Local Insider Guide

Island Favorites

Our hand-picked recommendations for the best of the Lower Florida Keys — from hidden bars to postcard beaches.

Key West Day Trip
Island Favorite
Attraction

Key West Day Trip

Just 45 minutes down the highway, Key West is the perfect day trip — explore Duval Street, the Hemingway House, sunset at Mallory Square, fresh stone crab, and the vibrant street life of the Conch Republic.

Key West is an experience unlike any other. We recommend spending at least one whole day there — grab a frozen drink, watch the street performers, and stay for sunset at Mallory Square.

Key West25 milesCar
Mallory Square
Island Favorite
Sunrise/Sunset Spot

Mallory Square

The legendary Key West gathering place famous for its nightly sunset celebration, street performers, and waterfront views.

A must at the end of your Key West day to see the Sunset. There is no other spot you want to go to see the sunset other than Mallory Square.

Key West25 milesCar
No Name Pub
Island Favorite
Local Landmark

No Name Pub

A true Florida Keys pub. Known for its quirky charm and dollar bills covering every inch of the walls, No Name Pub feels like a hidden experience most tourists never find. Try their yellowfin tuna sandwich (yum), local beer, and get their apps! You won't go hungry.

Guests always say this is one of their favorite restaurants from the trip. It has character unlike anywhere else in the Keys and the best pub chefs around.

Big Pine~19 min by carCar
The Southernmost Point
Island Favorite
Local Landmark

The Southernmost Point

The iconic buoy marking the southernmost point in the continental United States — a must-see Key West landmark and popular photo stop.

You have now been to the southernmost point! Make sure to take a picture to memorialize.

Key West25 milesCar
Veterans Memorial Beach
Island Favorite
Beach

Veterans Memorial Beach

A calm, family-friendly, dog-friendly beach on the Gulf side, perfect for swimming, kayaking, and catching stunning sunsets.

Big Pine18 milesCar
Bahia Honda State Park
Island Favorite
Beach

Bahia Honda State Park

One of the most beautiful beach and nature spots in the Lower Keys. Crystal clear water, white sand, snorkeling, kayaking, and peaceful walking trails.

This is the postcard beach people picture when they dream of the Florida Keys. Don't miss it.

Big Pine~20 min by carCar
Bent Prop Bar & Grill
Island Favorite
Restaurant

Bent Prop Bar & Grill

A fun, laid-back Keys spot where you can arrive by car or by boat. Good food, cold drinks, waterfront energy, and that easygoing island atmosphere the Florida Keys are famous for.

One of our favorite spots for a relaxed lunch or sunset drink — you can pull right up by boat!

Cudjoe Key~15 min by carCarBoat
Seven Mile Bridge
Island Favorite
Scenic Drive

Seven Mile Bridge

The most iconic drives in the Florida Keys — a breathtaking stretch of road surrounded by bright blue water on both sides. The moment the vacation truly begins.

Guests pass this on the way in — the views are absolutely stunning.

~23 min by carCar
Lower Keys Sunrise/Sunset Spots
Sunrise/Sunset Spot

Lower Keys Sunrise/Sunset Spots

The Lower Keys are full of peaceful spots to catch the sunrise/sunset. Grab a coffee, find a quiet dock or roadside pulloff, and start your morning with island-time energy.

This area is less touristy than the Upper Keys, which means you could possibly get the sunrise to yourself. Pure magic.

Varies — several spots within 5 minCarWalkingGolf Cart
National Key Deer Refuge
Island Favorite
Nature / Day Trip

National Key Deer Refuge

Home to the beloved and endangered Key deer — a tiny, fearless subspecies of white-tailed deer found nowhere else on earth. Drive or walk the refuge roads at dusk for magical close-up encounters.

Guests are always blown away when a miniature deer just trots up to the road. It's one of those only-in-the-Keys moments you never forget.

Big Pine~5 min by carCarGolf CartWalking
Porky's Bayside Restaurant
Restaurant

Porky's Bayside Restaurant

A local favorite for fresh seafood and laid-back island dining. Waterfront on the Gulf side.

Marathon25Car
Seaport Harborwalk
Island Favorite
Attraction

Seaport Harborwalk

The main, well-known boardwalk area in Key West is called the Key West Historic Seaport Harborwalk (or simply the Harborwalk), which spans the Key West Bight. It is a scenic promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and boats.

This is a favorite stop if you are looking to go to a restaurant with a water view. Make sure to stop by the Raw Bar if you like seafood!

Key West25 milesCar
Blue Hole
Nature / Day Trip

Blue Hole

A freshwater quarry lake right on Big Pine Key, home to resident alligators, turtles, herons, and tons of wildlife. A short boardwalk makes it easy to spot gators sunning by the water. Don't feed the gators!

One of the only places in the Keys you can see alligators. A fun and totally free quick stop that surprises almost every guest.

Big Pine~10 min by carCar
Looe Key Reef
Island Favorite
Boating Stop

Looe Key Reef

One of the best snorkeling and diving reefs in the entire Florida Keys. Just offshore from Ramrod Key, Looe Key is a National Marine Sanctuary teeming with tropical fish, coral, and sea turtles.

This is our go-to recommendation for anyone who wants to snorkel. The reef is healthy, vibrant, and absolutely beautiful — world-class snorkeling right in your backyard.

~20 min by boatBoat
Win Dixie
Grocery

Win Dixie

Local Grocery Store

Big Pine10 milesCar
Grimal Grove
Attraction

Grimal Grove

A magical hidden tropical fruit grove on Big Pine Key, featuring dozens of exotic fruit trees including carambola, mango, and more. Tours are available and the property is a local labor of love.

A truly unique and unexpected experience — you wouldn't know it was here unless someone told you. The perfect adventure for curious guests who love discovering off-the-beaten-path gems.

Big Pine~10 min by carCar
Kiki's Sandbar
Bar

Kiki's Sandbar

A casual, fun waterfront bar and grill on Cudjoe Key with easy boat access and a lively beach bar vibe. Great drinks, good food, and a crowd that's always in vacation mode.

Pull up by boat or car — it's one of those spots where the afternoon just melts away. A great place to catch live music and meet other boaters.

Little Torch Key7 milesCarBoat
Boondocks Grille & Draft House
Restaurant

Boondocks Grille & Draft House

A fun, full-service restaurant and bar on Ramrod Key with an outdoor miniature golf course, live music on weekends, and a full menu of burgers, seafood, and island favorites.

Perfect for families or a laid-back night out. The mini golf and live music make it a real destination — not just a dinner spot.

Ramrod Key~10 min by carCar
Overseas Highway Sunset Pull-offs
Sunrise/Sunset Spot

Overseas Highway Sunset Pull-offs

Some of the best sunset views in the Keys are right along the Overseas Highway. Several quiet pull-offs between Big Pine and Bahia Honda offer unobstructed western horizon views over open water.

No crowds, no cover charge — just you and one of the most spectacular sunsets you'll ever see. We love the ones near the old Bahia Honda bridge.

~10–25 min by carCarGolf Cart
Blimp Road Boat Launch
Boating Ramp

Blimp Road Boat Launch

A convenient and well-maintained public boat ramp on Cudjoe Key, providing easy access to both the backcountry and Atlantic side for fishing, snorkeling trips, and exploration.

If you're looking to launch your boat at a good ramp, this is the ramp locals use. Easy access and reliable.

Cudjoe Key~5 min by carCar

Showing 20 of 20 recommendations