Florida’s Keys are a haven for nature and history enthusiasts alike. My recent road trip from Tampa to Key West was my first time visiting this beautiful chain of islands, and I couldn’t wait to explore all the tourist traps along the way. To make the most of my journey, I decided to follow an itinerary and got some great advice from friends who had been to the Keys several times.
My first stop was Robbie’s of Islamorada, a famous restaurant where you can hand-feed the Tarpon. These massive fish were definitely well-fed, and it was a cool experience to watch other people feed them, as well as the fearless pelicans trying to join in on the action. The restaurant also had a few nurse sharks, which was a neat sight to see. Watching the feeding cost $2.50, and feeding them cost $4.50 for a bucket of fish. I highly recommend stopping at Robbie’s if you’re on a road trip to the Keys.
After leaving Robbie’s, I checked into my hotel in Marathon, Tropical Cottages. It was a cute, affordable place to stay, despite being an older property, and it was a perfect spot to rest after a long day on the road. Next on the itinerary was the Old Seven Mile Bridge, which had just reopened after renovations. The Old Seven Mile Bridge is two miles long and offers two walking paths and two bike paths, one in each direction. What I loved about the trail was not just the stunning ocean views, but also the fact that the paths were numbered, so you knew exactly how far you’d walked and how much further you had to go. I was able to make it to the end of the bridge and witness a beautiful Florida Keys sunset. The trail ends on a little island called Pigeon Key, which is rich in history and used to be a home for railroad workers. They offer tours of the island for $25 per adult, but it was closed by the time I got there. I would love to go back and learn more about this fascinating place.
After watching the sunset and a long day of driving, I was ready for dinner, so I made my way back to my car and headed to La Nina, the Cuban restaurant that my friend had recommended. As someone who lives in Tampa, the home of the Cuban sandwich, I had high expectations, and I wasn’t disappointed. The roast pork in the sandwich was incredible, and it may have been the best Cuban sandwich I’ve ever had. If you’re stopping in Marathon on your Keys road trip, make sure to check out La Nina.
Day two started with a visit to Bahia Honda State Park, where I captured some stunning photos and videos of the old Bahia Rail Bridge. I didn’t have much time there, but I plan on returning to spend more time and explore the park further. After leaving Bahia Honda, I continued my journey to Key West, making sure to take some footage of Fred the tree and other sights along the way.
As I arrived in Key West for the first time, my first stop was checking in to the luxurious Key West Beachside Marriott. I was delighted to find that I had been upgraded to the hotel’s Presidential Suite, which had a rooftop view of the pool and was perfect for large families, with one, two, and three bedroom options available. The suite was absolutely beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to explore the hotel more.
After getting settled in, I headed over to the poolside restaurant and bar, Chicken Walk, where I had some delicious Chicken Tender Sliders. I then met with the marketing director of the Key West Marriott to discuss a giveaway we were announcing the following day. With my stomach full and my mind focused on the upcoming event, I decided to head out to Mallory Square to catch the sunset and enjoy the celebration. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t cooperating and a thunderstorm rolled in, so I decided to take a stroll down Duval Street instead. Despite it being a Tuesday during the off-season, there were still a decent amount of people out and about. I walked halfway down Duval Street and stopped at Irish Kevin’s for a beer before heading back to the hotel shuttle.
The next morning, I started the day off right with a delicious breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Town & Tavern. I then met with the marketing director to announce the giveaway live on our Instagram, making one lucky person very happy with a free flight from Silver Airways and a two-night stay at the Marriott. After the excitement of the giveaway, I was ready to explore downtown Key West and all its beautiful sights. I took the hotel shuttle to downtown and immediately hopped on the Conch Train Tour to get a full perspective of the city. The driver was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts about the history of Key West and its buildings and architecture. I also took some great video footage of the tour. The tour was about an hour long and allowed you to get on and off at any stop, which was great for using as a shuttle during the day.
After the tour, I had a quick bite to eat at Kava on Duval Street and then returned to the hotel to rest for the evening. I had planned to take the shuttle to downtown but decided to have a few martinis at the hotel’s bar, Town N Tavern, instead. The bartender was skilled and made delicious Key Lime Pie and Espresso martinis.
The next day, I decided to take it easy and spend some time relaxing by the hotel’s beautiful pool. The hotel also offered bartender service by Chicken Walk, the hotel’s outdoor restaurant by the pool. After lounging by the pool all day, I was famished and eager to explore the local eateries that Key West had to offer. I asked a couple at the pool for recommendations and they suggested Hog Fish Bar, a restaurant that was on my list and I was excited to try.
Overall, my Florida Keys road trip was a memorable and enjoyable experience. From feeding the Tarpon at Robbie’s and exploring the Old Seven Mile Bridge, to eating at La Nina and visiting Bahia Honda State Park, I was able to see and learn so much about this beautiful part of the country. I highly recommend visiting the Florida Keys for anyone looking for a fun, adventurous getaway.
