The Florida Keys are unique like no other place. Home to world-class scuba diving, fishing, and boating destinations and known for its laid-back communities, incredible seafood, and rich history, this famed island chain spans 202 miles and includes Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, the Lower Keys, and Key West, all connected by the scenic Overseas Highway.

Situated off the southern tip of Florida and surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the north and Atlantic ocean to the south, the Keys offer endless opportunities for reef and wreck diving, boating, sailing, and relaxing on the beach. Fishing adventures take anglers from the flats and backcountry to offshore areas in pursuit of marlin, mahi-mahi, and other sought-after sportfish. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which contains the world’s third-largest barrier reef and the only barrier reef in the continental U.S., is home to more than 6,000 species of animals.

Eating in the Keys means enjoying fresh-from-the-dock seafood with stunning views of the water. Visitors can sample many of the islands’ signature foods, such as conch chowder, Key lime pie, Key West pink shrimp, and stone crab, at the annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival. The Keys’ diverse arts and culture scene offers opportunities to see theatre, dance, and musical performances as well as notable art galleries and museums, such as The Studios of Key West, the Tennessee Williams Museum, and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Some of the Keys’ can’t-miss parks include Bahia Honda State Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West and only accessible by boat or seaplane, is a bucket-list destination for many.