Welcome to Florida's Lower Keys! The Keys between Marathon and Key West may not be as well known, but they are every bit as spectacular, as they are full of natural beauty and Old Florida hidden gems. While this guide details a three day itinerary, we visit each of these destinations in our Lower Keys Travel Guide video. If you want to truly get a feel for this area of Florida to plan your own trip, we'd recommend watching the travel guide in addition to utilizing this itinerary.

Day 1: Experience Old Florida

Start your adventure with a visit to Kiki's Sandbar & Grille, a waterfront bar on Little Torch Key. With waterfront views, live music, and an enticing menu featuring items like smoked mahi dip and jalapeno margaritas, this tiki bar and restaurant perfectly captures the lively yet relaxed vibe of the Keys. Time your visit during happy hour & sit at the bar for the best deals.

Continue your Lower Keys experience on Big Pine Key by visiting the No Name Pub. This storied establishment, once a hub for activities we can't mention here in the 1930s, now stands proudly as a family-friendly bar and grill decked out with quirky layers of dollar bills. It's a must stop destination for its authentic old Florida ambiance that offers both a unique interior and a refreshing outdoor tiki.

After grabbing a bite to eat we recommend a short detour to the Blue Hole, a quaint freshwater quarry that attracts a medley of local wildlife, including the adorably small key deer. Spotting these native deer along the roads is very common on Big Pine Key so be sure to drive with caution, especially along Key Deer Boulevard (and don't feed them or you run the risk of receiving a fine).

Day 2: Balance Luxury and Adventure

For accommodations that blend luxury with central access to all the Keys have to offer, consider staying at Marlin Bay Resort & Marina. Nestled in Marathon, this resort not only provides breathtaking sunrise vistas over the Gulf, but also boasts expansive amenities like a heated pool, waterfront tiki bar, and even bike and kayak rentals to enhance your adventure. It's the perfect home base for exploring all of the Keys.

Your second day in the Keys is a great choice to experience Bahia Honda State Park. It is characterized by emerald waters and scenic beaches that are often rated among the finest in Florida. Perfect for beachgoers and sightseers alike, this park combines natural beauty and recreational activities. Visitors can choose to relax on the beach, walk on the trails, snorkel off the shore or book a trip to snorkel the nearby reef. The Looe Key Reef is known as one of the best snorkeling and diving areas in the world. It is located with in a protected marine preserve and is home to over 150 species of fish and a variety of coral.

The Bent Prop is the perfect place to grab a drink or snack and sit in the shade on Cudjoe Key after hours in the sun at Bahia Honda State Park. This place offers a delicious and refreshing happy hour, and is even located on the water.

If you choose to continue West, you will eventually find Mangrove Mama's on Sugarloaf Key, an Old Florida landmark known for daily food specials and live music. Some even say that this is where you will find the best piece of Key Lime Pie in all of the Keys.

Day 3: Go off the Beaten Path in the Lower Keys

For an exotic twist, we recommend starting your third day in the Lower Keys at Grimal Grove, a rare fruit grove on Big Pine Key. This hidden gem offers tours of its grove, which is home to rare & exotic fruits and plants from all over the world. Along the way you will hear stories of how the grove began and changed over the years, as well as taste some of the fruits and plants.

If you want to venture off the beaten path then you will want to keep driving West, all the way to Geiger Key, and make your way to the fish camp. This is the spot to visit if you want to try some of the best fish in the Keys. While it was a bit of a drive, this is one we don't recommend skipping, and be sure to try the hogfish.

After eating a delicious meal at the fish camp, you can walk right next door to the onsite paddle hut to hop on a kayak or paddle board and get out on the water. In this area you can paddle through mangrove tunnels or just enjoy exploring around the nearby islands. If you aren't comfortable getting out on your own you can also book guided tours.

Once you've had enough of being out on the water The Square Grouper is a can't miss dining destination on your drive back. It's located on Cudjoe Key, offers a laid back atmosphere and is known for it's delicious culinary dishes. This spot is quite popular among locals and tourists, so don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table.

Last but not least is dessert!  We'd recommend stopping by the Morning Joint on Cudjoe Key. It offers small batch ice cream made on site (and sold out of an air stream out front) as well as sweet coffee drinks. Our personal favorites were the Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream and the Ube Latte. 

Day 4: Key West?

After three days seeing what these lesser-known, lower keys have to offer, you may be ready to just relax at the pool, but if you are not, you can road trip just a bit further, all the way to Key West! Our Key West video and 3 day itinerary will be ready soon. Be sure to follow us here on Plannin as well as on Youtube so you won't miss them when they are posted.