One Week Florida Keys Itinerary: Ultimate 7-Day Road Trip

Everyone should do this drive once in their life. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is one of the most beautiful road trip in all the U.S. It takes three hours to drive it straight through from Florida City to Key West, but trust me, you’ll want to do a few stops.

I’ve lived in Key Largo for about 13 years and find that the trip never gets old.  If you are visiting the Florida Keys for the first time, then this is the essential one week itinerary you’ll need to cover all the best spots and activities.

This article is part of my complete Florida Keys travel guide, where I share itineraries, island guides, and essential tips for planning your Keys vacation.

7 Day Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Location	Activities	Evening / Dinner
Day 1	Key Largo	Check in at Playa Largo, Kayak or Paddleboard: Rent from hotel OR take a guided tour	Sunset at the Big Chill OR Snook’s Bayside Restaurant
Day 2	Key Largo	John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Tours: Snorkel / Scuba Dive / Glass-Bottom Boat / Kayak & Paddleboard rental, Sandwiches from Avenue Subs	Happy Hour at C & C Woodfired Eats
Day 3	Islamorada	Dolphins Plus Bayside OR Theater of the Sea, Relax at resort	Dinner: Lazy Days OR Lazy Lobster
Day 4	Islamorada	Feed tarpon, Jet ski, History of Diving Museum, Shopping OR Snorkel & Sandbar Adventure Tour OR Half-day Fishing Tour	Third Thursday Art Walk, Florida Keys Brewery, Tacos Jalisco
Day 5	Drive to Key West	The Turtle Hospital, Bahia Honda State Park (snorkel tour)
Day 6	Key West	Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Truman House, Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, Duval Street shopping	Sunset Sail
Day 7	Key West	Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, OR Conch Train, Shipwreck Museum, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum	Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square

Day 1: Arrival in Key Largo & Kayaking 

• Check in at hotel
• Lunch: Mike’s BBQ 101 or Keys Wok n’Roll
• Kayak or Paddleboard: Rent from hotel, local outfitter, or take a tour
• Dinner: Big Chill or Snooks Bayside

You’ll start your drive down from Miami  to Key Largo which will take about an hour, depending where you are starting from. Once you cross that bridge, you know you’ve made it to the Keys. You’ll see boats dotting the bay and maybe even the pod of dolphins that often hangs out here. 

Check into your hotel, which could range from the full service Playa Largo Resort & Spa to the boutique Coconut Bay Resort. See my full guide on where to stay in Key Largo for more of the best options. 

Grab lunch at one of my favorite food trucks along the way. Mikes BBQ 101 has the best brisket and pulled pork, complete with homemade sides like mac & cheese and cornbread. Keys Wok n’Roll is basically a full  Asian restaurant in a food truck. Everything on the menu is good, but the specialty sushi rolls are truly a standout. 

Start exploring at a slower pace by doing a kayak tour through the mangrove forests. If the day isn’t too windy, then embrace the challenge of paddleboarding. You can either rent them directly from your resort, or they are free for guests at the Coconut Bay Resort. 

If you are at a vacation rental or airbnb, then have the kayaks and paddle boards delivered right to you or where you’d like to depart from. Florida Bay Outfitters, right next to the Caribbean Club (famous for the opening of the movie Key Largo) can take care of all the details for you and suggest routes.

If you would like a guide then be sure to sign up for the mangrove tunnel tour that Florida Bay Outfitters runs. That way you’ll learn more about the unique mangrove ecosystem and the animals that inhabit it. Kayaking trips are usually no more than three hours.

Keep your eyes peeled, you’ll likely see manatees during your kayak trip. These gentle giants are everywhere, especially in the canals, and love freshwater and munching on greens. This tour specifically tries to spot them.

Have dinner at the Big Chill, the best spot for sunset! Catch happy hour for great deals on well drinks, beers, and appetizers. The daily live band keeps the mood energetic and fun. 

The Big Chill is less about elevated food and more about good times and a great view. If you prefer a more elegant experience, go to Snooks Bayside. There you can dine with your feet in the sand and a craft cocktail in hand. 

Day 2: Key Largo- John Pennekamp State Park

• John Pennekamp State Park: Snorkel Tour
• Lunch: Avenue Subs
• Free time at resort pool
• Dinner: C & C Woodfired Eats

Time for a day out on the water! Key Largo is the Dive Capital of the U.S. and for good reason. It has the country’s first undersea park, John Pennekamp State Park. 

Before your day of outdoor adventures, stop by Avenue Subs for a delicious sandwich to take with you to the park or out on the water. Their quality is excellent and cookies are must have. 

There are two beaches at this state park, but the best way to explore it is on one of their tours. Take the snorkel tour to see the reef and the famous Christ of the Abyss statue. If you’re dive certified, then go for the dive tour.

