The family road trip to tropical paradise, and escape from reality. Who else needs a real vacation?
Crystal clear water surrounding a narrow land strip out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean off the tip of the Florida Peninsula. Sounds fun right? Unless you’re flying into Key West and just staying there, a trip to the islands is for sure going to be a Florida Key's Road Trip! This Florida Keys road trip scenic drive will have lots of flavor and is part of the adventure, so don't rush it (no seriously don't there are police everywhere). How far north you start is your choice. The Florida Everglades are easily accessible from Homestead, the nearest city before you enter the Key's. It's easy to veer off and explore before beginning the Overseas Highway experience. Most people prefer the West Palm or Fort Lauderdale airport experience to the Miami airport, for renting cars and navigation, as Miami has a lot more going on.
Because we live in Florida, we have made lots of memories in the Keys! There was a honeymoon, a multifamily Airbnb, some science research field trips, and a few quick day trips. We've had a few adventures. Now the kids are bigger, and they've even had a few of their own excursions down with friends. When I picture the Keys, I start thinking of all the things I want to do.... Places I've not yet been, things I want to see... Each trip begins with my research, and I quickly remember how expensive it can be to stay in the Florida Keys! So, I dig a little deeper. I am sharing all the good stuff with you.
I designed this trip to be a real family vacation in the summer! Any time of year this works.
Getting There
The drive into the keys is a big deal. So often people use Miami or Homestead as their starting/ jump off spending one night there before making the drive down.
We have spent nights in many locations for a reasonable rate (cheaper than Keys rates), and even done some favorite activities there before taking off on that last leg down to the Keys. I recommend checking around Florida City and Homestead for some decent places to stay, sightsee and eat!
We've recently stayed at both:
*Courtyard Miami Homestead - great location, close to food, shopping, and highway.
*Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami - Close to Airport, but reasonable prices for space.
If you'd like a few ideas for Pre-Keys adventures on the way down and you're coming through Miami I'd recommend a little time spent in the Everglades and Homestead (more below)
*Coral Castle - How did one man build all of this out of limestone? He says he used the same techniques as Egyptians to build the pyramids.
* Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park - go enjoy the lighthouse, beach, and pavilions.
* Anhinga Trail - Get a taste of the everglades and walk scenic this loop through the swamp.
No 2 trips are the same. On this Keys Road Trip....
My criteria: ~~The first step in planning is decide what you want to accomplish~~
~Find a large room with two queen beds preferably on the water.
In or near Key West
~Find a room in or near Key Largo with the same criteria.
~Visit the Everglades on our road trip down
Yes I wanted nights in different locations. Less time driving = more time for intentional activities.
~Must be affordable (this may be different for everyone)
~Snorkel.
~See beautiful fish.
~Hit the Southern Most point.
~Sunset in Mallory Square
~Wander/ Explore
~Eat lobster roll, key lime pie, and have a margarita. (OK I'm feeling like a tourist now)
~Enjoy the area, gain a new experience with my boys who helped pick these criteria.
What’s so great about Key West?!?!?
This eclectic little village is the southernmost point in the US and is closer to Cuba than Miami. Rich with history, art, and culture, the story told here by these streets is unique. The culture is unique. Chickens, iguanas, beautiful blue all around you, the sky and water seem endless no matter where you look!
Just 3.5 hours from Miami, you still feel a million miles away. Tropical paradise, it’s a haven for dive bar lovers who always seem to be living their best life. Live music around every corner, the area is rich with historic sites dating back to the early 1800s, and, of course, opportunities to gorge yourself on conch fritters and every kind of sea food delicacy around. Did I mention the key lime pie? This quaint little village is just a fun and upbeat place to spend some time.
Duval Street, running from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point marker, is home to museums, souvenir shops, galleries, and cafés. Duval Street hosts several annual events and parades, including the Hemingway Days festival each summer and the Fantasy Fest, a ten-day costume party each October. You may want to avoid this time if that's not what you have in mind!
