Signs in Key West, Florida
With a good deal of help from Key West, the Florida Keys have long had a reputation as a haven for drunken fishermen and Jimmy Buffet-loving retirees. But there’s a whole lot more to the state’s southernmost island chain. Here are four great free/cheap things to do in the Florida Keys.
Explore the Old Seven Mile Bridge
No one was more instrumental in the development of the Florida Keys as a tourist destination than railroad magnate Henry Flagler. His century-old Seven Mile Bridge almost single-handedly launched the Keys and Key West into the stratosphere of Florida’s early 20th-century tourism boom. After a replacement bridge was completed in 1982, the original was decommissioned. However, it remains a uniquely beautiful hotspot for tourists to explore on foot or via bike. At the far end lies Pigeon Key, an island museum steeped in history with still-standing buildings and relics of the original Keys railroad project.
Look for Nesting Turtles at Sombrero Beach
Every island in the Florida Keys is like a small town unto itself, each with a distinct personality. Many boast at least one beach with views that are unique to that particular key. Every year, from April to October, Marathon Key’s Sombrero Beach becomes a nesting beach for loggerhead turtles. These massive reptiles are an icon of South Florida, and there are few other places in the country where visitors are virtually guaranteed to spot nesting mothers laying their eggs.
Visit Bahia Honda State Park
While it’s technically not free, the $2 admission charge (for pedestrians) to Bahia Honda State Park is well worth the entry fee. Situated near Mile Marker 37, it’s routinely ranked one of the most beautiful state parks in the entire country. It’s no surprise, then, that the accompanying campground is often booked out months in advance. However, walk-in daytrippers can still enjoy snorkeling, sunbathing and kayaking on the park’s two stunning beaches.
Historic Key West Cemetery
Key West has long been a haven for proud outcasts and some of Florida’s quirkiest characters. The island’s historic cemetery reflects that with plenty of color and charm as well. An estimated 100,000 folks (more than triple the island’s current population) are buried inside its fences, though curiously no one is certain of the exact count. Pick up a free map and peruse the grounds while on the lookout for the grave of the original Sloppy Joe and the famous “I told you I was sick” epitaph.
– Contributed by Mike Richard
4 Free Things to Do in the Florida Keys from Miami Things to Do