Florida Keys Hotels
Florida Keys Information
Things To See & Do in Florida Keys
The Everglades is a convenient and outstanding entry point to The Florida Keys.
Start your THG holiday to The Florida Keys with an exhilarating airboat tour in The Everglades. Skimming across the water at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, this thrilling adventure will bring you up close and personal with the native wildlife supported by this rare subtropical ecosystem. This truly unique experience will create memories that last a lifetime.
There's plenty to do for all the family/everyone in The Florida Keys.
Everglades Alligator Farm
A trip to the alligator farm includes an exhilarating airboat tour into the surrounding Everglades. Take a walk around the park to see the alligators (around 2000 currently reside at the park), crocodiles, caimans and wildlife. There's also a fantastic display of local and international snakes, with informative wildlife shows presented hourly. For more information visit www.everglades.com.
Swimming, snorkelling and diving.
Warm sea temperatures mean that conditions are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving at any time of year. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy these activities as the islands have excellent instructors and equipment can be hired locally at very reasonable rates.
Fishing
The watery expanse surrounding The Keys are home to some of the world's most sought after gamefish and the region attracts millions of dedicated anglers every year who arrive in feverish anticipation of catching the fish of a lifetime. There are numerous guides and captains in the area, as well as outfitters ready to help you venture out on your own. In either case, make sure you familiarise yourself with local regulations, environmental concerns and etiquette.
Glass Bottom Boat Trips, Boat Charters and Rentals
All are widely available throughout the keys. If you're looking for something special, why not try a romantic Champagne Sunset Cruise, or for something more upbeat and entertaining, try the Las Vegas style SunCruz Casino Boat, (reservations recommended).
Swimming with dolphins / dolphin encounters
There are a number of venues in The Keys where you can swim with/encounter dolphins, but the Dolphin Research Center, mile marker 59 on the Overseas Highway at Grassy Key, comes highly recommended. Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit organization funded by the visitors who come to see the dolphins and sealions and take part in the educational and interactive programs. For more information visit www.dolphins.org or email drc@dolhins.org. Some programmes on offer at the Center require advance reservations and should be booked with your holiday to avoid disappointment.
Cycling
The landscape of the Keys is flat so cycling is popular, easy and enjoyable. Bikes can be rented at all major resorts and there is currently over 60 miles of completed cycle path. If you fancy being a bit more adventurous, explore The Keys on a rented Harley Davidson motor cycle. (See PetersonsHarley.com for details)
National and State Parks
The Keys offer a number of fascinating National and State Parks to explore. One excellent example is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, which was actually America's first underwater park. The coral reefs at Pennekamp are among the most beautiful and diverse of all living communities and understandably they are the main attraction of the park. Living among the corals are sponges, shrimps, crabs, turtles, lobsters, eels, and nearly 600 species of fish. If you wish to view the coral reefs, glass bottom boat tours, snorkelling tours and diving tours are available. The park has a PADI training facility and speciality courses will introduce you to diving and the coral reefs in one day. The park offers numerous other opportunities for adventures. kayaking through the mangrove swamps along the two and a half miles of marked trails is great fun for all the family. The mangroves and the crystal clear waters that surround them, provide habitat for a wide variety of birds and marine life, so there's plenty to interest everyone.
Shopping
Shopping in the Keys offers an abundance of island influenced fashions, jewellery, maritime momentos and original art. The Florida Keys have long been a magnet for artists and Duval street in Key West has the largest assortment of galleries specialising in a wide variety of art forms if you're looking for something special to take home. Other Galleries include The Guild Hall Gallery, the Redbone Gallery in Islamorada, The Artists in Paradise Gallery at Big Pine Key and the Kona Kai Resort Gallery in Key Largo.
Eating out
The Keys are famous for their seafood and delicious tropical specialities and there's nothing more therapeutic than sitting at a dockside table, enjoying a freshly prepared local fish dish, watching the sun set over the water. Locals and visitors alike also look forward to the lobster and stonecrab seasons and in the month of August ''everything lobster'' is celebrated at the Lobsterfest in Key West. There are numerous other food festivals held in the Keys throughout the year including the Original Marathon Seafood Festival held in March, where fishermen celebrate their catches and history with gourmet dishes made from fresh local seafood.
Nightlife
Holidaymakers can enjoy a wide range of top-quality theatre and concerts throughout the Keys and there are plenty of venues where you can relax and listen to great music or dance the night away.