Duval Street is home to some of Key West's most historic attractions, including the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Southernmost House, and the Harry S. Truman Little White House. A popular activity here is renting a scooter and riding around enjoying all of the sights and local options. ** Reserve ahead if this is your goal, my son was very disappointed there was not a single scooter available while we were in town for the July 4th weekend. 🙄
**This lead to another trip down a couple months later....
Mallory Square, Key West – Home of the best sunsets!
Located in Old Town Key West that is best known for its nightly sunset celebration. Many people gather to watch the sun drop over the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy the 2 hour celebration each night. Once the sun sets the restaurants fill up pretty quickly and the whole vibe gets wild! Tours, music, dancing and people galore! This city square lines the beautiful waterfront and draws a crowd nightly.
Hotel rooms in Key West during peak visiting are often (at least) $400 a night, only having one bed. There are some very luxurious options, and you will pay steeply for them. Since we are not staying long at a hotel or pool when we travel, we are up and out to explore, I don’t like the luxurious out-of-pocket experience, I enjoy being on the ground in the nature of it all. This is why I love blogs. I started looking up affordable Keys destinations and came across Sugar Loaf Key Lodge as recommended by other budget travelers. Great reviews encouraged me to book quickly. I will post below my reviews of the places we stayed. Overall, I consider it a good option.
If money is no object you are good to go because you can easily lose track of your budget and get sucked into the entire scene. Just go for it! If you want to plan this trip with less overhead I am here to help!
Few things to consider in your planning:
Gas: 1 tank of gas gets you from Homestead, Florida to Key West and back to Homestead. Gas in the Keys is the same price as on mainland Florida IF you fill up on Key Largo, or Marathon. Key West is apx. 3 hours from Miami, depending on traffic of course.
Hotels: This is the biggest expense. During off-season (July – October) you may find places for as low as $200/ night. For nicer Florida Keys resorts, you’ll be looking at $300+ per night in the off season. If you visit during peak season (November – July) you could be looking at $400 + per night for the budget hotel options. Vacation rentals match these rates. I recommend a house share if you have other people willing to split the expense and plan to stay in one spot for multiple nights.
Dining: There are wonderful affordable places to eat in the Keys so if you plan your dining to have great food on a budget, plan to spend around $180 (or less) per day for a family of four. This doesn’t include fine dining, but just three quality, casual meals per day. However, there are some REALLY good places to eat, and you may want to manage some groceries to cover breakfast and lunch and splurge for dinner, to stay in the same price range. We love our cooler packed with some cold cuts and sandwiches for lunch, and great snacks. We bring our own drinks and plan accordingly.
Activities: There are lots of free and cheap things to do in the Florida Keys, so you’ll not have to worry too much here. To average our spending, it is about $80 per day for activities for four people. That doesn’t account for big ticket excursions like visiting Dry Tortugas National Park or doing a fishing trip, but includes things like state park activities or museums.
Beaches:
First time visitors are always shocked there isn’t more beach. In a string of Islands surrounded by water, you’d expect way more beach!! There are some, especially State Parks with great views and water, but parking is also difficult at many of the beaches. Conch shells and rocky shores are pretty common.
Sombrero Beach gets high reviews if you have younger children, as it has a playground, sandy beaches (as opposed to the rocky shores of some others) showers, and free entry! Be sure to pay the parking meter, tickets here are $90.00 each and they must check frequently as I have seen many tickets given!
Anne’s Beach is like a little hideaway on the side of the road, in lower end of Southern Matecumbe Key. There are two parking lots, depending on your driving direction. One has bathrooms and the other is a smaller lot with a place to drop a kayak or paddleboard in the water. You can walk from one end to the other using the boardwalk they built which is above the shore. There are numbered pavilions along the way. This is a place to stop on your way in or out of the keys, get your feet wet and eat a snack.
The Drive Down:
Where should we stop!?!?
**If you miss any of these on the way down, plan to hit them on the way back up!
Did you know the Florida Everglades has an access point just 40 minutes north of the Keys?
