Locals said this happens ALL the time! Day 1: Stop off 1: Everglades National Park. And on top of that, the view from their wrap around deck is 10/10!! Its an excellent place for a special dinner or just to celebrate being in the Keys! This thin strand of pavement skipping along bridges through the Florida Keys is one of the best road trips in the country. Arriving in Key West. This small, boutique resort was right on the water, had an art gallery on site, pool / hot tub on the property, and each room was an individual cottage with tons of privacy! Best time to Visit Key West. and then head to the first ever underwater state park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park! Here's avery worthy member of Homesteads legendary repertoire of Mexican food. Before or after visiting the park, stop at Alabama Jacks, our favorite tiki bar in Key Largo. The restaurant is one of Zagats highest-rated restaurants in Key West. Cuban sandwich: $8.50-10. So keep the bread crumbs in your bag and enjoy the chickens from a distance. Did you know that the Florida Keys is home to an endangered species of deer known as the Florida Key deer? This tasty little shop has two locations, one downtown and another by the waterfront. You could drive directly to Key West from Miami in one afternoon but that would take all of the fun out of visiting the amazing stops and the Florida Keys along the way. Marathon is a perfect rest stop because it's directly halfway between Miami and Key West. Your road trip will be a wonderful experience, and tarpon feeding at Robbie's Marina is definitely one of the best places to stop on the road trip from Miami to Key West. We really like to stay at this hotel, the Iberostar Berkeley Shore Hotel. Atlanta to Key West drive - plan a road trip The drive from Miami to Key West takes you along Highway 1 Overseas Highway. Many tourists choose this island for vacation every year due to its tropical climate and fun atmosphere. Head over to Grassy Key in Marathon and visit the Dolphin Research Center. The winter crowds will taper off, the hotel rates become reasonable and the weather is remarkably similar to winter's blissful 70s and 80s. I couldnt recommend driving through the Keys to get to Key West more. After exploring the Everglades, head onto Key Largo! Key Largo to Key West: The Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip Midrange hotel room: $170-250. Length: 106 miles. Just like the Dolphin Research Center, the Turtle Hospital gives a home for injured and sick turtles as they nurture these endangered creatures back to health. Not hungry? I price shopped and went based on reviews and decided to go with Coopertown Airboat Tours! US1 is open all the way. I am not going to lie, I had completely false stereotypes about the Everglades. Something that I wish I would have known is that the highway gets pretty backed up and the speed limit is quite slow. stay for about 1 hour. Miami To Key West Road Trip: Ultimate Driving Guide - Expert Vagabond The Everglades National Park is one of the most popular pitstops on a drive from Miami to Key West and with great reason. The downside is that you can expect more traffic and higher accommodation costs. This will give ample time to hit the highlights with some time to truly experience the Keys. In mid-January; rooms are $415. and leave at 7:36 pm. Distance from Miami to Key West - the total distance from the Miami International Airport to Key West is 110 miles. 9 Fun Stops during a Miami to Key West Road Trip- Choice Hotels and leave at 5:21 pm. DUH, of course you need a good set of presets so you can quickly edit on the go! Miami and Key West have great weather all year; however, consider these when planning your trip: Hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30. The drive from Miami to Key West is approximately 4 hours or 166 miles. The Miami to Key West drive via the Overseas Highway is one of the great American road trips and one of the most scenic drives in the world. Self-catering apartment: $250-500. Swim with dolphins, chill with a sea lion or pet a ray. At Mile Marker 118, you are officially in the Florida Keys! We enjoyed everything we had. Here youll also find a walking bridge that was once a railway it spans this stretch too. With an unobstructed view to the west, this is also a great spot for sunset and a few sundowners. There are bathrooms, picnic tables and volleyball courts there as well. The best dive bar in all of Key Largo, featuring a lively cast of all the lovable misfits who find themselves down in this area of South Florida. Not to mention, there is just so much to do that driving the Keys itself should be part of the itinerary. The journey is around 1hr 15 mins to Key Largo from Miami then another 4 hours along highway 1 to Key west. I assumed it would be miles of swamp land, it would smell, and be quite dangerous with all the Alligators.. but all of that is false! Epic Florida Road Trip: Miami To Key West | TravelAwaits Miami to Key West | EnjoyTravel.com In 2002 it was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef and home for marine