The islands are home to a number of attractions, from the Hemingway House in Key West to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. Find the best things to do during your Florida Keys getaway using our Adventure Activities guide.
For Florida Keys Sightseeing/Attractions, please select an island location:
Key LargoTavernierIslamoradaDuck KeyMarathonKey West
Meet and interact with dolphins in a natural lagoon setting from a floating platform or get up close and personal in waist-deep water. Interactions include handshakes, rubs, kisses and painting with the dolphins. Dolphins Plus offers a variety of other programs/activities including day- or week-long, hands-on and educational children's programs, Shadow a Trainer for a day, Dolphin Exploration Lab and Touch Tank with several species of marine invertebrates.
Island Dolphin Care
150 Lorelane Pl, Key Largo, FL 33037
Enjoy a variety of unique and inclusive ways to visit and play with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins through programs that include activities such as dockside yoga, painting and interactions in or out of the water. If you're planning for an upcoming event and/or celebration, consider a private party with the dolphins at Island Dolphin Care. Their facility also offers customized, therapeutic and assisted sessions for persons with disabilities.
99701 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Tour the Port Largo canals with Capt. Stephen Bogart aboard this steamboat made famous by the 1951 movie The African Queen departing from Marina Del Mar marina.
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
93600 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070
The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center cares for sick, injured and orphaned birds. Visit the Wild Bird Sanctuary and take a stroll on the boardwalk bordering several enclosures for an up-close look at nearly 40 species of wild birds native to the island chain.
On Islamorada, attractions come to life at Windley Key's Theater of the Sea as acrobatic dolphins and deep sea stars perform. Island shops and galleries at the Rain Barrel on Plantation Key offer a colorful collection of arts, crafts, and other creative island treasures.
The Rain Barrel Artisans' Village
Take a stroll through tropical gardens surrounding a number of locally-owned galleries and shops containing unique sculptures, pottery, paintings and gifts. You can't miss their largest attraction, Betsy the Lobster.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
Mile Marker 85 Bayside
This historic site was once a quarry used to supply stone to build the Overseas Railroad. Some activities visitors enjoy include hiking, picnicking and birding.
Theater of the Sea
Interact and meet with dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks and alligators at Theater of the Sea, a top-rated attraction highly recommended for any visitors to Islamorada and the surrounding islands. Shows, exhibits, sunset cruises and snorkeling charters are all the more reason to include their facility in your travel itinerary.
History of Diving Museum
The History of Diving Museum boasts an extensive collection of educational and entertaining exhibits, equipment and artifacts showcasing the history and evolution of diving.
Dolphin Connection
61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Duck Key, FL 33050
Interact and swim with the dolphins or meet comfortably from the dockside. The Dolphin Connection on Duck Key is a renowned attraction providing a variety of ways for persons of any age to play with and learn about dolphins.
Marathon has several attractions of interest. Crane Point Hammock Natural History Museum is a full day of learning about the interesting natural habitats located throughout the Florida Keys. Pigeon Key will take you back in history to the construction of the Florida Keys railway by Henry Flagler. The Turtle Hospital is a one of a kind rehabilitation center for endangered species and a must see experience.
Dolphin Research Center
58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050
The Dolphin Research Center's series of saltwater lagoons on Grassy Key houses and rehabilitates dolphins and sea lions. Visit their marine mammals and enjoy a variety of other activities or educational programs.
Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock State Park spans 1,000 acres along both sides of Overseas Highway protecting a large area of mangroves, rockland hammocks and seagrass beds. Visitors have up to 1,200 feet of sandy beach access, a variety of water sport equipment rentals such as kayaks and kite boards to choose from, and activities like hiking, biking, or camping.
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
Visit the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters Predatory and Coral Reef Tanks featuring a variety of unique marine species such as sandbar, black tip and blacknose sharks, goliath groupers, moray eels and more. Interact with starfish, conch and horseshoe crabs in the tide pool, stingray cove and nursery touch tanks.
Crane Point Museums & Nature Center
Mile Marker 50.5 Gulfside
Watch the sunset from the boardwalk, visit the historic Adderly House and enjoy learning about the natural history and culture of the Florida Keys at Crane Point Hammock Museum and Nature Center. You're sure to spot a variety of native birds and other wildlife throughout their pet-friendly nature trail and butterfly meadow.
Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital is a non-profit organization committed to the rehabilitation, research and return of Sea Turtles in the Florida Keys and has successfully treated more than 1500 Sea Turtles since its founding in 1986. Visit their facility for a guided educational program during which you'll have the opportunity to visit with current patients and discover ways you can contribute to their conservation.
Key West is home to some of the most notable Florida Keys attractions for visitor photo opportunities, including the colorful Southernmost Point buoy, iconic Ernest Hemingway Home, Heritage House & Robert Frost Cottage, Key West Lighthouse, Mallory Square and Mile Marker 0.
Southernmost Point of the Continental US
Whitehead St &, South St, Key West, FL 33040
The Southernmost Point Buoy represents the farthest southern boundary of the United States. The buoy is the lowest latitude land of contiguous North American States and is 18 feet above sea level. It is painted and was established as a tourist attraction in 1983 by the city at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street. It is one of the most visited and photographed attractions in Key West.
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
1316 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a must-see. The butterflies inside a geodesic dome are thrilling enough but add tropical birds and pink flamingos, and this is a destination you will never forget. "Relaxing, beautiful and thrilling" are just a few of the adjectives used to describe this magical place in Key West.
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
In the heart of charming Old Town, Key West is the Ernest Hemingway home and museum. The Nobel prize winning author Ernest Hemingway, who was known as an avid outdoorsman and fishing enthusiast, lived in this home on Whitehead Street for ten years. Thousands of visitors tour the home, lush gardens and grounds annually. They can observe at least forty cats on property. The home and museum give many insights into the writing and activities of Hemingway while living, fishing and writing in Key West.
400 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040
Mallory Square is at the very heart of any community wide activity in Key West. Watching the sunset, catching a ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park and other offshore Key West areas such as Fleming Key or champagne cruising, celebrating holidays; it's all happening in Mallory Square. Thousands migrate to Mallory Square each New Year's Eve for the festivities and the Great Shoe Drop.
Truman Little White House
111 Front St #8311, Key West, FL 33040
The Little White House which has been restored and then reopened in 1987, after a period of disuse and renovation, was in fact an active southern White House for President Harry S. Truman. Presidential historians reveal that "…there are numerous mentions of Key staff, both political and military, flying into Key West to meet with President Harry S. Truman. What they did and what was said are not revealed in the logs as the details may have been classified at the time." Researchers continue to investigate Truman's actual activities in his many visits to the charming Little White House. Local and educational events are ongoing, and the Little White House now has its own blog and shop online.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL 33040
Fort Zachary Taylor is just one more of nature's treasures at the southernmost tip of the United States in Key West, Florida. Fort Zachary Taylor is unique in its treasure trove of civil war equipment and weapons. The Fort is said to house the largest civil war cache of armaments of anywhere in the United States. The State Park houses Fort Zachary Taylor itself, the barracks and weaponry, as well as a pristine beach and other areas for picnicking, swimming, cycling, paddling and engaging with nature on the park's many hiking trails.