This is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen! My husband & I decided we had to take a…read moreseaplane (Seaplane Adventures) to the Dry Tortugas while we were in Key West to celebrate our 25th anniversary because we didn't know when we would ever get the chance again. I am so glad we did!! After an incredibly stressful year, it was great to see my husband enjoying himself so much! This was definitely the highlight of his Key West trip! We were the second seaplane to land so we practically had the island to ourselves (other than the few people that had camped overnight). It was amazing wandering the fort, snorkeling (him, not me), and just enjoying the spectacular views with very few people around. If we get the chance to come back, we would definitely do it the same way!

Difficult to get to (take Seaplane adventures), but a gorgeous way to spend a day exploring the…read morefort, having a picnic with the tortugas and snorkeling ship wreck ruins. Theres a vibe here for sure and if youre sensitive to the paranormal, you'll definitely feel it. The park has a dark history for humanity and the folks who were forced to endure it. But today its the gorgeous national park with crystal clear water and beach time.

We were in Key West for one day on a cruise. Fort Zachary Taylor is about 1 mile from Mallory…read moresquare (near where you dock) so we walked. It's $2.50 if you walk in. The beach had nice sand but intermittent rocky portions. The grounds were really pretty, we enjoyed taking in some of the unique plant life that grows in this area. The fort was an added bonus. Ultimately this is a great combination of beach and history and I recommend stopping!

Absolutely gorgeous beach! It's very rocky though so wear water shoes!!!…read moreWe also got married on the east beach side and it was magical! Highly recommend! There is a snack shop with food and alcoholic drinks, bathrooms and a small souvenir shop in the middle of the beach.

Second time trying to visit Dry Tortugas was a success! Back in March of 2014, our trip was…read morecancelled because it was too windy, so twelve years later, we were able to make it happen. We took the Yankee Freedom Ferry from Key West to the park. It's about a 2 1/2 hour boat ride but breakfast and lunch is included in your ferry fee. It does cost around $220 but your park admission is included as well. This is the most cost effective way to get to the park. I really enjoyed all the time I spent on the island. I did a self guided tour of the fort, then spent the rest of the time snorkeling around the sea wall. I saw some cool fish! No turtles though. Glad to have been able to visit this remote park that not many are able to get to.

Dry Tortugas is truly breathtaking. We took seaplane adventures from Key West to fly over. It was…read moreonly a 30-min flight and a blessing in disguise that the ferry tickets were all sold out 4-months in advance. Water here is incredibly clear and you can walk along the moat of the fort to see sea life if you don't want to get into the water. Snorkeling here is calm and we talked with a couple of other tourists who said they saw a hammerhead shark, while snorkeling.

Gorgeous waterfront area with tons of spaces for everyone. There's an amphitheater and soccer…read morefields along with beach access and so much more. I was only in town for a few hours but I bet for those staying longer or who live here this space is the hot spot for fun and families.

Wonderful park with lots of fascinating history and warm beaches. It's beautiful and clean. It's…read morewalkable and safe. The gardens are well tended and the playground is complete with picnic areas and splash pad for young children. It closes at 5 pm so plan accordingly.

Bahia Honda State Park is located at Mile Marker 37 along US 1. (Mile markers are how you find…read moreeverything in the keys. There are 500 acres of park, plus an off shore island. There are 3 beach areas, a campground/cabins, picnic areas and boat ramps. It's very much a place to relax on the beach and take it easy. Bahia Honda is the tropical paradise that you probably imagine when you think of the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda's beaches--Sandspur, Loggerhead, and Calusa--are one of the biggest draws to the park. Each one is beautiful and worth a visit. Bahia Honda is a great place to swim as the water temperatures are typically warm and the water is shallow. See, it also depends on time of the year, like for us, Sandspur beach was full of seaweed. and i found loggerhead beach to shallow and it was really great to swim over there. while you are here, A fun thing to do is take the quick trail up to the old Bahia Honda Bridge that you can see from Calusa Beach and the very edge of Loggerhead Beach. This is the only trail here and it's a pretty quick walk. The walk is fairly short and you aren't allowed to go far along the bridge as it breaks off at some point. However, you do get to go up high enough to see Bahia Honda from above. The bridge has a great view of both of the beaches. Depending on time of day, you might get a different view. There is little to no shade on the beach. If you are wanting to stay all day, you might want to bring your own umbrella for the beach! Cost: $8 per vehicle, $4.50 for vehicles with one person, $2.50 for pedestrians + cyclists

