Monroe County - 66 Attractions You Must Visit

Anne's beach is a fantastic place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The sandy shoreline stretches for miles along a turquoise gulf, providing plenty of space for swimming, boating, picnicking and hiking. An abundance of sea life can be found just offshore where you can swim with colorful fish and explore the coral reef. The beaches offer breathtaking sunsets as well as spectacular star-gazing opportunities at night.

The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens is an exciting attraction that visitors to the area won't want to miss. Situated near the heart of Old Town Key West, this historical landmark offers tours throughout it's extensive grounds. Built by Waldo Sexton in the 1920s and now a popular vacation destination, this unique property boasts gardens from around the globe, captivating 19th century buildings, and myriad native species of birds that thrive in the area.

Located in the middle of the Florida Keys, and connected to the mainland by bridges, this unique island offers visitors a chance to experience some of nature's most beautiful sights. With its miles of unspoiled beaches, lush tropical forests and crystal-clear Caribbean waters. Whether it's fishing, kayaking or simply relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun, Bahia Honda Key provides an array of memorable experiences.

The Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge is a testament to the beauty and history of the Florida Keys. Built at the turn of the twentieth century, it stretched nearly six thousand feet across Bahia Honda Key connecting upper and lower Florida Keys with seven spans, including five original tall trusses. The bridge was an integral part of the Overseas Railroad which began service between 1912 and 1935. Sturdy considering its age, it served as a vital link for two decades before being abandoned in 1938.

Bahia Honda State Park is a stunning beach destination. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, this park boasts over 500 acres of serene sandy beaches, crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkeling, and a variety of diverse wildlife throughout the area. Nature trails are plentiful for exploring or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll immersed in lush vegetation. Kayaks and boats can be rented to tour different parts of the park with spectacular views along the way.

Blue Hole is truly a sight to behold. It has depths as deep as 90 feet and an incredibly clear body of water that makes many people come here to enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and swimming in the pristine waters. The serenity created by the crystal blue water paired with the lush tropical atmosphere provided by nearby mangroves and beaches are second to none. Those looking for a unique underwater experience can find it at this popular tourist destination.

Conch Keys, is a great place to relax and soak up some sun. Located off the Overseas Highway amidst the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys, It offers breathtaking views of its beaches and coral reefs. It is also the perfect spot for swimming, fishing, boating, or lounging by the sea. For those looking for adventure, plenty of diving spots can be found in the area for exploration. With its lush mangrove forests and delightful wildlife, Conch Keys provides a great escape from reality.

Crane Point Hammock, offers visitors a unique combination of tropical plants, wildlife and recreation. Home to two museums and a butterfly sanctuary, Crane Point Hammock is anything but ordinary. Wander the trails or take a guided tour of the nature center to learn about the local ecology including wetlands and mangroves. Bring your own gear or rent their kayak or canoe for an afternoon out on the water. Don't miss a visit to the seaside aquarium.

Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a tranquil refuge for many species of plants and animals. The 7,531-acre site is comprised mostly of sawgrass marshes and hardwood hammocks. In addition to providing essential habitat for local wildlife, the Refuge also supports an array of recreational activities such as wildlife viewing, canoeing, hiking and fishing. Visitors can observe alligators, wading birds and other unique species during their visits.

Curry Hammock State Park is a paradise for nature lovers and water enthusiasts. With over 1,500 acres of mangrove forests, tropical hammocks and beaches, Curry Hammock State Park offers the perfect backdrop for a day outdoors. Visitors can kayak or canoe along crystal clear waterways, take a dip in the lagoon or explore the shoreline full of starfish and crabs. The park's habitats are home to various wildlife including roseate spoonbills, pelicans, ospreys and painted buntings.

This Park is a stunning nature park located in Monroe county, Florida. It spans over 600 acres of tropical hardwood hammock and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including vibrant birds, curious alligators, and playful dolphins. The park also offers a variety of recreational activities such as canoeing, fishing, camping and hiking trails through the lush forest. It provides breathtaking views of the surrounding turquoise waters and the abundant habitats that comprise this incredible region.

The Dry Tortugas is home to some of the most stunning natural wonders in the world. It is made up of seven small islands and has been a national monument since 1908. It offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, with beautiful reefs teeming with hundreds of fish species and colorful coral. The surrounding waters are filled with colorful sponges and other marine life, as well as several shipwrecks that attract divers from around the globe.

The park preserves Fort Jefferson and the seven Dry Tortugas islands, the westernmost and most isolated of the Florida Keys. The archipelago's coral reefs are the least disturbed of the Florida Keys reefs. The park is noted for abundant sea life, tropical bird breeding grounds, colorful coral reefs, and legends of shipwrecks and sunken treasures. The park's centerpiece is Fort Jefferson, a massive but unfinished coastal fortress.

Edward B. Knight Pier is a stunning beachfront destination on the Atlantic Coast. It is well-known for its expansive boardwalk that stretches around 1,100 feet of crystal clear waters and glistening white sands. Anglers love to cast their lines off of the pier, hoping to catch some mackerel or snapper while admiring the majestic views of surrounding Florida Keys. All visitors are treated to an array of outdoor activities like parasailing and dolphins watching boat tours as well as green spaces.

Largest tropical wilderness in the United States. The Everglades are a network of wetlands and forests fed by a river flowing 0.25 miles (0.40 km) per day out of Lake Okeechobee, southwest into Florida Bay. The park is the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America and contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere.

This is an incredible wilderness experience that allows visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty of the Everglades. Spanning approximately 99 miles of protected waterways along the southwestern coast, this unique waterway provides access to some of the most amazing natural scenes in the entire state. Along with calm waters and a variety of wildlife, visitors can also enjoy boat tours as well as terrestrial hikes and bike rides through mangrove forests, sand spits, and islands.

The Flamingo Visitor Center is a great place to learn about the Everglades National Park. With top-notch displays, exhibits and guided tours of the area, visitors can experience the natural beauty of the region from an educational standpoint. And when guests aren't learning, they have access to a plethora of activities including canoeing, bird watching and fishing in the lake. There are also wildlife spotting opportunities around nearby Nine Mile Pond for more adventurous travelers.

Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters offers unforgettable experiences with its diverse collection of marine life. It is the perfect place to go for a vacation. At this attraction, visitors have the chance to touch stingrays, observe unique animals from different ecosystems, and even go diving to explore the vibrant underwater world. Additionally, there are lectures held by knowledgeable staff that offer insight into marine biology and conservation efforts taking place throughout the Florida Keys.

This Center located on an idyllic beachfront near Key West, the center provides visitors with opportunities to learn about the area’s unique ecosystems and their associated species through interactive exhibits. The Center also runs environmental education programming for children and adults alike, ranging from lectures to field excursions. With its sustainable practices, such as recycling and green building initiatives, this Center has become a model of Caribbean conservation efforts.

The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is a 106-mile multi-use recreational trail that stretches from Key Largo to Key West, Florida. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty and island culture of Monroe County, allowing visitors the chance to appreciate an array of wildlife and sea life. For cyclists particularly, the trail offers incredible views and invaluable insight into architecture, marine life, tropical vegetation, archaeological sites and much more.