What to do In Florida Keys

The vacation cliché of "getting away from it all" is, in the Florida Keys, a literal promise. This long ellipsis of coral cays leads you far, far away from the mainland, geographically, culturally, and atmospherically. Its coconut palms and tropical breezes are more akin to the Caribbean than the rest of Florida, and Florida Keys attractions are among the most exotically compelling of any domestic destination imaginable. Experience the serenity of scuba diving in nature's aquarium in the morning, the thrill of reeling in a big fish in the afternoon, and evenings of unhurried hedonism before floating into bed at one of the best hotels in Florida Keys.

Things to Do in Florida Keys

The Florida Reef is one of the top tourist draws of the Keys, with Key Largo quite credibly billing itself the "Diving Capital of the World." A scuba excursion is an unforgettable highlight of a Florida Keys vacation. Witness an otherwise invisible world where bulbous and colorful corals host urchins and anemones, snappers and parrotfish, and visiting sharks and rays. Continue your Florida Keys activities in the mode of embracing remoteness with a trip to the Dry Tortugas, which taper off at the very end of the island chain. The major terrestrial sight to see there is Fort Jefferson, an early 19th-century coastal fortress that, despite remaining unfinished, is the largest brick structure in the western hemisphere. Return to civilization, albeit tinged with a rum-soaked, salty-dog spirit, in Key West. There, you can stand at the southernmost point in the continental USA (hint: it's not really where the sign says it is), pet Hemingway's cats, and ride a bike around Old Town with its gingerbread-trimmed, pastel-hued bungalows.

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