Learn To Dive In The Florida Keys

Description:

Banana Bay sprawls over 10 acres, offering a pleasantly alluring atmosphere that's popular with honeymooners and others of a romantic bent. You can even get married here. Learn-to-sail sessions take place at this resort that also sports a whirlpool, pool, dock, tiki bar, volleyball, beach, fitness room, water sports, and fishing and sailing charters. A Cabana Restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and tropical drinks. Rick's Watercraft can get you out on the waters in powerboats that measure in at 17 to 25 feet.

Our Local Expert Says:

THE photo opp at sunrise and sunset

Description:

Although this isn't a traditional attraction, it's the only way you're going to get to Key West, and it's also one of the wonders of Florida. While it falls a bit short of seven miles, this amazing span bridges the Middle and Lower Keys and has nearly 40 expansion joints. As you cross, with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, you can see the Old Seven Mile Bridge, now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Description:

When the new Seven Mile Bridge was constructed, the old bridge was left in place. It's become a favorite spot for fishing, jogging, rollerblading, cycling, sunset viewing and just general absorption of atmosphere.

It's even been used as a location for many action films, and most recently was featured as the final destination in the CBS smash hit, 'Amazing Race.' You can get to the bridge at MM 47, by Knight's Key and walk out (2.1 miles) to Pigeon Key, which is, in itself, a fascinating place to get a look at Keys history. There is no admission fee on the bridge, but if you walk over to Pigeon Key, a minimal yet well-worth-it donation is accepted for the Pigeon Key Foundation.

TRAVEL TIP: A celebration to honor the historic railroad, lauded as the most unique railway in the world upon its completion, has begun in the Keys, and is to culminate in January, 2012 when Henry Flagler first arrived in Key West on his own train, a railcar called The Rambler. Planned elements for this once-in-a-lifetime 100th anniversary celebration include history tours showcasing Flagler sites, bicycling expeditions, educational presentations and explorations of Pigeon Key.
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Description:

Banana Bay sprawls over 10 acres, offering a pleasantly alluring atmosphere that's popular with honeymooners and others of a romantic bent. You can even get married here. Learn-to-sail sessions take place at this resort that also sports a whirlpool, pool, dock, tiki bar, volleyball, beach, fitness room, water sports, and fishing and sailing charters. A Cabana Restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and tropical drinks. Rick's Watercraft can get you out on the waters in powerboats that measure in at 17 to 25 feet.

Description:

Plunked down here in 1936, this rustic spot has changed little, still offering plenty of beer and pizza. No Name is rough, it's ready and it is about as close to the "original" Keys as you are likely to get these days. Appetizers include smoked fish dip and spicy conch fritters. For dinner, try a fish sandwich, blackened chicken with Swiss, or a seafood combo with grouper, shrimp and clam strips. Pizza choices include key shrimp, Caribbean chicken, vegetarian and Mexican. Or just ask for a cold pint and enjoy the ambiance of this memorable bar.

Description:

Banana Bay sprawls over 10 acres, offering a pleasantly alluring atmosphere that's popular with honeymooners and others of a romantic bent. You can even get married here. Learn-to-sail sessions take place at this resort that also sports a whirlpool, pool, dock, tiki bar, volleyball, beach, fitness room, water sports, and fishing and sailing charters. A Cabana Restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and tropical drinks. Rick's Watercraft can get you out on the waters in powerboats that measure in at 17 to 25 feet.

Description:

A popular spot for gatherings of local folks, the lounge offers live entertainment and has an outdoor dance floor that's often pulsating on weekends when this spot is very lively indeed. A popular spot for sunset-watching, one of the Keys' most popular daily activities.

Description:

Banana Bay sprawls over 10 acres, offering a pleasantly alluring atmosphere that's popular with honeymooners and others of a romantic bent. You can even get married here. Learn-to-sail sessions take place at this resort that also sports a whirlpool, pool, dock, tiki bar, volleyball, beach, fitness room, water sports, and fishing and sailing charters. A Cabana Restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and tropical drinks. Rick's Watercraft can get you out on the waters in powerboats that measure in at 17 to 25 feet.

Description:

Braza Lena is an authentic Churrascaria or Brazilian steakhouse that offers a continuous dining experience. Between 16 cuts of meat, an extensive "salad" bar - which has everything from soups to salads to shrimp - and a to-die-for dessert tray to choose from, you will never leave this restaurant hungry. An attentive staff keeps a watchful eye on you as your green ("Yes, more") and red ("No, thanks") table markers alert them to bring another serving of the seasoned, delectable meats. You can even sample pork, chicken and shrimp skewers. The 20-layer chocolate fudge cake, well, take it home if you cannot fit it in at dinner!

