A 3-Day Exploration of South Florida: Discovering the Florida Keys and the West Coast of Florida

  • Day 1: Enjoying the Florida Keys
    3 hours 30 minutes (207 miles) from Miami

    Start your trip by visiting the Southernmost Point Buoy in Key West. Then walk to Mallory Square to see street performers, and witness the famous Key West sunset. Afterward, go to Duval Street to experience the nightlife, where there are many bars, restaurants, and shops to explore.

  • Day 2: Exploring the West Coast of Florida
    5 hours 15 minutes (327 miles) from Key West

    Visit Naples to see the beautiful beaches, then head north to Sanibel Island to see the unspoiled natural beauty of Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. After that, continue to Sarasota which is famous for Siesta Key Beach, Ringling Museum, and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium where you can enjoy a variety of marine life.

  • Day 3: Miami Excursion
    3 hours (210 miles) from Sarasota

    Start your day with a visit to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a stunning villa displaying an extensive collection of art and furniture. Then go to Little Havana for a taste of Cuban culture, where you can visit cigar shops and practice your dance moves on Calle Ocho. End the day with a scenic walk on Miami Beach while enjoying the ocean breeze.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Southernmost Point Buoy in Key West (30 minutes, FREE)
  • Mallory Square in Key West (1 hour, FREE)
  • Duval Street in Key West (2-3 hours, $$$)
  • Naples beach (2-3 hours, FREE)
  • Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (2-3 hours, $$)
  • Siesta Key Beach (2-3 hours, FREE)
  • Ringling Museum (2-3 hours, $$)
  • Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (2-3 hours, $$)
  • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (2-3 hours, $$)
  • Little Havana (2-3 hours, $)
  • Miami Beach (2-3 hours, FREE)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $$

Transportation

For this trip, renting a car is recommended due to the distance between the locations. The cost of rental cars in Florida is usually affordable, with prices ranging from $30 to $70 a day. Consider the cost of gas for your trip, which will be around $40 to $60 depending on your car's fuel efficiency.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider going to Everglades National Park where you can go on an airboat ride to see alligators and manatees. Additionally, Sarasota has many cultural activities worth exploring, such as the opera, ballet, and symphony orchestras. If you have less time, consider focusing only on either the Florida Keys or the West Coast of Florida.

Airports

The Miami International Airport (MIA) is the nearest airport to both the Florida Keys and the West Coast of Florida. It is located in Miami, Florida, just a few miles from the city center, making it easy to access many attractions. Other nearby airports include the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and the Tampa International Airport (TPA).

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