The Everglades National Park is the largest tropical wilderness in the United States, the third largest National Park in the continental US (Yellowstone and Death Valley holding the first two spots) and quite an experience. If you are starting your journey down south from Miami or Homestead, this is a perfect detour. Many will spend at least one or two days exploring this wetland heritage site before heading on down to the Keys! It's so close!
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is an everglade gem, giving way to the Anhinga Trail, a half-mile boardwalk along a man-made canal with striking views. Visit marsh, mangroves, lily pads, and wildlife with a quick hike through the tropical wetlands. What a drastic difference to visit the Everglades and the Keys in the same trip!
Anhinga Trail: This boardwalk trail through wet lands in the heart of the Everglades, was a quick 2 hour pit stop for us, but gave us what we were looking for. Want to see some really strange bugs, birds, gators and foliage? (Who doesn't) We took this .8/ mile loop and most of the time felt like we were the only ones in the park. It is a National Park, and we used our America The Beautiful pass to drive on in. To find this gem on your route, start from the Royal Palm Visitor Center, four miles from the main park entrance/Ernest Coe Visitor Center.
Fruit/ Snacks: On your way in or out, stop at Robert is Here. It's a fruit stand that has a petting zoo and great smoothies. Stock up on healthy snacks for your road trip and hit the road refueled! The best part of a road trip is the places you stretch your legs!
1. John Pennekamp State Park – Key Largo
$8.00 to drive in - Perfect for those wanting a little water sport action!
This state park is great if you plan rent kayaks or take a snorkeling trip out to the reef. Reserve ahead, the shop does save some for same day bookings. They have Glass bottom boat tours and the statue of Christ of the deep can be seen from these expeditions. If you are not trying to do additional outings, this is still worth a beautiful beach stop at road trip pit stop. Mangroves, the whole tree lined beach, and trails are still fun. You can wade out into the water and see a wide variety of fish including barracuda and tuna. If you bring your own kayaks or paddle boards you can pop in and explore this coast line heaven.
2. Robbie’s of Islamorada
You can buy a bucket of fish here for $4.00. And take that bucket out onto the pier where you can feed the tarpon. It’s $2.00 per person to walk out onto the pier
*You could have a snack or a drink, there are lots of food options!
*You could wander the artisans and souvenir shops
*You could play the hook catch string game
*You could just get out and stretch your legs
But it’s a good time, high energy of all the locals and travelers in one spot.
I feel obligated to tell you when you feed the tarpon, it is very exciting and sometimes the Tarpon - whose mouths are made of bone will scratch or scrape the hand/ fingers of the feeder. Just an fyi, it’s still fun.
And I remember when we did this 5 years ago...
** This is why we travel. These amazing memories. Soon we will look back on this trip.
3. Seven Mile Bridge -
Just South of Marathon is this marvel. You’re going to drive over, so sit back and enjoy the scenic route. The colors of the water depend on time of day and weather conditions, but I’ve never been more enthralled by the water's color. Experience a piece of history and visit the Old Seven Mile Bridge. You can take a free and scenic walk or bike ride over the bride and to Pigeon Key, a small island with lots of history. This bridge was once Henry Flagler’s railroad, which ran from 1912-1935. When we went it was closed for construction, but I still recommend it if it’s open!
4. Big Pine Key - Key Deer-
These endangered species call this area home. And I see why they are endangered. They are just the sweetest little creatures that wander around taking no safety precaution whatsoever. The speed limit is lower in this area for a reason. The smallest subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer, they are easy to miss. Poaching and habitat loss had reduced the number of Key deer to only a few dozen animals by the 1950’s, but establishment of the Refuge and subsequent listing of the deer as endangered in 1967 has allowed for protection and a dramatic recovery of the species.
No Name Pub - a worthy little stop to eat lunch. Back off the beaten path it’s great to find this place and then to walk inside and see all of the décor. Dollars hanging everywhere. Like wall paper. Hand decorated and constantly updated I can only imagine how much it equals. The food was pretty good. But leaving we saw a bunch of key deer making the out of the way stop well worth the extra few minutes.
No Name Pub - Long Pine Key - Fun stop along the way!
