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The List - Florida Keys

by CHELLE KOSTER WALTON - February 2010

Published in :: Top10

1 JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK
Created in 1963, this is America’s first undersea park, which—along with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary—was established to preserve the only living coral reef in the continental US. A snorkel or scuba diving tour will take visitors past mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, a 9-foot-tall sculpture of Jesus Christ (which was donated to the park in 1965) and, of course, vibrant coral reefs. Glass-bottom boat tours are also available.
Key Largo; 305-451-1202; www.pennekamppark.com

2 Kimberly’s Sweets & Treats
Skip the pie in favor of Kimberly’s Key lime cake. The tart confection is topped with Key lime glaze and tastes even better if you order it a la mode with Key lime ice cream.507 South St, Key West; 305-872-7784

3 Sculpture Key West
Ludwika Ogorzelec’s “Crystallization of Space” series is among the works on view at this annual exhibition. Held in three locations, the event features contemporary sculpture by 33 artists. Through April 16; Key West; 305-295-3800; www.sculpturekeywest.com

4 Fast Buck Freddie’s This department store is the place to go for wacky T-shirts, pink-flamingo hats and an electric fan shaped like a rooster (a Key West icon).
500 Duval St, Key West; 305-294-2007; www.fastbuckfreddies.com

5 Pigeon Key
Hike or bike across Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad bridge to get to this 5-acre island, home to a historic Bahamian-style village. Ferry tours can also transport you to the island, where you can explore the Pigeon Key Museum, snorkel the tidal shoreline or just bask in the sunshine. 305-743-5999; www.pigeonkey.net

6 Dancing Water Spirit Charters
On Captain Victoria Impallomeni’s boat tours, snorkelers are pulled over dolphin habitats on specially designed tow boards.
Murray’s Marina, 5710 U.S. #1, MM5, Stock Island; 305-304-7562; www.captainvictoria.com

7 No Name Pub
At this honky-tonk, located right before the bridge to No Name Key, order some pizza, hang an autographed dollar bill on the wall and listen to locals brag (or lie) about the day’s catch. N Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key; 305-872-9115; www.nonamepub.com

8 Robbie’s
Along with boat tours and fishing charters, this bustling marina village features a tarpon-feeding pier; beer, wine and smoothies at the ramshackle Thirsty Tarpon Bar; and local artwork inside frames made from old lobster traps.
Overseas Highway, MM77.5, Islamorada; 877-664-8498; www.robbies.com

9 Redbone Gallery
 This gallery, home to Florida’s largest collection of saltwater fishing-inspired paintings, drawings and sculptures, raises funds for cystic-fibrosis research.
200 Industrial Rd, Islamorada; 305-664-2002; www.redbone.org

10 Keys Fisheries
During spiny-lobster season (which runs through March), this casual eatery draws diners in with its lobster reuben.
3502 Gulfview Ave, Marathon; 305-743-4353; www.keysfisheries.com

Published in :: Top10

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