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Because of its proximity to the mainland, Key Largo is a popular weekend destination for Floridians and road-trippers visiting Miami and looking for something a little calmer. Key Largo is the northernmost of the Florida Keys and is located just 18 miles south of Miami. For the most up-to-date information on the recovery, check the Florida State Parks website before your road trip through the Keys to make sure your perfect stretch of sand has reopened.
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That’s especially true as 2017’s Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to the coastline here. Keep in mind that you’re not going to find a beach on every island in the Keys, though Bahia Honda and Curry Hammock State Park are nice options. Since the majority of the Keys are linked by just one road, the mile markers are the most helpful ways to pinpoint locations along the route. And, last but not least, the Lower Keys start at MM47 and finish at Key West, which is MM0. The Middle Keys start at Craig Key and extend to the city of Marathon - ending at the south end of the Seven Mile Bridge. The Upper Keys (excluding Biscayne Bay) run from Key Largo to Lower Matecumbe Key at about mile marker 75 (MM75). A small amount of flights also land at Key West Airport if you’d prefer to use that as a home base, though you’ll shell out more for your flight than flying into Miami. The closest major airport is in Miami, where numerous car rental outlets are available. The Keys themselves are broken into three categories: the Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys. It takes about three-and-a-half hours to reach Key West from mainland Florida, just south of Miami, via the Overseas Highway (U.S. It’s also convenient, as there’s one road connecting the major islands in the chain. What You Need to Know Before Your Florida Keys Vacation:īeach at The Reach Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort/OysterĪ road trip down the Florida Keys is one of the most popular ways to visit. With additional reporting by Riley Kirkpatrick and Kyle Valenta. Highway 1 for your next trip to the Florida Keys. Here's our list of must-stop spots along U.S. We know the options can be overwhelming, but not to worry - we've broken it down for you. You'll find plenty to do onshore and off, whether you're after amazing wildlife sightings or simply want to bask in the warm temperatures and sun. So what makes the Florida Keys so special? Collectively, the region is made up of hundreds of islands, so there are a ton of worthwhile stops to make during a road trip from the mainland down to Key West. And while the hurricane season of 2017 didn't leave the Keys unharmed, the recovery has generally been swift and much of the region is back on its feet and welcoming visitors. Most of us have heard about how awesome Key West is, but the rest of the islands shouldn't be overlooked.
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That's right, we're talking about the Florida Keys. We often think we need to escape to The Bahamas or elsewhere in the Caribbean to get to paradise, but the truth is that we have a paradise right at home in the U.S.
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