Key Largo

If you are planning a Florida trip to Orlando and would like that extra few days to recover from the various parks and other activities that you have undertaken in your busy schedule, then why not take look at Key Largo.

Key Largo has much to offer in the way of accommodation, relaxation and amenities. You will find hotels and apartments dotted all along the US1 and during the week you will find plenty to choose from. Weekends tend to become busier as many Floridians from the likes of Miami and the surrounding area head for the Keys for that weekend away. If you were planning to visit for a week or so I would try and pre-book your accommodation in advance for that piece of mind.

Key West is a haven for water sports and Sea Fishing, you will find many local companies offering great deals for the person who wants to catch the big fish, or for the adventuress ones among you who would prefer to see the marine life from the sea bed, their is the John Pennekamp Rife which is one of the top 10 Scuba Dive sites in the world. There are many wonderful dive sites to explore along with an abundance of sea life from small shoals of fish to nurse sharks and much more. This coral reef is a site to behold with its vast sea life and colourful coral; the reef is also home to a 9ft tall bronze statue of Jesus Christ. The Christ Statue is one of the most famous and visited underwater sites, accessible to divers and snorkellers alike.

Key Largo is one of a handful of places where you can swim with Dolphins in their natural environment. Dolphin Plus has two such sites on Key Largo where you can undertake a controlled Dolphin Swim which is supervised by staff or for the more relaxed swimmer an exciting Natural Swim where it’s just the Dolphins and you. The day consists of firstly a talk about Dolphins then the swim which last for approximately 1 hour. As with most tourists activates you will find a small gift shop for that cherished memory souvenir.

There are restaurants dotted all over Key Largo; we found asking the Hotel Reception for recommendations gave us a better option for eating out. Most Hotels have a Restaurant guide with a brief description and the restaurant menu. Just about all will have fresh sea food on the menu but there are plenty of other options to be had and all restaurants we visited offered a fabulous choice of food for the Kids. Two we can highly recommend are the Treetops Restaurant located at the Sheraton Key Largo Hotel; the view you see from the outside terrace dining area is as spectacular as the food. Then The Pilot House which has Tiki Bar and a Restaurant, great for the young ones.

Why not discover more of the Keys and head on south for Key West, the drive is approximately 2 hours and just over 100 miles. The trip in all is a day out but well worth it with lots of things to do and places to visit on your journey. You will pass through the Keys of Islamorada famous for its Sea Fishing, then on to Marathon Key where the start of the 7 Mile Bridge will take you to the lower Keys then finally Key West. On your return journey you may fancy a quick stop off at one of the many National State Parks where you can relax and have a bite to eat, or if you remembered to take your swimwear you may think of cooling off with a swim in the beautiful Florida Sea.

For days out heading north you will come to Miami, famous for its fabulous Beaches and much more, you may fancy down town Miami to hit the shops and see the sites. To the west are the Everglades with the magical airboat rides where you will see amazing wildlife and of course the Everglade Alligators. Key Largo is central to so many options to fill that wonderful southern Florida Holiday.

Although there are many shops in Key Largo this is not the place for the avid shopper, you won’t find much in the way of Malls unless you wish to travel further a field. But if you keep your eyes peeled there are many small shops and signs to shops where you can off load that last bit of spending money before you head back home.

Key Largo is the place to relax and un wined but still has lots to do to keep you busy, but the pace of life is much slower and is a perfect place to soak up the sun on one of its many beaches.