What to do in Monroe County, FL

Coming to Florida’s Key West and not experiencing Duval Street is missing one of the area’s most important commercial roads. It’s the main street on the island. Visit at any time. At the end of the day, when the heat abates and beachgoers have packed up, the street truly comes into its own. Being bored on Duval Street is a rarity.

Wander through miles of Everglades National Park’s tranquil wetland in search of mangrove forests, sawgrass prairies, orchids, alligators and crocodiles. Sunbathe on white sand beaches or kayak or bicycle to wildlife habitats.

Visit Mallory Square to experience the city’s best dining and drinking with a view. The lively town square is located by the Gulf of Mexico. Every evening of the year it becomes an exhibition of colour, light and sound, when crowds converge for the Key West Sunset Celebration. Take in the excitement of street performers and musicians while you enjoy a meal at a restaurant, drink at a bar or browse for a gift in shops around the square.

Shady picnic areas, a carpet of white sand and dive sites just meters from the shore have helped cement this popular beach’s reputation as one of the best in the Florida Keys. Bring the family to Sombrero Beach to frolic in the calm water and enjoy beach activities or a barbecue.

Visit the Southernmost Point of the United States for a unique photo opportunity and views toward Cuba. Pose in front of the huge structure emblazoned with the words, “Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.” and “90 miles to Cuba,” for a memorable photograph.

Though Key West is known to have many private beaches, this stretch of sand provides a welcoming base for visitors looking to swim or sunbathe. Smathers Beach covers around 800 metres (2,640 feet) of the island’s pristine coastline. Spend balmy days exploring the seafloor with a snorkel, skimming the surface of the water in a kayak or working up a sweat with some volleyball.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is unique for its location under the sea, the first subaquatic park in the United States. The park has ample space on land for beach activities. The real attraction is the massive 70 nautical square miles (240 square kilometers) area in the water. Explore the park in both your sneakers and your swimsuit.

Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to reveal the eccentricities of Ernest Hemingway’s life. For most of the 1930s, one of the most revered authors of the 20th century lived in a Spanish colonial house in the heart of tropical Key West. Meet six-toed cats and see the studio in which some of Hemingway’s most famous novels were written. Find a vast collection of art, hunting trophies and household items as you wander through the house and gardens.