Homestead, Florida and The Keys
It feels like a vacation outside of the U.S. without being outside of the U.S.
Have you ever driven for 13 hours and still been in the same state?
I have personally done such a drive through Florida, and although Google Maps may say “13 hours,” it’s more like 15+ hours due to gas, food, pit stops, and fascinating photo-ops along the way. Who wouldn’t want to stop at the Possum Monument in Wausau, the Chicken Church, or get a photo-op with a two-headed gator?
Florida gets a lot of strange looks for the shenanigans and epic news stories that are “normal to us” but “weird to tourists.”
This state is practically a country within itself. California is the only other state that I can say that I experienced a similar feeling. Northern California is an entirely different world compared to its southern counterpart. The same can be said for Florida.
First of all, if you’ve never been to this state, it’s unique. I will go out on a limb and say 90% of the news stories you see on TV will either be derived from California or Florida.
If it’s from Florida… You’re welcome. The state that I am living in has contributed to your entertainment value.
Not everything is wild and crazy here. Yes, we may have the occasional homeless guy that will rip your face off or the occasional serial killer, but this state can actually be enjoyable. For example, we have:
Disney World
Need I say more? I didn’t think so.
Don’t get me wrong, Disney World is amazing.
It’s where many dreams come true; magic happens and helps you remember the best parts of your childhood.
However, suppose you feel adventurous enough to go further south than the tourist traps of Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. In that case, I encourage you to visit the most southern tips of Florida.
Homestead, FL
If you are into gators, then this is the place for you. Here, the hubs and I took an airboat ride across the top of the swamp, and for a moment, I feared for our lives.
We have lived in Florida for nearly a decade by this time, and let me tell you — there is some prehistoric shit to fear in those swamps.
Betty White may have faced Lake Placid, but I have personally seen monsters with teeth survive in less than 5 inches of water, and they are not to be underestimated.
If your pickle feels like it needs to get tickled with a bit of a rush, I suggest booking an airboat ride at the Everglades Airboat Tours.
Not only will they take you through the most remote parts of the Florida Everglades where primeval exists, but they will give you a face-to-face demonstration of what monsters look like.
Key Largo, FL
If you are into snorkeling, then Marathon is the place for you. In fact, before you hit Marathon, you’ll pass through Key Largo, where the famous John Pennekamp Coral Reef exists.
Here, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take a glass-bottom boat, snorkel, or scuba to see the local marine wildlife.
Key West, FL
This place on the coast reminds me a little bit of New Orleans. I’ve seen people flash for beads in NOLA, gators in the swamps, and voodoo in the streets. I’ve seen this same love of life in Key West with Painted Ladies and Men during Fantasy Fest and roosters or iguanas running along the road.
If you want to make sure you visit Key West, make sure that you see the memorable sites of Duval Street, Dry Tortugas, and the Key West Aquarium.
The Florida Keys feel like a short hop-skip-and-jump from The Bahamas. In fact, it’s the most southern tip of the U.S., and if you want to stand on the border and look into the horizon of another territory, then I’d say The Florida Keys is for you.
