Key West
The end of the line, where the water turns Bahamian and the sunsets go on the calendar.
Key West isn't really a beach destination in the mainland-Florida sense — the Keys don't have long continuous stretches of sand. What they have is reef, clear water, and a mile-long island that packs more weirdness per square foot than anywhere else in the state.
The best beach in town is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park — shaded by Australian pines, with a coarse coral-and-shell bottom that gives way to the clearest water on the island. Bring reef shoes.
For everything else, there's Mallory Square at sunset (touristy, worth it once), Duval Street (a running comedy), and the 7-Mile Bridge at Marathon on your way back north. Budget a full day for the drive; the Overseas Highway is half the point.
Practical notes
- Best time to go: December–April
- Parking: Fort Zach lot (state park fee); otherwise street parking is tight
- Vibe: End-of-the-road, weird, Caribbean
- Nearest town: Key West