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The Florida Keys are a collection of islands that jut out the bottom of Florida. The most popular islands include Key West, Marathon Key, Islamorada, and Key Largo. With so much to see 48 hours in the Florida Keys can be either full of outdoor activities and adventures or they can be relaxing by the beach. Either way, the 48 hours will be full of Key Lime Pie and fresh fish! Of course, you can mix and match your time to make it a mix of rest and outdoor fun.
48 Hours in The Florida Keys: Itinerary – Full of Activities
We assume you landed the day before and will, therefore, spend a full 48 hours in the Florida Keys.
Day 1: Lower Keys, including Key West
Breakfast and exploring Key West
Starting in Key West before making our way up the Florida Keys makes for a remarkable 48 hours. Key West is a fun city with a busy nightlife, so if you’re into that then you’ll want to stay a night in Key West. For breakfast we will head to Cuban Coffee Queen for some Cuban coffee and delicious breakfast. Definitely make sure to get lots of food for the walking today. Feel free to stroll along the harbor for our next activity.
Dolphin Watching/Snorkeling
One of the most popular things to do in Key West is to enjoy time in the water with the wildlife. Going snorkeling is a great way to enjoy seeing the coral reefs and many fish around the island. Another fun way to enjoy animals in their natural habitat is to swim with the bottlenose dolphins. Many different companies offer tours to dolphin watch and snorkel. For the best swimming with the dolphins and snorkeling, check out Eco Tours!
Lunch, then Head to Mile Marker 0
Before heading to Mile Marker 0, stop at Southernmost Beach Cafe for a delicious fresh fish lunch. Key West is the furthest point on the Continental USA, so naturally, you must head to the end of US1 (Route 1) for a picture. It is the most iconic part of Key West, outside of the Key Lime Pies.
Explore Duval Street – Bike Tour
This fun two-hour bike ride will take you all over Key West. The bike tour includes a 25-oz water bottle and, of course, a key lime pie slice. Sunscreen and ponchos are also provided! Additionally, this fun bike tour allows for custom, private tours if you have a larger group. It really is such a fun way to see Key West during your 48-hour visit.
Duval Street is also the most popular street in Key West. It takes you through the popular bars and restaurants. I recommend stopping by the Key West Key Lime Pie Company for a key lime pie on a stick for a snack before we head more north.
Dinner & Big Pine Key
On your way up to Marathon Key where you’ll be staying the night before starting day 2 of the 48 hours, we will stop a No Name Pub for a truly local dinner. This pub overlooks the water. It is a casual spot with burgers and sandwiches. Be sure to try the seafood. If it’s still daylight, head over to Bahia State Park to watch the sunset over the beach. From here, you’ll head to Marathon Key (unless you want to drive the 7-mile bridge during the day) for the night.
Day 2: Upper Keys
Breakfast and Turtle Hospital
For breakfast a good stop will be the Island Fish Company. It is an excellent spot on the water with incredible food (especially fish). Then you can visit a sea Turtle Hospital, located in the heart of Florida Keys. This isn’t a zoo, so please be aware of the animals, the volunteers, and the veterinarians. The guided tour lasts about 90 minutes. It includes a presentation on sea turtles and a behind-the-scenes tour. You will get to visit the hospital facilities and the rehabilitation area. This is an amazing way to learn about the local animals in the Florida Keys.
Head to Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada
From Marathon Key we will head north towards Islamorada. Robbie’s Marina is a fun outdoor activity place where you can rent kayaks, feed the tarpons, rent boats, or go fishing! There is so much fun stuff to do to make the most out of the Islamorada experience. If you choose to stay in Islamorada longer they have have sunset cruises.
There is also the ability to rent kayaks and canoes to explore the mangroves. Robbie’s Marina also rents snorkeling gear so you can see all the fish and reefs in the area. In the marina, they have a bar for some cocktails after your outdoor activities. The marina also has a large market with many different local artisans. Definitely check it out.
Lunch at Lazy Days Restaurant
Lazy Days Restaurant for lunch on the beach by the water. It is absolutely worth any wait. There is a great fresh fish available for lunch here. Definitely try the conch fritters. They are a Florida Keys icon aside from the Key Lime Pie.
John Pennenkam Coral Reef State Park
After lunch, we head to Key Largo. Our favorite stop in Key Largo is the John Pennenkam Coral Reef State Park because it’s another one of those unique and lovely places not many people know about. The John Pennenkam is the first undersea park in the US. You can visit it on a glass-bottom boat tour. There are also wonderful snorkeling excursions. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities because this is a reef park.
