{"id":4017,"date":"2016-10-02T16:54:41","date_gmt":"2016-10-02T21:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=4017"},"modified":"2016-10-21T12:52:09","modified_gmt":"2016-10-21T17:52:09","slug":"48-hours-changes-in-latitude-means-changes-in-attitude-when-visiting-keys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=4017","title":{"rendered":"48 Hours: Changes in latitude means changes in attitude when visiting Keys"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted October 2, 2016<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By ALINA ZERPA<\/p>\n

KEY LARGO, Fla. — Flipping through the radio stations, nothing seemed right yet. Leaving Homestead, the car ride was missing something. Suddenly, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band flooded the speakers as we saw water on each side of the two lane U.S. 1 leading into Key Largo. We cover about 30 miles and make it to the largest of the Florida Keys, the home to the self-proclaimed \u201cDiving Capital of the World.\u201d You have to consciously try not to relax to feel right at home at a sandy beach next to a tiki bar with live music after a day of snorkeling over world renown reefs.<\/p>\n

\"Located

Located outside the Key Largo Visitor Center, decorated large chairs like these are all over the area (Photos by Alina Zerpa)..<\/p><\/div>\n

Friday<\/strong><\/p>\n

12 p.m., Sea Shells by the Sea Shore<\/p>\n

After seeing the \u201cWelcome to Key Largo\u201d sign, it\u2019s not difficult to realize you\u2019ve arrived in paradise. Surrounded by bars, restaurants and places to have fun on the water, it is also not hard to miss all the shops in the area. Shell World provides an array of anything under the sun: apparel, food, house furniture and quirky gifts to bring home. You might even bring home a hermit crab, who knows. Even the outside of the store has photo ops to begin the journey of typical Key Largo pictures with larger than life shells and a beach chair to fit your whole family. However, if people back home are expecting presents, go with a Key Largo specialty: Salt Scrub. If it works on the fishermen to soften their hands after a day out at sea, it can do wonders for you too.<\/p>\n

4 p.m., Hole in the Wall<\/p>\n

Forget anything you know about seafood. The Keys will easily make you think whatever\u2019s back home isn\u2019t good seafood after all. On Friday\u2019s, Hideout offers all you can eat fish fry from 5 to 9 p.m for $9.99. A little bit off the beaten path, it\u2019s surrounded by a jungle of trees and pebble roads. With outdoor seating and a homey atmosphere, it\u2019s easy to lose track of time here as the breeze from the water, just a few feet away, hits your face. Go near the water shore on the patio dock before the sun sets to see the jellyfish swimming around, it\u2019s quite a sight.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Hideout Restaurant is a bit off the beaten path but worth the rocky road.<\/p><\/div>\n

7 p.m., Beach, Booze, Bar<\/p>\n

It wouldn\u2019t be a night in the Keys without drinks, a tiki bar, a water front and live music. Gilbert\u2019s Tiki Bar provides all that and a dangling plastic shark to take pictures with. With performances by local artists, enjoy a Cuba Libre or a margarita as Jet Skis and boats pull in for the night and couples start dancing around. It\u2019s hard not to have a good time at a bar on the beach and reggae music that\u2019ll make you want to sing and dance along.<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong><\/p>\n

7:30 a.m., Breakfast with Elvis<\/p>\n

If you arrive early enough, maybe the line at DJ\u2019s Diner won\u2019t hold up your Saturday. Known for its breakfast and busy mornings, the Diner is sure to leave you full for the rest of the day\u2019s adventures. With dishes such as strangely delicious as Crabcake Benedict and the Hawaiian Pancake Special, this unique, mural-filled, 1950\u2019s themed diner will leave you and your wallet ready to conquer the rest of the Keys.<\/p>\n