These tours go out several times a day and last about three hours. Of course there are lots of other snorkel and dive sites outside of John Pennekamp Park. If you are passionate about diving, then contact Amoray Dive Resort for their schedule. 

For snorkeling, this Viator snorkeling tour takes you to other popular snorkel sites in Key Largo and includes all your equipment. Viator tours give you the flexibility of free cancellation until the day before and being able to pay later instead of when reserving. That’s why it is one of my go-to’s for trip planning.

What’s the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving?  Snorkeling occurs by swimming at the surface with a mask and snorkel. Scuba diving requires special training to use dive tanks and regulators to breathe underwater and swim at deeper depths. 

For dinner, go to C & C’s Woodfired Eats. Their happy hour is the best value in town, with a pitcher of beer/wine with a pizza or chicken for only $10-$15. Be sure to also try their short rib lasagna and something from their specials menu. The specials change daily and they put a lot into offering delicious new dishes. 

Day 3 : Islamorada & Dolphin Encounters

• Dolphins Plus Bayside (Key Largo) OR Theater of the Sea (Islamorada)
• Free time at Resort Pool
• Dinner: Lazy Lobster (Key Largo) OR Lazy Days (Islamorada)

There are several options for wildlife encounters in the Keys. My personal favorite is Dolphins Plus Bayside in Key Largo. The dolphins hat to be in a natural setting and the facility supports marine conservation efforts. They offer a variety of levels of the experience to suit your comfort level. I recommend the signature swim experience, since getting in the water with the dolphins and experiencing their power is an unforgettable experience. 

You could instead go to Theater of the Sea in Islamorada. There they offer a variety of animal shows with admission and you can add on a dolphin or sea lion interaction. This is a great activity for families and kids that gets you close to a variety of animals.

Islamorada is a 30-45 minute drive from Key Largo. You could relocate to a different hotel here for the next two nights or just make the drive for a day or two. The full guide to Islamorada covers everything there is to do and where to stay. This posh yet artsy island has lots of resorts like the Cheeca Lodge, Three Waters, and Islander Resort. 

For dinner go to Lazy Days which offers a fantastic sunset view, and doesn’t compromise on its food. If you decided to stay in Key Largo today, then you’ll be happy to know you can get nearly the same dishes, minus the view, at Lazy Lobster.

Day 4: Islamorada- Local Spots

• Breakfast at Cafe Moka
• Feed the Tarpon at Robbie’s or Bud n’Mary’s
• History of Diving Museum OR Florida Keys History & Discovery Center OR Sandbar Boat Tour OR Half-Day Fishing Trip
• Shopping & Islamorada Arts District
• Dinner: Florida Keys Brewery and Tacos Jalisco

Start your day at Cake Moka for their flaky almond croissant. They also have nice grab and go salads and sandwiches on their freshly baked French bread. 

Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s or Bud n’ Mary’s. Tarpon are huge fish that will leap out of the water to take the food right out of your hands. Just watch those fingers and the pesky pelicans that like to snatch the tarpon feed. For only $5 you can get a bucket of fish to feed the tarpon at Robbie’s.

For more help planning your trip, visit my Florida Keys travel guide to explore island comparisons and sample itineraries.

For the same experience, minus the touristy fanfare and aggressive birds, go to Bud n’Mary’s to feed the tarpon. There you can also go out fishing on a half-day charter. Call ahead of time to schedule your fishing tour and captain.

If these leaping fish are not that exciting for you, let out your need for speed by jet skiing. The Keys is the perfect place to explore the bays, canals, and islands by jet ski. The clear waters and plenty of area to roam make it a fun experience you should try at least once. You can either take a tour or rent jet skis from a hotel or marina.

For museum lovers there are a few little gems in Islamorada. The History of Diving Museum chronicles how far we’ve come from humans first attempts to breathe underwater to today’s scuba diving technology. 

If you are not into scuba diving, then you may prefer the museum at the Islander. The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center features several short films showing the development of the Florida Keys. They also have a small aquarium area to educate visitors on the native fish of the Keys. 

To skip the tourist stops and live like the locals really do, take a boat tour to the sandbar. The Islamorada sandbar is where you’ll find everyone hanging out in the crystal clear waters, barbecuing on their boats, and floating around with a drink in hand.

For dinner, nothing beats authentic tacos and craft beer. Enjoy your Mexican favorites from Tacos Jalisco while in the colorful beer garden of The Florida Keys Brewery. 

The Brewery happens to also be located in the middle of the Islamorada Arts District. With several galleries and studios around, it’s the perfect area for a stroll.

The best time to visit them though is during the Third Thursday Art Walk. All the galleries stay open late and more artists come in to show their work. 