life. I never want to bore you with a long packing list, especially when you came here to read an itinerary! They do the classics here and they do them damn well. Miami to Key West Drive - The 15 Stops You Can't Miss Check rates here, this guided bicycle tour of Old Town Key West. Locatedat Sombrero Beach Rd and Corte Del Brisas. We saved a little money and returned the car when we got to Key West. Inka Piegsa Quischotte. From here, you are just over 100 miles from Key West, with lots of fun adventures ahead of you. We already have this email. YES, ABSOLUTELY YES! The Florida Keys are one of the best spots in the US to go on a road trip. Generally, the best times to drive from Miami to Key West, Florida, are late at night (after 8 pm), early in the morning (before 8 am), or on a weekday. The Miami to Key West drive could take 3 hours or 3 days! Like I said before, the 165+ mile stretch between Miami to Key West is scenic and has tons to see! This is a very popular spot on any drive from Miami to Key West, so be sure to book your tickets ahead of time. The Seven Mile Bridge is arguably the most iconic view on a Miami to Key West road trip. The drive time is roughly 3.5 hours if you drove straight through, but as you can tell from this itinerary.. there is much to see along this 165 mile stretch! Robbies Marina is the number one place to be for tourists traveling through the keys. Youve made it to your final destination! If you have the time and desire you can drive. Miami to Key West: Insider Tips for the Perfect Florida Keys Road Trip Miami to Key West Drive - Best Florida Key Road Trip | The Planet D Take time to explore the South Florida quirky shops and restaurants, natural areas . We suggest a 2-3 day road trip driving through the Florida Keys to hit most of the highlights with a few nights in Key West at the end. However, this doesnt mean there isnt anything to see on Duval Street while the sun is out. And for a real quirky treat, order the chocodile which is a 9-inch long chocolate crocodile made of either white or dark chocolate. Visiting Clearwater Beach is without a question a lovely choice on the road trip from Orlando to Key West. Begin your adventure in Miami. The Dolphin Research Center provides a forever home for animals that have been recused and rehabilitated but cant be released back into the wild. On the overseas coastal bridge, it takes around a four hours drive from Miami to Key West. Here at Cheeca Lodge, they have one of the top spas in the Keys. One thing I was surprised about in Key West was how easy it was to get around! The hotel I chose to stay in was the brand new Captiana Key West! Depending on traffic, the drive will take about four hours. The drive from Miami to Key West is absolutely breathtaking and is one of the best road trips in the world! It is in a great location right on Miami Beach, with a nice pool, a beach area with chairs & umbrellas (a big selling point for us), parking, and more. It doesnt feel overly touristy or overran by large chains like Best Westerns, Marriots, and Hyatts (nothing against those, but its nice to stay in a local, boutique hotel!). How to Travel From Miami to Key West | USA Today Miami To Key West - Ultimate Guide To Road Trip In 2021 The menu often changes as everything is fresh. Where else in the world can you have a 5-foot-long fish jump out of the water to grab a fish from your hand? Robbies offer a ton of activities from snorkeling, boat rentals, SNUBA diving (no certification required), sunset cruises, parasailing, and so much more. Now that all the logistics are out of the way, lets dive into your ultimate guide to driving from Miami to Key West. Okay, that wraps up my overly-detailed Miami to Key West Road trip guide! Like I mentioned before, its easy to get sick of beach bar food after a week of eating it for Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. It will take you over the famous overseas Highway 1, and meander through over 40 islands before reaching Key west. Many people choose to start their Miami to Key West Drive by flying into this vibrant city but dont just land and leave. Make your reservations well in advance. We were really surprised at all the good food we had while visiting we didnt have a plate that we werent impressed with. The African Queen is a vessel that was used during the filming of a movie of the same name. The 100-plus-miles stretch features plenty of great stops for any Miami to Key . The route is best driven in a convertible, takes you through a wonderland of mangrove trees, coral reefs, tropical savanna, quaint islands, and historical sites . It's worth the trip if only becauseEd worked awfully hard on all these carvings and his story is actually quite incredible and slightly unbelievable. And, if you like what you try, you can take home a few bottles foryour collection. