Baby-soft sand, deep blue waters and spectacular golden sunsets await you in this tropical oasis
Located just 90 minutes south of Miami, right between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, is Florida’s beautiful “Village of Islands” known as Islamorada. Visitors to this close-to-home paradise, which spreads across six of the Florida Keys, will be greeted by seven miles of stunning beaches, spectacular marine life and perfect temperatures, making it a relaxing dream getaway.
Start your day by soaking up the sun at Founders Park, home to breathtaking views, clear waters and a number of fun amenities. “It has a lovely green area with a beautiful amphitheater, lots of pretty flowers in the landscaping, a marina and a beach area with a volleyball net and picnic tables under thatched roof huts,” says Ann622 on TripAdvisor.com. “And all of the friendly ‘good mornings’ and ‘hellos’ from other beach-walkers was incredibly nice to hear.”
To catch a glimpse of local wildlife, rent a kayak from The Kayak
Shack and paddle through the island’s mangroves. Says Heather M on TripAdvisor.com, “We saw manatee, sharks and a crocodile!”
Next, pay a visit to Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park ($2.50 per person) to explore the trails near the 8-foot-high quarry walls. “Grab the free guidebook!” says a reviewer from Iowa. “It provides detailed explanations for more than 40 marked points of interest along the trail, and we learned so much about the flora and fauna, Native Americans who lived on the land, the ancient coral fossils and about the quarry.”
End your day by heading to the Overseas Highway, where you can visit art galleries, shop for locally handmade crafts and dine at restaurants while watching the sunset.
Don’t miss:
Theater of the Sea
See more marine wildlife with a visit to Theater of the Sea ($36.50 per person for general admission). The park offers experiences like dolphin, sea lion and parrot shows with visitor participation, and soaking up the sun on a lagoon-side beach. Guests can also shop for souvenirs in the gift shop, dine at the park’s grill and tour exhibits of local fish and reptiles.
Great day trip:
Key West
Head 90 minutes south to enjoy a fun day in the lively city of Key West. There you can see colorful creatures at the Key West Aquarium, tour one of more than a dozen museums, try Key lime pie and stand on the southernmost spot in the United States.