YOUR RV TRAVEL GUIDE
Lower Keys
GETTING AROUND: KEY WEST TRANSIT
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: WEATHER & TIDES
HANDY TOOLS TO PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE
LOCAL RV & VEHICLE SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
Your
Guide to Food & Fun in the LOWER FLORIDA KEYS
�� Food & Fun in the Lower Florida Keys Between turquoise waters and endless sunshine, the Lower Florida Keys offer some of the best places to eat, sip, and play. Here’s a guide to local favorites — each with its own twist of island charm.
�� A Slice of Paradise Summerland Key Locally loved since 2004, this ocean-view pizzeria serves hand-tossed pies loaded with fresh ingredients and creative flavors. Locals rave about the BBQ Chicken and Meat Pie, but you’ll also find fresh salads, calzones, wraps, and desserts. It’s the perfect stop for casual comfort food with an ocean breeze.
☕ Baby’s Coffee: Key West (MM 15) A Keys institution where good vibes and caffeine meet. Baby’s roasts its own beans and serves rich espresso drinks, teas, and smoothies alongside fresh pastries and breakfast sandwiches. The shop doubles as a local market, stocked with snacks, souvenirs, and even frozen steaks. A muststop for travelers refueling on the Overseas Highway.
�� Boondocks Grill & Draft House: Ramrod Key Part tiki bar, part entertainment hub, Boondocks brings together good food, live music, and laid-back fun. Guests can enjoy burgers and seafood, browse a huge craft beer list, and play miniature golf — the only course in the Lower Keys. It’s a lively local hangout where everyone feels like a regular.
��️The Café at Sugarloaf KOA: Sugarloaf Key A cozy spot inside the KOA Resort, this café keeps campers and road-trippers well-fed with crowd-pleasing favorites. The friendly staff and poolside setting make it a hidden gem for anyone staying at the resort — simple food, done right, in a postcardperfect setting.
�� The Galley Grill: Summerland Key For nearly four decades, The Galley Grill has been the heartbeat of Summerland Key mornings. Originally known as the “Chat and Chew,” this no-frills favorite serves hearty breakfasts, comfort food, and that warm, small-town hospitality you only find in the Keys. A slice of history with every plate.
�� Grimal Grove: Big Pine Key
A lush tropical garden where visitors can stroll among exotic fruit trees and taste the island’s most unusual flavors. Famous for its breadfruit-based vodka (featured on Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted), Grimal Grove blends agriculture, sustainability, and island innovation — an unexpected Keys experience that’s both delicious and inspiring.
�� Kiki’s Sandbar Bar & Grille: Little Torch Key (MM 28.5)
A true beach bar in every sense — sun, sand, and seafood all in one place. Kiki’s serves fresh catch and cocktails right on the water, with live music, cornhole, beach pong, and yard games to keep the fun going. Come barefoot, stay for the sunset, and you’ll understand why it’s a local legend.
�� First Class Seafood: Cudjoe Key (MM 22) Founded by lifelong Keys fishermen, First Class Seafood is a local market that knows fresh fish inside and out. Stop in for lobster, stone crab, and snapper — or take your dining up a notch with Private Chef Shaina Maldonado, who creates personalized in-home meals using fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients. A true dock-to-dinner experience.
�� Boardwalk Bar & Grill: Big Pine Key (MM 31) This waterfront hangout brings together great food and good music in a breezy, open-air setting. Favorites include smoked-brisket pizza, conch fritters, and Cajun seafood pasta, best enjoyed with a cold drink and a sunset view.
�� Taco Express: Summerland Key A roadside favorite for authentic flavor and big portions. Locals love the birria tacos, breakfast burritos, and aguas frescas — all made with the kind of heart you only find in a family-run kitchen. Simple, fast, and packed with flavor.
�� Eat Well • Play Hard • Live Easy Whether it’s mini golf at Boondocks, yard games at Kiki’s, or breakfast at the KOA Café, these local spots celebrate the spirit of the Keys — fresh food, friendly faces, and a little fun between every bite.