5. Bahia Honda
$8.00 per vehicle
South of the 7 Mile Bridge, this State Park features an ocean side and a gulf side, with a channel in between. People are not permitted in the channel however, this breezeway is home to lots of sea life and this cool little spot makes for good shallow swimming, snorkeling, and great pictures. It is right under the broken train track that runs along the highway. The short trail which takes you to the top is cool to experience and brings the area to life with some history. The concession stand has reasonably priced food that is pretty yummy, and there are BBQ grills available for use if you get there early!
Key's Fun & Free things to do:
Anne’s Beach, Islamorada (if you can park!)
Sombrero Beach, Marathon – free admission (parking meters) with pavilions and volleyball courts!
Veteran’s Memorial Park, Little Duck Key – Free picnic spot at the foot of the 7 Mile Bridge
Watch Sunset in Mallory Square, Key West – every night 2 hours before the sun sets the square fills with food vendors, jugglers, fire dancers, magicians and cool street performers
The Southern Most Point Buoy
Wander old Key West neighborhoods, Key West
The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center- more than 6,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, providing an up-close look into the underwater ecosystems of the Florida Keys
The Key West Garden Club at Fort West Martello - paradise in the remains of a Civil War fort
State Park Entry Cost:
Beaches and Snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park (BYO snorkels)
Bahia Honda Viewpoint and Tide Pools, West Summerland Key
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West
Nature Trails at Long Key State Park
More Fun….
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West
Tour the famous home of famed author, furnished with many of the original pieces, including Hemingway's prized collection of 17th- and 18th-century Spanish furniture. The gardens make the home that much more spectacular. It’s cool to see the 60 six toed cats who live on the property, as Hemingway was given a white six-toed cat by a ship’s captain and some of the cats who live on the museum grounds are descendants of that original cat, named Snow White. Cash Only for Admission (this is no longer true! YAY pay with your card or online)
Adult $17.00
Child (6-12) $7.00
Harry S. Truman Little White House
In 1890, the building was used as the naval headquarters for the Spanish-American War, and later during the first and second world wars. From around 1946, President Harry S. Truman began to use the building as his “Winter White House,” where he was often visited by both military and political figures on urgent matters of state. Today, the historic home is a museum, where you can go on a guided tour to gain an insight into the life and times of President Truman and his successors, who came to Key West to relax and recharge during the dark years of the Cold War. You can also go on a botanical tour of the surrounding gardens, where tropical trees and shrubs abound.
Admission
Adult $22.52 Child (Ages 4-12) $10.75
Purchase ONLINE and save $20.27 $9.68
SAVE $2.25 $1.07
They do give student, senior, and local discount
Hundreds of free flying butterflies, exotic birds and 2 flamingos inside the glass-domed tropical butterfly habitat. So many species of these delicate, intricate beauties! Complete with a room full of information, a nursey, and this gift shop is really impressive, the feeling of so many fluttering wings can't be described adequately. The garden has many exotic plants and a pathway of three zig zags is all the space needed to experience this condensed paradise.
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily - last admission is 4:30 pm
Gift Shop and Gallery Hours - 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Admission
Adult: $17.50
Local (Monroe County) $15.00 Seniors 65+ $14.50 Military $14.50 Children 4-12 Years $12.50 3 years & Under Free
Dry Tortugas National Park - For those who want to splurge!
70 miles from Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible only by boat or seaplane, although most people do this as part of a tour. This archipelago of seven beach-ringed islands is also home to Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fortification that takes up one island in its entirety. The park is a favorite among snorkelers and divers for its coral and seagrass, as well as the numerous shipwrecks that can be easily spotted under the surface.
The Aluminum 110-foot Ferry takes 125 people at a time back and forth to the park.
Prices: Day Trips
Adult $190
Child (4-16) $135
Students 17+ (WITH ID) $180
ACTIVE MILITARY (WITH ID) $180
There are options for visiting, and you can get more info here
So Where should I stay?
Many places in Key West are marketed "adults only", or even more specific as to who they recommend stay (we came across a few "gay male only" specifics).
