over 70 square nautical miles, it is an excellent opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty in an up-close and personal way.

Key Largo is often referred to as the Dive Capital of the World, and it’s no mystery why. Key Largo is home to some of the most iconic diving spots in the United States, including a statue called the Christ of the Deep and the beautiful Elbow Reef.

It’s no small wonder that Key Largo is one of the most popular Florida Keys destinations for family and couples vacations.

If you're most interested in the ocean itself, as well as viewing the reefs and diving, then you will find no better destination than Key Largo.

Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key is the home of Bahia Hondas State Park and the iconic dog-sized key deer at the National Key Deer Refuge. Bahia Hondas State Park is open every day of the year, so if you are looking to vacation in the off-season, Big Pine Key is an excellent choice.

The key deer are a perfect attraction for the animal lover in your family. A subspecies of the white-tailed deer, Key deer are an endangered species with a population of only 700 to 800 and live only in the Florida Keys.

If you are looking for a peaceful vacation full of natural sights to see, and prefer to skip the busy activities offered in Key West and Key Largo, Big Pine Key is an excellent choice for you.

If your biggest draw is in the wildlife, Big Pine Key is for you.

Duck Key

One of the stops on the Overseas Highway, Duck Key is the home of Hawks Cay Resort. Although it might not be as big or heavily trafficked as Key West or Key Largo, Duck Key is known as the fishing capital of Florida, and there is still plenty to do there.

Duck Key is one of the best destinations for swimming with dolphins. It isn’t as jammed full of tourist attractions as some other places, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy the water and the scenery.

If what you are most interested in is fishing, Duck Key should be at the top of your list.

Other Keys

There are plenty of great vacationing spots in the Florida Keys that are often overlooked because they aren’t Key West or Key Largo.

The Florida Keys have beautiful national parks, including Dry Tortugas National Park located just 70 miles west of Key West. If you want to learn some history during your stay, Dry Tortugas National Park contains Fort Jefferson, an ambitiously massive but ultimately unfinished fortress.

Dry Tortugas is one of the few locations in the Keys that's only accessible by plane or boat. If you’re looking for a stop that's less congested with people, or just want to visit a national park, it is a good one to consider.

Long Key has a beautiful state park and is known as a favored tourist destination for bird-watchers or relaxing on the beach.

If you have a wheelchair-bound family member or a turtle enthusiast, Sombrero Beach may prove a tempting destination. It is a turtle nesting beach and entirely handicap accessible. For animal lovers, Grassy Key has the Dolphin Research Center, where the dolphins want to meet you as much as you want to meet them.

Little Torch Key is one of the best places for visiting couples. This quiet island is ideal for romance, boasting little bustle, and fine dining. Like everywhere else in the Florida Keys, the natural view is beautiful.

In terms of places to stay during your visit to the Florida Keys, Sunset Key is a residential neighborhood with plenty of rental houses close to the waterfront. Meanwhile, Grassy Key has an excellent RV Park and Resort.

The Overseas Highway

The Overseas Highway is how you can take a Florida Keys road trip in the first place. At 113 miles long, with at least nine state parks as mile markers along the way, the Overseas Highway stretches the length of the Florida Keys from the northernmost to the southernmost point. Most of the archipelago is accessible by car.

There are mile marker stops in Key West and Key Largo, as well as Big Pine Key and Hawks Cay Resort.

With mile markers at every major sight-seeing point, the Overseas Highway is a destination of its own, well worth making the trip for. If you are taking a road trip down to Key West, you will want to make stops along the way. After all, the drive is only two and a half hours without them and you can easily make a day of it stopping at each destination.

Which Florida Key is the best?

There’s no definitive way to declare which key is the best key in Florida. By spending time at each destination, you’ll be able to see all that the Florida Keys have to offer and draw your conclusions.

Conclusion

There is so much to do in the Florida Keys, whether you have a week to stay or only a single afternoon. No matter what interests you have, everyone in your family will find something here for them. Book your stay today, and make tropical memories you will treasure for a lifetime.