Florida Keys & Key West — Das Ende der Straße und das Riff
The Florida Keys (the chain of approximately 1,700 coral and limestone islands arching 240 km (150 miles) southwest from the southern tip of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, connected by the Overseas Highway (US-1) — the most scenic drive in Florida and one of the most scenic in the United States): the Keys are the premier day-trip or overnight destination from Miami, offering tropical island scenery, world-class snorkelling and diving, Key Lime pie, and the unique laid-back character of Key West (the southernmost city in the continental United States, 180 km (112 miles) from Miami).
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Overseas Highway — 42 Bridges Over 120 Miles of Ocean
The Overseas Highway (US-1, Key West to Miami, 113 miles, 42 bridges) is one of the world's most dramatic driving routes — the Seven Mile Bridge (built 1982 alongside Henry Flagler's original 1912 railroad bridge) crosses open Atlantic and Gulf water with no land visible in either direction for 11 miles; the historic railroad bridge (now a walking path) is visible parallel to the road; the trip from Miami to Key West takes 3–4 hours without stops.
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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — America's First Underwater Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo, Mile Marker 102.5, 1963) was the first underwater state park in the US — the 70 nautical miles of living coral reef (the third largest reef system in the world) are accessible by snorkel tour (2.5 hours, $35) and SCUBA dive trips ($80); the glass-bottom boat (1.5 hours, $30) passes over Christ of the Abyss (an 8.5-foot bronze statue at 20ft depth, the most photographed underwater object in the US).
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Key West Sunset Celebration — Mallory Square Nightly Circus
The Mallory Square Sunset Celebration (Key West, 2 hours before sunset daily) has been happening since the 1960s hippie era — street performers (tightrope walkers, trained cats, escape artists), art vendors, and food carts fill the public square while 1,000+ spectators watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico; the tradition is so embedded that cruise ships time their Key West port calls to allow passengers to attend.
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Dry Tortugas National Park — 70 Miles From Key West by Ferry or Floatplane
Dry Tortugas National Park (70 miles west of Key West, accessible by Yankee Freedom ferry, 2.5 hours, or seaplane, 40 minutes) consists of 7 small islands and the massive Fort Jefferson (1846, the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere, 16 million bricks, never completed) — the underwater visibility (45+ metres, among the clearest in the US) reveals intact coral formations rarely seen elsewhere; the island closes at sunset and overnight camping requires advance reservation.
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Key Largo Reef Diving — Eagle Ray and Nurse Shark Encounters
Key Largo's reef (accessible from 10+ dive operators on US-1) has 40 named dive sites within 5 miles of shore — the Molasses Reef (0.5 miles offshore, 5–30ft depth, no current) is the most accessible for beginners; the Eagle Ray Park and Carysfort Reef attract spotted eagle rays (4-foot wingspan) year-round; nurse sharks rest on sandy patches at 15–20ft; visibility averages 60–80ft in winter (clearest season).
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Hemingway's Key West — The Writing House of '6-toed Cats'
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum (907 Whitehead Street, Key West, 1851 Spanish Colonial house) is where Hemingway wrote 'A Farewell to Arms', 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', and 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro' between 1931–1939 — the property (now populated by 50+ polydactyl/6-toed cats, all descended from Hemingway's original Snow White) includes the original swimming pool (first private pool in Key West, cost $20,000 in 1938), his writing studio above the garage, and his bedroom preserved as it was during his residence.