A Drive Through the Florida Keys - from Top to Bottom

The lure of the Keys is the unique feeling that being in the Keys brings. It's the local flavor and feel, one of fruit-garnished cocktails, colorful sunsets and colorful houses, along with hammocks, blue water, and relaxation. But even though you may go to the Keys to relax, you are bound to want to have some fun and do a few things -- And the Keys won't disappoint.

Let's start with Key Largo, the northernmost key, and work our way down till we reach Key West. John Pennekamp State Park is a great pit stop for a couple hours or half a day. Hike, picnic, rent kayaks, or take an eco-tour. There is a small beach there as well. Keep in mind that the Keys do not have a lot of beach areas '" these islands are narrow and rocky. The water views are spectacular but if it's a beach you want, there are just a few public beaches to be found, so do your research before you go. Visit www.pennekamppark.com

Key Largo boasts great shops, restaurants and bars with each passing mile marker. Snapper's Restaurant (oceanside) and The Big Chill tiki bar (bayside) are personal favorites of this author. As you head south onto Tavernier and then Islamorada, watch for the Rain Barrel artisan's village '" a truly unique place. Nestled back under the trees, a series of shops and booths line a meandering path that is completely shaded. If you are looking for a cool, unusual item as a gift for someone or for your home, here's the place to find it. There's also a great little caf© there as well with healthy choices on the menu.

Another attraction on Islamorada is Theatre by the Sea '" with a dolphin show and a "zoo" of marine life. It's a neat place and well worth a pit stop. And if you're craving a nice frozen concoction, just a little further south you'll find the famous Holiday Isle, a series of tiki bars and a pool to dip in. Try the Bushwhacker (if you can chill out a bit before driving!) Morada Bay is a bayside restaurant worth mentioning for their delicious food and beautiful sunsets, also on Islamorada. (Incidentally, Islamorada is known for being the best fishing spot in the Florida Keys, and you'll see plenty of boats on the water there.)

You can rent just about anything that moves in the Keys '" scooters, bikes, boats, and kayaks. You can parasail or skydive, and of course you can go out on a charter fishing boat or snorkeling boat on just about every Key. And the main road down through the Keys, US1, is lined with upscale hotels and resorts, as well as the small, quaint, "mom and pop" motels that this author prefers. Nearly all these little hideaways have hammocks, a little beach area, grilling area, and a kayak or paddleboat you can use. You do not need reservations to find a room if you are traveling between May and November. Otherwise it can't hurt to book ahead.

A cool option: You can even rent a houseboat to stay on while you're there!

When thinking about attractions in the Keys that you can visit, remember that the drive itself is an attraction. The bridges, the bays, the sweeping ocean views and all the colorful scenery along the way will definitely entertain you.

Now if you make it south of Islamorada, the No Name Bar on Big Pine Key is famous for being the first bar in the Keys '" rough around the edges and charming in its own way!

Keep driving down through Marathon Key (and across the amazing 7-Mile Bridge) and one hour later, you'll pull into what may be the most popular attraction in the Keys '" the town of Key West! This is a fun, historic, very colorful village that is home to all types of people, young and old, seasonal workers to long-time residents (called "conchs"). Weekend events and festivals are frequent in Key West, affectionately called the Conch Republic by some of the locals.

Talk about choices! Restaurants, bars, shops and boutiques abound. Art galleries, jewelry stores, t-shirt and souvenir shops '" all vying for your tourist dollars! Be sure to visit the Mel Fisher Museum to be amazed by the treasures found deep on the ocean floor, and also walk through the Hemingway House. You can get a real sense of Hemingway himself and the way Key West must have been when he resided there.

Some popular places to eat and drink in Key West are the Hogs Breath Saloon (burgers 'n such), Irish Kevin's (for a pint of cold brew), La De Da (brunch and fine dining), and Blue Heaven (breakfast with the chickens and cats '" quite eclectic).

Research Key West at www.keywest.com

Once you experience this special part of Florida, and take in all the sites and sounds of the Upper Keys, Lower Keys, and Key West, it's pretty likely that you will return again!