Florida Keys Travel Guide
Drone photo by JTC Films
I'm no Florida Keys expert, but I have traveled through the keys a bit. Living in Hollywood, FL I'm just under two hours from the the upper keys, but about 4 hours away from Key West, which is a bummer because I LOVE Key West and I wish it was closer. Regarding where I've stayed, for my 25th birthday JT and I rented a houseboat for two nights, one of my favorite birthdays, you can watch the video here! I definitely suggest finding a place to stay on Air Bnb! We've stayed on a boat 3 times in the keys. Once in Islamorada for my birthday and twice down in Key West with JT's family. It's such a different experience than your typical hotel, I love it. See below for some of my favorite spots in the keys!
Florida Keys Vlogs by JTC Films:
Florida Keys Wedding Tasting Video
My 25th Birthday On a Houseboat
Key Largo
Sol by the Sea: Located at Playa Largo Resort MM97. The Dragonfruit Mojito is TO DIE FOR. The Quinoa Bowl was also delish.
Snooks Bayside Restaurant: The cutest tiki bar on the bay side MM 99 (Mile Marker) and a perfect place to watch the sunset! I got the Pistachio Encrusted Mahi wrap that had mango salsa and sweet thai chili sauce and honestly it was like a meal sent from heaven. If you know me you know I love anything with sweet chili sauce!
DJ's Diner: MM 99. A perfect place to stop for breakfast if you're just passing through Key Largo. It's right off the highway and their breakfast is awesome. They have this special sauce I can't remember the name of, but it was sooo good - like a tangy/spicy BBQ sauce but it goes with everything. They also had the best cuban coffee!
Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill: This is where we are having our rehearsal dinner. The views from the roof top are incredible and the food and specialty cocktails are just as amazing!
Pinecrest Bakery: My wedding coordinator at Playa Largo recommended this place, she said they have the best dessert + cuban coffee! I'm definitely stopping here next time I'm in the keys!
Key Largo Chocolates: They have ice cream, chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick, boozy milkshakes, and amazing chocolates!
Sundowners: Perfect spot to watch the sunset, but it can be hot, they usually have live music too!
Tavernier
Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory: MM 92 but it's also located in Key West. Hands down the best key lime pie I've ever had in my life. My mouth waters just thinking about it. YOU. HAVE. TO. STOP. HERE if you're driving through the keys!! They sell frozen pies so you can travel with them.
Harry Harris Park: MM 98. JT and I took a day trip down to this park which was perfectly peaceful & beautiful.
Islamorada
Marker 88: Perfect place to watch the sunset + have drinks!
Island Grill: MM 82. We had the bestttt food here! I got a Key Lime Martini which was strong but so yummy. I also recommend the Shrimp Thai Rolls, Mahi Tacos and Shrimp Po Boy! I didn't get a picture of our food but you can see it here in the video from my 25th birthday trip!
Wahoo's: MM 83. Awesome views and cocktails. I got the Key Lime Colada: frozen goodness with had a graham cracker rim. It was so cute & yummy.
Midway Cafe & Coffee Bar: MM 80. Perfect place to stop and get a quick breakfast. The coffee was amazing!
Morada Bay: MM 81. Probably my favorite place in the keys because it's so gorgeous. I loved the bright colors, the retro trailer and of course the palm trees. Everything is just SO GOOD. The Pierre House on the property looks JUST like the Bloodline house, but it's not. womp. Bloodline vibes for sure though. Oh and GET THE MAHI BITES!
Islamorada Beer Comany: MM 82. Awesome place to try the local beers. My favorite is the No Wake Zone, it has a hint of coconut + key lime, SO GOOD. They have a new distillery too, so you can try their gin, vodka, and rum!
Lazy Days: The salads here are out of this world!! Even if you aren't a salad person, it will make you want one! See what I got below.
Robbie's (Islamorada): Awesome place to take the family. You an feed the tarpon and if you're lucky youll see a few manatees!
Marathon
The Stuffed Pig: MM 35. FAVORITE breakfast spot in all of the keys. ITS SO GOOD. I always get the Piglet, and JT loves the Pig Slopper. The bloody mary's are really good too!
Sombrero Beach: This beach was one of the bigger beaches in the keys, such a pretty spot.
Sunset Park: Technically located on Key Colony Beach, it's a little more private and low key than Sombrero Beach. It's picture perfect and absolutely gorgeous.
Bahia Honda
Bahia Honda State Park (Bahia Honda Key): This place is gorgeous! One of the best beaches in the keys for sure.
Key West
Blue Heaven: This restaurant is super popular. They are known for their massive key lime pie! I loved the setting here and the food was really good.
Santiago's Bodega: The best tapas i've ever had! They have a good happy hour with 1/2 price sangria and $5 tapas too!
A&B Lobster House: If you're looking for a nicer meal this place is amazing! We went here after JT's dad's wedding and it did not disappoint.
The Boathouse Bar & Grill: We stumbled in here one afternoon and had amazing cocktails and apps!
Sloppy Joe's Bar: And pretty much all of Duval Street. Sloppy Joe's is definitely one of the most popular bars in Key West though. It's a great place to start the night with live music and drinks. Then I suggest bar hopping up and down Duval because all of the bars are fun!
Smathers Beach: One of two small strips of beach in Key West. JT's dad and step mom got married here and it was absolutely stunning. Another perfect place to watch the sunset!
Dry Tortugas National Park
Seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park: HIGHLY recommend taking a sea plane to Dry Tortugas National Park. It was one of the most insane experiences of my life! Seriously, a bucket list adventure.
I know this doesn't even begin to cover all of the other amazing places the keys have to offer, but I'm still exploring! There are a few places in particular that I have not been to yet but I've heard tons of good things so here's a list.
1. Pinecrest Bakery (Key Largo): My wedding coordinator at Playa Largo recommended this place, she said they have the best dessert + cuban coffee! I'm definitely stopping here next time I'm in the keys!
3. The Turtle Hospital (Marathon): I LOVE sea turtles. I think they are the cutest things in the world. Next time I am down this way I will definitely be stopping to see the turtles in rehab and hopefully some little babies!!
Please let me know if there are any other must see spots because I love checking out new places! If you are ever in the keys I hope you try some of these places! I promise you wont be let down. The Florida Keys are magical and like no other place in the world. Enjoy the laid back vibes and have a cocktail or two!
Thanks for reading!
