Attractions & Places to Visit in The Upper Florida Keys

Videos of Attractions and other Places to Visit
in The Upper Keys of The Florida Keys.

Just 15 miles (24 km) from Miami The Upper Keys begin with the community of Key Largo and extends to the Long Key Bridge (MM 63 ¼ to 65 ¼). Part of Monroe County, The Upper Keys includes the communities of Key Largo, North Key Largo, Tavernier, Lower Matecumbe, Plantation Key, Village of Islands.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that as of July 1, 2016 the population of the Upper Keys (zip code 33070) is 5,433.

Cannon Beach is primarily a snorkeling location. There you will find remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck about 100 feet from shore. Far Beach boasts Palm trees on a sandy beach, and is a relaxing place to enjoy the sunshine or take a swim. You can also enjoy fishing in designated areas.

If hiking is your thing The Wild Tamarind Trail twists its way through a beautiful tropical hardwood hammock. The Mangrove Trail is a peaceful walk around the mangrove estuaries that are a nursery to our marine animals. Bird watching is spectacular throughout these Nature Trails. You can also visit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park has a tropical rain forest.

Our modern history begins with “Flagler’s Foley”. The initial name given to the Key West extension of the Florida East Coast Railway that connected St. Augustine to Key West. Some call it the “Eighth Wonder of the World” due to the engineering innovations, vast amounts of labor, and monetary resources required to complete the task.

Other historical findings include The original African Queen boat on display in Key Largo. Indian Key offers kayaking to an historical site. Islamorada is home to Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, and the History of Diving Museum.

The Upper Keys are a snorkeling and diving destination. John Pennenkamp State Park is one of our most famous snorkeling/diving sites. Other excellent snorkeling/diving sites that have shallow access for beginners, and offer excitement for experts include White Banks Dry Rocks (shallow to 15 feet), Grecian Rocks (shallow to 25 feet), Key Largo Dry Rocks and The Christ Statue (shallow to 25 feet), Molasses Reef (10 to 70 feet), The Elbow (12 to 35 feet), Snapper Ledge (12 to 35 feet). For divers only we have the Wreck of the Benwood (30 to 45 feet), French Reef (shallow to 100 feet). Advanced level dives include the Wreck of the Spiegel Grove (60 to 134 feet), and the Wreck of the Duane (95 to 130 feet).

We also offer boat rentals for you to tour our beautiful waters on your own.

If you can to see Dolphins (tursiops truncatus) you can visit Dolphins Plus Bayside in Key Largo, Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, and the Dolphin Research Center (home to the descendants of the original Flipper) on Grassy Key (middle keys).

There are two visitors centers in Key Largo with additional information.
If you are looking for gifts to take home as souvenirs you can’t miss our locally owned gift shops and clothing boutiques. Unique and beautiful gifts to take home that special and that you cannot find anywhere else.