Sunny Florida is always a good idea, don’t you agree? The water, culture, laid back vibes and cuisine… count me in! Read on to discover how to spend one week exploring south Florida on a road trip to the Florida Keys.

I shared how we decided to travel south for our January babymoon at 28 weeks pregnant. I hoped my week long itinerary would allow plenty of exploration and activity to keep my husband entertained, and sun, pools, and relaxation for me. Luckily, you can have both on a road trip to the Florida Keys!

We chose to split up our stay between Tavernier and Key Biscayne. This itinerary is great for first time visitors to give you a quick taste of everything the keys have to offer.

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I’m going to break it up the itinerary by location and a few must see activities, sites and restaurant for each day. For a quick itinerary at a glance, scroll to the end of this post!

Day 1: Travel

One of my requirements for the destination of our babymoon was a direct flight, or no more than a 4-5 hour drive. I wanted the trip to be relaxing, and didn’t want the discomfort of sitting through a full day of travel. Lucky for us, Allegiant has a direct flight from Memphis to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From there, we were able to rent a car and drive an hour and a half to Tavernier.

Day 2: Coconut Palm Inn

Waking up in January right on the bay at a sleepy Inn can’t be beat. Every morning, the Inn provides a basket of fresh muffins and apples for breakfast.

There are 18 rooms to choose from, all with different views, amenities and price points. Outside the rooms, you’ll find an expansive gravelly sand beach bordering the bay with piers, docks and boats. There are more than enough Adirondack chairs and loungers, hammocks, a fire-pit, and yard games.

Closer inland there is a heated pool, which makes it enjoyable any time of the year. If you are dying to get out in the open water, they’ve got you covered there too. They have paddle boards, boats and kayaks you can take out on the peaceful bay. It’s truly the perfect place to unwind, relax and recharge.

After a day of R&R at the Coconut Palm in, they come around with wine at sunset. A glass of rose to match the sky- there’s no better way to enjoy it!

Starting about an hour before dusk, we noticed we were getting bit by tiny flying bugs we could hardly see. Turns out they are “no see ums”, or biting midges. We were left with nearly 50 small red welts on each of us that itched the rest of the trip, so take any necessary precautions!

There are countless restaurants at your disposal within a 20 mile radius from Key Largo down to Islamorada. We learned to embrace the easy, laid back vibe of the keys and indulge in what they do best, cuban and seafood. We were probably overdressed at every restaurant we ate at, so just to reiterate, there is nothing fussy about the Keys.

Just because it’s laid back, doesn’t mean the food isn’t good! We had authentic Cuban at Sunrise Cuban Market for lunch which is in walking distance to the Inn. The menu is in Spanish and most of the wait staff also speaks Spanish, so you know it’s authentic. I ate the best Cuban I’ve ever had (yes, even better than the one from Versailles renowned Cuban in Miami), and my husband had yellow rice, shrimp and tostones (fried plantains).

We chose Captain Craig’s for dinner, and had wonderful, unique seafood dishes. The daily special of Coconut Plantain crusted yellowtail with a mango chutney and I ordered Key Lime seafood (mahi, shrimp and calamari) over a bed of rice. Incredible! If you don’t order Key Lime Pie at least once in the Keys, you’re doing it wrong. Their rendition had a mountain of yummy meringue on top.

The baby wanted 2 desserts, so we made it back to the Inn in time to enjoy complimentary s’mores by the fire. The other guests slowly emerged to join, and it was such a nice way to end the day and enjoy the company of fellow travelers. We were joined by a couple from Idaho, a family from northern Ontario, a mother and son from Maryland, and a mom with her 5 month old all the way from Germany! Everyone was in agreement- Coconut Palm Inn is a secret sanctuary.

Road Trip to the Florida Keys Day 3: Key West

We woke up ready to put the top down on our rented convertible and hit the open road to Key West. The trip down takes about 2+ hours, but flies by thanks to the views from the overseas highway.

We arrived at lunch time, and parked the car for the day at a centrally located public lot for $30 and headed to eat on foot. In 1967, my Italian great grandfather opened a restaurant and bar in Key West with his partner named “Two Friends”. It is still open today (no longer in the family), but I knew I wanted to eat there and experience a part of my family’s history.

With indoor and outdoor seating, we chose a seat on the patio. They have a large menu with American and seafood options. Also note you may be joined by a squawking fiend or two. Apparently, a family of roosters was released on the island by Cuban settlers and they have flourished. Referred to by locals as “gypsy chickens”, they wander the island freely (including the restaurant’s patio) like they belong there just as much as everyone else. Just another quirk that makes Key West so unique!

After lunch, we walked down the famous Duval Street, reminiscent of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. On our way to Hemingway House, we stopped in several antique stores to browse.

Did you know? Here are 10 things I always shop secondhand.

Hemingway House is an impressive estate in the middle of the Historic District famous for housing over 60 six toed cats. Entry was $18 CASH. Like a lot of other establishments in the Keys, cash is still king so make sure to pack it so you aren’t frantically trying to get a cash advance from your credit card like us :).

Hemingway House and museum has guided tour options you can join, or you can choose to browse the grounds yourself. We chose to start with a tour, then broke off on our own.

I personally found an infatuation with Hemingway after reading accounts from his wive’s perspectives including The Paris Wife, Love & Ruin, Hemingway’s Girl and Mrs. Hemingway. I had a great interest in seeing the famous Key West estate where his years with Pauline (his second wife out of four) unfolded before his Cuba chapter.

