48 | THE KEY TO FLORIDA


www.nitravelnews.com


September/October 2023


TEEMING with activities for visitors of all ages and interests, the islands of the Florida Keys make for a classic Florida vacation...


THE Florida Keys — the continental United States’ southernmost island chain — are characterized by a balmy subtropical climate, breathtaking natural beauty and a uniquely laid-back atmosphere that seems to be a world away from big cities and every-day cares.


Beginning just south of Miami, the Florida


Keys are divided into five regions: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine and the Lower Keys, and Key West. Each region has its own special flavor, attractions and museums, historical and cultural offerings, flora, fauna, restaurants with local seafood and other specialties, fishing, diving, watersports and boutique-type shopping experiences. The longest island of the Keys chain,


Key Largo shares its name with the famous movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall — portions of which were filmed there. Bogart’s Key Largo connection still is evident today as visitors can take a ride on the African Queen, the actual boat he skippered in the movie of the same name. But Key Largo’s star attraction is John


Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater preserve in the United States, now incorporated within the National Marine Sanctuary. Located at mile marker 102.5, Pennekamp


offers a variety of water-related activities including scuba, snorkeling and glass- bottom boat excursions to the coral reef. Key Largo also boasts a number of off-park dive charter companies that conduct dive trips, with many showcasing the famed underwater “Christ of the Deep” statue. A few even feature underwater weddings, where the entire wedding party gets wet as the happy couple ties the knot.


Newlyweds can choose to remain submerged for their honeymoon at an underwater hotel in Key Largo, spending the night with full amenities among the marine life of the Keys. Key Largo also is home to the Spiegel


Grove, a retired U.S. Navy ship that is one of the biggest vessels ever purposely scuttled to create an artificial reef, and the Coral Restoration Foundation that pioneered coral reef restoration and manages the world’s largest coral nurseries. Visitors also can explore


the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center where dedicated experts rescue and rehabilitate ill, injured and orphaned wild birds.


Islamorada


Islamorada is the centerpiece of a group of islands sometimes referred to as the “purple isles.” Measuring 20 miles long and in some places barely 150 feet wide, the community encompasses Plantation, Windley and Upper and Lower Matecumbe keys. Known as the Sport Fishing Capital


of the World, Islamorada is heralded for its angling diversity and features the Keys’ largest fleet of offshore charter and shallow-water “backcountry” boats. The Keys boast more sport-fishing world


records than any other angling destination on the planet, according to the International Game Fish Association. Anglers can find


sailfish, marlin, dolphin (the fish, not the mammal), kingfish, snapper, barracuda, grouper and more in the ocean. Tarpon, bonefish, permit, redfish and other species thrive in the shallow coastal waters. Numerous high-profile figures,


including past U.S. presidents and British royalty,


enjoy sport fishing and to compete in acclaimed fund-raising fishing tournaments.


The Islamorada area


also features eco-tours, watersports such as stand-up paddling and kiteboarding, tennis facilities,


bicycle


trails, historic hikes, beautiful vistas of both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay, opportunities to swim with dolphins and stingrays, and a typically quirky Keys recreational


activity:


hand-feeding tarpon from the docks at Robbie’s Marina. Prime attractions also include the


Morada Way Arts & Cultural District that spotlights the art galleries and restaurants at Morada Way between mile markers 81 and 82. As well as welcoming visitors throughout the year, the popular arts district is the site of the Third Thursday Art Walk each month that features fine art, live music and culinary offerings. include both inshore and offshore


fishing. Popular nature tours, many by kayak, offer unforgettable opportunities to view migratory and wading birds and unique flora and fauna. Key West


Key West is the final stop on the Overseas Highway, where the land ends and meets the sea amid 19th-century charm and contemporary attractions. Continental America’s southernmost city, situated closer to Cuba than to Miami, is characterized by quaint palm-studded streets, century-old mansions and a uniquely relaxing way of life. Key West has nurtured world-


renowned literary talents including Ernest Hemingway, whose home is a museum, and Tennessee Williams, also the subject of a museum. Today, scores of notable authors reside either full- or part-time on the island. The flourishing visual arts community is evidenced by the many galleries exhibiting artwork in varying


have visited Islamorada to


styles and mediums. Visitors can enjoy environmental


attractions and eco-experiences, a wide variety of watersports and excursions, lush public gardens, culinary tours and classes, historic sites and an overflowing calendar of festivals and special events. Popular stops include the intriguing Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, the “vacation White House” of former President Harry Truman and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, where visitors can discover artifacts and treasures from two Spanish galleons sunk off Key West in 1622.


Nightlife is lively and varied, with offerings


ranging from live music at area watering holes to theater and comedy performances, popular drag shows and concerts by regional and national talents. At day’s end in Key West, crowds gather


at Mallory Square to experience the nightly “sunset celebration,” a tradition that locals share with visitors. While musicians, jugglers, acrobats and other performers provide entertainment, the sun sinks slowly below the horizon as sunset cruise boats sail by in Key West Harbor. https://fla-keys.com/


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64