A trip to the Florida Keys?! There’s nothing quite like a drive down the Keys. Another bridge – another island!

I recently planned a quick getaway to the Florida Keys. My hotel was in Key West, but on the way down, I spent one day in Key Largo.

Key Largo is one of the bigger, more commercialized islands of the Keys. It is a great destination to visit to see nature, spend time in the water, and find restaurants with beautiful views.

Spend Time at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a must for your time in Key Largo. It is a beautiful state park with trails, beaches for laying out or snorkeling, a small aquarium and gift shop, and several excursions that you can book. We saw people booking glass-bottom boat tours and snorkeling tours that take you out to a coral reef area. People brought kayaks and paddleboards to the state park and enjoyed time on the water. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has an undersea park with statues that people explore when snorkeling or diving.

A car with two people was $9.00 for the day. The cost changes depending on how many people are in your car. If you walk into the state park, the price is even cheaper. For updated price information and to book tours, check out their website.

The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary

Another family-friendly activity for your day is to visit The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary. The wild bird sanctuary takes in injured wild birds and helps them get back to their healthy and happy selves before releasing them back to the wild. The sanctuary was a lot bigger than I had expected. We saw hawks, pelicans, owls, crows, seagulls, and many other birds. It is worth the stop.

It is technically free to visit the wild bird sanctuary, but they take donations for their mission!

Day Trip from Key Largo to Robbie’s of Islamorada

Only about 35 minutes from Key Largo is Robbie’s of Islamorada. Robbie’s is a touristy spot where you can buy some souvenirs, dine with water views, feed tarpon, or book a snorkeling/fishing/boating excursion. While stopping here, I saw a lot of pelicans, tarpon, and a manatee. This spot is so cute and definitely gives Florida island vibes!

Eat by the Water in Key Largo

If you are on a small island, you might as well eat waterside and enjoy the views! The waterfront restaurants that stuck out to me were Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar, Snook’s Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki, and Skippers Dockside.

Conclusion

I recommend seeing more than one island when staying in the Keys. Take day trips if you are staying on one island, or separate your stays so you can spend time throughout all the islands. Key Largo is a great destination to spend some time and take in the natural views.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers to exploring the Keys and making connections around the world! To read my other blog posts, check out the destinations tab on my website.