Hotels in Florida Keys
From the tip of Florida, the Overseas Highway (US-1) runs along chain of subtropical isles where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico connected by over 40 bridges. It nuts for 203 km(126 mi) through a brilliant tropical landscape of blue sea, reefs and lush vegetation. Mile Marker 126 is just below Florida City on the mainland, starting the countdnwn to Key West.
The highway crosses the southern edge of the famous Everglades to bustling Key Largo, the largest and northernmost key. It continues through Plantation Key before sweeping across Snake Creek and on to Windley Key. The Middle Keys begin at lslamorada (Purple lsle), where a memorial at Mile 82 commemorates victims of a 1935 hurricane that was one of the most powerful ever recorded in the USA.
US-1 hurries across Long Key Viaduct to tiny Conch Key, then crosses Grassy Key to Marathon, the sprawling commercial heart of the Middle Keys, before taking the spectacular Seven Mile Bridge, one of the world's longest. Now, the keys seem to become more isolated, and wildlife becornes more obvious - like the endangered miniature deer on Big Pine Key (visit their sanctuary) and a profusion of birds such as eagles, red-tailed hawks and falcons.
For the final section, the road crosses a succession of small keys that almost seem to merge, before arriving at the end of the line – Key West, a quirky place that seems to owe more to Caribbean culture than American. It is truly eccentric and unlike anywhere else in the USA, and tills this one drive where both Journey and destination more than come up to expectations. It is possible to do the return trip in a day, but with plenty of attractions to explore along the way most visitors prefer a leisurely drive that includes an overnight stop.
HOW
By car
DEPART
Florida City, FL
WHEN TO GO
October through Mnrch to avoid storms and scorchIng summers.
TIME IT TAKES
Half a day
HIGHLIGHTS
John Pennekamp coral Reef State Park - the first underwater state park in the USA, featuring thr coral reefs found only in Florida for diving, snorkel ling or reef trips in glass bottomed boats.
The Theatre of the Sea on Windley Key, featuring performing sharks, dolphins and sealions.
At Crane point Hummock on Marathon - the combined Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys and Florida Keys Children's Museum.
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Whitehead Street, Key West.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The southernmost house in the continental USA - a wonderful turreted victorian confection in pink, may be found at 1400 Duval Street in Key West.
