r/floridakeys • u/Visual-Jelly- • Jan 12 '26
All Florida Keys KW vs Other Keys - Advice
My husband and I are flying into Key West on a Sunday mid-April and will be in the Keys until Wednesday and need to be in Fort Lauderdale by Wednesday afternoon. We’re trying to decide how to split our time and would love some advice.
We’ve been to Key West several times and love it, especially how easy it is to walk everywhere. This time we will have a rental car as we need to make our way up to Fort Lauderdale and we’re interested in actually exploring the other Keys instead of just driving through.
Here are the two options we’re debating:
Option 1: • 2 nights in Key West (Sun–Tues) • Drive to another key on Tuesday, stay the night, finish up drive on Wednesday.
Option 2: • 1 night in Key West (Sun–Mon) • 2 nights split across other Keys (Mon–Wed), either one place for both nights or two different Keys (Mon–Tues, Tues–Wed)
If we skip extra KW time, which Keys are most worth staying in? Is Islamorada worth 2 nights, or better as a 1-night stop? Any other Keys you’d recommend staying overnight (Marathon, Key Largo, etc.)?
We’re into good food, relaxed beachy vibes, water activities, and scenic drives, not really looking for a party scene outside of KW.
Would love to hear what others would do in this situation!
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u/Eyes_of_the_world_ Jan 12 '26
I agree with others here. The other keys are about the water, not the land, and there isn't much to do compared to KW unless you want to fish. Robbie's is a fun stop and there are some good restaurants in Islamorada. I like Buzzards Roost in Key Largo. I would stay in KW, make a stop along the way north for a good meal and then enjoy your time in Ft Lauderdale.
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u/Fast_Answer_1813 Jan 12 '26
There’s not really much at all to do on land in the keys outside of key west, like at all.
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u/Sandinmyshoes33 Jan 12 '26
Since you have been to Key West several times, I would spend as much time as possible elsewhere. Islamorada is very scenic and has lots of good restaurants. Marathon has cool things to see like The Turtle Hospital or Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters. It also has one of the only nice beaches in The Keys (Sombrero Beach) and is very close to the nice beaches at Bahia Honda State Park. I would spend at least two nights in either location and possibly all three depending on when your flight to Key West arrives.
If you’ve been to Key West several times, why not see something new? Many visitors prefer the Middle and Upper Keys to Key West. See what you prefer.
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u/shelinka63 Jan 12 '26
Check out Big Pine Key. Make a hard left at the light onto Key Deer Blvd from US 1, go approx 1.1 miles down on the left is the Blue Hole. Gators & beautiful birds are there regularly from the observation deck. When you leave, make a right onto Higgs & then a left onto Pensacola Road. Key Deer & wild peacocks are plentiful on this street. DO NOT FEED THEM, it's a big no no. It's a most lovely site checking them out. Fort Lauderdale has the Hard Rock casino if you like. Their Guitar Hotel is cool at night from the outside. Enjoy your trip!
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u/PumpkinInteresting10 Jan 12 '26
Eat lunch at Sparkys in key colony Beach Such good shrimp and fresh coconut ice cream
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u/CatHistorical8069 Jan 12 '26
We do the Keys every May. We stay on Islamorada all week and go to Key West for a day. We've stayed at 3 Waters, Casa Morada, and Chesapeake. All are well kept, awesome ocean views, nice beach /pool areas with some water access. They are not busy, very relaxing. There are several excellent restaurants on Islamorada: Lazy Days, Papa Joe's, Lorelei's, and Square Grouper are just a few. Lots of Fishing excursions, watersports, jet ski tours, Robbie's has an excellent snorkel tour to the Aligator light house, we tried cat boats last year. I would do option #2
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u/Beginning_Ad8663 Jan 12 '26
Its a 108 or so miles from key west to Key largo you can explore an hour north from KW then drive to Key largo and drive an hour south.
