Trip to the Keys
 

We're planning to drive to the Keys. Wondered if anyone has a suggestion for another stop between Miami and Key West. Any great places to stay, eat, or visit? Have seen listings for places like Islamorada, Key Largo, Marathon. Thanks.

There are a number.

Check Diner, Drive-Ins & Dives site.

Assuming you are good in Key West.

Key largo. Mrs Mac kitchen

Duck Key just north of Marathon
Beautiful Resort!

Keys Fisheries, Marathon

https://www.keysfisheries.com/

I lived in Key Largo for 14 years, the suggestion for Mrs Mac’s is a good one for breakfast. But there are two locations, you want to go to the original one on right side of US 1 going south, not the one in the middle of the highway. A great place for drinks or a casual dinner is the Bayside Grille. On the water, great location to watch the sun set. Choose the downstairs bar vs the upstairs restaurant. Love their fish tacos. In Islamorada try Lazy Days, their snapper in Key Lime butter sauce is excellent. Hope this helps!

We made the trip recently. We stayed one night on the way down to Key West in Key Largo. We stayed at a place called Pelican Key Largo cottages. Not fancy but very clean and on the water. We watched the sunset from the dock, beautiful. Plus free use of their kayaks.
Food: stop by Harriettes just south end of key Largo. Tiny diner but amazing muffins about twenty varieties all delicious.

Sites: DO NOT MISS - The Coral Castle just outside of Miami. Amazing tour. Google it. Cool place.

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
If you like nature, cool place to go in Key West.

Isla Bella Resort
 

Our favorite place to stay in the Keys is Isla Bella Resort in Marathon. It was designed so that every room has a ocean view. The resort is beautiful and the rooms are roomy and immaculately clean. Many nearby restaurants, The Green Turtle Inn restaurant, a place called Burdines Waterfront that has the best cheeseburgers & fry’s in the Keys. All the way down in Key West is a place called Blue Heaven, they have great breakfast, if you go you have to order the filet Benedict or the lobster Benedict they are incredible. In Islamorada there’s a place called Morada Bay that has great food and another great place for breakfast in Islamorada is Midway Cafe & Coffee Bar. Also in Islamorada is a restaurant called Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar that’s very good. One more place I’ll mention is in Marathon called Sparky’s Landing Fish and Cocktails, try their stuffed mushroom appetizer, stuffed with crabmeat and melted cheese.
Hell, now remembering all this I want to go back to the Keys! Lol.

Alabama Jacks, a Jimmy Buffett hangout on Card Sound Rd. Great fritters and location

Coral castle
 

Coral Castle 28655 South Dixie Highway Homestead Fl 33030
Referred to as America's Stonehenge
you will go right by it on rt 1 opened in 1923 built by a 5' tall man with no help from anyone

The coral castle

Second Coral Castle, went there when we moved to Florida 30+ years ago, was very interesting then. Also, when we drive down we stay in Big Pine Key, short drive to Key West, a lot less weirdness and way more affordable.

these are all positive suggestions. I love the Key Largo and Marathon ideas.. Also visit The NO NAME KEY Bar & Grill... be prepared for insanely amounts of traffic.. bring patience and lots of cash..

I am a freshwater conch because I’ve been a resident for over 20 years
Some of my recommendations that are not already listed (those were good suggestions)
Beaches—Sombrero in Marathon, Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key, Fort Zachary State Park in Key West
Restaurants—No Name Pub (pizza) in Big Pine Key, Fish Tales in Marathon, BO’s Fish Wagon (conch fritters) in Key West
Day fishing—Marathon Lady in Marathon
Historical—trolly or train in Key West
Key West has a free hop on/off bus called Duval Loop to get around the island. (13 stops) Have fun