Miami to Key West: What to see on the ultimate beach road trip

The drive through the Florida Keys is unique.

We’ve all been there when the time comes to choosing your next trip, deciding what to choose – whether that’s sun, ski, scenery or a city break. But you don’t have to stay in one place or in one spot, you could always mix it up. How about a good ol’ road trip?

In a recent post, I talked about how to make your USA road trip a successful one, but in this one, I’ll be recommending a world-class road trip destination – Key West.

Now there’s a thing we must talk about before we start diving into the destination, and that’s transportation. While it’s possible to go to Key West from Miami on a shuttle bus in just four hours, you’d be missing out on some of the things that make a road great. So, then, why not rent a car? If you’re looking for the best price and find a car that’s right for you, check out Miles Car Rental, which searches for the lowest prices and gives you a lot of options.

So, without further ado, here’s a look at the top places to stop on the ultimate beach road trip to Key West.

Coral Castle

Coral Castle is well worth a visit.

Hit the road, head through South Miami and start heading to the town of Homestead on the S Dixie Highway. Along here is the Coral Castle Museum. It’s not really an obligatory stop, but it’s one of the strangest places in the area, so if you really enjoy oddities, you can’t miss this one.

Coral Castle is a collection of mysterious megalithic sculptures made from coral limestone, but the interesting bit about these megaliths is that they were all made by a single man with nothing but basic tools. Rock up (pun intended) and browse in awe.

Key Largo

After leaving Homestead and the Coral Castle behind, it’s on to the Overseas Highway, which will take you to each of the keys. This road is in itself is an experience to behold as you’ll be driving on colossal bridges that are surrounded entirely by a seemingly infinite expanse of turquoise waters.

After one of the coolest driving experiences you’ll possibly ever have, you should be arriving in Key Largo – known for its natural beauty and its mangroves, which makes it a perfect stop for stretching the legs and reconnecting with nature.

Plantation Key

They say that seafood tastes better when you’re eating it with a magnificent view, and Marker 88 in Plantation Key is one of the world’s most scenic eateries. Don’t forget to ask for a Key Lime pie – the most beloved dessert at the keys, as it’s made with a local variety of limes that are juicer and more aromatic than the ones you’ll find at home.

Isla Morada

Up next it’s Isla Morada, where you´ll find the keys more artistic and historic side of the Keys. Here there are plenty of art studios to visit as well as two museums – the Keys History and Discovery Center and the History of Diving Museum. At the latter one, you can find diving suits from all over history, such as models from 19th-century made of brass and atmospheric deep-sea armor that looks like a fire hydrant.

Feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s Pier

Legend tells that once a man named Robbie found a wounded Tarpon at his pier. He nursed the huge fish back to health and released it back into the ocean. The fish came back to visit, and even brought some friends. From then on, feeding the Tarpon at the pier has become an iconic tradition.

Key West

One of Florida’s most famous landmarks can be found in Key West.

Finally, we get to the most popular destination, Key West, which has landmarks including the southernmost point in the continental United States, historic sites, such as Ernest Hemingway’s House and, most important of all, beautiful beaches such as Smathers Beach, with its iconic palms, white sand, and blue waters.

So, next time you end up in Miami, why not give a drive through the keys a go? And remember, you can always get around byrenting a car in the Magic Cityi, just click here to reserve a car and start planning!