Get a crash course in the bountiful seafood of the Florida Keys at Key Largo Fisheries, a lively seafood market with a restaurant and bar, where you can snag the local catch fresh out of the water to cook for yourself, or grab a seat at the restaurant and have something just as fresh prepared for you. Everything on the menu is straight off of the boat and prepared on site.

Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen has been known for its fried seafood baskets since the 1970s, but be sure to save room for dessert; the Key Lime Pie is great, naturally, but don’t overlook the Peanut Butter Pie, frozen into a cookie crumb crust. Finish the day with a cocktail at the Caribbean Club, the oldest bar in Key Largo, which has a spectacular sunset view. The Bloody Mary makes a good pairing. 

You can’t go wrong with a place known as the Diving Capital of the World. Every trip to Key Largo needs to include some underwater time at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which is arguably the most iconic dive and snorkel location in the country thanks to the park’s signature reefs and the Christ of the Abyss, an underwater statue that attracts snorkelers and divers alike. The park has its own dive shop and runs snorkel boat trips multiple times a day. 

Another must-dive site: the USS Spiegel Grove, one of the largest wrecks in the world, which sits just six miles off the shore of Key Largo. The 510-foot UN Navy Ship was intentionally sunk in 2002 to enhance the reef system, and now sits in 130 feet of water, attracting a host of marine life, from tiny tropical fish to large groupers. Regardless of your ability, consider going with a guide, like Key Largo Scuba Diving, which can provide training and dive or snorkel trips to a variety of locations.  

With all of the tasty seafood being served in Key Largo, you might want to try catching dinner yourself. The easiest spot to throw a line into the water is from the jetty at Harry Harris Park, a 21-acre oceanfront park that has been known to deliver sizable snapper for on-shore anglers. The park offers easy access and a great introduction to fishing, but to really experience the thrill of the catch, you need to look beyond the island. 

On the west side of Key Largo you’ll find Florida Bay, a shallow water playground for bonefish, permit, redfish, snook, and trout, with a maze of mangrove islands. Key Largo is also a jumping off point for fishing the backcountry channels and creeks of Everglades National Park, where tarpon, snook, and trout are frequently caught. Or head to deeper waters, where massive mahi, wahoo, and marlin are reeled in on a regular basis. Charter captains can put you on challenging Atlantic sailfish during winter months, then target mahi mahi from spring into fall.

With such a close connection between land and sea, it’s no surprise Key Largo is home to dolphin therapy, one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the world. The non-profit Island Dolphin Care provides therapeutic encounters for military vets and people with special needs, and offers experiences for all visitors as well. Every morning guests have a chance to meet the pod of dolphins that live in the center, and you can even sign up for a yoga class with the dolphins.

You could spend your entire trip to Key Largo bouncing from one outdoor adventure to the next. If you’ve always dreamt of the open sea, spend three days learning to sail a Catalina 22 at the American Sailing Academy, then borrow one of the school’s boats for your own adventure after completing the course. 

‍Amateur botanists and animal lovers should hike the trails of Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, which is home to a West Indian hardwood hammock that protects more than 80 protected species, from wild cotton to the American crocodile. And no trip to Key Largo is complete without paddling Tavernier Creek, where you’ll be able to spy manatee, turtles, and stingray from the deck of your paddle board.

All of the world class sport fishing surrounding these islands translates directly to a delectable food scene. If you happen to land something tasty from the sea, head straight to The Lorelei, where the chef will fry, grill, or blacken your filet and serve it with the best sunset on the island. 

You can taste a bit of history at the world-famous Tiki Bar, which has been an institution on Islamorada since 1969 and is reputed to be the think-tank that created the delicious Rum Runner cocktail. 

Want to dig deeper into rum culture? Head to Islamorada Distilling, which handcrafts rum, vodka, and gin in a 100-gallon column still. Try their Select Barrel Aged Rum in their bright, yellow tasting room. 

Islamorada makes for the perfect launching point for underwater exploration, as the islands are surrounded by intact reefs and historic shipwrecks, which turn the waters into an underwater playground for both fish and divers. If you’re looking to explore a wreck, head for The Duane, a 300-foot coast guard cutter that was sunk in 1985 as part of an artificial reef project. Today, the ship is sitting upright in 125 feet of water, making it an ideal destination for advanced divers. 

