The Florida Keys have been on our bucket list for as long as we can remember, and when the opportunity arose for an overnight getaway for just the two of us, we jumped at the chance to visit the Keys!  With limited time, we opted to skip the Key West Express, and instead make the 5.5 hour/280 mile drive while stopping to see the sights along the way.  We booked a one night stay at the the incredible Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, Curio by Hilton in Marathon so that we could hit up Key West early the next morning to avoid the spring break crowds.  A few of our favorite stops on the way to Marathon included:

• The Rain Barrel Village in Islamorada
• Robbie’s of Islamorada to feed the Tarpon (watch out for the Pelicans!)
• Lower Matacumbe Key for some fishing off of the bridge
• The Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key for a quick photo op.
• Sombrero Beach in Marathon
• Burdines Waterfront Marina for dinner at sunset
• Blue Waters of Courtyard Faro Blanco Resort for some Key Lime Pie for dessert.

Day two began at sunrise before heading out for our last hour of driving to Key West via the Seven Mile Bridge.  We made it to the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S. and captured the iconic photo, before enjoying the best French toast breakfast of our lives at the Southernmost Beach Cafe!  We had just over an hour to tour the town, so we set off to explore, taking photos along the way.  A few of our favorite sites included:

• The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
• The Mansion on the Sea
• Key West Lighthouse
• The Hemingway Home and Museum
• Mile Marker Zero
• Tropic Cinema
• Truman Little White House
• and The Key West Museum of Art & History

We walked back along the famous Duvall Street and drove by the Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower before making our way back north.  We finished out our trip at the breathtaking Bahia Honda State Park with some fishing at the beach.  After catching a barracuda and finding a few seashells, it was time to head back home.  We couldn’t have had a more incredible time away, and we are beyond grateful for the chance to experience another adventure in the sunshine state!