If you are traveling with family, and need 2 beds, and hoping to stay inexpensively, you have a bit of a challenge. Time and research are your friend. I recommend staying outside of Key West or limiting your Key West stay to one night to cut costs.
Also, giving your children the plan ahead of time helps them to be prepared. I never want winey kids who want want want everything they see see see. Teach them early to appreciate the time and space they are in and not need to buy everything they want. I tell my kids I will make sure they have 3 solid meals and a roof over their heads, but they are responsible for paying for their own extras. I will cover the costs of excursions I plan, however if they want to buy something I didn't plan for they know not to even ask. This has made traveling with a big family on a budget easier and enjoyable. Good Boundaries and consistency with that plan.
On this trip, we stayed at the Sugar Loaf Lodge.
It’s one Key north of Key West, and 30 minutes from Mallory Square. The scenic drive is about 15 miles. We definitely felt we overpaid for a motel style room, but the reviews on trip advisor and other sites painted it to be a large ocean front room with newly remodeled rooms. Our experience was a bit of a letdown just based on the fact that I’d had a different vision in my head. The room was a typical double bedroom, however we did have 2 sinks, one in the bathroom and one in the room itself which makes it easier to function. They have very little counter space or extra room. Not enough space to put an air mattress if you were planning on it. There is a marina if you are launching your boat. While it seemed worn in some ways, it is clear that they are proud of this site.
Pros: Comfortable beds. Pretty clean (just dated) cold fridge, held all of our leftovers, hot hot water. In the morning free tea, coffee or hot cocoa at the tiki hut. Kind and helpful management, nice facility. Great Wi-Fi. Location - main strip and easy to get to other points of interest. It is right in a cove, with some sea life visible. Location: 30 minutes from Mallory Square, 30 Minutes from Bahia Honda State Park. You're in the Keys, what could be bad?
Cons: Dated rooms (Some are updated but ours felt old), water pressure just so so, no microwave, no cooking on site at all, hard to reach anyone in the evening to get more towels or pillows – no service available, water behind the resort super muddy and wouldn’t snorkel or swim there (other reviews sounded like this was possible, maybe it is clear on other times). Cost. I say this because at $350/ night I definitely expected more. There are off peak times where this is less costly. Check back, I would stay here again comparatively to looking at the other options. But also they advise against plugging in your own items that would pop the circuit breaker so if you wanted a crock pot or something this may be limiting. I realize it was a "peak" time to visit (4th of July weekend) but I felt unreasonable cost at that rate. Still less than other places.
If you want to stay in Islamorada:
Highly recommended by several friends, who frequent this spot.
Great place to stay if you want to bring your boat, do water sports, grill, and relax. Some units kitchenettes. Nice beach area with picnic tables and grills. Plenty of parking for vehicles and boat trailers. Private ramp. Beds super comfy, excellent water pressure, and nice, individual patios. Perfect place to watch the sunset on the bay front. Highly recommend to those wanting to stay small on Islamorada.
We once stayed in Key Largo at an Airbnb enjoying the amenities of John Pennekamp State Park.
This was a multi family trip and many people do the Keys in this way, making it more affordable.
We booked snorkeling trips to the reef and explored all of the area.
We spent an entire week here with our friends in a rented VRBO.
We had a small boat with us, but the water was choppy and not ideal.
We cooked at home and saved our $$ for excursions.
We had a wonderful time and spent a lot of time in or on the water!
My kids developed a love and respect of the wildlife by learning about this ecosystem and the coral reefs.
Marathon:
Where the boating is priority. Deep Sea, Reef fishing or flat-water fishing are all on the daily menu. Many charters are available. Waterfront restaurants, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, just people out enjoying various water sports! Marathon, includes Marathon Key but also Fat Deer Key, Grassy Key, Vaca Key, Duck Key, Key Colony, and Boot Key. As it is in the "middle", you will automatically pass it if you are driving down to Key West.
The Dolphin Research Center and Turtle hospital draw a crowd and focus on animal rehabilitation as well as personal encounters. The DRC has a wonderful not for profit facility which is home to more than 20 dolphins and a variety of options for visiting. They even have a paint with a dolphin activity for as low as $70.00. I strongly suggest checking both calendars while in the area!
