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Visiting Miami is a whole trip on its own, but if you find yourself in Miami and want a road trip, the Keys are for you! From Miami to Key West is a short three-hour drive south. The road trip itself is full of fun pit stops and amazing ocean views.
Here I’ll outline the perfect trip with some fun stops and yummy eats. Obviously, you can’t make it down to the Keys without some Key Lime Pie! You can make this trip as long or as short as you want. Don’t forget to stock up on health road trip snacks before heading out!
A Guide to the 15 Best Stops From Miami to Key West Drive
- Food in Homestead and the Redlands: Vicky Bakery, Robert is Here, or Knaus Berry Farm
- Everglades National Park
- John Pennenkam Coral Reef State Park– Key Largo
- Kayaking in the Mangroves– Key Largo
- Robbie’s Marina– Islamorada
- Parasailing in Islamorada
- Theater of the Sea
- History of Diving Museum
- Rain Barrel Village
- Turtle Hospital
- Dolphin Research Center
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Earnest Hemingway Home & Museum
- Duval Street
- Mile Mark 0– Key West
Starting From Miami
Our itinerary will take us from Miami through Key West, but this can be done in reverse as well.
What to do in Homestead and the redlands
As you turn south of Miami you’ll drive through Homestead and the Redlands. There are some fun breakfast snacks to grab before you get on the Overseas Highway and Seven Mile Bridge. You can stock up on your Cuban Pastries at Vicky Bakery.
Getting some fresh fruit for your Miami to Key West drive is also a great idea. The best shop you will find on the road is Robert is Here, a great fruit stand where you will also find delicious Key lime milkshakes, homemade jam, and fresh produce. Stock up before you move onward, even if it is just a Key West day trip from Miami, it’s definitely worth your time!
For a further little detour hit up Knaus Berry Farms. You can do a “Pick your own strawberries or tomatoes” in the winter. But the real gem is the sticky buns. It’s important to note that they are not open year-round and once they run out of sticky buns that’s all for the day.
There are plenty of unique things to do in Miami! Definitely spend some time in the Magic City.
Everglades National Park
If you have an extra day before you go from Miami to Key West, I’d suggest making Everglades National Park your first stop. There are several wonderful air boat rides in the Everglades. Two of my favorites are Everglades Alligator Farm and Coopertown Airboat Rides.
Coopertown is probably my favorite one. There is a restaurant and an alligator show. They share a lot of great information about alligators. You can even take a picture with a baby gator at the end of the show.
Where to Stay in Miami
Key Largo
The first Florida Keys Island is home to two State Parks, a National Park, and a portion of a National Marine Sanctuary.
John Pennenkam Coral Reef State Park
Our favorite stop was 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 wonderful snorkeling excursions. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities because this is a reef park.
Pro Tip: Book your glass bottom boat tour ahead of time in order to reserve a space and save money here. Ensure that the popular snorkeling has space for you by reserving a spot ahead of time here.
Kayak in the Mangroves
There are many eco-tours in Key Largo. There are so many mangroves and manatees to see. This tour allows you to rent some kayaks to get up close to the manatees. Since the mangroves can be kind of like a maze they also offer eco-tours to ensure you don’t get lost while enjoying all the beauty around you.
Where to Eat in Key Largo
Where to Stay in Key Largo
Islamorada Key
One of the most unique and popular activities you’ll get to experience is feeding tarpons. Along the way from Miami to Key West you’ll see people fishing off the side of nearly every bridge you cross. Fresh fish is a way of life here. If you feel up for it you can feed some of these massive tarpons at Robbie’s. Just be careful when you are feeding the fish because they do have some sharp teeth.
You can also stop there for some fresh, fresh fish for lunch. You can also hit up Lazy Days Restaurant for lunch on the beach by the water. It is absolutely worth any wait. If you decide to go back to Robbie’s for some kayaking or snorkeling, stock up on breakfast at Midway Cafe. It’s a colorful building with a fun personality inside as well.
Robbie’s Marina
Robbie’s Marina has a lot of things for tourists to do. Feeding the tarpons is just one of the many activities you can do out of the marina. There are several boats for rent either privately or semi-privately. There are excursions to go back-country fishing, tarpon & shark fishing, or offshore fishing. If fishing isn’t your cup of tea (it’s not mine) you can go on a sunset cruise (that is my cup of tea!).
There is also the ability to rent kayaks and canoes to explore the mangroves. Robbie’s Marina also rents snorkeling gear to 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.
Parasailing in Islamorada
If you’re into adventures, parasailing is for you! There are a variety of different parasailing locations within Islamorada. You get to fly with the birds over the water. The thrill of being over the water and the mangroves is exactly what you get from this parasailing adventure.
Other things to do on Islamorada
There are many wonderful things to do in Islamorada. Here is a couple to check out:
Where to Stay in Islamorada
Marathon Key
If you decide to take it easy and stop for a breathtaking moment, pull into Sombrero Beach. Enjoy a romantic sunset. If you’re lucky from April-October, you might see some loggerhead turtles nesting.
A popular foodie spot in the Florida Keys is the Island Fish Company. Try their deep-fried shrimp with hot pepper sauce and ranch dressing. You can’t go wrong with the catch of the day. Never forget to save room for dessert.
Turtle Hospital
Here you can visit a sea Turtle Hospital, located in the heart of Florida Keys. This isn’t a zoo, so please, be respectful 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.