Description:

Banana Bay sprawls over 10 acres, offering a pleasantly alluring atmosphere that's popular with honeymooners and others of a romantic bent. You can even get married here. Learn-to-sail sessions take place at this resort that also sports a whirlpool, pool, dock, tiki bar, volleyball, beach, fitness room, water sports, and fishing and sailing charters. A Cabana Restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and tropical drinks. Rick's Watercraft can get you out on the waters in powerboats that measure in at 17 to 25 feet.

Description:

Seafood steamed, raw or cooked any way you want it is the watchword of this charming restaurant. You will find crabs, shrimp, lobster, clams and oysters here at quite reasonable prices. Also available are landlubber items such as chicken and steaks. There is usually something going until the wee hours. Bands play at night and satellite television sports events are the highlight of the big bar. Prices are quite reasonable.

Description:

Banana Bay sprawls over 10 acres, offering a pleasantly alluring atmosphere that's popular with honeymooners and others of a romantic bent. You can even get married here. Learn-to-sail sessions take place at this resort that also sports a whirlpool, pool, dock, tiki bar, volleyball, beach, fitness room, water sports, and fishing and sailing charters. A Cabana Restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and tropical drinks. Rick's Watercraft can get you out on the waters in powerboats that measure in at 17 to 25 feet.

Description:

A down-to-earth, efficient staff dishes up home-cooked favorites at this plain-looking, plain-talking local favorite. As is typical of the Keys, flash and glamour give way to comfort and simplicity. Breakfast starts at 6:30am, and includes fun features like Frittatas and Grits and Grunts. The house specialty 'Hungry Tarpon' is a plateful of hash browns, covered in cheese, eggs and sausage gravy. You will not leave hungry.

Try a sweet potato crab fritter with Caribbean cocktail sauce!

The atmosphere is decidedly "Keys casual" with room for 28 diners inside, another 28 on an outside deck overlooking Lignumvitae Pass and a private room that can accommodate 15 for special occasions and small parties.

Description:

Dog-paddle in the shallows, or float lazily on a raft perfecting your enviable tan. Marathon's own Sombrero Beach - complete with playground - is a 12.6-acre beautifully landscaped beach with walkways, picnic area, and roped swimming area. And, it's free! It closes at dusk, but during weekends it's all about a pick-up game of volleyball, BBQ's, or a quiet day with a book during the week. Beaches in the Keys are a rarity because it is a chain of coral islands - with the exception of Bahia Honda State Park in the Lower Keys, NOTHING rivals this location for sand between the toes.

Description:

This spot occupies unprepossessing quarters in a weathered structure on the Overseas Highway, and diners flock here for seafood straight off the boat. You can take it home or dine at one of the few equally unprepossessing picnic tables inside or outside. Some interesting preparations of seafood is what draws 'em in, including shrimp or fish topped with spicy sauce, cilantro and black olives. A children's menu offers chicken, hot dogs and fish. The restaurant will cook your catch for you. Landlubber offerings of chicken and steak are also available.

Description:

One of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys, Crane Point, located at mile marker 50.5 bayside, incorporates the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys, the Florida Keys Children's Museum, nature trails, a wild bird rehabilitation center, rainforest, butterfly garden and flight habitat.

The Museum of Natural History is filled with information on the land forms of the region, the environment and how all its parts are interconnected, and the part that mankind has played, both positive and negative, on the fragile ecosystem of the Keys. A shell exhibit is intriguing, and there are dioramas explaining how it all works together. This museum and the Florida Keys Children's Museum are part of a dual attraction called The Museums of Crane Point. Admission fee is minimal and acts as donation to Crane Point.

Marathon Wild Bird Center is located inside, among the hammocks, along with six miles of nature hike trails and shoreline views.

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After a great day on the water, relax in the friendly tropical atmosphere of the world famous Tiki Bar. Mingle with the locals, swap stories with fellow divers, and enjoy nightly live entertainment. The bar tenders are even known to dazzle guests with firey tricks!

Description:

Banana Bay sprawls over 10 acres, offering a pleasantly alluring atmosphere that's popular with honeymooners and others of a romantic bent. You can even get married here. Learn-to-sail sessions take place at this resort that also sports a whirlpool, pool, dock, tiki bar, volleyball, beach, fitness room, water sports, and fishing and sailing charters. A Cabana Restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and tropical drinks. Rick's Watercraft can get you out on the waters in powerboats that measure in at 17 to 25 feet.