Heading to the Florida Keys this summer? What to know about attractions, beach, events
Summer used to be a quiet period in the Florida Keys, a lull before business picked up for November’s tourist season.
But now, Monroe County pretty much buzzes with visitors year-round.
And as summer arrives, attractions and special events are ready for day-trippers from other parts of South Florida, as well as visitors from out-of-state who stay for a few days.
KNOW MORE: Driving down the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys? What to know about your trip
Here’s a guide to some of the summer sights, attractions and special events:
Summer special events in the Keys
▪ Key Lime Festival: Celebrate the citrus at this culinary festival from June 30 to July 4 in Key West. Events include cocktail strolls and a pie-eating contest. Information at keylimefestival.com
▪ Underwater Music Festival: Explore the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef during the festival and concert July 7-8 at the Marine Sanctuary at Looe Key. More details: lowerkeyschamber.com/product/underwater-music-festival
Tropical Heat: A five-day party, Aug. 9-13, for gay, bi, queer, and trans men 21 and up in Key West and the Florida Keys. Events include themed parties, clothing optional events and adult entertainment. Schedule: gaykeywestfl.com/tropical-heat
Key West Fishing Tournament: The event runs through July 31. Details: keywestfishingtournament.com
Mango fest: Mango-themed culinary event in Key West June 22-25 includes samples and vendors. Details: mangofestkeywest.com
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Location: 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
Things to do: Dubbed the “first undersea park in the United States, Pennekamp offers visitors a chance to view the Keys coral reefs either up close while snorkeling or scuba diving, or while staying dry on board a glass-bottomed boat. The park also has beaches, walking trails and campsites. It’s mangrove-lined, isolated creeks make it an ideal kayaking and paddle boarding destination.
Harry Harris Park
Location: 50 East Beach Road, Tavernier
Things to do: The oceanfront park is a favorite among locals, but also not a long drive for those on the mainland looking for a day at the beach. The swimming area is sheltered by a seawall, so the water is calm. There are also more than 30 pavilions for picnicking, as well as barbecue grills.
Anne’s Beach
Location: Mile marker 73, oceanside on U.S. 1, or Overseas Highway
Things to do: Anne’s Beach isn’t a beach in the traditional sense. Instead of lounging on the sand, people are more likely to set their chairs in the shallow calm ocean water. A boardwalk with picnic pavilions runs underneath a mangrove canopy if you don’t feel like getting wet. There are two small parking lots and bathroom facilities.
Theater by the Sea
Location: 84721 Overseas Highway, Windley Key
Things to do: Theater of the Sea has been offering dolphin shows since opening in 1946. Since then, the attraction has added sea lions. And you can swim with stingrays and nurse sharks.
Long Key State Park
Location: 67400 Overseas Highway, Long Key
Things to do: Long Key State Park is a great place for swimming, hiking, kayaking and bird watching.
Curry Hammock State Park
Location: 56200 Overseas highway
Things to do: With 1,200 feet of sandy beach, it’s a popular spot for swimming, kite surfing, paddling and camping. The park is also a great location to stargaze at night.
Dolphin Research Center
Location: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key
Things to do: The dolphins and other sea mammals at Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key were either born there or have been rescued, rehabilitated and deemed unreleasable. The complex is also home to sharks, sea turtles, alligators and birds.
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
Location: 11710 Overseas Highway, Marathon
Things to do: The Gulf side attraction has a Coral Reef Tank with lobsters, blue parrot fish, Atlantic guitarfish and bonefish. There’s also a Predator Fish Tank, with sharks, rays, moray eels and tarpons. You can also feed the fish and snorkel in the coral reed lagoon.
Sombrero Beach
Location: Sombrero Beach Road, Marathon
Things to do: Located about a mile off U.S. 1 in Marathon, Sombrero Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Keys. A true sandy beach, it’s ideal for lounging, swimming, snorkeling and paddling. There are also restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue grills.
Bahia Honda State Park
Location: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key
Things to do: The State Park Service boasts Bahia Honda has “palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets” and “is known for balmy breezes that caress the shores year-round.” Boat trips to the reef for snorkeling are also available.
Key West
Location: Mile Marker 0, Key West
Things to do: To many, Key West is the ultimate destination when visiting the island chain. It has several public beaches, places to rent boats to go fishing, scuba diving and kayaking. For those who want to stay on land, there’s no shortage of things to do and see in the Southernmost City, whether that be visiting the Hemingway House, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum or Mallory Square, or spending the day — or night — bar hopping, eating at the many restaurants and taking in live music on Duval Street.
How long does it take to drive to the Keys?
Traffic congestion in the Upper Keys, especially on holiday weekends, can slow things considerably. Passing is allowed only in certain spots. Most of the Overseas Highway runs two lanes.
Here are some estimates for your trip:
Miami to Key Largo: The trip can take 2 1/2 hours.
Key Largo to Key West: The trip can take 2 1/2 hours.
Miami to Key West: It’s about a four-hour drive from Miami to Key West, and under three hours from Florida City to Key West without delays.
Other things to know about U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys
Length: The highway runs 113 miles through the Keys over the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Mile markers: Green mile marker signs are on the side of the road and are used for addresses and directions. The road begins and ends in Key West, where the mile marker zero signs are at Whitehead and Fleming streets.
Bridges: The longest span is the Seven Mile Bridge, which is actually 6.79 miles long. The second longest is the Long Key Bridge, at 2.3 miles.
