The Upper Keys take you from mainland to island time
​in just a few short miles

Homestead gives way to the Keys in Key Largo but only grudgingly as it’s hard to tell for the first several miles that you are anywhere but still in South Florida. Then the stores and motels start to thin out and there’s more water to see and it starts to change from grayish green to the clear greens and turquoises that circle the 100+ mile long island stepping stones headed toward Cuba.

One of biggest things around is Pennekamp Park and the series of reefs that begin here and lure snorkelers and divers all the way to Key West. If you want to see but not quite so up close and personal, there are glass bottom boats too. All is available at the park or at many nearby marinas like the one at mm100 where the Holiday Inn is located. Not to be missed there is the real, the one and only African Queen. After being refurbished in 2011 by Capt. Lance Holmquist and his wife Suzanne, it now does a chugging tour of the local canals. It can also be rented for special events. You can almost hear Bogey and Hepburn if you put your hand on the boat’s side and listen for a moment.

For a day trip out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale the Upper Keys have a lot to offer. You can rent power boats, kayaks, canoes and JetSkis at a variety of places and even take a shoreline two hour Waverunner tour. Toss in a little parasailing while you’re at it.

Islamorada has more of the same and both have plenty of options from super casual to quite nice in the dining department. Fishing is a big deal and you can go out with a guide, rent a boat or launch your own. Everyone knows a secret good place to try and that guy sitting next to you watching sunset may just be the one to put you onto some really good fish if you get to talking.

You can also swim with the dolphins at the Theater of the Sea (mm84.5) or catch a sea lion show.

Grab a new bathing suit, some perfect fishing lures and start trying out pina coladas and margaritas while you head further into the Keys experience. You may forget to go home.

© Copyright 2012: text Sue Harrison; photos Sue Harrison & Lee Brock for MyOldFlorida.com.

It's not hard to get close to the gorgeous birds in the Keys.

Manny and Isa are gone but their pies live on at the Midway Cafe. Is it still the best? Maybe not but it's still good.

The African Queen is ready to take you on your own adventure, reservations suggested, leeches omitted.

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