If you’re looking for something less intimidating, but no less spectacular, consider snorkeling or diving Alligator Reef, named after the USS Alligator which sank in the area in 1825, helping to form the healthy reef ecosystem that stands today and supports more than 500 species of marine life. Regardless of your destination or ability, Islamorada Dive Center will get you in the water safely.

There’s so much fishing surrounding Islamorada, it can be hard to know exactly where you should focus your efforts. First, pick your fish, then hone in on a location. If you’re looking to catch wily redfish, snook, or trout, you’re going to want to head to Florida Bay’s backcountry, where you can hunt for these smaller, feisty species on small boats that can cruise through shallow water and use light tackle and fly rods. Captain Steve can put you in the right place with the right gear to land the fish you’re looking for. 

Want to catch a big one (or two)? Head to deeper water, specifically the Islamorada Hump, an underwater mountain that rises to within 290 feet of the surface, attracting massive tuna and mahi mahi. Hire a pro to get you there, which will give you the best chance to land that big fish of your dreams.

Visitors to Islamorada can explore the island’s past and its vibrant present. The History of Diving Museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying the artifacts associated with the rich evolution of diving. You can see exhibits that date all the way back to the 1600s, when early divers would use bells to trap small amounts of air, extending the amount of time they could spend underwater.

For a look at the island’s current culture, stroll through the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District, a walkable neighborhood full of galleries and studios where local artists create and sell their wares. The shops are open daily, but there’s also a regular art walk on the third Thursday of every month, where the art spills into the streets.

Spearfishing is a challenging sport that combines diving with fishing. It’s not exactly a pastime you can pick up on your own, so sign up for the Underwater Hunter course at Islamorada Dive Center, where you’ll learn the gear and take two training dives. Popular target: the lion fish, an invasive species that’s also delicious. 

‍Indian Key is a tiny, 11-acre island that sits just a half mile from Lower Matacumbe Key, but visiting the small spit of land is like stepping back in time. Only small boats, like kayaks, can access Indian Key, which is protected as a historic state park. It’s an easy paddle over seagrass flats, where you’ll have the chance to see stingrays and sharks in the clear water. On the island, hike amongst ruins from the 1800s and climb the observation tower for big views.

One of the greatest experiences you can have in the Keys is catching a fish in the afternoon, then having a professional chef cook it for you that very evening. Marathon’s Florida Keys Steak and Lobster has a full menu, but they also specialize in cooking your very own catch, which they’ll prepare either broiled, grilled, or fried and round it out with two sides. 

If you’re not interested in catching your own meal, but still want fresh fish, hit Castaway Waterfront Restaurant, which offers a variety of prepared local seafood as well as fresh ceviche and sushi. 

Need a burger? Burdine’s Waterfront Bar and Grill serves theirs above an active marina with a coastal view that stretches for miles.

Marathon is brimming with world-class snorkel and dive sites. For quick access, head to Sombrero Beach, a city park with a sandy beach lined with palms facing the Atlantic. Dip into the water and you’ll find sea grass, sandy flats, and a rock shelf where tropical fish and turtles thrive. 

‍If you want a more extensive seascape to explore, sign up for a charter and head eight miles offshore to Sombrero Reef, a 30-acre reef known for its large boulder and branch coral formations, with dive sites up to 30 feet deep, and plenty of shallow water action for snorkeling. Or venture out to Coffins Patch, a Sanctuary Preservation Area located four miles off the shore of Marathon, with schools of colorful fish swimming in shallow water that’s so clear, you can see up to 80 feet on calm days.

Marathon is a hotbed of fishing, and you’ll have a host of charter captains and locations to choose from. But you can’t go wrong with targeting tuna and amberjack at Marathon Hump, an underwater mountain 27 miles southeast of Marathon, where the depths change drastically thanks to the topography on the seafloor. Sweet Enuf Charters will give you the best chance to haul in a large tuna.

