Top 10 Eat, See & Do On A Budget

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You can hack your way around a nine-hole, par-3 public course or play tennis on either of two lighted hard courts. Conveniently located in the middle of the Middle Keys, this dual golf and tennis facility is open from 7a to dusk for golf and from 7:30a to 10p for tennis. Golf and tennis fees. You need to call for reservations before 5p. Rental equipment for both sports is available.

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Pigeon Key is a timeless, tiny island that played a tremendous role in the Florida Keys of today. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this five-acre property served as a home base for railroad workers erecting and later operating the final installment of Henry M. Flagler's Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway: the Old Seven-Mile Bridge.

Pigeon Key is reached either by foot or ferry service. Vehicles are now prohibited from driving over the old Seven Mile Bridge, so walkers revel in the 2.1-mile scenic walk to the island.   TRAVEL TIP:   You can get the best sunset and sunrise shots at this bridge!

The Pigeon Key Visitor Center and Gift Shop is located on Knight's Key, mile marker 47 oceanside. Admission to the island is only a donation of $11 per adult and proceeds benefit the Pigeon Key Foundation and its preservation and restoration efforts. It is absolutely worth the boat ride over, and is ideal for outstanding photos of the Keys.

TRAVE 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, marking the 100th anniversary of Henry Flagler arriving into Key West for the first time on his namesake railroad, and in a railcar called the Rambler. Planned elements include history tours showcasing Flagler sites, bicycling expeditions, educational presentations and explorations of Pigeon Key.

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Okay, this is where you need to drop all pretense and just have FUN. Not only is Robbie's a marina, but the business has one party boat, one offshore boat and a recently acquired snorkel boat in addition to backcountry captains and fishing guides. The owners strive to make it more of a tourist attraction/destination within Islamorada, by adding eco-tours and a cultural environment - they bring in artists on the weekends. Robbie's is a place where you come in and you feel you've stepped back in time to the Florida Keys of the past. As for the fishy residents, the beloved tarpon they have been hand feeding for over 30 years, they're part of the family just like a dog or cat might be. For a couple bucks you can get a bucket of bait fish and drop it into a 100-pound tarpon's mouth - watch your fingers! Robbie's Marina is located at mile marker 77.5 bayside in Islamorada.

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At MM 56 Oceanside in Marathon is the unspoiled, uncrowded Curry Hammock State Park, with beach and picnic facilities. It is an uncrowded oceanfront preserve, with outstanding beach and recreational facilities, kayak launch site, and just an idyllic spot. Curry Hammock is fast becoming a site for launching kiteboards, a sport that is gaining momentum in the Keys, especially in Marathon and Islamorada. A small RV park has been built at Curry Hammock, with approx. two dozen sites, but the RV area's private beach is unrivaled. Quiet, quiet, quiet. And close to any and all day trips throughout the islands. Curry Hammock is still an unspoiled gem in the Middle Keys.

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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.

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Long Key was once referred to by the Spanish as "Cayo Vivora," which means Rattlesnake Key. The name was used to describe the shape of the island, which resembles a snake with its jaws open. Today, Long Key State Park is known for being rich in history and recreational opportunities as well as natural beauty. The 965 acres that make up Long Key were acquired between 1961 and 1973, with the park's official opening in 1969.

Long Key contains the remains of ancient coral reefs that were formed 100,000 years ago when the sea level was 20 to 30 feet higher. The vegetation is primarily of West Indian or Caribbean origin. A large variety of trees and shrubs are found, including species such as the gumbo-limbo, poisonwood, mahogany, Jamaica dogwood and crabwood. The shallow waters off Long Key support an abundance of marine life. Various wading bird species may be observed in the mangrove-lined lagoons, particularly during the winter months.

Educational offerings at the park include fun and informative programs on snorkeling, fishing, birding, canoeing, sea turtles, plants, history and the marine ecology of the area.

There are three nature trails located within the park for visitors who enjoy both walking and canoeing. Picnicking, swimming and some of the best sport fishing in the Florida Keys is enjoyed at Long Key State Park.

Long Key State Park is located in the Florida Keys at mile marker 67.5 on U.S. Highway 1.

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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.

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Visit BO's Fish Wagon, if you are not in the mood for a full-fledged lunch and would rather settle for a quick bite. Located at the corner of Carolina and William Streets, this small eatery serves outstanding fish sandwiches, burgers, French fries and hot dogs. Enjoy your fast-but-good food in the outdoor area that offers great views of the life near the historic seaport. While you feast on your meal, you might just be lucky enough to enjoy music by Barry and Barracudas.

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In 2008, the New York Times listed this as one of the top '31 Places To Go This Summer' and it will not disappoint. In 1992, the beach there was named among America's Top 10 Beaches, by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach. Bahia Honda is a days-off dream. With 492 acres, Bahia Honda boasts three sandy beaches -- some of the best in the Florida Keys, which are rare. This one is rivaled only by Marathon's Sombrero Beach. Shallow-water snorkeling and fishing from the beach, plus an abundance of wading and shore birds, kayaking and great views of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge complement the Sand and Sea Nature Center.

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Historic Tours of America operates both Key West's Conch Tour Train and Old Town Trolley, though the Conch Tour Train is a historic, 51-year-old legacy of Henry Flagler's engineering miracle. After all, he built the Railroad to the Sea. It's a hugely popular tour with over 15 million passengers delighted they got onboard. If you want to revisit the days of hand-rolled cigars made in Mallory Square, learn about Mel Fisher's lifelong search for sunken treasure or simply want to sit in shaded comfort and let someone else do the driving (a skilled engineer, in this case!), hop on. You won't be disappointed. Operates 9am – 4:30pm daily.