Dolphin Research Center
If you don’t have a lot of time or turtles aren’t your jam, there is also a Dolphin Research Center in Marathon Key. So much of the keys is surrounding the protection and understanding of the local animals. This is another great opportunity to see more of these beautiful animals and learn more about conservation on the islands.
Where to Stay on Marathon Key
Seven Mile Bridge
Now that you’ve made it here, be ready for some breathtaking views! The bridge splits at a certain point, as the old part is now used only by pedestrians and cyclists, while the new one is open to vehicular traffic. While you’re there, wave “Hi” to Fred the Tree.
Big Pine Key
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.
Places to eat on Big Pine Key
After stopping at Bahia Honda State Park, you might be hungry for a larger meal than just snacks. Stop by No Name Pub. They are casual with sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere before continuing on to Key West.
Arriving at Key West
Now that you’ve made it, the fun is just beginning. For such a relatively small area it is packed with stuff to do and see!
One of the most famous things to see when you get to Key West is the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. It’s the place where the writer lived until his death. You’ll also get to see the famous Hemingway cats; about 50 of them live here!
Indulge your Inner Foodie
The next question I’m sure you’re asking is “Well, Where should I eat?” I’m so happy you asked. While I wish we could sustain entirely off dessert, that’s just not feasible. My favorite place to hit up in Key West is Hogfish Bar, this is a dive bar that is all outdoors and a hidden gem. You won’t find many tourists here; the locals like to keep it a secret.
There are some specialties that you have to try out! Key West Pink Shrimp which can be found at Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West. The locals love to order coconut-dipped shrimp with mango sauce. Key West Conch Fritters served at the Conch Republic Seafood Company in Key West. They serve it with homemade lime mustard. Stone Crabs can be found at most restaurants in the Keys.
Now you’ve made it to the bottom tip of the Keys you cannot leave without stopping by the Key Lime Pie Company. Trust me when I say that a key lime pie on a stick and dipped in chocolate will change your life! If all the different foods sound overwhelming, consider doing a foodie tour of Key West.
Party on Duval Street in Key West
One of the hottest activities in Key West Old Town is bar hopping on Duval Street, one mile long and packed with small bars and old Victorian mansions. A fun way to explore Duval Street is to do a craft cocktail tour of the bars. Instead, you might be interested in taking a tiki cocktail class!
Get on the Water in Key West
Obviously, a huge attraction of the island is to do ocean-based activities. So rent a kayak or a jet ski and see what there is to experience in the restorative Caribbean water. If you’re into fishing, then you’re in luck. There are many fishing charters and even more restaurants that will cook your catch.
One of my favorite activities is kayaking. The clear bottom kayaks are probably some of the coolest kayaks around. You get to really see and experience the wildlife around you. Don’t be too freaked out if you see some alligators or manatees.
Another fun activity is to go snorkeling. There are many excursions that will take you out to the Great Florida Reef. Here you can enjoy some vividly colored corals and see the third-largest reef in the world.
Mile Marker 0 – Key West
The sunset at Key West is spectacular, so grab your margarita and walk towards the Southernmost Point, the red, black, and yellow marker at the corner of South and Whitehead streets.
Where to Stay in Key West
Questions about driving from Miami to Key West
Is the Miami to Key West road trip worth it?
Absolutely!! There is so much to see and do in the Keys. Even if you don’t make it all the way down to Key West you’ll enjoy the unique culture in the keys as well as all the fresh seafood.
How many days do you need in Key West?
You’ll want about 2 days in Key West. That gives you the ability to enjoy some outdoor and water activities while still getting the full nightlife experience. It also gives you enough downtime to walk around Key West and explore some of the history, like Hemingway’s House.
How far is the drive from Miami to Key West?
The drive from Miami to Key West is about 3 hours long without stopping. Keep in mind this is variable from where you start in Miami & how much traffic there is.
Is Key Largo or Key West better?
It really depends. They are both great for different reasons. Personally, I enjoy going to Key Largo when I simply don’t have the patience to drive all the way to Key West. Key West is larger with more things to do.
What should I know about driving from Miami to Key West?
The highway from Miami to Key West is one lane in each direction. This means that if there’s a lot of traffic or you’re stuck behind a slower car it can make the drive long. Consider yourself on island time and take in the views on your more leisurely drive.
When is the Best Time of Year to go from Miami to Key West?
Winter is the high season for tourists. Summer is honestly way too hot. I’d recommend going in the “shoulder seasons” which would be in Fall or Spring. Now fall puts you in hurricane season which could ruin your vacation. So consider going from Miami to Key West between March and May.
Renting a Car in Miami:
If you’re flying into Miami, you’ll need a car for this drive! Be sure to save money and book ahead of time here.
Car Rental
If you have decided to rent a car, I suggest asking for a Sunpass. Even if you’re only planning a Key West day trip from Miami. By crossing the toll-paying areas, the car’s license plate will be photographed and billed.
Each rental company offers different deals. In my opinion, a flat-rate daily payment is typically the best way to go. If one day you do not go through any road toll areas, then you won’t have to pay your daily fee for that specific day.
Miami to Key West Drive Overview
This brings me to the end of the road trip. I know that I’ve recommended more things that can possibly be done in one day, luckily that means that you’re leaving something behind to do for next time. Maybe you’ll choose to come during a full moon to enjoy the full moon celebrations as well. Let me know which of these stops was your favorite!
