Ohhhhh how I love the Florida Keys. It’s different than the rest of the state. It’s different than the rest of the country. Laid back, sunny, and friendly – yes. But also quirky, unpretentious, and funny.
I got a big head for a minute while we were there, and fancied myself Hemmingway-esque in that he too, was a writer {I’m sure he would have been a blogger, had blogs existed back then} and he too, loved both northern Michigan and the Florida Keys. But he also shot himself, so I decided we probably weren’t too much alike after all.
This list is fairly different than the one I would have created last time I was in the Keys on my honeymoon. That one could have served as a “Bar Guide To Key West”.
No, this time I was with my husband but also my sister, Dad, Maybelle, and A.P. I loved it just as much, but for different reasons. Here are my suggestions for the Top Ten Things You Need To Do In The Florida Keys.
1. Check out Mallory Pier in Key West.
The Pier has changed a lot since the cruise ships started showing up there, but the crazy performers have not. We saw this nut job juggling sticks of fire. On a unicycle.
2. Go to Theater of the Sea
LOVED this place. It looks a little rickety when you first walk in, but there are guided tours from lagoon to lagoon and the animal shows are fantastic. In addition to getting to pet a dolphin’s belly, Maybelle was able to hold a bird on her arm which, she said, “Was really heavy”.
I could not get enough of this sea lion. And his smile. I laughed about him for days, he was so cute!
I don’t have any pictures, but that was another great experience too. The shows weren’t as cool as the Theater of the Sea, but the staff is super passionate about their work, and they take a lot of time with kids who have questions about dolphins. Lots and lots of questions about dolphins.
4. Lie in a Hammock
That was amazing.
So breezy and nice; I just read and swung. I liked it so much I bought a hammock chair while we were there, but it doesn’t have nearly the same effect in our basement as it did on the beach.
5. Have a Meal Prepared By a Dancing Chef
One night we ate at the restaurant right where we were staying, because they had an outdoor, all you can eat pasta bar with a ton of different options. The fact that the chef danced to soul music the entire time was a complete bonus. I believe he was ‘Shaking His Groove Thang” when this picture was taken.
6. Try out a Jet Ski
7. Catch Some Sunsets
Sigh
This one was at the Sunset Grille, where we ate dinner one night.
8. Pretend you’re the captian of a boat.
9. Go swimming. In an Outdoor Pool. On Christmas Day.
10. Play in the Ocean Two Hours Before Your Flight Leaves And Get All Wet And Sandy
See? Not like Hemmingway at all.
This list could be twice as long and I wouldn’t have run out of things to say. However, since I linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh! Amanda, I had to stop there. And believe it or not, Hammocks At Marathon did not pay my a dime to write this although they really should…
I feel in love with the Keys in 1994 and take my family every chance I get!
Thanks for sharing these!! A couple of them I didn’t know about!!!
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