Why Not Take A Key Largo Vacation

At 33 Miles long key Largo is the largest of the Florida Keys. As you drive down US 1 into Key Largo you feel like your entering another country. The palm trees are blowing in the air and what is that wonderful smell blowing through the air. It's the scent of Jasmine and it can be smelled for most of the year here in Key Largo. As you get out of your car and walk down the beach you may come upon one of the strangest creatures you'll ever see. Its moving along slowly in the shallow water and it looks like something you might see on a Discovery Channel show about prehistoric creatures. When you ask around you find out it's a horseshoe crab and that they have been around for 300 million years. Yes you read that right. Just walk quietly along the beach at Key Largo and you'll see them there in the shallow water.

Have You Ever Seen A Horseshoe Crab Up Close And Personal?

You can see a photo of a horseshoe crab down below. They have a hard two part shell on top and if you flip them over ( please don't ) they look like a spider underneath. If you see them up on the beach they are probably mating. Please feel free to take photos of them or observe them but please don't take them home. Their population is unfortunately on the decline. There are now a couple of programs that are collecting their eggs and hatching them before turning them loose in areas where their population is either gone or in a serious decline.

Key Largo Is One Of The Most Popular Places On Earth

You will find that Key Largo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. A large number of people who visit Key Largo also visit the Everglades National Park just a short drive away. A lot of kayakers like to visit both Key Largo and the Everglades National Park. I bet you didn't know that. One thing you just have to do if you;re in the area is take an air boat ride in the Florida Everglades. If you take a look at the map above you can see that the Everglades National Park is very near to Key Largo. There are all kinds of things you can do in the Florida Everglades National Park.

Sailing Away To Key Largo

I guess you could say that I have been in love with Key Largo ever since I watched the Warner Brothers movie Key Largo as a child. Did you know that other than a few back ground shots that the entire movie was shot on a sound stage in Hollywood California. It was not until after the movie became so popular that the U.S. Post Office at Rock Harbor changed its name to Key Largo and the rest is history as they say. And yes that is the reason that the post office there changed its name.

Key Largo Is Just Sixty Miles From Miami

Key Largo is located just 60 miles from downtown Miami and if your feeling real adventurous why not stay in an underwater hotel at the Jules Underwater Lodge. The hotel is located 30 foot underwater and you must be a diver to visit it but just imagine what a story you'll have to tell your children and grandchildren. And you won't believe what you'll see out the windows of the hotel. You just may see a sea turtle go swimming past.

Go For A Glass Bottom Boat Ride At Key Largo

Be sure to check out the glass bottom boat ride in Key Largo. It is one of the best attractions in Key Largo and its enjoyed by adults and children both. Most people are just simply amazed at all the beautiful tropical fish that they see swimming under the glass bottom boat. And often you'll see sea turtles and dolphins gliding by. And if your real lucky you might just catch a glimpse of a manatee.There are 225 species of game fish in the area plus all kinds of other undersea life. Be sure to take your camera with you because you'll have a chance to get some great photos.

You don't have to go diving to enjoy the under sea world. You can go snorkeling in the John Pennekamp State Park and you'll have the time of your life exploring the coral reef. Tours run for about 90 minutes and at about $30 you'll find its the best $30 you ever spent. They will explain briefly how to use the snorkel and then you'll be free to explore. If you don't have one consider buying an underwater digital camera. Because you'll get some unbelievable photos.

In the John Pennekamp State Park you'll find two beaches and a few nature trails. There is camping available but you'll need to book well in advance. Key Largo is warm almost all of the time and winter is my favorite time of the year to visit. In the winter months there are far fewer people and you'll have the area mostly to yourself. Even in the winter months all you'll need is a light jacket most of the time. There are rare exceptions but most of the winters it stays warm and sometimes hot in Key Largo. You will find better rates at the hotels and motels in the winter months. And except for right around Christmas there won't be any crowds.

Drive Down And Enjoy Key Largo

You can drive down to Key West easily from Key Largo or explore the nearby Everglades National Park. Another Florida Key you'll want to be sure to visit is Big Pine Key.

Below is a list of some of the most popular things you may want to do while you're in Key Largo.

