Modern Travel - Unlocking paradise in the Florida Keys

I’ve been to various parts of Florida throughout my 41 years. I turned 18 in Orlando, attended a wedding in Boca Raton,  loved the Treasure Coast and yes, I’ve been to Disney.
It was the famed Florida Keys that kept eluding me…until earlier this year. I was invited for a five day journey to soak in the Keys and see if the hype I’d built up around it was legitimate.
Spoiler alert: Yes. Yes it was. And then some.
By the end of my trip I was ready to buy a house in Key West!
Here’s my fun-in-the-sun experience of the Keys and if you haven’t been, I’ll go with you. If you’ve already been, well, I’ll still go with you!

Start your adventure with a stop at the Key Largo Conch House, a family owned and operated gem that boasts fresh seafood, a gorgeous patio and some of the best Key lime pie and conch fritters.
Head west 40 miles to the luxurious, award-winning Hawks Cay Resort, fresh from a $50 million renovation. In addition to 60 acres of gorgeous grounds, there’s something for everyone here, from swimming with dolphins, fishing, diving, multiple pools, delicious dining options and impeccable rooms. My room featured a wraparound porch that was steps from the pool and the waterfront.
Dining-wise, check out the exceptional on-site Angler and Ale, complete with remarkable views and indoor/outdoor seating for over 200. In addition to mouthwatering meals, their “Hook N’ Cook” program lets guests bring in what they’ve caught and have it cooked in-house.

If you want to soak in an authentic Keys experience, take the 20 minute drive from Hawks Cay, charge your camera and hit up Robbie's Marina. Yes, the food is fresh, authentic and wonderful and yes, you can feed the tarpon but the biggest takeaway for me was the eclectic Tropical Open Air Market. There’s art, photography, jewelry and clothing and in a welcoming atmosphere. Spend more time there with their kayak/paddleboard/jet ski and boat rentals.

30 miles westbound from there is where you’ll find the truly remarkable Turtle Hospital in Marathon, which has been treating injured and returning them to the wild (when possible) for over 30 years.  Be sure to take the tour of this wonderful facility that rehabilitates and researches these wonderful creatures in an ongoing effort to give them a great life.

A mile away is the Castaway Waterfront Restaurant, home of a variety of delicious food from (of course,) seafood, sushi to steaks. Owner John Mirabella is a master of de-boning the delicate lion fish.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying fresh food on the water in a unique setting.

The owner of the famous Florida Keys Brewing Company is Burlington’s Craig McBay, who‘s been creating creative craft beer since 2015. Yes, they’re young but their options are many and they’re showing up in more and more locations and growing smartly.
Enjoy one of their delicious brews, infused with local flavours, in their quaint beer garden.
Across the street is the Morada Bay Beach Café, which offers dining options on the beach for a spectacular view, especially at sunset.  It’s a local hot spot and garnered additional attention after it was featured in Netflix’s “Bloodline.” Blending fresh Caribbean and American food through amazing service helps make them a hotspot for locals and visitors.

54 miles westward, go kayaking in the magical Lower Florida Keys backcountry and snap up a ton of pictures at Big Pine Kayak Adventures.
After some quality time on the water, get a true sense of the “old” Keys world via No Name Pub, which has been around since 1936. Interestingly, the walls are lined with one dollar bills from locals and tourists – definitely a must-see!

Finally, keep moving west until you can’t go any further and you’ll find yourself in my personal paradise, Key West. It’s a laid back way of life here…there’s no hustle or bustle. It’s simply a part of the world that encourages you to embrace and enjoy it at your own pace.

Start by checking into the Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina that has over 16,000 square feet of nearly everything, from dining, attractions, and shopping, with plenty in between. The rooms are gorgeous and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a water-facing room.
The best decision I made was to rent a scooter so I could explore the area on my own for most of my visit. They’re inexpensive  and provides you the freedom to roam at your own pace and yes, they’re safe, as long as you’re responsible with them.
After adventuring for a few hours and seeing just how charming Key West is, I hit up the popular spots, including the Hemmingway Museum, Duval Street, Mile Marker 0 and Southernmost Point of the Continental US buoy, and then rode over to Air Adventures for a helicopter tour, which produced a few hundred pictures.
I was so enamoured by the area that I took a relaxing two- hour long midnight drive (errr, scoot?) to get a stronger sense of one of the world’s most popular destinations.

Love being on the water? Fury Water Adventures offers a terrific snorkel excursion and dolphin watch cruise, along with other water adventures.
Want that picturesque sunset cruise? Sebago Watersports has your ticket via their Land’s End Sunset Sail upon their 69 foot sail catamaran with 2,300 feet of deck space. They offer complimentary champagne, pop and adult beverages as you fill your Instagram feed with gorgeous photographs.

Dining-wise, here are my top three recommendations:
1. The Stoned Crab, which offers incredibly fresh seafood and yes, stoned crab. They catch their own crab, lobster, shrimp and local fish and serve it in their spacious, open-air restaurant, complete with a relaxed vibe.
2. Bistro 245 provides a stunning view of the Key West Harbour and blends it with fresh pasta, meats and those delicious Key West shrimp, along with other menu items, located in Margaritaville,
3. Blue Heaven has breakfast and brunch down to a delicious science with its stylish blue building, fabulous food selections and friendly service.

Every place I visited that served food offered Key Lime Pie and instead of mentioning it a few times, I opted to give you this line: Every piece of Key Lime Pie I had was delicious. Period.
Some varied in presentation and whipped cream/meringue amounts/flavours but I strongly encourage you to try as much as possible when you’re here.

I arrived in the Keys full of optimism and left with a promise to return soon, all while savouring every moment of the newest addition to “Jay’s 3 Favourite Places On Earth” list.

To plan your adventure and unlock paradise, visit fla-keys.com