Touring The Towns Of The Florida Keys

Highway 1 begins at the southwestern tip of the Florida Keys in the city of Key West. It continues north until it connects with the Florida mainland. The highway is designated with mile marker signs that denote each mile. The residents use these mile marker numbers as directions and will add either the letter “B” or the letter “O”. These letters tell the person who is getting directions whether the location they are looking for is on the bay side or the ocean side of the highway. The mile markers begin at zero at Key West and go up to Mile Marker 112 just north of Key Largo.

Highway 1 travels down the eastern coast of the US and goes through Miami until it reaches the beginning of the Florida Keys. Within a few miles, you will reach the first town in the Florida Keys, which is Key Largo. Key Largo has a population of less than 20,000, but more than a million tourists come through this little city every year. Some of the most popular activities in Key Largo are scuba diving and sport fishing. Scuba divers are amazed at the variety of ecosystems that this area provides. With the Everglades to the west and natural coral reefs to the east, it has an abundance of sites to keep a diver busy for days.

Traveling south on Highway 1, as you near mile marker 86, you will come upon the second larger town in the Florida Keys called Islamorada. Islamorada is still technically a village with a population of less than 10, 000; however, there are nearly as many boats in and around the island as people. Islamorada, which means, “purple island”, hosts more fishing tournaments than any other town.

About 20 miles further south, at Mile Marker 65 is the town of Marathon. Marathon is located in, what is called the Middle Keys. The Florida Keys is divided into the Upper Keys, Middle Keys and Lower Keys. The Middle Keys are a little quieter and a little less inhabited, but offer many opportunities to enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty of the area. There are a number of state parks near the town of Marathon and some of them have campsite facilities. The town of Marathon is also fairly small with less than 20,000 in population. There are a number of boat slips, restaurants, and resorts in town. The area offers great fishing, swimming, hiking and exploring.

Getting back on Highway 1, near Mile Marker 39 is the town of Big Pine Key. This town is the least populated of the five larger towns of the Florida Keys with less than 10,000 inhabitants. Big Pine Key is in the Lower Keys. It is here, in big Pine Key that you may come across one of its smaller natural inhabitants the Key Deer. Hundreds of these tiny deer roam the area of this preserved tropical haven.

Nearing the end (or technically, the beginning) of Highway 1, you reach the final city of Key West. Key West is by far the largest of the towns with a population of over 30,000. This city offers hundreds of activities, museums, shops and tours. The streets can get very crowded, as Key West is also a port of call for many cruise ships. The city hosts many festivals and always seems to be in the middle of a party.

There they are. The five larger cities in the Florida Keys and maybe the most beautiful and breathtaking 112 miles you will ever drive.