Vacation Guide 2010: The Florida Keys

Some visitors come to the Florida Keys for the fabulous weather and the opportunity to soak up some sun. Others come for the fishing, diving and snorkeling. Still others come to get up close and personal with some wildlife (dolphins, manatees, birds, key deer, etc). Whatever it is you are looking for, the Florida Keys have something for everyone. Here are some travel tips for the most popular activities in the Keys.

Islamorada
Fishing and diving enthusiasts should stop at Islamorada, southwest of Key Largo. The number of fishing boats available for charter is testament to Islamorada as a fisherman's paradise. On a budget? Get your fishing fix at Robbie's Marina, where you can buy a bucket of bait to hand fish the tarpons at the docks. Watching these gigantic fish leap up in the air is a sight to behold. Robbie's Marina is the quintessential Florida Keys watering hole, complete with a marina, restaurant, kayak rentals and sidewalk vendors selling everything from beads to fine art and hammock.

Robbie's Marina
77520 Overseas Hwy
Islamorada

Marathon
Marathon is a laid-back fishing village with marinas and wonderful anchorages, making it a favorite place for boaters to hang out while awaiting a good weather window to cross over to the Bahamas. Sombrero Beach, located at Mile Marker 50, is free and open to the public. Recently renovated with new bath houses and playground, it is one of the nicest beaches in the Florida Keys. Enjoy some excellent fish and stone crab claws at Keys Fisheries. Off the beaten path Burdines Waterfront serves up some awesome French fries, blackened fish sandwich and burgers.

Keys Fisheries
3502 Gulfview Ave,
Marathon, FL 33050

Burdines Waterfront
1200 Oceanview Ave, End of 15th St,
Marathon, FL 33050

Big Pine Key
If you love nature and the outdoors, Bahia Honda State Park is the perfect place to spend some time. The park has a marina and several campgrounds, so you can bring your boat, RV or tent, or you can rent a cabin. You may need to reserve months in advance, as this is a very popular park. The beach has been named one of the best in the country by travel magazines, and the sunsets are simply magnificent. Some popular activities include kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, birding and wildlife viewing.

Also located on Big Pine Key is the National Key Deer Refuge, home of the adorable Key deer, the smallest of the Virginia white-tailed deer. Visit the visitor center at the Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza to learn more about the history of the endangered Key deer and its habitat. You can also find Key deer foraging on both sides of Key Deer Blvd. Illegal feeding has them approaching you unabashedly for some hand-outs when you stop to get a closer look.

Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Hwy (Mile Marker 37)
Big Pine Key

Key West
Sunset parties are the norm in the laid back Florida Keys. At Key West, sunset viewing is a ritual. It is celebrated every evening at Mallory Square with live music and entertainment. Get there early to join in the fun. There are myriad vendors offering unique gifts as well as delicious food and alcoholic beverages. The sunsets are always spectacular.

Key West's most famous resident is Hemingway. You can tour his home, now a registered National Historic Landmark, to see where he penned many of his greatest novels.

Key West has a wealth of dining and entertainment options. You can feel the pulse and hear music wafting from the bars and restaurants as you stroll along Duval Street. A Jimmy Buffet fan? Have a cheeseburger in paradise at Margaritaville. If you are lucky, you may even get to meet the singer himself. Have a penchant for rum? Tortuga Rum Cake Co, a Grand Cayman outfit, has a store on Front Street where you can sample some outstanding rum cakes and buy some to bring home.

Margaritaville
500 Duval St
Key West, Fl

Tortuga Rum Cake Co
431 Front St
Key West, Fl

Sources:
http://www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer/
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/