If you’re not up for a full deep sea adventure, consider renting a kayak and launching from Oceanfront Park, or Sombrero Beach, where you can cast for snook while paddling the shallow waters close to shore.

“The play is the thing” in Marathon, which boasts the only community theater in the Florida Keys. Marathon Community Theater has been staging performances for more than 80 years, offering everything from interactive events like Drag Queen Bingo to comedies from the country’s best playwrights. The theater started in 1944 as a traveling troupe, performing in restaurants, schools, and the City Hall and has evolved into a multi-faceted nonprofit, volunteer-run passion project. Marathon Community Theater now stages four major performances a year from noted playwrights, as well as community events, dance classes, and summer theater camps for kids. The theater also doubles as the island’s cinema, showing first run movies and classics year round.

The Old Seven Mile Bridge is a standing piece of history, originally constructed as part of the Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s. Today, it’s a linear park popular with runners and cyclists. Rent a bike from Bike Marathon and pedal the bridge to Pigeon Key, where you can hit the beach, or explore local history in the museum. 

The 1,000-acre Curry Hammock State Park is one of the largest stretches of undeveloped land in the Keys, protecting great swaths of mangrove swamp, rockland hammocks, and beds of fertile seagrass. Rent a kayak from the park and paddle a 1.5-mile marked trail around Little Crawl Key, passing through a mangrove tunnel, grassy flats, and a deep water lagoon along the way. 

More than 90 percent of the country’s sea turtle population nests in Florida, and Marathon and its neighboring keys offer prime habitat for loggerheads to lay their eggs. Nesting season runs from May through October, with hatchlings emerging after dark to make their way back to the ocean. At Marathon’s Turtle Hospital, a rescue and rehabilitation center for these delicate creatures, scientists nurse injured turtles back to health before releasing them. Take a peek behind the scenes during a 90-minute tour of the facility, and learn how to identify different species of turtle. 

The Lower Keys might not have the bustling nightlife of their southern neighbor, but the food scene holds its own. For surf or turf cooked to perfection on an open fire, head to Broil, a locally-owned steak and seafood house on Cudjoe Key that blends the hallmarks of fine-dining with the casual atmosphere of the Keys. Order the “Steak Sinatra,” which features small filets draped over lobster mashed potatoes. 

For the ultimate Lower Keys experience, wander into No Name Pub, on Big Pine Key, which has a history that dates back to the 1930s, when it operated as a general store. Now, guests show up for its Pina coladas, pizzas, and funky bar with a ceiling covered in dollar bills.

The Lower Keys are surrounded by acres of protected flats and shallow bays that separate the islands and offer endless opportunities for adventurous anglers looking to haul in tarpon or bonefish from small boats while using light gear. Hot Water Fishing specializes in these fast and light inshore trips and can put any angler, even beginners, in a position to succeed, whether you’re looking to catch a bonefish on a fly or snook from a spin rod. 

If you show up in the winter, these fertile fishing grounds will deliver snapper and sea trout, while spring is dominated by tarpon, with peak season running from March through June. If you’re itching to battle with bonefish, have Capt. Tim Carlile navigate you out to the sand flats surrounding Sugarloaf Key where the feisty, fast fish are known to roam.

Stock Island, which sits just south of Key West, making it the most southern of the Lower Keys, has a vibrant art scene that can be best experienced by walking the Stock Island Mural Tour, which pieces together almost 10 public murals scattered throughout the island. Grab a map and stroll through the island’s art district, spying the large paintings on the sides of breweries, bars, food trucks, and even a sandal factory. 

If you’re looking to take a piece of the Keys home with you, peruse the variety of fine art inside Paradise Gallery, a co-op full of local artists located on Big Pine Key. Inside, you’ll find artists who weave fibers, hand stamp metal, and create fabulous glass sculptures.

There’s a lot of protected land and water throughout the Lower Keys, which means there are endless opportunities for adventure, whether you want to keep your feet planted on firm ground or explore the great blue sea. The National Key Deer Refuge is unlike anything else in the Keys, protecting forest and wetlands that are home to more than 20 endangered species, including the tiny Key Deer. Hike the easy Blue Hole Trail early in the morning or late in the afternoon to see deer and other wildlife gather at the largest freshwater lake in the Keys.