This park has to be one of the best that the Florida Keys has to offer. I have always wanted to…read morestop here while visiting our friends that live in Key West and we finally had the opportunity. Bahia Honda means "Deep Bay" and refers to the deep bays of Bahia Honda Key. It is pronounced Bah -EE-ah Own da. It is 30 feet deep which makes it the deepest natural harbors in the Keys. It was established in 1961and is known for its history as part of Henry Flagler's "Overseas Railroad" and is now known as the Overseas Highway. In 1935 there was a huge hurricane that destroyed the railroad. What makes this park so unique is that it is encompasses an offshore island and it sits between Ohio Key and Spanish Harbor Key close to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge. The park has 524 acres of lush beauty. It is open everyday of the year from 8am - sundown and the fee is $8 per vehicle. Clean restrooms and outdoor showers available. There is so many things to do such as snorkeling, swimming in the gin clear crystal waters, hiking out to the Old Bahia Bridge, birding, camping, boat rentals, a concession stand, rent a cabin, kayak, fishing or visit the nature center. We found parking easily and made our way out on the trail to the Old Bridge. The views from up here are panoramic. After viewing the bridge and the views, we really could not resist taking a dip at one of the beaches. The water was still warm enough to swim in November and it felt fantastic. What I love most about the state park beaches along the Keys are all the marine life you can view while swimming or just walking on the beach. No place like it! If I could give this park 10 stars I would, it is that incredible. Cannot wait to come back again.

Little Hamaca Park is a quiet, tucked-away spot in Key West, perfect for those who enjoy nature and…read moresolitude. The trails go through the mangroves and offer a peaceful escape from the busier parts of the island. It's a great place for birdwatching (there were people all over the place doing this) or simply taking a quiet walk near the salt pond. However, parking is limited, so plan accordingly. There are no public restrooms, which is inconvenient for longer visits. The trails can also get muddy after rain, so it's best to go during dry weather or earlier in the day when it's cooler. If you go towards dusk or dawn you absolutely 100% will need bug spray.

A drive through the Florida Keys will bring you to find/see plenty of nature... obvious ones like a…read morebunch of state parks (Bahia Honda State Park, Curry Hammock State Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson Hammock Botanical State Park); and there are a rather large number of natural places to go for hikes, bike rides, fishing... many that are unknown to visitors (you need a local to share the secrets); but a handful of hidden gems are right here in Key West.... Little Hamaca is a great one. Most locals (and some tourists) know there are protected, native habitats made up of salt flats and mangroves around three sides of the airport but it's surprising how many don't know there is a section on the north side of the airport that is a tropical hammock (an area that is an important part of an ecosystem that is an elevated area slightly above the wetlands that support trees and wildlife that may not survive otherwise). It can be challenging to locate.... do not attempt to visit directly from South Roosevelt; you must access the area from Flagler and definitely follow a GPS. It's an interesting drive and don't stop, thinking you arrived, at the first paved parking stall and what appears to be a nature walk with a covered canopy providing nature information (that's Fran Ford White Crowned Pigeon Park). Go well beyond Fran Ford and once you take the bend in the road, there is a hard to notice, dirt/rock parking lot... Once you park, there is a raised, wood boardwalk; and ironically the parking lot has a solid, concrete handicap parking stall and access to the boardwalk (so the park/trail are handicap accessible... thumbs up to the City of Key West for this). Roughly the first half of the trail is wood planks with metal rails; but at some point the trail continues through the dirt/rock/natural growth. The trail remains clear but no wheelchair accessible at this point. It's really a lovely area... home to numerous wildlife like raccoons, squirrels, crabs, snails, butterflies, reptiles, spiders and a variety of birds (including the endangered white-crowned pigeon, the namesake of the park/trail down the road from Little Hamaca Park. There may also be crocodiles as the warning signage at the trailhead states... If you travel far enough along the dirt trail, then another boardwalk begins and it eventually ends at the Riveria Canal... it's like a slight reward for your hard work (not really that hard though). If you're not familiar with Riveria Canal, it's a canal that is lined with residential properties on the far side from the hammock and salt flats.

Wow , lots of things have changed! First, they have barricaded it so that you don't just sit on the…read moreedge of the floor, hanging your feet in the ocean (ofcourse it's dangerous) This popular town square, adjacent to excellent dining and lively bars, is home to one of Key West's longest-running traditions. Perched on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico (or America?), Mallory Square hosts Key West's Sunset Celebration every evening of the year. Same suggestion: Arrive at Mallory Square 2 hours prior to sunset to see the celebration kicking off. Street performers spread themselves out across the square. You'll have the chance to listen to live music, be amazed by magicians and illusionists, or laugh at the antics of clowns. Enjoy an ice cream as you walk around or pick up some local street food from the food carts that occupy part of the square. As the sun gets closer to the horizon, all eyes turn toward the gulf. Position your group in a good spot to see pink and red tones flood the sky as the sun disappears. Take a photo to remember the occasion. Parking: its $6/hr- street or garage, so plan for it, especially on weekends, or you can be late for sunset have

So I normally write long and detailed reviews, but this one will just be a quick one so I can…read morereview my recent vacation while the memories are still fresh! So obviously I am going to give this Key West cultural landmark and plaza 5 stars because IT SHARES MY NAME!! Like many others have said, this is a tourist hot spot with lots of beachy shopping, restaurants, and museums. My dad made sure to take lots of photos of me by my namesake plaza while we visited Key West on family trips back when I was a kid. I wasn't so enthused to pose back then but I am now as an adult!! Mallory isn't a common name so I have a biased opinion of anything or anyone that is named Mallory. I can't wait to come back and get even more time in MY square! :)