The Florida Keys is an intriguing and fascinating tourist destination in USA. It is a huge region with about 1700 islands that extends south and southwest of the Florida mainland. Just to name a few, they include Duck Key, Islamorada and Key Largo. It has a tropical savannah climate and abounds with distinctive animal and plant species. Regarding accommodations for tourists, various types of vacation home rentals in the Florida Keys—villas, condos, cottages, apartments and cabins—are available at very affordable prices.
Why Visit the Florida Keys?
The Florida Keys is a paradise with many natural and man-made attractions, salivation-inducing foods, water sport activities, adventures and festivals.
Things to Visit in the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys boasts many attractions that have made it one of the most visited tourist destinations not only in the US but also the world over. If visiting all of them is not possible for you, do not forget to include the following in your bucket list:
National Key Deer Refuge: Located between Key West and Marathon, this refuge accommodates miniature species of deer. Its foundation was laid in 1957 and was built as a big sanctuary for deer, which had become extinct by 1950s due to extensive hunting and threat to their lives. It also features a freshwater pond, by the name of Blue Water Hole, where alligators and turtles live. All in all, it is a great place meant for the protection of deer and also aquatic animals.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: This is a glass-enclosed conservatory, where various species of butterflies and birds hover freely. You can enjoy a colorful glance of these critters. It is also an ideal place for you to gather information about the life of a butterfly. An educational film is also telecast here to enable travelers to see various types of this interesting insect and also see caterpillars growing under different stages of their life cycle. A Butterfly Gallery also exists there that you can visit.
Mallory Square, Key West: Famous as a lively place in Old Town West, it is known for a vibrant nightlife and many other exciting events. When the evening comes, vendors and entertainers get together to create a festive atmosphere. Tourists can attend their programs for their complete entertainment. Various types of programs shown by acrobats held here include tightrope-walking cats, fire juggling and sword swallowing. It also features several shops, including boutiques, a treasure-hunting store and surf shops.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Lying off the Key Largo, this underwater park is a mind-boggling attraction for the tourists. It is an ideal place for those tourists, who love two chief water sports activities—scuba diving and snorkeling. It features a small swimming area, where they can enjoy swimming and diving. It also has picnic areas, where they can enjoy a great time and see displays that throw light on marine life and habitats of aquatic animals.
Dry Tortugas National Park: Located in the Gulf of Mexico, this park is an isolated and deserted region that can be accessed by seaplane and boat. It also features a huge 19th-century fortification. It is a perfect place for divers and snorkelers as they can spot seagrass, coral reefs and shipwrecks. The best snorkeling spots located here are Garden Key's coral heads, Fort Jefferson's moat wall and the Historic Coaling Pier.
Beaches near the Florida Keys
Beaches are the best place for tourists to rest and relax in the Florida Keys. Although they are in large numbers, those that you should mark onyour itinerary include the following:
Higgs Beach: Equipped with many amenities—tennis and volleyball courts, etc.—this beach is a great place for travelers to zonk out. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for tourists. It is also a dog-friendly park, so travelers can come here with their pets.
Sombrero Beach: Located in the heart of Marathon, this beach is famous for its charming beauty and a large variety of activities. In comparison to other beaches, it is a bit deeper. So, only confident swimmers should take the risk of swimming. It also features picnic areas, a pier and volleyball nets.
Smathers Beach: As the biggest public beach, this beach is abuzz with lots of travelers. It enables them to indulge in many water sport activities. Just to name a few, they include jet-skiing, kayaking and kite-surfing. Sun loungers and volleyball nets are also available here.
Calusa Beach: Located on the gulf side of the Bahia Honda State Park, this beach has sheltered nature and serenity with the gentle lapping of waves against the shores. So, it is an ideal family-oriented destination for travelers. It also features picnic areas and parking.
Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys
The best time to visit the Florida Keys is from November 5th to April 1st in terms of weather, safety and tourism. During this time, the weather remains moderate with the least possibility of rainfall and snowfall. As a result, you can enjoy a great time here.
How to Visit Florida Keys?
Both local and international travelers can access the Florida Keys with much hustle and bustle. The chief airports for local travelers are Naval Air Station Key West and Florida Keys Marathon Airport and for international travelers are Southwest Florida International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport and José Martí International Airport.
Vacation Home Rentals in the Florida Keys
FindAmericanRenals, one of the best Florida Keys vacation rentals by owner, offers no-booking-fee vacation rentals, furnished with all the modern facilities and amenities, to travelers at very affordable prices around the clock. So, you can contact it anytime to book your accommodations per your suitability and convenience.