Key West has one of the most iconic food and drink scenes in Florida, if not the entire country. Get a taste for the island’s culture at Papa’s Pilar, a rum-distillery named after Ernest Hemingway and his fishing boat. Sample their flagship dark rum while taking a cocktail class, or while being guided through Hemingway’s career in the distillery’s library. 

Head to Pepe’s Cafe, the oldest restaurant in the Florida Keys, for a half-pound of peel n’ eat shrimp and oysters prepared “Rudi Style,” with Worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese, lemon pepper, and garlic butter. The mojitos at Pepe’s are legendary too. Just save room for a slice of the world-famous key lime pie at Kermit’s. You can’t go wrong with the traditional key lime, but the coconut key lime pie is next level. Or take that pie to go with Kermit’s Pie Bars, which puts a slice of your favorite pie on a popsicle stick.

If you think Key West is lively on the surface, wait until you take a peek under water; this island offers fast access to some of the best diving and snorkeling in North America. Dry Tortugas National Park is a tropical paradise, made of seven small islands 70 miles west of Key West that are only accessible by boat or seaplane. The Yankee Freedom runs a regular ferry to Fort Jefferson, where you can snorkel off that island’s beaches, looking for coral, starfish, and tropical fish. If you want to see more of the park, book a commercial dive trip and explore more remote snorkel and dive spots, like Loggerhead Key and Little Africa Reef, a shallow coral reef that’s packed with young barracuda and lobster, and Texas Rock, a large mound of coral that rises vertically from the sand, acting as a magnet for marine life. 

If you just want to sample the underwater world without making the trek to Dry Tortugas, head to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, where you can rent a mask and fins and slide into the water straight from the beach, where you’ll find schools of parrotfish, yellowtail, and lobster.

The quality of fishing surrounding Key West is rivaled only by its variety, as anglers can hunt for snapper, grouper, and cobia close to land, cruise through the backcountry flats for feisty species like tarpon, or head to deeper waters for big game like swordfish. Casting a line off of the Edward B Knight Pier is the easiest way to test your skill. You can pull snapper from the water off the pier year round, and target grouper from May to December. Catching the sunrise from the pier is transcendent whether you’re carrying fishing gear or not. 

Hire a charter to hit the Wall, a popular deep-sea spot where the depth of the water plunges 2,000 feet, and you can reel in hefty catches like swordfish (September to November) and sailfish (December to February). But you can’t visit Key West without attempting the triple crown by netting a tarpon, permit, and bonefish in the shallow flats. The Marquesas Keys, a group of islands 20 miles west of Key West, has some of the best flats in the world. Key West Fishing will put you in the right spot with the right gear.

Key West is the cultural hub of the Keys, famous for its resident artists as well as its annual parties, like Fantasy Fest, which culminates in a parade on the last Saturday of October. A stop at the Hemingway Home and Museum is a must; there you’ll learn about the author’s life on and off the island and have a chance to see one of Hemingway’s six-toed cats. 

Key West’s Old Town, filled with an eclectic mix of more than 3,000 wooden buildings, is the largest historic district recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Hop on the Old Town Trolley and you’ll be guided through highlights, from former cigar factories and speakeasies to the Southernmost Point in the U.S. and Harry S. Truman’s “Little White House.”

It would be easy to get caught up in Key West’s vibrant cultural scene and spend all your time hopping between museums and restaurants and music. Don’t. The island’s outdoor adventures merit plenty of your time as well. Snipe Keys, a small group of islands 16 miles northeast of Key West, is an ideal location for lounging on secluded sandbars and exploring canals between mangroves.

‍Lazy Dog offers trips to the sandbars and paddleboards for exploring the mangroves. Or head to the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, which is only accessible by boat, for the chance to paddle through meandering mangroves. Key West Eco Tours will guide you through the national wildlife refuge in kayaks.If you want to stick with land-based adventures, Key Lime Bike Tours offers bike rentals and two-wheeled tours of the island where you can customize your stops, and all tours end with a slice of key lime pie.