Dinner in Key Largo
After a day on the water and traveling through the Florida Keys, it’s time for a nice, large dinner. Hobo’s Cafe is one of Key Largo’s most popular restaurants. Check out the key lime pie and Hobo’s fish sandwich. You could also check out Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen in order to try the alligator fritters.
48 Hours in The Florida Keys: Itinerary – Rest and Relaxing
Day 1: Lower Keys, including Key West
Breakfast Then Head to the Beach
For breakfast, head to Key West Cuban Coffee for coffee and some Cuban breakfast before making it to the beach. There are many different beaches to pick from in Key West during your 48 hours in the Florida Keys. My recommendation is to get up early and head to Zachary Taylor Beach or Straw Hat Beach to avoid the crowds. These are public beaches, so you may rent chairs and umbrellas. There is also a beach near the Southernmost Point, which can be fun if you want to go there.
Lunch & Explore Duval Street
My favorite place to visit in Key West is Hogfish Bar. This dive bar is all outdoors and a hidden gem. You won’t find many tourists here; the locals like to keep it a secret. Duval Street is one mile long and packed with small bars and old Victorian mansions. A fun way to explore Duval Street is to take a foodie tour.
Bahia State Park
This award-winning beach, Bahia Honda, is definitely worth a stop! There are a variety of things to do here, but my favorite would be to go swimming at the beach. There’s a concession stand with 24-hour wi-fi. There are also kayak rentals and daily snorkeling tours to the fabulous Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.
Head to Islamorada
Day 2:
Islamorada Breakfast
Islamorada is one of my favorite islands in the Florida Keys. That is why we are stopping here to explore for a while. It has such a fun and quirky personality. Starting with breakfast at Midway Cafe. It’s a colorful building with a fun personality inside as well. The muffins are exceptional, take one for the road or to snack on at the beach!
Rain Barrel Village
A truly unique thing to see in Islamorada is the Rain Barrel Village. This destination is perfect if you’re interested in finding some local artists. It is a great place to find souvenirs for your home and friends. You can also take a picture with Betsey the lobster. If you want more activities to do in Islamorada, check out our post on a road trip through the Keys, which provides many different Islamorada activities.
Robbie’s Marina & Lunch
From Marathon Key we will head north towards Islamorada. Robbie’s Marina is a fun outdoor activity place where you can rent kayaks, feed the tarpons, rent boats, or go fishing! There is so much fun stuff to do to make the most out of the Islamorada experience. If you choose to stay in Islamorada longer they have have sunset cruises.
There is also the ability to rent kayaks and canoes to explore the mangroves. Robbie’s Marina also rents snorkeling gear so you can see all the fish and reefs in the area. In the marina, they have a bar for some cocktails after your outdoor activities and a restaurant for lunch. The marina also has a large market with many different local artisans. Definitely check it out.
John Pennenkam Coral Reef State Park
After lunch, we head to Key Largo. Our favorite stop in Key Largo is the John Pennenkam Coral Reef State Park because it’s another one of those unique and lovely places not many people know about. The John Pennenkam is the first undersea park in the US. You can visit it on a glass-bottom boat tour. There are also wonderful snorkeling excursions. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities because this is a reef park.
Dinner in Key Largo
After a day on the water and traveling through the Florida Keys, it’s time for a nice, large dinner. Hobo’s Cafe is one of Key Largo’s most popular restaurants. Check out the key lime pie and Hobo’s fish sandwich. You could also check out Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen in order to try the alligator fritters.
Things to Know About Spending 48 Hours in The Florida Keys
How To Get To The Florida Keys?
How To Get Around The Florida Keys?
There is no public transportation in the Florida Keys Your best bet would be to rent a car and drive around. You won’t find it easy to get from one island to the next otherwise. While the towns are walkable the islands are not.
Where To Stay In The Florida Keys?
Wrap Up: 48 Hours In The Florida Keys
There is so much to do in the Florida Keys. From the delicious food to the beautiful beaches, there is truly something for everyone. As you can see, in 48 hours, there is plenty for every type of traveler, and you can mix and match how much relaxing you want compared to adventuring. Be sure to taste all the fresh fish the Keys offer as they showcase Florida’s diverse and quirky population.
