Things to Do in the Florida Keys

The challenge in the Florida Keys is not in finding things to do, but in narrowing down the nearly endless list of activities to try and places to explore. On land and out at the water, the Keys host an impressive selection of things to do during your Florida vacation.

Not to worry! We've assembled a comprehensive list of the best must-do activities to do during your stay. Browse our favorite Florida Keys land activities below, and check out our page on the best water activities too. Also, be sure to browse our Bluescape vacation rentals for your Florida Keys stay.

Explore State Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries

Although the Keys aren't among the most remote places in the world, there are plenty of places to immerse yourself in nature. Places such as Bahia Honda State Park and the National Key Deer Refuge are easy to access and provide excellent escapes from city noise. Hike, bike, fish, and more in these beautiful places nearby your vacation homes.

Below is a list of all the best state parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the Florida Keys. For more information on popular historic and wilderness areas, check out our Local Attractions page.

• Bahia Honda State Park
• Curry Hammock State Park
• Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
• Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
• Long Key State Park
• National Key Deer Refuge

Walk or Bike Down Duval Street in Key West

Duval Street is the main drag of downtown Key West, and any vacation to the Florida Keys mandates a visit here. Although Duval Street spans less than a mile in length, it packs a wild punch of substance and character across its 14 blocks. You'll quickly find that it's all too easy to spend a day exploring this exciting street on foot or by bike.

The many bars on Duval are especially bursting with bright personality. Sloppy Joes Bar, for example, has been a staple on Duval Street since it first opened way back in December 5, 1933, the day prohibition was appealed. Since then Sloppy Joes has served locals, tourists, and a few celebrity patrons such as Ernest Hemingway. Other charming bars include The Smallest Bar in Key West, which emcompasses a mere 72 square feet, and The Green Parrot, a locals favorite bar since the late 19th century. The Green Parrot isn't technically on Duval, but it's close enough for a mention here.

If the bar scene isn't your style, there's still plenty more for you to check out on Duval Street. Quaint shops, delicious dining options, fascinating museums and historic buildings, spooky ghost tours, and even an aquarium where you can pet sharks! For more information on things to do, check out the Duval Street page on TrolleyTours.com.

Take to the Skies on a Sightseeing Seaplane Tour

Yes, this option isn't really an on-land thing to do, but we'd be remiss not to mention the incredible aerial tours available around the Florida Keys. Just take a look at that view of Dry Tortugas National Park taken from one of the touring seaplanes. The views are undeniably spectacular.

Not only are seaplanes the fastest and most exciting means of reaching Dry Tortugas, the aerial tours offer one-of-a-kind views of the Keys, the surrouding reefs and shipwrecks, and even marine life. From the vantage of these low-altitude tours, it's common to spot sharks, dolphins and sea turtles in clear view swimming offshore. Even without the marine life to draw your attention, you'll find the extensive coral reef systems and lonesome shipwrecks to be well-worth the cost of admission.

If you have the time and means to hop aboard one of these seaplane tours, we strongly recommend booking the flight. You're on vacation after all, so why not make the most of it with some of the best sights in all of the Florida Keys. Learn more about flight tour options by checking out the Seaplane Adventures website.

For more insider's information on things to see and do on your vacation to the Florida Keys, head over to our Area Guide. If you're looking for water-specific things to do, the be sure to check out our Water Activities page.

Make sure to also reserve the best Florida Keys accomodations by booking a Bluescape vacation rental. Check out our featured properties below!