The Top 10 Hidden lower Key ADVENTURES LOWER FLORIDA KEYS! SOUTH TO NORTH
MM 17 – Sugarloaf Pontoon Adventure Tours �� Cruise turquoise backwaters from the KOA Marina on a private or shared pontoon. Explore hidden sandbars, snorkel clear shallows, and spot dolphins at sunset. sugarloafpontoonadventuretours.com
MM 17 – Kayak the Mangroves �� Paddle through calm mangrove tunnels alive with fish, rays, and manatees. The glassy water and filtered light create one of the most peaceful experiences in the Keys.
MM 17 – Sugarloaf Key Bat Tower �� Built in 1929 to battle mosquitoes, this whimsical landmark still stands as a piece of quirky Keys history and a quick photo stop.
MM 27.5 – The Jumping Bridge �� A Keys classic near Spanish Harbor—jump from the low bridge into clear blue water (when conditions are safe) and join generations of locals who’ve made it a rite of passage.
MM 30 – Key Deer & Blue Hole �� See the tiny, endangered Key deer roaming Big Pine Key, then visit Blue Hole, a quiet freshwater pond where alligators, turtles, and birds share the scene.
MM 37 – Bahia Honda State Park �� Often named one of America’s most beautiful beaches. Swim, snorkel coral-filled shallows, or walk the old bridge trail for breathtaking island views.
MM 47 – Sailor Dog Spa �� Traveling with your pup? Treat them to grooming, daycare, or a quick refresh at this friendly Marathon stop. A local favorite for four-legged travelers.
MM 50 – Crane Point Museum & Nature Trails �� Escape the highway and explore 63 acres of shaded trails, butterfly gardens, and Keys history tucked in the heart of Marathon.
MM 47 – Seven Mile Bridge Sunset �� Walk the Old Seven Mile Bridge pedestrian path and watch the sun dip over endless blue water—a bucket-list view that defines the Keys.
MM 59 – Dolphin Research Center �� End your day meeting rescued dolphins in their natural lagoon home. Learn, interact, and support marine conservation in one inspiring stop.
�� Local Tip: Start south in Sugarloaf and work your way north to Grassy Key, ending the day with a Seven Mile Bridge sunset for the perfect Keys adventure loop.
FRED
the Tree
Fred the Tree is a beloved mangrove growing on a rocky outcrop along the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. Against all odds, Fred has thrived for years in this challenging environment, exposed to saltwater, intense sunlight, and frequent storms. Likely started from a seed carried by wind or water, Fred has become a symbol of resilience and local spirit in the Keys.
Despite being alone in the middle of the bridge, Fred has inspired admiration from both locals and tourists. Many see him as a reminder of how the Keys community endures hardship with humor and strength. During the holidays, visitors sometimes adorn him with decorations, and he’s even celebrated through social media and souvenirs.
WHAT is that in the sky?
If you’re traveling through the Florida Keys, you might notice a large white blimp floating high above Cudjoe Key, known as “Fat Albert.”
What is Fat Albert?
Fat Albert is a part of the U.S. government’s Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS), a program used to monitor air traffic, marine vessels, and weather patterns. The blimp, typically stationed around 10,000 feet in the air, is equipped with radar technology that scans the air and sea for activity up to 200 miles away. Its primary role is to help monitor drug trafficking routes and to support border security efforts by providing a continuous radar “eye” over the Florida Straits.
Why Use a Blimp?
The advantage of a blimp like Fat Albert is that it provides constant aerial surveillance without the high cost or noise of a drone or airplane. It’s tethered to the ground and powered by cables, allowing it to stay airborne for extended periods, weather permitting. Its high altitude gives it an excellent vantage point, making it a reliable part of security and monitoring efforts in this region.
A Local Landmark
While Fat Albert’s official purpose is serious, it has also become a local fixture and a bit of a mystery to newcomers. Visitors are often curious about the big white blimp and its purpose, leading to the common question, “What is that?” For many residents, Fat Albert has become part of the landscape of the Keys, symbolizing both the unique security needs and the quirky charm of this part of Florida. So next time you spot Fat Albert floating high above, you’ll know it’s there, silently keeping watch over the Keys.
