Luxury
Florida Trip Itineraries
Top 10 "Must-See" Hidden Gems
Destination(s): Florida Keys
Traveling is exploring, and the Keys cover nearly every interest: literature, arts & culture, fishing, diving and snorkeling, eco-tours, botanical gardens, secret beaches, nature preserves and watersports. A trip to the islands also means a restful stay, to commune with nature and enjoy the outdoors. Here are some of the tiny spots to do just that. Flowers such as these pink beauty grows in the lush gardens at Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden. read more about Top 10 "Must-See" Hidden Gems
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden
- 1 Free School Lane
- tel:+1 305 294 0015
- Visit website
- Key West, 33040
Harry Harris Park
- MM 93.5
- Tavernier Key
- tel:+1 305 852 7161
- Key Largo, 33037
Robbie's Marina
- 77-5 Overseas Highway
- tel:+1 305 664 9814
- Visit website
- Islamorada, 33036
Anne's Beach
- Mile Marker 73.5
- Lower Matecumbe
- tel:+1 305 852 2381
- Visit website
- Islamorada, 33036
History of Diving Museum
- MM 83 bayside
- Islamorada, 33036
Another sneak-up-and-grab-you kind of entertaining museum that is chock full of everything diving. Even if you are interested in treasure, archeology, history, or scuba, the low-tech diving museum is an inexpensive and educational stop that highlights ancient and antique equipment. Anyone walking through the galleries can be heard saying, "How Did They Do That!?" Take a self-guided, "timeline of diving" tour throughout, and don't miss the wall of helmets, called the "Parade of Nations," an unparalleled collection of historic hard-hat dive helmets from around the world. Helmets from 25 nations are displayed side by side with narration as to the styles and origins. A separate gallery is dedicated to Art McKee, referred to as the father of recreational diving; he was the first underwater treasure hunter to turn his work into a tourist attraction. Galleries featuring the development of underwater lighting and communication lead into the scuba gallery, where today's divers can check out some of the earliest scuba gear. The final gallery, "Into the Abyss," features authentic deep-diving suits - some weighing up to 900 pounds, that allowed divers to work at extreme depths.
Admission $12, $6 children ages 5-12, children under five are free. Memberships only $25/year for Iron Helmet.
read more about History of Diving Museum
Wrecker's Museum/Oldest House
- 322 Duval St
- tel:+1 305 294 9502
- Visit website
- Key West, 33040
Windley Key Fossil Reef State Geologic Site
- P.O Box 1052, MM 85.5
- South of the Snake Creek drawbridge
- tel:+1 305 664 2540
- Islamorada, 33036
Lignumvitae Key Wildlife Observation Site
- P.O. Box 1052
- tel:305-664-2540
- Visit website
- Islamorada, 33036
Wild Tamarind Trail
- P.O. Box 487
- tel:305-451-1202
- Visit website
- Key Largo, 33037
South Beach
- South end of Duval St
- tel:+1 800 352 5397
- Key West, 33040