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Driving from Miami to Key West is one of the greatest road trips you can experience. From Miami Airport to the start of the Keys is about 55 miles. Theater of the Seas animal interaction packages give you a good chance to get much closer to the wildlife than youd expect. Theres so much more to Miami than partying, utah, road trip, north america, usa, Guides. How Long Is The Bridge To Key West From Miami? Translating to purple island, Islamorada encompasses 6 of the Florida Keys. Stop here to see the Coral Castle Museum. Go snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking--if it takes place on the water, Key Largo has it. The Florida Keys Overseas Highway is one of the world's best scenic drives and the only road to Key West. I would recommend a few days in Key West, especially if you plan on doing a few boat excursions! 17 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Key West, Florida The islands are all connected by Highway 1 or The Overseas Highway.. The Coral Castle Museum is a quirky and eclectic roadside attraction that has many people scratching their heads. Spend the day at the most beautiful beach, Get Cabana Rentals and relax on Miami Beach. Today you wont find Hemmingway, but you will find a big open, lively bar with live music and food. That way you can spend about an hour at the Everglades and still get a good amount of the day to spend in Key Largo! And no matter how many bags of Hot Cheetos we consume, we still cant get enough. You can pick your own strawberries to snack on during the trip too. Plus, Marathon has different kinds of restaurants, a true beachfront area . The first thing to understand is that most of the attractionson a Miami to Key West Road Trip are referenced by what Mile Marker they are located near. Lauderdale. There are tons of different species of fish, turtles, birds, manatees, snakes, panthers, and of course, Alligators! I knew I would be staying in beach front / water front areas and eating beach bar food for the remainder of this trip, so I decided to stay in the downtown area to get more of a variety! It will give you the lay of the land and include five drinks, and youll probably make a few friends to join you out later that night. Join this Waverunner tour, which visits the famous Islamorada Sandbar, mangrove tunnels, go under Whale Harbor Bridge, and more! It was super easy to get around without a car once youre there, but you definitely need one to explore all the sites between Miami and Key West . There are tons of great Cuban restaurants in Key West. Since then, they have rehabbed and released more than 1,500 turtles back into the water surrounding the Florida Keys. While every storefront from Mile Marker 118 to the furthest piers in Key West all claim to have the best Key Lime Pie, Kermits is the real deal. If you love brunch, you have to go to Matts Stock Island for their Sunday brunch. This non-profit saves and rehabilitates dolphins who are hurt and unfit to survive on their own in the wild. This highway crosses 42 bridges, providing plenty of picturesque vantage points to stop and take photos. As the name implies, this bridge spans 7 miles across the sea, and in some spots, its so long and straight you cant see the end of it. Lets dive in. , Okay, thats a wrap! How long is the drive from Miami to Key West? Dolphins are regularly spotted in the water just offshore of Key West, and the snorkeling is good with clear waters. East to west. Make sure to check out our complete best restaurants in Key West article. Not only can you look at it, but the African Queen is available for private cruises. 2. Once you're ready to leave Miami, you'll head south on U.S. Highway 1. Grab yourself some lunch at The Fish House (which was featured on Drivers, Dive ins and Dives, Food Network, and many other news stations!) Miami to Key West road trip - best things to do in 3 itineraries - MEL365 Snorkeling is also an option, and so is kayaking. Dont miss this Key West institution on your road trip! Here is a fun private tour that takes you out to sand bars! Most beaches are free in Key West as long as they are not a state or National park. Avoid the traffic and make your drive during the week. You can snag it right off Amazon or you can buy it at most stores. If youre looking for aquatic activities, Marathon will deliver in the form of deep-sea fishing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding. For example, La Pensione has rooms for $150 in early December. In Key Largo, the road rejoins U.S. 1, which will take you all the way to Key West. Most people travelling from Miami to Key West will choose to drive all the way there via Highway 1, a drive which . Dont miss the giant Key West postcard painted on the side of their waterfront location. Sure you can fly there, but the drive from Miami is a must-experience road trip. So if youre short on time but still want to split the drive up, I recommend spending the night in Marathon. The research center was established in 1984 by Jayne & Armando Rodriguez as a non-profit to provide a habit for dolphins and educational experiences for visitors. No matter what time of year you visit Fort Myers, its, Bucket List: 6 Best Mayan Ruins in Mexico | 2023 Guide, We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here are some guides I think youll