Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(7007 Overseas Hwy; menu items $2-10; 5:30am-1:30pm)
It's the best breakfast around,
served by sweet Southern women who know their way around a diner. The biscuits are
fluffy, the sausage gravy is delicious, and the grits buttery and creamy.
Hurricane
AMERICAN$$$
( 305-743-2200; MM 49.5 bayside; mains $9-19; 11am-midnight)
As well as being a favor-
ite Marathon bar, the Hurricane also serves an excellent menu of creative South Florida-
inspired goodness, like snapper stuffed with crabmeat and conch sliders jerked in Carib-
bean seasoning.
Island Fish Co
SEAFOOD$$$
( 305-743-4191;
www.islandfishco.com
; MM 54 bayside; mains $8-22; 8am-11pm)
Grab a
spicy bowl of conch chowder and a seat overlooking the water at this huge, open-air tiki
hut that has a raw bar and copious fish specialties.
Lower Keys
The Lower Keys (MM 46 to MM 0) are fierce bastions of Conch culture in all its variety.
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm Sat)
is on Big Pine Key.
One of Florida's most acclaimed beaches - and certainly the best in the Keys for its
shallow, warm water - is at
Bahia Honda State Park
( 305-872-3210;
www.bahiahondapark.com
; MM 36.8; per car/motorcycle/cyclist $5/4/2; 8am-sunset; )
, a
524-acre park with nature trails, ranger-led programs, water-sports rentals and some of
the best coral reefs outside Key Largo.
Offshore from
Looe Key
is a marine sanctuary teeming with colorful tropical fish and
84)
on Ramrod Key for snorkeling and diving day trips, including wreck drives.
Overnight camping at
Bahia Honda State Park
( 305-872-2353;
www.reserveamerica.com
;
MM 37, Bahia Honda Key; sites $36, cabins $160; )
is sublime; it'd
be perfect except for the sandflies. There are also six popular waterfront cabins. Reserve
far ahead for all. For a completely different experience, book one of the four cozily
scrumptious rooms at
Deer Run Bed & Breakfast
( 305-872-2015;
www.deerrunfloridabb.com
;
1997 Long Beach Dr, Big Pine Key, off MM 33 oceanside; r $235-355;
)
. This state-certified green lodge and vegetarian B&B is a garden of quirky delights,
and the owners are extremely helpful.