Seafaring traditions and seafood festivals are well known and respected here. Many options for small hotels, beachside inns, resorts or vacation homes are available, but again, in this area there are not many bargains to be had. Tourist season is crucial to the local economy and your money spent here stays here. In the off season this little fishing community closes many of it's places.
What do I bring to the Keys?
Road trip prepared:
-Great to have your own cooler with snacks and drinks!
-Bring all of the beach toys you want to use
--First aid kit with whatever your favorite bug spray or repellent is (I make an essential oil spray)
-If you are set up to transport bikes this is a really fun way to get around
-All you need to be away from home for your length of time
-I bring a few games (uno or monopoly) for a rainy day.
-You see many trucks/ utility vehicles loaded with kayaks, paddle boards, coolers, bikes, and -----Fishing gear making that drive down Overseas Highway.
*When I am in and out of the sun, in and out of the water, and eating outside of home a lot my skin definitely gets weird. My favorite thing it this: The Face Lotion Bar. It keeps my skin from peeling and clears up and bumps or redness I develop super-fast. My skin is very sensitive it's been a game changer for me!
Flying in:
When your luggage is weighed and possibly paid for, I am as conservative as possible. A few bathing suits, something nice to wear for dinner, casual shorts and yoga pants, tee shirt, tank tops.
You still need some beach towels as many of the places will not provide.
Must Haves:
Bring - Snorkel, underwater camera or go pro, sun hat, sunscreen, after sun lotion, beach bag, beach towels, small bag for valuables, waterproof phone case, consider a floatation option - if you do drop a phone or camera in the water it will sink pretty fast!
I like the essential oil "passed tense" which is good for spot treatment of bug bites or irritations from any environmental type skin issues. allergy pills/ essential oils, dinner clothes.
All in all, our 2021 Keys adventure was cut a day short by Elsa, but we still had a great time. Perfect weather, great attitudes, and yummy food were abundant. While every trip has a bit of a different feel to it, the main component is people with a common goal - if that is to relax, to adventure, or everything in between, lay it on the table and hit the road with your travel buddies!
2021 Favorites:
Food - Sloppy Joes for great live music and reasonable prices
- Lobster Shack - Amazing lobster roll and coconut shrimp roll, Yuuuuuum
Park - Definitely Zachary Taylor State Park, we had great snorkeling there out by the rocks. Amazing fish!!
New Experience - We stopped at the Everglades on our way down and walked the Anhinga Trail. This was awesome. A boardwalk loop that gives you a quick wetlands tour allowing you to see the ecosystem in full effect, including gators and birds and fish! Not to mention trees and flowers.
Oh nothing special, just an iguana crossing the power lines....
Affordability meter: 5/10
On a scale of 1-10 how affordable is this trip?
When considering the value and quality of this trip vs the cost, I find it to be average.
While the hotel was a little more than I'd like, the day costs were relatively low. Some of our food was very affordable, some average, and some high. Many of the State Parks were a car entry fee of $8.00 and if you buy a State Park Pass, and use it at least once a month it pays for itself many times over. Check that out HERE.
I do find the Keys a high-quality experience that can be realistically budgeted for and in the affordable range. Lots to see and do in a unique tropical setting that feels like a vacation.
Wherever your road takes you, enjoy the moment, experience the history, and love your journey.
Please share your favorite things to do and travels tips to the Keys with us!
I'd love to hear how you spent your time.
Thank you so much!
~ Mz. Savvy
If you would still like more ideas for the Florida Keys, click here! This is our return trip- rent the scooters, do the boat ride and just plan to participate!
Want more? If you are traveling to Orlando Florida check out some water park action!
Or if your trip brings you down to Florida and you'd like to spend time seeing the best stuff, click here!
A note from the editor:
The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Confirm details when planning your trip.
I appreciate you stopping by today, please subscribe and share so we can stay connected.
My goal is to make traveling easier for families and cut down on the planning process. 💜