After, we continued walking to the Southernmost Point Buoy for a photo-op. Before walking back to the car for our journey back to Tavernier. We walked 7500 steps that day, which was probably my limit at 28 weeks pregnant. That being said, Key West is very walkable if I was able to do it!

Day 4: The Everglades National Park

Today, we checked out and snuck in 2 breakfast’s on our way out of the keys and to the Everglades. First, we stopped at the Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Co. for a sweet treat, and can’t recommend it enough. Not only did they have 5 different varieties of Key Lime pie to choose from, but coffee, other snacks and a garden oasis in the back with love lock gates.

For a savory meal, we stopped at Harietta’s Diner for some to go bites and were helped by the sweetest women! Service was truly above and beyond expectations.

An hour and a half later, we arrived at Everglades National Park. We had planned 3 hikes and a stope at the Flamingo Visitor Center. Keep in mind, we visited in January. I know this can be a good time to see wildlife, but the variety of plants and animals we were fortunate enough to see made this possibly my favorite National Park we have visited so far.

If you are interested in learning more about other National Parks, I have shared my experience at Acadia, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton as well.

The first trail we did was West Lake Trail. It was fine, but could be skipped if you are short on time. The Mahogany Hammock trail was next, and meandered less than half a mile though a lush green canopy. I would recommend this hike!

And finally, the Anhinga Trail. It is 0.8 miles of non-stop wildlife sightings (at least while we were there) that can’t be missed. We were lucky enough to show up just in time for a ranger led walk where we learned facts about the lora and fauna, and go to see countless alligators, heron, turtles, butterflies and fish in the surprisingly crystal clear lily pad covered freshwater.

Last, the Flamingo Visitor Center is deep in the park, and was the highlight of our visit. We saw a herd of manatees, and the rare American Crocodile. my husband, a biology major, was in heaven.

Manatee pictures do NOT do them justice! We sat and watched them for almost 30 minutes- they were so amazing.

Did you know? The crocodile is a tropical reptile, and the northern limit of their range is South Florida. This is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist.

Road Trip to the Florida Keys Days 5-7: Key Biscayne, Miami

On to the second leg of the trip, with much more rest and relaxation planned because this mama was tired. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne, Miami for upscale resort style pools and access to one of the most amazing beaches in the area.

Want an inside tip? The best way to score a great rate at the Ritz Carlton is through a brokered unit! We were so happy with our room. You forego daily housekeeping, but get a parking space so you don’t have to spend on valet, and get to enjoy the rest of the perks of the resort.

I’m going to detail our food experience both at the resort and on the rest of the island, as well as all there is to do on the grounds during your stay.

Where to Eat

Restaurants at the Ritz Carlton

-Key Pantry: Cafe open for breakfast with coffee and pastries

-Cantina: Great Mexican right on the beach with an ocean view

-Light Keepers: Upscale and $$$, but good for a special occasion date night. Indoor/outdoor seating with heaters on the patio to nip any chill in the air if needed

-Dune: Enjoy burgers on the beach. The classic patties are a blend of short rib, brisket and chuck- yum! It really is a great burger & fries.

Restaurants on the Island

–Narbona: We ate here on our first night and it met all my previously high expectations set by the hospitality I had experienced on my first trip to Miami. Every dish we ordered was incredible- from the trio of empanadas, salad, homemade ravioli and Uruguan pizzas. It was so good, and the service was top notch. the open air dining with chic aesthetic was just the cherry on top!

–The Empanadas: Imagine a donut shop, but with an endless empanada flavors! We split 5 varieties and couldn’t choose a favorite, they were all so good! We would definitely order the pulled pork BBQ with pineapple again.

–Rusty Pelican: The location would be enough for me to recommend this restaurant, but luckily the food is just as good. With the Miami skyline as your backdrop, the Rusty Pelican delivered a great meal. We ordered sushi, lobster mac, and a crispy local catch. Over the last 50 years, they’ve earned 4.6 stars with over 10,000 reviews, not bad! They have received numerous awards and accolades, and would make the perfect spot for happy hour too.

View from the Rusty Pelican’s skyline at dinner

What to Do

-Pool: The resort has 2 pools, an adult pool (18+) and a family friendly pool. We relaxed at the adults only pool every day. In January, our only complaint was that there were too few chairs that get full sun! The resort and palm trees throw a lot of shade over the area, but this may be a good thing the majority of the year in the warmer months.

Nevertheless the towels were plush, reclining loungers comfortable, and poolside service and drinks wonderful. This time around, I worked my way through the frozen drink menu- virgin versions. The frozen mojito was just as good as I remembered. It’s so fresh with tons of mint, OJ and just the right amount of ice. Highly recommend. The Key Lime Colada was a close second.

-Beach: Key Biscayne is lower key and more family friendly than South Beach. Even the waves were gentler. You could wade out forever, definitely take advantage of these beaches and ocean water.

-Spa: The concierge helped me easily book a 50 min prenatal massage in their spa. The service was incredible, complete with a relaxation room with snacks and drinks afterward.

This sums up how to spend one week on a road trip through the Florida Keys, including an itinerary I was so happy with. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve summarized the cities by day below. If you are interested in the trip map, with all the stops pinned for your convenience, you can download it here.

Quick Itinerary: Here is a breakdown of how we spent each day during our weeklong January babymoon.

Day 1: Arrive & drive to Tavernier, Florida

Day 2: Spend the day relaxing and exploring Coconut Palm Inn

Day 3: Day trip to Key West, Florida

Day 4: Day trip to the Everglades National Park, and stay at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne

Days 5-7: Enjoy the beach and pool at the resort

This itinerary will give you a great balance of exploration and relaxation.

Enjoy the journey,