Tag: African Queen

5 Things to Do in the Florida Keys  

People often ask which of the Florida Keys they should visit. Well, the answer is all of them. Each of the islands offers something a bit different from the always party time atmosphere of Key West to Key Largo which is known for great snorkeling and is home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. If you’re planning a glamping getaway to The Keys, you’re lucky because we have two great glamping locations: stay in a totally hip tiny house at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or enjoy a colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key. Below we offer just a few suggestions for things to do when visiting: 

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village

1. The Lara Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary is worth the visit to see 30 different species of birds that make this sanctuary their permanent home after having been rescued and rehabilitated but are considered non-releasable for their safety. The sanctuary is open 365 days each year from sunrise to sunset and offers guided tours as well. For more details go to the sanctuary’s website keepthemflying.org. 

2. With so many islands and coral reefs, of course diving is a big deal here. Check out the History of Diving Museum on Islamorada and explore their multiple exhibits that details the history of diving, the advent of equipment from early dive helmets to the most modern-day apparatus, and the diving equipment from many nations around the world. There’s also a tribute to Jules Verne (have you read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea yet?) and a 50-gallon aquarium full of tropical reef fish. For information visit divingmuseum.org.  

Christ of the Abyss
Christ of the Abyss

3. So many islands, so many excursions! From land to sea, there are plenty of exciting things to do in The Keys when it comes to excursions. Christ of the Abyss is not your typical statue – this one is located roughly 25 feet under the waters that surround John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The best way to see it is via a snorkeling excursion – check out silentworld.com to book a dive tour. Movie buffs will appreciate the excursion aboard The African Queen – the storied steamboat from the movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. To enjoy one of the daily canal cruises, visit africanqueenflkeys.com. Get to know Key West with a “Southernmost Food and Cultural Walking Tour”, offered by viator.com that takes you around the island’s historic district with stops along the way to enjoy the great food here including Cuban cuisine and of course, Key Lime pie! 

4. Sunrise/Sunset – make sure you get the best of both when glamping in The Keys. Some of the best places to catch the sunrise include Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key (perfect if you’re staying at Encore Sunshine Key); the aptly named Sunrise Beach in Key Largo and Higgs Beach in Key West. For a spectacular sunset, consider Mallory Beach in Key West which hosts a nightly sunset celebration; or from aboard a catamaran cruise that departs from Islamorada (check out robbies.com for details); or back to Bahia Honda State Park to end a perfect day!  

Sunset at Bahia Honda State Park
Sunset at Bahia Honda State Park

5. Aside from the sun, sand and snorkeling, The Florida Keys have a lot of noteworthy sites to visit. They include The Little White House (Key West), which served as President Harry Truman’s winter getaway; the Caribbean Club (Key Largo), the oldest bar in the Upper Keys where portions of the film Key Largo were shot; the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park, which is the largest all-masonry fort in the Western Hemisphere; and Hemingway House (Key West); which was home for many years to famous author Ernest Hemingway. 

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5 Things to Do in The Florida Keys

Does island hopping appeal to your travel senses? Or, is a great glamping trip that encompasses culture, history, outdoor activity, and a bit of the off-beat what you’re seeking in your next adventure? Whichever way you choose to travel, consider a glamping trip to the Florida Keys complete with a colorful cottage accommodation at Encore Fiesta Key, located on Long Key. Fiesta Key also offers Elite Suites as an option for your stay. The resort itself has plenty of activities and amenities, including a pool, marina and boat dock, horseshoes, fishing opportunities, and a super fun Tiki Bar and Cantina where you can relax and discuss your plans for your Florida Keys experience.

We serve up five ideas here on what to do in the Keys.

1. Visit Molasses Reef: The Molasses Reef Preservation Sanctuary Area is the most visited coral reef in the Upper Keys. It has clear water, plenty of fish to see and plenty of boulder corals. Book a charter through seadwellers.com and be ready to experience an other-worldly adventure which some have equated to swimming in a crystal clear aquarium! You might see nurse sharks, lobsters, shrimp, moray eels, angelfish, and sea turtles to name a few.

2. Spirited Adventures: There are all kinds of places to partake safely in the spirits here. Try some mead at Keys’ Meads on Key Largo. This Florida farm meadery offers hand-crafted mead and other spirits made from honey. At Papa Pilar’s Rum in Key West it’s all about the rum. From distillery tours to cocktail classes, this is a must-do. While there are no tours offered, plenty of fun can be found at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery. A pet-friendly beer garden, a swag shop full of island gear, food and, of course, drinks, plus special events and plenty of live music and games are what you can expect here.

Slice of Key Lime Pie


3. Key Lime Fun: There’s a whole history behind why it’s called a Florida Key Lime, but all we care about is how good the Key Lime Pie (KLP) pie tastes. Get in on the experience and try this tasty treat all around the islands. On Marathon, Keys’ Fisheries has some of the best KLP in the area, plus other yummy seafood. The colorful Key Lime Pie Bakery just off the famous Duval Street in Key West is another option. Also, try Midway Cafe on Islamorada for KLP or a Key Lime Tart. They also have gourmet coffees on the menu.

4. Unique Shopping: From shells to cigars, there are plenty of trinkets to pick up during a visit to The Keys. Shell World on Key Largo is good for well, you know, shells, but there’s plenty more island-related regalia here. The Big Pine Key Flea Market is open every weekend (Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and has everything from homemade soaps to fishing gear, jewelry, and local art. Rain Barrel Village on Islamorada is an outdoor market plaza with several specialty shops and eateries and lots of Florida souvenirs. Plus, there’s a giant lobster out front that makes for a perfect selfie backdrop! For cigars, check out Rodriguez Cigar Factory in Key West, where you can also see them being rolled.

Kayaking in Sunshine Key
Kayaking in Sunshine Key

5. Only in the Keys Experience: There are some things that you just can’t do anywhere else and if you’re in the Florida Keys, here are those experiences:

  • Feed the Tarpon at Robbie’s in Islamorada
  • Snap a selfie at the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. (Key West)
  • See the underwater statue, St. John of the Abyss, while snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park. (Key Largo)
  • Visit The Little White House – Florida’s only Presidential museum which was President Harry Truman’s winter home. (Key West)
  • Take a ride on the African Queen (Key Largo)

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