Unlock the magic
Fall in love with the laid-back lifestyle of the Fabulous Florida keys
why go there?
Longing for a US adventure but keen to avoid the big cities and crowds? The Florida Keys, a chain of tropical sandbar islands linked by the 113-mile Overseas Highway, is the place for you.
From Miami airport, OK! headed to Florida’s southern coast to embark on the ultimate road trip to the Keys, where residents pride themselves on their “anything goes” attitude. The 1,700 islands vary in their vibes, with some coral gems uninhabited and only accessible by boat, while others, such as Key West on the southernmost tip, are party hotspots.
Follow in the footsteps of Bradley Walsh and his son Barney who visited Sloppy Joe’s on Key West’s Duval Street in Breaking Dad to pay homage to its famous former patron, author Ernest Hemingway. Also make sure you head to Mallory Square for the nightly Sunset Celebration, where you’ll be entertained by fire acrobats and a tightrope-walking dog as the sun sets.
what should i do?
With coral reefs under threat, OK! was heartened to hear about the amazing work of the Coral Reef Restoration Foundation at Key Largo. We learnt how they grow coral on trees under the sea and then “glue” them back on the seabed. Visitors who scuba dive can volunteer to help. Alternatively, explore the underwater “greenhouse” on a Rainbow Reef Dive Center snorkel tour.
Boat trips are a must in the Keys. OK! signed up for an eco-kayaking safari that took us through eerie mangroves to secluded coves with Big Pine Kayak Adventures. One of our more novel experiences was an afternoon spent with Key West Hydrobikes. We cycled across the sea on oversized inflatable bikes, stopping off at beautiful Wisteria Island.
If you prefer your wheels on land, try a historical sightseeing tour with Key Lime Bike Tours. You should also visit the Hemingway House, where the descendants of the author’s six-toed cats still live, and finish off with a sunset stop on the southernmost point of Continental USA.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
As each island evokes a different character, it’s good to mix up your stays. Our first stop was at the Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina, where we admired a family of manatees – large hippo-like marine animals – as we sipped rum cocktails at the hotel’s oceanfront Tiki bar.
Next was the Parrot Key Hotel & Villas, where we booked into one of the two-floor apartments with a lovely beach-facing balcony.
Our last stop was the family-friendly Isla Bella Beach Resort, with its five swimming pools, luxury spa and packed activity programme, including hula-hoop competitions, sunrise yoga and poolside movies.
WHERE to DINE AND be SEEN?
Seafood is, unsurprisingly, a menu staple in the Keys, with chargrilled mahi-mahi, conch fritters and jumbo stone crab claws all popular choices. OK! enjoyed a seafood feast on a wooden deck overlooking the water at The Hungry Tarpon restaurant at Robbie’s Marina on Islamorada. If you’re feeling brave, buy some fish from the quayside shop to feed the tarpons, which leap out of the water to catch food as it drops from your hand.
For stunning marina views, delicious fresh seafood and a stylish setting, dine at Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar on Key West. Make sure you order The Admiral Tower – you’ll be served with a James Bond-style briefcase filled with a seafood extravaganza of oysters, shrimps, stone crab claws and yellowtail snapper ceviche.
For a romantic candlelit dinner, head to Chef Michael’s, an upscale Islamorada institution. We recommend the sautéed Hog Fish with blue crab and shiitake mushrooms, served with Key lime cream sauce – divine!