Day 5: Journey through the Lower Keys to Key West

• Food: Irie Eats or Sunset Grille
• The Turtle Hospital
• Afternoon at Bahia Honda State Park for the beach or take a snorkel tour
• Dinner on Stock Island

Today’s the big day, we’re going to Key West! The drive is approximately 2 hours, but there are a few places you can’t miss along the way. Embrace bohemian vibes in a jungle setting at Irie Eats for breakfast or lunch. If you’d rather have ocean views and tiki drinks, then go to Sunset Grille & Raw Bar.

Next, take a guided tour of The Turtle Hospital. The efforts they are making to rehabilitate injured sea turtles are extraordinary. It may be a bit off the beaten track, but it is worth it, as every guest I’ve sent that way has loved the experience.

Voted one of the best beaches in the country, Bahia Honda State Park is a must-see. There you can picnic, swim, camp, take boat tours, bike, kayak, and see the original US1 bridge. This is also a great sunset spot if you end up spending the rest of the day there. 

I suggest taking the snorkel tour if you have the time and watching sunset from the beach before heading to Key West. For dinner, stop in stock island, which has a variety of restaurants that only the locals know about. There’s Roostica for classic Italian pizzas, Hogfish Bar & Grill for seafood, or Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen for an elevated take on Keys cuisine (and a great brunch).

Check into your hotel in Key West. I feature my favorites in my full guide to Key West.

Day 6: Key West

• Ernest Hemingway Home & Key West Lighthouse
• Truman Little White House
• Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
• Duval Street
• Sunset Sail

Key West has been home to many important artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives. One of the most famous is Ernest Hemingway, and you can walk in his footsteps. 

Tour his historic home, complete with original furnishings, and see the first pool in Key West, constructed at a considerable cost at the time. You’ll see the descendants of cats roaming the property like they own it. You’ll know if they’re a Hemingway cat because they’ll have six toes!

The Key West Lighthouse is right across the street from the Hemingway home, so be sure to stop by to take a look.

Another famous historical figure that spent considerable time in Key West is the former president Harry Truman. You can see the home he made his second Oval Office by visiting the Truman Little White House. 

The guided tour will take you through the rooms where presidents and world leaders met and made decisions that would impact the world forever. 

On a much lighter note, the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a kaleidoscope of color and nature. Walk through tropical landscape to experience a greenhouse with thousands of butterflies, and a few flamingos too.

Walk Duval Street to shop, drink and eat your way through the heart of Key West. There’s souvenir shops, local galleries, name brands, and quirky stops like the World’s Smallest Bar and The Conch Shack.

For the best sunset view, take a sail. There is a sunset sail to fit every find of traveler. To keep the party vibes of Duval going, take this festive catamaran sail. For a more low key experience, these sailing trips with drinks and appetizers are a great start to the evening.

For dinner, keep it casual at Amigos Tortilla Bar, or have more elegant fare at Bagatelle or Louie’s Backyard. Do make a reservation for more upscale dinners, they do get fully booked. Otherwise you’ll be left with only bar fare options.

Continue the night at some fun bars like Irish Kevins or Ricks. You’ll hear all sorts of bands, with music overflowing from each bar as you walk down Duval. Stop in where ever it catches your interest, the vibes are different every night!

Day 7: Key West

• Museum Fans: Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Shipwreck Museum, Conch Train
• Beach Bums: Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
• Adventurers: Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip
• Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

Hungry for more pirate history? See the booty that was lurking off the coast of Key West by visiting the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. There you can see exactly what the Spanish ships were carrying when they sank due to reefs and storms. 

For a more general overview of the sailing, shipping, and salvage industry in Key West- visit the Shipwreck Museum. Make it into a whole day of Key West exploration by buying the combo ticket for the Conch Train and the Truman Little White House.

Now what I would do after already exploring a full day in Key west is hit the beach. Fort Zachary Taylor offers the chance to tour a civil war area fort and then lounge on one of the most expansive beaches in Key West. 

Be sure to make it back into town for the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration. Vendors and street performers gather in the square to for the daily sunset celebration. See what all the buzz is about while grabbing dinner at a restaurant nearby.

BONUS DAY: Dry Tortugas National Park

If you have an additional day to spend in the Florida Keys and truly want to feel like you’ve done it all, then take a day trip to one of the most remote national parks. The Dry Tortugas National Park lies 70 miles away from Key West and composed of several small islands, surrounded by a marine sanctuary.

It is accessible only by boat or seaplane. The most economical way to get there is on the daily ferry. The quickest way is by seaplane. Ferry reservations often sell out months in advance so be sure to plan ahead of time for this day trip. Once there you can explore Fort Jefferson, snorkel off the beaches, or camp overnight (first-come, first-served).

Ready to plan your full itinerary? Explore my complete Florida Keys travel guide for everything you need to know before you go.