Key West, Florida

Seafood is king, queen and courtier here in the Keys, and no wonder. Fat lobsters, succulent clams, hefty tuna, shrimp, bass, grouper, pompano, swordfish, and of course conch are all fresh and delicious. Conch has been a long-standing resident of the toasty waters around these islands.

Key West

Key West is known for its amazing seafood and there are great restaurant all around the city. A & B Lobster House naturally serves some of the best lobster around. If you want oyster head to Alonzo's Oyster Bar . The trendy Nicola Seafood has a wide selection of seafood and a romantic atmosphere.

Chefs from Europe added some intriguing touches to it all and, voila, such award-winning restaurants as Pisces , Alice's and Louie's Backyard .

Cuban cigar makers who settled here generations ago and whose descendants remain brought their distinctive cuisine with them: picadillo, ground beef and raisins; thick, strong cubano coffee; and sweet, fried banana-like plantains. Bahamians, who have created a colorful Bahamian village right in the middle of Key West, brought their akee fish and rice, their rum and their pigeon peas. Try the flavors at Blue Heaven and Caribe Soul .

If you an aficionado of Ernest Hemingway, a stop at Captain Tony's Saloon and Sloppy Joe's is required. Ernest Hemingway was said to frequent these bars.

Key Largo

Besides well-known restaurants scattered throughout the Keys, perhaps the most fun is stopping into some rustic little find and discovering a memorable meal you'll be discussing for many a day to come. Flamingo Seafood Bar and Grill is not well known, but services a delicious catch of the day. Gus' Grill is another laid back restaurant that serves seafood. For a party-friendly atmosphere the Alabama Jack's is the place to go.

Islamorada

You can taste the freshness of the seafood at Marker 88 . If you want Cuban and Spanish food Manny & Isa's can't be beat. For a romantic dinner the Atlantic's Edge provides views of the ocean and a candlelight meal.

Bahia Honda and the Lower Keys

The Dining Room is an elegant restaurant where you can dine on seafood. In the Lower Keys, you can find some well-known watering holes such as the rustic ambiance of No Name Pub .

Along the 113 miles that make up Key West, you will see small signs every mile marking the distance. Called Mile Markers, many hotels and restaurants along the way bear no other address than MM 99 or MM 88.5. Businesses may also identify themselves with the letters OS for ocean side, or BS, for bay side. Florida's Keys are also often grouped into three divisions—the Upper Keys, Middle Keys and Lower Keys, and there are plenty to see in each one.

Key Largo Largo means long in Spanish and Key Largo lives up to that name as the longest of the keys, stretching from MM 106 to MM 91. Here you'll find the Indian Key State Historic Site , which holds many local treasures. The island is also home to the Dolphin Cove Research & Education Center's Dolphin Encounter, which offers you an opportunity to swim with dolphins and watch them play. Grab a bite at Alabama Jack's . The best attraction of Key Largo is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , the nation's first underwater park. Also stop into the Theater of the Sea . Smathers Beach The Seven-Mile Bridge connects the Middle and Lower Keys. Nearby Smathers Beach is Key West's longest, while the Curry Hammock State Park is a small wonder that attracts many visitors. For some interesting exhibits, check out the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys . Stop into the Barracuda Grill for dinner.

Key West Lighthouse Museum The views from the Key West Lighthouse Museum are stunning. Take a boat to Dry Tortugas National Park and do some diving, swimming or fishing. Dine at Louie's Backyard . The nearby Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden is worth a stroll, then discover the shops, restaurants and other attractions at Historic Seaport at Key West Bight .

Wrecker's Museum Take a tour of the Wrecker's Museum , a unique home built in 1829 that has some interesting features. Have lunch at Antonia's Restaurant , then stroll through Bahia Honda State Park or check out the creations at the Paradise Gallery . Tour the historical Curry Mansion , with its elegant period furniture and antiques.

Key West Aquarium City Zoo - The Gallery preserves some of the most important remnants of Haitian culture. The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens is named for the artist John James Audubon. The home and surrounding gardens are open to visitors. The Key West Aquarium is also a must-see. Dine at the Caribe Soul restaurant, then go to the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum to take in some nautical exhibits.

This is nature's wonderland. You'll find a national wildlife refuge devoted to tiny Key deer, an endangered species, and a national marine sanctuary, Looe Key, rated one of the best diving reefs in the world. You can see this Keys' version of Big Bird—great white herons, North America's largest wading bird—in a 375-square-mile refuge. Kayaks and shallow-draft boats are a favored way to tour, since the Keys are surrounded by water.

Boat Tours Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry ( +1 305 294 7009/ http://www.yankeefreedom.com/ ) Key Largo Princess ( +1 305 451 4655/ http://www.keylargoprincess.com/ ) Discovery Undersea Tours ( +1 305 293 0099/ +1 800 262 0099/ http://www.discoveryunderseatours.com/ ) Snorkel and Sailing Adventure ( +1 305 292 4768/ http://www.keywestsebago.com/ ) Tortugas Party Boat ( +1 305 293 1189/ http://www.tortugacharters.com/ )

Trolley Tours Old Town Trolley Tours ( +1 800 213 2474/ http://www.trolleytours.com/ )

Train Tours Conch Tour Train ( +1 305 294 5161/ http://www.conchtourtrain.com/ )

Air Tours Island City Flying Service Incorporated ( +1 305 296 5422 )

Diving Tours Reef Express Catamaran ( +1 305 294 7755/ http://www.sunnydayskeywest.com/reefx.htm ) Snorkel and Sailing Adventure ( +1 305 292 4768/ http://www.keywestsebago.com/ )

Ghost Tours Ghost Tours of Key West ( +1 305 294 9255/ http://www.hauntedtours.com ) Ghosts & Legends of Key West ( +1 305 294 1713 / +1 866 612 3890/ http://www.keywestghosts.com/ )