Completed in 1912, Florida's Overseas Highway bisects the Atlantic Ocean to the east (left), and the Gulf of Mexico to the west (right).
Unique road trip —
Completed in 1912, Florida's Overseas Highway bisects the Atlantic Ocean to the east (left), and the Gulf of Mexico to the west (right).
Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau
The 182-kilometer Overseas Highway is a gateway to secluded islands, historic shipwrecks and, at Key Largo (pictured), one of the world's best diving spots.
Key Largo —
The 182-kilometer Overseas Highway is a gateway to secluded islands, historic shipwrecks and, at Key Largo (pictured), one of the world's best diving spots.
Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau
Between the wild back country of Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Islamorada has earned the nickname the "sport fishing capital of the world."
Islamorada —
Between the wild back country of Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Islamorada has earned the nickname the "sport fishing capital of the world."
Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau
Local chefs, and transplants from nearby Miami and far-off Napa Valley, hit Islamorada eateries such as Oltremare Ristorante to taste the day's catch.
Florida fresh —
Local chefs, and transplants from nearby Miami and far-off Napa Valley, hit Islamorada eateries such as Oltremare Ristorante to taste the day's catch.
Juan Fernando/Courtesy of Amara Cay Resort
Key Largo's John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the United States.
Turtles —
Key Largo's John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the United States.
Frazier Nivens/Florida Keys News Bureau
Key deer are the smallest deer in North America -- about the size of a large dog. The endangered species can be found at the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key.
Key deer —
Key deer are the smallest deer in North America -- about the size of a large dog. The endangered species can be found at the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key.
Danita Delimont/Gallo Images/Getty Images/Gallo Images
The literal Spanish translation of Isla Morada is "purple island." The name refers to its colorful plants, and the purple-shelled snail that once inhabited the island.
The purple island —
The literal Spanish translation of Isla Morada is "purple island." The name refers to its colorful plants, and the purple-shelled snail that once inhabited the island.
welcomia/iStockphoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Key West holds the title of highest average temperature in the United States. It's the only place in the country that never experiences early morning frost.
Warm weather —
Key West holds the title of highest average temperature in the United States. It's the only place in the country that never experiences early morning frost.
AJ Wilhelm/National Geographic RF/Getty Images/National Geographic