love: [] I stayed in the downtown Brickell area because I was doing aMiami to Key West Road Trip. Miami to Key West Road Trip: 22 Awesome Activities You Need to Do We went on this Key West Mangrove Kaying tour with Lazy Dog. For the worst times to head to Key West from Miami, you want to avoid driving . Consider yourself an amateur ornithologist? This is something that I plan on coming back to Key West to do because we ended up having a REALLY rainy day on our last day. As you make your way further south, the Keys become less populated and more natural until you get to the final few islands, like Key West. Looking for the best way to get to Key West? In Key West, there are TONS of options for hotels. How long is the drive from Miami to Key West. You may also like: The Best Places to Stay in Florida. The Best Time Of Year For A Miami To Key West Road Trip: You can join this Hemingway Food and Walking tour. Save yourself the stress!! Unfortunately, no! Did you rent a car for your entire trip or only to go from Miami to Key West? You should probably get one to-go too. We luckily got paired on board with, what Joseph and I think, were professional dancers. Youll get about an hour and a half in the water and the chance to observe wildlife and the famous underwater Christ of the Deep statue. Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when youre feeling flush). While there may not be as many pull-offs with signposts, there are still many natural places to explore in this more rugged and wild stretch of the Florida Keys. Every good road trip needs a destination, but many times the things to see along the way are what really make the trip, and the drive from Miami to Key West is no different. Visit in the wintertime where it's most popular to drive . It is teeming with wildlife and it is arguably one of the best National Parks on the East Coast. If youre making a pitstop in Key Largo, plan for a dinner at Snooks Bay Restaurant and Grand Tiki Bar. Authentic, delicious and cheapTaqueria Morelia is a perfect place to fuel up before strapping in for the last couple hours of your drive. A: Yes, The road from Miami to Key West is a popular drive with tourists and is very safe. 30 things to do from Miami to Key West Welcome to the only chocolatier in the Florida Keys. Robbies because famous for its terrapin feeding, which started after trying to nurse an injured fish back to health. Rather than doing the 3-4 hour drive all in one, Id recommend breaking up the 164-mile distance from Miami to Key West with some of these top attractions. There are two signs, one on each side of the road one for the end of the road and one for the beginning. The water in the everglades is actually a river that is very clean. Because Key West is both a tourism hotspot and the last island in the chain, the already high costs of the Keys are exacerbated here. This massive Navy ship sits about 6 miles from the shore of Key Largo and is one of the top dive sites in the Florida Keys. Fort Myers is located 160 miles west of Miami, which is a drive of 2 hours and 30 minutes. They are situated right on a dock and bring in all their fresh catch daily. Seven Mile Bridge. This is where all the best food is, much closer to the airport / start of the keys, and tons of rooftop bars! Literally so cute and is super durable for travel!! The Overseas Highway is full of fun and sometimes quirky stops to break up the drive on the way down to Key West. To see details, click the arrow on the top left to view the different layers. Portions are large, the food is tasty, and its a great value. That way you can have more time to explore all the sites between Miami and Key West. If you dont like something I recommended OR want to extend your time in Key West, be sure to check out my bonus ideas section below. Homestead. If this sounds like your kind of place, be sure to build it into your road trip itinerary for a drink or a bite to eat. Islamorada's premier taproom is full of Keys charm. I dont think this is a big deal if you are aware, but just keep in mind that you cant be in a rush for your Key West Road Trip! But you should still take a moment to appreciate it and soak in the view. For dinner, its time to head to Joseph & Is favorite restaurant on Key West, LLs Test Kitchen! Driving time: 2.5 h. Clearwater Beach consistently wins the title as the best beach in Florida, and even so in the entire US. This is the kind of quirky sight that Florida is famous for, so it's a great start to your Miami to Key West road trip. Continuing on in Marathon, animal lovers wont want to miss a stop at the Turtle Hospital. Weve got your essential list of pit stops for your road trip from Miami to Key West. Plus, you will want to make sure you get to Key West in time for sunset (trust me on this one!!). Fine dining with unobstructed sunset views in Key Largo at the Playa Largo Resort & Spa. They are known for their fresh seafood and steaks at Chef Michales. We dined for dinner one evening as we werent in town on a Sunday morning. Heres a list of some of our favorite restaurants in Key West and standout meals from our recent trip to Key West. However, it's actually against the law to feed them and it's punishable by a $250-$500 fine. On my road trip, I was cursed with very bad weather most of my trip (which is extremely rare in the Florida Keys). Since youre starting your journey here, I recommend taking a few days to explore this Florida hotspot. Once you arrive in Key West, check into your hotel and head to Mallory Square for their nightly Sunset Celebration! Youll have a chance to spot all sorts of wildlife above and below the surface. 