Packing your car in preparation to travel from Miami to Key West is always exciting. With only one way to drive through the Keys – down US-1, otherwise known as Overseas Highway – the two-lane road caps its speed limit at 45 mph and serves as a reminder that it will drive over 44 bridges and see 42 different islands.
If you’re looking for the best places to stop and explore on your road trip from Miami to Key West, consider looking for the following attractions. These signs are positioned at various mile markers on green and white signs along your ride, making them impossible to miss.
Taste Something Sweet
As you journey outside Miami, you should stop at Robert is Here, a quaint roadside fruit stand that has become a must-go spot for milkshakes and smoothies made with fresh fruits in hundreds of combinations. Though there is bound to be a line, you can stroll through the shop while waiting, where you will find local jams, jellies, fruits, and more. They’re perfect gifts for you to take home for a family member or friend or as a snack for your hotel room.
Experience the Unsea Park
If you want to experience a great activity right after you leave Miami, consider stopping at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. Located at mile marker 102.5, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the country’s first undersea park, covering 70 nautical square miles. This attraction makes it a great spot to see marine wildlife or scuba dive and snorkel!
Grab a Bite to Eat
You’re also bound to get hungry along the way, and Islamorada is the perfect lunchtime spot since it’s situated right in the middle of your journey. Islamorada is the second largest island in the Florida Keys and has several delicious restaurants. These include Hungry Tarpon at Robbies, Morada Bay, Wahoo’s Seafood Bar & Grill, and Marker 88.
See the Animals
You can drive straight to Key West when freshly fed. However, if you’re looking for other places to stop, consider Rain Barrel Village at mile marker 86.7, an open-air market that makes for a fantastic stop. You can also see the Dolphin Research Center at Grassy Key (mile marker 59), and the Turtle Hospital (mile marker 48.5) stands down the road in Marathon.
Stop at the State Park
After you’ve crossed the Seven Mile Bridge, consider making one last stop at Bahia Honda State Park. The state park is located at mile marker 37 and is a great spot to swim, snorkel, or walk along the shore. You can also see the iron-framed bridge that was once a part of the Overseas Railroad and continues to stand over the Bahia Honda Channel.
Even before you arrive at Key West, there’s so much to do–and with these exciting attractions, you will have tons of fun along your way.