1. Go to the Sundowner's Restaurant and have your picture taken with the world record Blue Marlin there in front of the restaurant. You can call the restaurant at 305 451 4502

2. Visit Key Largos World Famous Caribbean Club and watch the sun set from the beach at the club. You can give the club a call at 305 451 4466

3. Have you ever had Key Lime Pie. In case you don't know the best Key Lime Pie in the world is made from the key limes growing up and down the Florida Keys including Key Largo and most Key Largo restaurants serve it. The one question to ask when you order Key Lime Pie is it homemade. If so you're in for a treat.

4. You can go fishing for full or half day trips at.

A. Dirty Water Charters and you can call them at 305 304 2212

B. Rodeo Charters and you can call them at 305 522 2638

And guess what. Most of the area restaurants will be glad to cook your catch for you. You won't get seafood fresher than that.

5. Be sure that you try the stone crab claws at Ballyhoos, call them at 305 852 0822

6. Rent a kayak and kayak around Rattlesnake Key , call and set it up at 305 451 3018

7. Go Swim With A Dolphin At Dolphin Cove , call and set it up at 305 451 4060

And I could go on and on with other things you can do in Key Largo. You can call each of the above places and they will be glad to answer any questions and send you more information on what they have to offer. You won't find a better vacation spot than Key Largo any where in the world. So why not plan you're vacation to Key Largo soon.

I hope you get to come down and visit Key Largo real soon.

If you have comments you would like to post please feel free to post them below.

One restaurant you don't want to miss while you're in Key Largo is the Key Largo Conch House. You will find that the Key Largo Conch House is located among the trees at mile marker 100.2 on the overseas highway. Two things you want to be sure you try are the Conch Fritters and the Lobster Bisque. You can give them a call at 305 453 4844. They are always winning one award or another and they come highly recommended by everyone so be sure to check them out while you're in Key Largo.

Hobo's is a favorite restaurant of the locals and if you want delicious food at affordable prices you'll want to be sure to visit Hobo's also. They are said to have the best burgers in the Florida Keys and people in Key Largo will tell you they are the place to eat. They are at mile marker 101.7 on the overseas highway and their phone number is 305 451 5888. You really can't go wrong here and they are open for lunch and dinner. You should try their BBQ Chicken Wings and fresh fish sandwich. Both are excellent choices.

The Holiday Inn in Key Largo is a great place to stay. Its only 55 minutes from downtown Miami to the Holiday Inn in Key Largo but they are truly worlds apart. The Holiday Inn in Key Largo has two outdoor heated pools that can be enjoyed year round and a 24 hour fitness center. You'll also find WiFi access and a Tiki Bar. You'll also find on site dinning and they can help you with information about anything you might want to do while you're in Key Largo.

If you enjoy fishing be sure to go fishing with one of the fishing charters while you're in Key Largo. You'll find fishing like nowhere else on earth. If you love seafood like I do you'll find the best seafood on earth is served in the many restaurants in Key Largo. While I have given you a few places to check out here on this Hub Page there are many more excellent places for lodging and to eat all over Key Largo. Ask some of the locals where they like to eat and go check out the place or places recommended to you. You're in the seafood capital of the world so you'll find that the seafood will be very good here.

While you're in Key Largo check out the Dolphin Tours offered by several companies operating out of Key Largo. Ideally you want to go on one of the Dolphin Tours where you and your children will be allowed to swim with dolphins. It will truly be the experience of a life time for you and your children.

How would you like to explore Key Largo the way it used to be before all the tourists. Check out the Harry Harris County Park. At mile marker 92.5 you will want to turn left onto Burton Drive and head for the ocean. You'll find a beach and picnic tables where you can spend a day or an afternoon enjoying the Florida Keys. You can come here in winter and sometimes be one of the few people in the area. It really is a great place.

Once you get a room in Key Largo ask the person running the hotel or motel what you should see while you're in Key Largo. Quite often they may tell you about interesting places to visit or there may be a local event or events going on in the next few days. You can also check out the local newspaper for all kinds of great information about the Key Largo area.

I hope you enjoyed my Hub Page on Key Largo and I hope you get to visit Key Largo very soon. Watch for turtles and dolphins and have fun. Please post a comment below now.