5. Another great option if you are traveling with a group and looking to go on a fun tiki boat, you can rent this Tiki boat for a private 3 hours Islamorada Sandbar Tour. The drive between Key Largo and Key West crosses 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Florida Scenic Highway: Keys Highway Miami to Key West If you want to hit some of the best Florida Keys bars, make sure to pull off at Mile Marker 88! At this state park, you can go to one of the few white sand beaches in the area (Canon Beach), kayak through mangroves, or go on snorkeling boat tours! Designed and Developed by PenciDesign Nurse sharks, jellyfish, and sea birds are frequently seen while kayaking in the lower keys. Duval Street is to Key West, as Bourbon Street is to New Orleans. In addition to the natural wonders, the visitor center also has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium filled with some of the same sea life youll find in the park. . FAQ For Miami To Key West Road Trip How Long Is The Drive From Miami To Key West? Best (And Worst) Times To Drive To Key West From Miami Key West is the Southernmost town in the United States, just 90 miles from Cuba. . Theres, For many, Panama City Beach Florida is the ultimate dream vacation destination. The food was DELICIOUS! The daily snorkeling tours are one of Pennekamps most popular attractions. BUT, I always like to recommend a few must-haves for this specific trip. But be warned - traffic can be downright brutal and 3 hours can easily turn into twice that. In a car, you'll pass through the Keys; on a motorcycle, you'll be part of them. It is one of the best restaurants in Key Largo for sure. Click here to browse hotels in Brickell, Miami! Ive been coming here since I was in the 3rd grade! I did spend the day on Miami Beach, but I felt food and bars were better in the downtown Brickell area. 25 Best Activities In Key West (The Conch Republic) - Expert Vagabond Now for the adventurous part of the trip: driving south over 40 bridges through the Florida Keys on Highway 1 (aka the Overseas Highway). Whether you want to stay in an Old Victorian style bed and breakfast, Airbnb, or luxury resort.. there is an option for everyone! On the weekends hundreds of boats gather for an informal party in the crystal clear waist-deep water! Top 17 Places to Stop on the drive from Miami to Key West. Its the little things, isnt it? If it is your first time in Key West, we suggest joining this Key West Pub Crawl. Even though I had an amazing trip and saw so much, I didnt get to do everything on my itinerary. The distance to Key West is about 125 miles (201 km). . I've got a whole post . The world-renowned author Ernest Hemingway called Key West home for most of the 1930s. Ultimate Orlando to Key West Road Trip | Town & Tourist RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami. When Joseph and I went to the Florida Keys Brewery, a famous country band (LoCash, heard of them?!) Re: Best time to drive from Miami to Key West. Card Sound Road roughly parallels Route 1. The basic rule of thumb here is this: avoid hurricane season which lasts from June through November. Another place we recently stayed was this hotel Uma House by Yurbban South Beach. This place is a must for breakfast or brunch before continuing your Key West Road Trip. HI! Speaking of winter - that season is the island's busiest and priciest. This pub with no name is worth the short detour off of the Overseas Highway near the key that shares the No Name name. Follow U.S. 1 south to the Keys. A: There are 165 miles between Miami and Key West, and if you drove it straight, it would take a little over 3 hours. But if you bring us a strawberry key lime pie shake then we are officially best friends again. The total distance from Miami to Key West is approximately 160 miles (257 km). Our favorite meal in Key West was at Cafe Marquesa. My love for travel has taken me all over the world at only 24. Especially if youve never been to Key West. Miami To Key West Drive: 20 Stops On A Key West Road Trip Driving to Key West: A Road Trip in the Florida Keys Day 1: Explore Miami. Sunset Tiki Bar and Grille (at the Galleon Resort): 617 Front St, Key West, FL 33040. I know everyone travels differently, so here are a few ideas for swapping things out. The Overseas Highway spans nearly 120 miles of breathtaking scenery as it runs over the Atlantic Ocean, the Florida Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico connecting the far flung Florida Keys before finally reaching .

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