🔥 SUMMER UNLEASHED: This Is the Road Trip You’ll Talk About Forever

Florida Keys Road Trip Weekly • June 20, 2025

🐠 Key Largo – Where the Ocean Welcomes You First

The moment you pull into Key Largo, the ocean’s breath fills your lungs. You’re not just visiting—you’re arriving. And the first stop? John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where you snorkel through swaying sea fans and schools of fish so bright they look like confetti tossed by Poseidon.

Above water, you board the African Queen—yes, that one. You grip the wooden helm, camera in hand, humming old movie lines while canal breezes rustle your hair.

Later, you walk the Dagny Johnson Hammock trails, shaded in peace, spotting rare critters and snapping photos like a National Geographic pro.

Hungry? You’ve earned it:
🍹 Buzzard’s Roost for frozen drinks and killer fish tacos
🐠 Hobo’s Café for mango-glazed mahi
🥞 Key Largo Conch House for breakfast under the palms

Book it now:

• Glass-Bottom Reef Cruise

• Horizon Divers Snorkel Tour

🌴 Islamorada – Where Art Meets Adventure

Now you're in Islamorada, windows down, flip-flops off, camera ready. First stop: Robbie’s Marina, where tarpon the size of surfboards leap for your bait. You laugh, shriek, and almost drop your phone into the sea.

Around the corner? Rain Barrel Village, where you wander art huts and snap selfies with “Betsy,” the world’s largest lobster sculpture. You didn’t know you needed a photo with a giant crustacean. Now you do.

Then: a chartered boat, a gentle breeze, and you—floating near Alligator Reef Lighthouse, snorkeling over kaleidoscopic corals, sipping cold drinks on a shallow sandbar.

You dine like royalty at:
🦞 Atlantic’s Edge for elegant beachfront flavors
🎶 Lorelei as the sun sinks to live music

Make it unforgettable:

Clearly Unique Charters

🐢 Marathon – Where Your Heart Slows Down

By now, you’re halfway through paradise—and in Marathon, things get quieter. You watch the sun rise over the Seven Mile Bridge, feet dangling, breeze perfect. This is the Keys you dreamed of.

You tour the Turtle Hospital, cheering on recovering sea turtles like they’re old friends. At Crane Point, you hike under canopies older than your favorite playlist and find serenity that’s hard to leave.

Later, you dive into Sombrero Reef, marveling at living coral and feeling more alive with every fin kick.

Dinner’s a reward:
🥩 Florida Keys Steak & Lobster for surf, turf, and peace
🌮 Island Fish Co. for tropical cocktails and live island tunes
🏖 Sunset Grille for drinks, dips, and a poolside party

Must-do adventures:

• Aquarium Encounters

• Turtle Tour

🌇 Key West – Your Sunset Destination

The final miles are magic. You hit Key West like a breeze at your back—full of stories, tan lines, and joy.

First up: Conch Tour Train. You cruise Old Town past pastel homes and porch-swing dreams. Then it’s you, a mojito, and the best seat at Mallory Square for a sunset circus of fire jugglers and sky colors you didn’t know existed.

Night falls. You join the Haunted Trolley Tour, leaning into whispered ghost tales as chickens cackle and Spanish moss sways like a warning.

You cap your journey at:
🌞 Blue Heaven for breakfast with roosters
🌊 Louie’s Backyard for dinner kissed by waves
🦪 Half Shell Raw Bar for raw oysters and raw beauty

Iconic outings:

• Fury Snorkel

• Sebago Sail

• Ghost Trolley

🗺️ Pro Tips Before You Cruise On:

• Book early—Key West books fast in summer

• Pack reef-safe sunscreen and two swimsuits

• Bring water. Trust us.

• Don’t over-plan. The Keys do the planning for you.

📸 Solstice Challenge: Your Turn!

You’ve lived the dream. Now share it.
Tag #US1Keys on IG or Facebook—our favorite shot gets the top spot in next week’s issue!

🏁 Your Keys Mantra

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