Florida Keys Travel
Florida Keys Getting Around
Florida Keys travel is all about sunshine and feeling great. Florida is the Sunshine State, and there is no better place to situate Paradise, the name given to the Florida Keys. Getting around the Keys, any which way you plan your Florida Keys travel, is an exciting adventure with plenty of recreational activities for everybody.Join the numerous eco-tours by discovering the environment, protected wildlife areas, and endangered flora and fauna species. Find yourself enjoying the exciting sunny days at the beaches, practicing windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, or just relaxing by the seashore sunbathing and swimming.
You can also enjoy visiting some of the golf courses and tennis courts, chartering sailboats, with or without crew, practicing saltwater fishing, engaging in jet skiing, motor boating, parasailing, or flying over the Keys in a helicopter.
The U.S. Highway System also provides you with the opportunity to travel North, to mainland Florida, connecting with several interstate, multilane, high speed roads, or small country roads leading you to beaches nearby offering biking, motorcycling, in-line skating, as well as watersports activities.
Florida Keys Travel is Easy on the Overseas Highway There also different places to go depending on the season of the year, such as special events and festivals held throughout the different Florida Keys, some of the most popular include:
- Key West Literary Seminar. This is an annual 3-day literacy event featuring different topics each year. If you are interested in this festival reservations in advance are necessary. Call at 1-888-293-9291 for further information.
- Everglades Seafood Festival. A 2-day food event help in Florida City the first week of February, the only place where you can eat gator tails, stone crab, and more. Free admission, call (941) 695-4100
Shopping around and visiting art galleries is another must when you come to the Florida Keys, with the exception of Big Pine Key, you can browse numerous shops around each town. Some of those that you will find are these:
KEY LARGO
- Caribbean Cigar Factory, Cuban cigar-rollers from Havana and Rum Runner Cigars
- Cover to Cover Books, books and stationary
- Gallery at Kona Kai, artwork, and art gallery
- Happy Feathers, hand painted wall art and Talavera pottery
- Key Lime Tree, gourmet product, food baskets, gifts
- RainBarrel Arts & Crafts Village, artwork and gifts made by local artists.
- Shellworld, gifts and souvenirs
- Sun Key Imports, tropical fish wall hangings and typical gifts
- Treasure Village, crafts, shops, and art work
Quick Links
ISLAMORADA
- Banyan Tree, antiques, collectibles, household items furniture.
- Down to Earth, souvenirs and gifts
- Gallery Morada, souvenirs and gifts
- Hooked on Books, books and stationary
- Island Silver & Spice, clothing, accessories, jewelry
- Rain Barrel, art work and art gallery
- Redbone Gallery, art work and art gallery
- Treasure Village, art work and art gallery
- World Wide Sportsman, sporting goods and gear
MARATHON
- Enchanted Elephant, souvenirs and jewelry
- It's A Small World, typical souvenirs
- Key Bana Apparel. Swimwear and sports gear
- Driftwood Designs, fine gifts and handcrafted jewelry
- Keyker's & Co., clothing and gifts
- Museum of Crane Point Hammock, natural and sea life souvenirs, T-shirts, and gifts
- The Port Hole Gulfside Shopping Village, general store
- Sandpiper Loft, swimwear, and ladies apparel
KEY WEST
- Diamonds International, worldwide famous fine jewelry
- FairVilla Megastore, romantic lingerie, erotic literature, and adult products
- Key West Aloe, natural skin care products and perfume
- Key West Conch Traders, trading site where you can purchase art work and items from local artists.
- Latitude 25 Clothing Co., the name says it all, clothing store and typical gifts
- Leather Master of Key West, custom manufactured apparel, and adult related items.
- Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice, traditional, marinades, dressings, and drinks since 33 years ago
- The Key West Winery, free wine tasting, wine accessories, fruit wines
- The Salty Parrot, Caribbean Casual Apparel, and accessories
More helpful information for getting around the Florida Keys:
Useful telephone numbers
- Emergency call 911 from any phone (no coins needed)
- Poison Information Center, 1-800-282-3171
- Crisis Intervention, phone (305) 358-4357 (359-HELP)
- Key Largo, Chamber of Commerce, phone (305) 451-1414, or 1-800-822-1088
- Islamorada, Chamber of Commerce, phone (305) 664-4503, or 1-800-332-5397
- Marathon, Chamber of Commerce, phone (305) 743-3722, or 1-800-262-7284
- Big Pine Key, Chamber of Commerce, phone (305) 872-2411, or 1-800-872-3722
- Key West, Chamber of Commerce, phone (305) 294-2587
- Florida Keys Shopping Coupons, phone (305) 743-2116
- Amtrak, phone 1-800-872-7245 (1-800-USA-RAIL)
- TriRail, phone 1-800-874-72-45 (1-800-TRI-RAIL)
- Special Transportation Services, phone (305) 263-5400
- Florida s State Operator, phone (305) 325-2500
- Time of Day Service, phone (305) 324-88-11
- Weather Bureau, phone (305) 229-45-22
- Transit Information, phone (305) 770-3131
- Lost and found, phone (305) 375-3366
- Report Stolen Checks phone 1-800-221-7283 (AMEX)
Printed information, brochures, and maps for domestic and international travelers:
Maps by U.S. Mail, phone 305-263-5400
Visit Florida
P.O. Box 1100,
66 E. Jefferson Street,
Tallahassee, Florida.
32302, United States of America
Toll free information is available calling at 1-888-FLA-USA
Visitor Fun Pack,
1201 White Street Key West,
FL 33040, United States
Phone: (305) 292-1880
This pack includes a sort of introduction to Florida Keys travel with a 50-Minute Entertaining DVD featuring the so-called American Caribbean Island of Key West, in addition to a full printed visitors guide to all the Florida Keys, maps, restaurant guide, brochures of towns an businesses, as well as a copy of local magazines such as the Key West Citizen.
A NOTE OF CAUTION
Hitchhiking is not recommended because it is not safe at all anywhere around the world. Criminals could be waiting for you on any road so if you want to hitchhike in the Florida Keys, check in Miami to learn if there is a ride-sharing program available. Local universities run hitchhiking programs, open to all students and general public to enjoy a pleasant and safe stay at paradise.
Branson Key West Dolphin Swim