Key West is a destination you must visit if you’re ever in Miami. The best way to do that is to do a road trip, because you’ll get some of the most incredible views in all of Florida!
Keep reading to find out why go on a road trip to Key West, and where to stop along the way!
WHERE IS KEY WEST AND WHY DO A ROAD TRIP?
Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States, located at the western end of the Florida Keys. It is part of an archipelago forming a chain of islands known as the Florida Keys. This lovely town is known for its laid-back atmosphere, historic architecture, vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches.
The best way to reach Key West is by driving along the Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1), which connects the Florida Keys to the mainland.
The Overseas Highway is a scenic route which offers breathtaking views of the ocean. The drive (without stops) will take you around 3 and a half hours. My recommendation is that you stop along the way and explore all the stops in this blog post!
We rented a car in Miami and made the most of our day trip, read more to find out how!
WHEN TO VISIT KEY WEST?
Key West has nice weather all year round, but some months are better for a visit than others. Winter is the peak tourist season in Key West. The weather is comfortable, with temperatures ranging from the high 60s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (20 – 25 Celsius). This is an excellent time to visit if you want to enjoy outdoor activities, water sports, and the vibrant nightlife. However, this also means bigger crowds and quite expensive accommodation.
Spring is also a popular time to visit Key West, and maybe even a better option than winter. The temperatures are higher, ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (25-30 Celsius). The island is less crowded than in winter, which is better for exploring without the crowds. In spring there are also various interesting festivals and events.
You can also visit Key West during summer and autumn, but the temperatures are really high and you must be careful as it’s hurricane season, so there might be bad weather!
Winter is the peak tourist season in Key West. The weather is comfortable, with temperatures ranging from the high 60s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (20 – 25 Celsius). Spring is also a popular time to visit Key West, and maybe even a better option than winter.
BEST STOPS FROM MIAMI TO KEY WEST:
Rain Barrel Village
Our first stop was the Rain Barrel Village, located in Key Largo. The colourful and fun artisan village is a very loved stop by both tourists and locals, and we really enjoyed our time here. In front of the village there’s a huge lobster, kindly named Betsy, which you’ll notice from a mile away. Betsy is the symbol of Florida Keys so don’t forget to snap a picture with her!
Once you’ve finished admiring Betsy, lose yourself in boutiques and studios where you can buy incredible handmade crafts, clothing, and souvenirs. If you’re one of those people who look for more than a magnet as a souvenir, here you’ll have a hard time choosing between all the awesome handmade creations.
Robbie’s Marina
Another fun stop for you can be Robbie’s Marina. This absolutely incredible place has been featured in many lists as something you shouldn’t miss while on Florida, so write it down!
Robbie’s Marina is one of the most famous locations of Florida Keys because of their super fun tarpon feeding! If you’d like to feed more than 100 tarpons, you’ll have to pay 2.5 dollars admission to the docks of the marina, and 5 dollars for a bucket of fish. Mind your fingers and have fun!
If you’re not into tarpon feeding, no worries! You can go on one of Robbie’s famous snorkeling or scuba tours, or rent a jet-ski and have your own adventures.
If you grow hungry after all that fun, there is their amazing Hungry Tarpon restaurant on the waterfront, with some of the most amazing views of the marina.
The Seven Mile Bridge
This isn’t really a stop but it’s a prominent part of your trip which you’ll surely enjoy. The seven mile bridge is the most scenic drive you’ll experience in Florida. This iconic bridge connects the Middle and Lower Florida Keys, giving you some of the most picturesque views of the ocean.
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Bahia Honda State Park
My favourite stop on this road trip was Bahia Honda State Park. We really wanted a break from all the driving, and the beaches at Bahia Honda State Park are a perfect spot for relaxing. The admission to the park costs 4.5 dollars per person. There is a huge parking lot where you can safely leave your car, toilets, and changing rooms.
We first took a walk and explored the surroundings of the old seven mile bridge which is not in use anymore, but is an incredible thing to see. Afterwards, we went for a dip at the gorgeous Calusa beach. We loved swimming with the gorgeous view of the old, worn-down bridge.
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WHAT TO SEE IN KEY WEST IN ONE AFTERNOON?
After the beach, you only have around 45 minutes to Key West, so there’s no need to have any other stops.
With all of these stops, we arrived to Key West in the afternoon. As we didn’t have accommodation in Key West, we only had the afternoon to explore this stunning little town.
Here’s what we managed to do in only a few hours!
Walk along Duval Street
Duval Street is the most popular street and the heart of Key West’s entertainment and social scene. It’s famous for lively bars and restaurants, and many interesting souvenir shops. We had a great time walking around during the day, but also in the evening as well. Gorgeous lights make the night walk even more magical!
See the Southernmost Point and Mile Marker Zero
These two marks are very famous Key West attractions. The Southernmost Point Buoy marks the southernmost point of the continental United States – it’s just 90 miles from Cuba. The landmark is located at the intersection of Whitehead Street and South Street, near the waterfront.
The colourful buoy is a perfect photo spot in Key West, but keep in mind that the crowds are huge and the waves can be pretty intense, so you might get wet! The line was way too long for us, so we didn’t manage to snap a picture!
Mile Marker Zero is a concrete marker that signifies the starting point of U.S. Route 1, a major highway that spans over 2,300 miles from Key West to Fort Kent, Maine. It’s a symbol of the beginning (or end) of a remarkable journey and tourists love taking pictures with the green and white marker!
Experience the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Sunsets are really gorgeous in Key West, and lots of people gather at Mallory Square to see the sunset each day. Around the square there are also street vendors who sell souvenirs, drinks and some food so you can make your sunset watching as enjoyable as possible!
Visit the Ernest Hemingway’s House
If you like literature, this landmark might be for you! This house was the residence of the famous American author Ernest Hemingway from 1931 to 1939. Today, it’s a museum that gives tourists a glimpse into Hemingway’s life and work.
The admission ticket is 18 dollars per person. The garden is really charming, with lots of cats around, and the writing studio inside the house takes you back to the 20th century!
Eat at Sloppy Joe’s
We just had to stop at the iconic Sloppy Joe’s. The bar was originally established in 1933 by Joe Russell, who was a friend of Ernest Hemingway. Therefore, Hemingway was often a guest at Sloppy Joe’s!
Today, there’s lots of Hemingway memorabilia at the bar, but the best thing about this bar is the lively and relaxed atmosphere. The bar is extremely welcoming, and you’ll surely have a great time there. We tried the popular conch fritters and had a drink, which was a great way to end our visit to Key West.
Fun detailed post and great pics! Thanks for bringing back so many happy memories! 🙂 I lived for a time in Miami and going to Key West often was part of life and I have been back many times as I still have relatives there. Key West is def a special place and camped a lot at Bahia Honda State Park as a kid, so it was a blast to bring my daughter there when she was about the same age. It had not changed at all. 🙂
This looks like a great trip. Feeding the tarpon might give me nightmares, so maybe I’ll opt for jet skiing instead. lol Thank you so much for all the tips. Can’t wait to visit.
Gorgeous photos! I’ve only ever done a road trip in Australia but I’d love to try one in America. Thanks for sharing your experience and recommendations!
Should include, The Coral Castle in Homestead.