By Diana Lambdin Meyer
The 165-mile drive from Miami to Key West is like none other in North America, one that every traveler should make at least once in a lifetime and one that every tour operator should recommend.
The first 50 miles or so is just your basic interstate road trip with occasional views of Biscayne Bay out the left window. At that point, Highway 1 is known as the South Dixie Highway, but somewhere over a body of water called the Blackwater Sound, the roadway becomes the Overseas Highway.
It’s called that for good reason.
The next 113 miles includes 42 bridges, one them just shy of seven miles long, close-up views of the previous roadways that required nerves of steel for all motorcoach drivers assigned this route, and expansive views of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico on either side. Terra firma is not a common denominator for this road trip.
For some travelers, the drive is the best part of a Florida Keys vacation, yet there are plenty of stops along the way that reinforce that some things only happen in the Keys.
The African Queen
The first key of any significance is Key Largo, and if you start humming Bertie Higgins’ 1981 hit of the same name, that’s okay…
We had it all
Just like Bogie and Bacall
Starring in our old late, late show
Sailing away to Key Largo
…because your first stop should be at mile marker 100 for a ride on “The African Queen,” the original boat from the classic 1951 movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. At more than 100 years old, the African Queen is now a National Historic Landmark anchored at Marina del Mar Marina in Key Largo. An afternoon or sunset cruise on this old boat is just one of many uniquely enjoyable experiences on a trip through the Florida Keys.
Key Lime Pie Challenge
The worst part of any journey through the Florida Keys (not!) is having to eat all of the key lime pie. Every restaurant at every mile marker claims theirs is the best, is world-famous, or award-winning, and it just wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t try them all. Take pictures and notes, and then have everyone in your group vote on their favorite. Be careful of the debate between meringue and whipped cream topping.
While you are on Key Largo, try the Pilot House. This pie is very sweet with a minimal crust and served with a small amount of whipped cream.
As an encore, zip over to Mrs. Mac’s or Mrs. Mac’s II, both extremely popular with locals and tourists. In addition to key lime margaritas, the pie is extremely tangy and very creamy. It’s served very cold, almost frozen, which adds an extra dimension to the taste.
A few other places along the Keys with notable key lime pie are Chef Michael’s and Pierre’s on Islamorada. On Key West, you’ll enjoy the mile-high key lime pie and everything else on the menu at the Blue Heaven. And for all things flavored with key limes, pay a visit to Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe.
The Hungry Tarpon at Robbie’s Marina on Islamorada
In addition to key lime pie, the Hungry Tarpon has an equally interesting creamy mango pie that deserves a bit of time on the taste buds. While the Hungry Tarpon is a great place for lunch, dinner, music and entertainment, you’ll want to leave the group plenty of time to explore the wild collection of eclectic art and souvenirs—or spend the $4 for a bucket of fish to feed the massive tarpon off of the dock. It’s exciting, scary and one of the things that make the Florida Keys so fun.
The Sea Turtle Hospital on Marathon Key
The Sea Turtle Hospital is exactly what the name says – a medical facility for sea turtles that have been injured or made ill through interaction with humans. After a tour of this facility, visitors better understand the movement to minimize the use of plastic bags, straws and other manmade items that too easily find their way into the world’s oceans. Loggerhead and green sea turtles that are common in area waters are nursed back to health here and, as conditions allow, released back into the ocean.
