Top Things to do in Florida Keys
Top Hotels in Florida Keys
- 1. The Southernmost House
- 2. Havana Cabana at Key West
- 3. Margaritaville Beach House Key West
- 4. Oceans Edge Resort & Marina Key West
- 5. Southernmost Beach Resort
- 6. Isla Bella Beach Resort
- 7. Santa Maria Suites Hotel
- 8. Islander Resort
- 9. Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
- 10. The Perry Hotel & Marina Key West
Things to do in Florida Keys, Florida Keys: The Best Zoos & Aquariums
Stretching 126 miles south toward Cuba, the stunning Keys are a perfect escape. Highlights along the way include Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the irrepressible Key West. Get up close with an amazing array of fish while snorkeling, diving or fishing in the warm turquoise waters. Creeks, coral and costumed spectacles are other lures along the way. Highway 1 is a spectacular ribbon tying together the islands and atolls of this paradise between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.
Restaurants in Florida Keys
1. Island Dolphin Care
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 334 reviews
Island Dolphin Care is a 501(c).3 committed to bringing purpose to the lives of marine mammals that cannot survive in the wild WITHOUT exploiting them. IDC brings purpose & financial support to our dolphin family by offering non-profit therapy programs to children with special needs & veterans with PTSD, while working to educate guests about ocean conservation & the protection of marine mammals. We offer educational courses on Marine Science, as well as tours of our facility & experiences that teach you how to help marine mammals & the global ocean environment. We implement a 100% No Breeding Policy. We DO NOT offer public “swim with dolphins” programs. We DO NOT do theme park type-shows. Our facility is an ocean lagoon, NOT a pool. Our goal is to find ways to make their lives even better, while changing the lives of those in need along the way. You can support our efforts by coming for a visit! Book a tour or an educational experience & spend the day with us!!
Reviewed By jblockstein - Takoma Park, United States
I visited IDC for a tour this past week. Joe was my tour guide and gave me a detailed and in-depth tour of the facilities. Everyone we encountered was very friendly and welcoming, from the husband and wife team that run IDC to all of the trainers and therapists... and of course the Dolphins themselves! This is a very special place that is truly changing people's lives and it is clear that everyone working there believes in the mission and finds meaning in the work they are doing. A tour of IDC would be well worth your time to see and learn about their 8 beautiful dolphins and the great work they and the humans of this facility are doing to help some of those who are in the greatest need.
2. Sheriff's Animal Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Open 2nd and 4th sundays from 1 - 3pm. Free. Donations appreciated.
Reviewed By cwat321 - Saranac Lake, United States
I read about the Sheriffs zoo in a local book while staying in Key West. Our vacation happened to match up with the days that the zoo is open ( only 2 days each month. Check the website.). This zoo, right over the bridge at Key West is held at the correctional facility. People have been bringing unwanted animals there for years. The inmates care for the animals. The property under the building and to the side is filled with animals like tortoises, a skunk, cows, goats, pigs, donkeys, and some exotic animals too... the most popular being the sloth, that you can pet! The inmates will tell you about the animals and their care. You can pet many of the animals. This is a free zoo and many families were there with their little ones. We brought our 30 year old adult daughter and we all loved it! What a great addition to the area. Very unique!
3. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,420 reviews
The Eco-Discovery Center features more than 6,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, which interpret the resources and management efforts of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, two national parks, and four national wildlife refuges. Check out the exhibit on Aquarius, the world's only underwater ocean laboratory, the Living Reef exhibit, which includes a 2,500-gallon reef tank with living corals and tropical fish, the live Reef Cam, and other displays that highlight the coral reef environment. The Center is located in NOAA’s Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Environmental Complex on the Truman Annex waterfront in Key West. Admission is always free (and so is parking), so be sure to stop by for a visit!
Reviewed By ameliabedelia523 - Newton, United States
Free, air conditioned, and although it's a little off the beaten path, check it out! There are several interactive exhibits that are appropriate for adults and kids and a ton of information about the Keys ecosystem. The movie has amazing footage of the underwater world. It is a short walk from the USS Ingham and on the way to Fort Zachary Taylor.
4. Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 528 reviews
Key West Parrot Rescue RE OPENING JULY 15th. Message to you from artist & environmental activist & senior citizen Nancy Forrester. I have been rescuing abused and orphaned parrots for 35+ years. I gladly welcome you if you adhere to our strict COVID 19 guidelines. I offer a hand sanitizer as you enter. Visitors must wear masks at all times when entering the garden and on the premises, must practice social distancing of 6 ft apart, must not touch the parrots or cages and refrain from touching objects en route except the handrails provided for safety. We have removed the chairs & tables so we have less surfaces to disinfect. Open 10 to 3 daily. Self-guided at this time. There is plenty of educational material to read including each rescue's story. Help support our the birds during this difficult time. Well behaved dogs welcome. Please, leave your parrots at home! Thank you, Stay Safe, Nancy
Reviewed By kcderm - Houston, United States
I enjoyed spending time visiting the birds and being in the rainforest setting. I went in the afternoon. I have 4 pet birds of my own, so I love birds and I am happy to support them. Melissa, a volunteer, told us about the history of the property and the rescued birds. From reading other reviews, it seems much better to visit at 10 am when Nancy herself presents the birds, unless you are someone who already loves/knows about birds and wants to support her mission. The moluccan cockatoo and the hyacinth macaw were not out when we were there. Bought a beautiful feather wand when we were leaving.
5. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,063 reviews
At Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters it is easier than ever to interact with marine species of all shapes in sizes in environments that closely mimic those found naturally in the Florida Keys. Our primary attractions revolve around our unique Aquarium Encounters. Our hands-on encounters immerse our visitors in the heart of the action and allow them to get up close and personal with 50+ species of tropical fish, rays, and sharks! If you're not looking to get in the water, our facility still boasts many activities sure to thrill and excite guests of all ages! Stop by Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters today and immerse yourself in the Magic of the Ocean and the native marine environment of the Florida Keys.
Reviewed By CLEmomofboys - Fairview Park, United States
Highly recommend this wonderful aquarium especially if you have young children. My boys were in awe at every turn. There is so much to see! I had booked the stingray encounter online, and while my kids were enjoying just looking around, it was time for our encounter to start, so we had to change into our wetsuits and get started. Apparently, my sons (6 and 3), who think sting rays are really cool, have some sort of phobia of them when put in the same tank as them. You would have thought I was putting them in a tank full of hungry sharks. They were super dramatic. They did nothing but scream and cry. My husband and I finally took them out and had them sit on the bench while we enjoyed the encounter. The stingrays swim right up to you and eat fish right out of your hand. And their really big one, named Pancake, will crawl up your belly and eat fish off of your wetsuit which was really cool! If you have children who are not as dramatic as mine, they will live this encounter! After our encounter, my boys were wet and apparently traumatized so we ended up leaving. We will probably return, just to walk around, as my kids really did love this place, as long as they don’t have to get in any tanks, lol.
6. Key West Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,646 reviews
Meet the undersea residents of Key West at the island’s first attraction. With over a 100 species of fish, turtles, sharks and birds, the Aquarium features a Touch Tank where you meet amazing sea creatures. The Atlantic Shores exhibit is a near shore mangrove environment found in the Florida Keys. See stingrays, sharks, eels, lobster, tarpon, seahorses and colorful tropical fish. Feedings and tours take throughout the day.
Reviewed By mrforefun - Key West, United States
We visited here 5 years ago and was nice to return. I really like the feeding times, lots of information and there are events happening just about every 30 minutes so lots to see and learn about as well. This was the first tourist attraction in Key West and remains a great MUST DO. The day we were there a group of kids from Marathon was there and it was great to watch and listen to the kids experiencing all the aquarium has to offer. Don't miss the outdoor exhibit, lots there also to enjoy.