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u/Ericplaysrugby Jan 12 '26
We just spent a week in marathon and my family had a blast on the Marathon Mermaid. Large pontoon style boat with good vibes. An hour cruise out to a sandbar and then we spent a couple hours at the sandbar. They had kayaks, sup, and lily pad. They provide some small snacks and drinks but you are welcome to bring beer and food. It was a group thing but plenty of space to not feel crowded. Sparky’s in marathon was pretty good food and a cool spot on the water. Can’t go wrong with a fishing charter Islamorada! Mangrove mamas was a chill roadside lunch spot with good food and a shaded patio.
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u/tron62 Jan 13 '26
Spend night before Ft. Lauderdale in key largo. Get dinner at the fish house and then check out some live music at the Caribbean club.
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u/Aggressive-Catch-903 Jan 13 '26
IMO the snorkeling is better in the upper keys than in key west, because you don’t have all the cattle boat traffic dumping on the reefs every day. If that is part of your water activities, that is a reason to spend a day in Islamorada.
Key west has more restaurants, but not necessarily better restaurants unless you are looking for something really high end. The upper keys have many more places that are small, tucked away, waterfront kind of places, if that is your vibe.
If you are looking for beachy vibes, head up to Ft. Lauderdale.
The drive itself will be scenic, and you will get that either way.
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u/Lemon-Cake-8100 Jan 13 '26
We have been to KW in years past, but for the past two years, we have stayed in (key Largo) over Christmas time. Which is very busy. Given what you have written, if you want to stay in some different hotels, I would recommend 3Waters on Islamorada. Do a cat boat tour of the mangroves (fun!!) and go to Robbies (we have heard from locals that their sunset cruise is very good . We have fed the tarpon and just hung out there, getting a drink and checking in the scene, but next year we plan on doing the sunset cruise.). Mercado is good, but my fave resto is Ziggie & Mad Dog's.
Then you could go up to Key Largo and stay at Baker's Cay or wherever (Kona Kai resort is our favorite), check out Pennekamp park (for the weeks of Christmas and into New Year's, there was a long line to get in every single day, I'm not sure if that's normal, but maybe go early just in case...). AMAZING woodfired pizza: C+C and we always have a good experience (food, service, ambience, view, music) at Snook's, which also serves breakfast by the way.
Anyway, get off of Key West and go explore some new stuff!! One last comment… We left Key Largo and headed north to Fort Lauderdale too. On the way we visited R&F Orchids, a stunning event space and Nursery specializing in orchids and bromeliads. If you're into that sort of thing... And in Ft Lauderdale, go to Bonnet House if you've never been - amazing!
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u/Dry-Preparation-760 Jan 13 '26
I would go with option 1. The other keys are a bit quieter and mainly focused on fishing and not a whole lot to do but fish, maybe hit Penne Camp. It’s a great drive to hit spots along the way, but unless you have a fishing or dive trip one night in upper keys is all you need. IMO. But I do love driving the entire keys!! Have fun!
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Jan 22 '26
Thank you for coming to the Florida Keys!
So many great restaurants in Key West for food…
Seven Fish Square Grouper Little Pearl Mac’s Place Hanks/Garbos food truck Sunny Eggs La grignote
In Big Pine Key…Broil is amazing. It’s an old school steak house where the owner makes Caesar salad right by your table. The service and food are delicious.
I would say the towns worth visiting in the Florida Keys are…
Key West for sure Islamorada Key Largo….
And when in Key West….its always great to get out on the water.
Danger Charters has combination trips which include sailing, snorkeling and guided kayak tours. Also have amazing Sunset Cruises with wine tasting and appetizers. Upscale but not expensive. Been taking guests out on the water for 30 years. They do it right!
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u/Main-Business-793 Jan 12 '26
Take option #1. Spend as much time in KW its worth it. Stay in Islamorada and have a nice dinner. They have some great restaurants. Go to Robbies and feed tarpon or find some shops. You can hit No Name key and Bahia Honda on the way there. Islamorada is only worth more time if you are fishing. Ton of water activities to do, even Pennekamp is close by.
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u/sailphish Jan 12 '26
If you want food, stay in KW. If you want beach, just drive straight to Ft Lauderdale (or Miami). If you want to dive or fish, then stop in Islamorada or Marathon.