Mini-roadtrippin' | Miami to Key West in 5 stops

Nothing beats a true road trip, a freedom-filled adventure with good company, an even better playlist and new horizons every day. When it comes to American road trips we tend to only think of the Western States - for obvious reasons - but one of the most bite-sized ones is at your feet down in sunny Florida. A turquoise adventure dotted with magnificent spots along the way. We’re traveling the overseas highway from Miami to Key West in five stops.

at 113 km. - Key Largo
The first pit stop is an hour and a half's drive south of Miami and is all about the National Delight of the Keys: the Key Lime Pie. Get your first (of many more) introduction to it at Mrs. Macs Kitchen, an American (fish) restaurant right at the Overseas Highway. According to many Mrs. Macs Kitchen has the best pies on all of the Florida Keys. Oh, and here you’ll also get familiar with the style of the Keys: kitschy and Caribbean. Bueno!

at 140 km. - Islamorada Key
A road trip from Miami to Key West can easily be covered in one day, but why not make a weekend trip out of it and stay the night? If you’re planning on spending a night on one of the Keys, Islamorada is where you want to be. In our opinion its the most charming of the bunch and only half an hour south of Key Largo. Islamorada is known as the ‘sportfishing capital of the world’, which brings some great seafood restaurants to this tiny key. Often waterfront, al fresco or under thatched palapa roofs for the ultimate Caribbean feel. Order your catch of the day bare feet in the sand at Morada Bay or a little further down at the Islamorada Fish Company.
An affordable place to sleep is the surfy Postcard Inn Beach Resort, with a private beach and a pool right in front of it and the Keys world-famous Tiki Bar just around the corner.

at 200 km. – Pigeon Key
Just 40 minutes south of Islamorada you’ll drive into Marathon Key. Besides a turtle hospital which is open for visitors it doesn’t have much to offer. Unless you feel like active and want to cycle or walk the Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key. Bear in mind this is a 3,5 km exercise, but alternatively boats operate between Marathon and Pigeon Key. The tiny key was almost permanently inhabited in the early 1900's by workers who worked on the Florida East Coast Railway at the time- today the connection for cyclists and walkers between Marathon and Pigeon Key. Nowadays most of Pigeon Key is turned into museum, making it a historical and very photogenic site, offering views of the unfinished Old Seven Mile Bridge on one hand and the Overseas Highway on the other.

Old Seven Mile Bridge - by Laurence Norah

at 211 km. – Bahia Honda State Park
Another spot that offers great views of the Old Seven Mile Bridge is Bahia Honda State Park, fifteen minutes south of Pigeon and Marathon Key. We’ve put Bahia Honda on the list for two reasons: for the (in our humble opinion) best beaches in the Keys and for the phenomenal views of the Old Seven Mile Bridge. Entrance to the park grounds will cost you USD 8 per car and the beaches you want to unfold your beach towels are Calusa and Sandspur Beach.

at 270 km. – Key West
After (we assume) a decent amount of Key Lime Pie, fresh fish, a slice of 'Key History' and some of the finest beaches it is time for the mother all Keys: Key West. The most southern part of the United States of America. The atmosphere is totally Caribbean with pastel colored houses, bars playing salsa and reggae music and the crystal clear Caribbean waters all around. Its by far also the most touristy Key of all, but for a reason. Soak up the sun at South Beach (small, but with a nice beach bar that rents out sun beds or at Fort Zachary Taylor Beach (with offers a larger stretch of beach but fewer facilities). Before sunset, find a spot at the Sunset Pier from the Ocean Key Resort (again: touristy, but oh-so relaxed), where you’ll undoubtedly experience the most phenomenal sunset of the Keys, accompanied by a fresh margarita and live music.
At nighttime head to Nine One Five on Duval Street, a restaurant wine bar and pizzeria all packed in a 19th century Victorian mansion. Recommendable for lunch or dinner is Latitudes on Sunset Key. Make sure to reserve in advance though. Ferries leave out front the Margaritaville Key West Resort.

Last but not least: your sleeping arrangements. Key West is dotted with Victorian mansions transformed into cute & (sometimes) kitschy boutique hotels. Our favorites: Westwinds Inn (with a handsome courtyard and pool) and Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages. This one consists of an Inn and several Cottages spread out in a tropical courtyard with four quiet swimming pools. Could it get any better? Yes: Simonton is located right around the corner of Duval Street. There is no better place to end your mini road trip. Promised.