The Florida Keys are rightfully among the most popular areas of the Sunshine State. Here are six things to try.
CATCH THE LAST RAYS: As much as it is great to watch a brilliant orange sun sink into the sea at Mallory Square in Key West, the real fun is watching the people around you. You will meet tourists from around the world and everyone from bare-chested magicians to Jesus freaks shouting about earthly sins. Sip on a $2 beer bought on Duval Street, then break into a cheer when the sun dips below the horizon.
FEED THE RAYS (AND SHARKS): Aquarium Encounters in Marathon starts by putting you in a tank filled with hundreds of colourful fish, then squeezes tiny bits of food out of a plastic container to spark a feeding frenzy all around you. You also get to hold slimy squid and let a large ray suck them out of your hand. The best part is when they let you shove small fish into a glass tube separating the main tank from a glass enclosure filled with sharks. Even though there is no danger, the feeling of a massive shark grabbing food from your hand is a visceral experience that sends flashing capital letter messages to your brain that you really should not be doing this. If that is too much excitement, you can snorkel in a quiet lagoon or take the kids to touch live starfish and other critters. A dry-land option is feeding the giant tarpon at Robbie's Marina in Islamorada. I've seen them leap a couple feet into the air, and they're big, strong, powerful fish. Watch your fingers!
WE BE LIMIN’: Books have been written about Florida’s Key lime pie and how to prepare it, with the big debate being whipped cream or meringue as the topping. Kermit’s is a famous spot in Key West where they use whipped cream, but the best version I have tried was at Blue Heaven in Key West. They do theirs with a nice, tart filling and a tall topping of meringue.
RIDE WITH ROYALTY: The small steamer ship featured in the Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn movie 'The African Queen' can still be found cruising the canals of Key Largo. The ship burps and ka-chunks a bit as it goes, but it has tons of charm. You will also learn about the area’s history and colourful residents as you roll along. Families will enjoy a glass-bottom boat tour out of Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, also in Key Largo.
A HOUSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOUR: Ernest Hemingway’s house gets most of the attention, but the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens in Key West is definitely worth a stop. You will find nature drawings from Audubon himself and see beautiful period furniture in a handsome home dating to the 1840s. The garden might be the best feature, with weathered bricks, archways and a small pond underneath a thick canopy of trees.
FOODIE HEAVEN: The Stoned Crab in Key West serves sweet stone crab claws and wonderful whole snapper. While in Islamorada, try the great seafood and fantastic steaks at Marker 88. I saw actor Kyle Chandler of 'Bloodline' and 'Friday Night Lights' hanging out with friends when I was there several years ago. Robbie’s Marina is a fun, casual dining spot overlooking the water in Islamorada.
WHERE TO STAY: Parrot Key Resort is a fine family spot in Key West with several pools, lots of greenery and units with nice decks and porches. Amara Cay is a pretty, boutique-style property on the water in Islamorada. There is a sandy area with hammocks alongside a breakwall, with watersports rentals a few feet away. Looking for a quiet but pretty place to stay on the water? Try Pines and Palms, a small, family-run resort in Islamorada. I had a great cottage when I was there a few years back.