9 a.m., 70 Square Miles<\/p>\n

Drive over to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to visit the first undersea park in the United States with about 70 nautical square miles of coral reefs, tropical hammocks and mangrove swamps to explore through. With a marina, a beach area and tons of boats, it\u2019s difficult not to have something to do. At 9 a.m., the snorkeling tour ($29.99) departs to go to see coral reefs and the infamous Christ of the Abyss. There since 1965, the statue has its arms reaching upwards for snorkelers and divers alike to enjoy and take underwater pictures.<\/p>\n

12 p.m., Mom\u2019s Cooking<\/p>\n

After a hearty breakfast and energy-draining morning, a big plate of food is what you\u2019d want and what you\u2019ll get at Mrs. Mac\u2019s Kitchen II. The restaurant was named Mrs. Mac in 1976 in honor of Jeff MacFarland\u2019s mother. Since then, it has been a local favorite with featured plates such as their world famous chili and gator steak. Try the \u201cKonk\u201d Chowder lunch special because at such a low price, you\u2019ll get your bang for your buck.<\/p>\n

3 p.m., Key Lime Heaven<\/p>\n

For dessert, head on over to the most famous and original place in all the keys: The Original Key Lime Pie Factory. There\u2019s only one and it lies in Key Largo where visitors from around the world come to taste original key lime or variations of it like chocolate dipped frozen key lime pie on a stick or key lime pie cookies. Right when you open the door, you\u2019ll be greeted by a whiff of coffee and key lime and you\u2019ll see rows of all things key lime pie. Good luck picking which one to eat but at least you eat it outside and enjoy the breeze under the colorful picnic tables.<\/p>\n

\"Key

Key Lime Pie Factory, a staple in Key Largo, is home to the original Key Lime Pie, including variations of the dessert.<\/p><\/div>\n

4:30 p.m., Robbie\u2019s Tarpons<\/p>\n

Only 20 minutes farther south will take you Robbie\u2019s in Islamorada. Follow the crowds of people by the boats and docks and you\u2019ll soon find out what\u2019s the attraction: tarpon. Buy some feed, crouch over the dock and feed the many tarpons with your own hands for a once in a lifetime experience to see how these monstrous fish become guppies knowing they\u2019re about to eat. Careful you don\u2019t get nibbled by one! Afterwards, walk around the area and explore the art galleries and little shops available with memorabilia of the Keys and gorgeous paintings that might come back home with you.<\/p>\n

6 p.m., Hungry Tarpon<\/p>\n

After feeding the tarpons, walk over from Robbie\u2019s to the adjoining restaurant, The Hungry Tarpon. Since the 1970s, the Hungry Tarpon has been feeding fish and people with its catch of the day and laundry list of drinks. With unique concoctions like Key-lime Martini and Trailer Trash Bloody Mary enjoyed on their beach, it\u2019s an easy way to end the night surrounded by good food and live music with the view of a picturesque Islamorada sunset.<\/p>\n

Sunday<\/strong><\/p>\n

10 a.m., Make-Your-Own-Drinks<\/p>\n

With two long days behind you and a beautiful day ahead, Snappers is the perfect place to brunch and create cocktails. Just like other Key Largo restaurants, Snappers has a waterfront marina in its backyard complete with a full bar and a boat where a live jazz band play from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help wake you up. Don\u2019t know what to drink with your food? You can pick from either the Bloody Mary Bar or the Bubbly Bar where you can make your own drink and pick which fruits should accompany your champagne. Plates can range from the typical waffles to a Crab and Boursin Omelette to Shrimp & Grits. Have fun trying to pick what to eat and drink.<\/p>\n

\"Like

Like many Key Largo restaurants, Snappers provides a water front view while having brunch on a Sunday morning.<\/p><\/div>\n

1 p.m., One with Nature<\/p>\n

Full stomach, happy heart. Off you go to explore nature one last time on a Backcountry Eco-Tour on a kayak nature tour with Capt. Bill Keogh. Kayakers get to explore the waters of the Great White Heron and Key Deer National Wildlife Refuges. You\u2019ll come across mangrove forests, shallow water sponge flats and tons of critters. For $50, you\u2019re given the equipment needed for three hours. Don\u2019t forget your sunscreen, the Key Largo sun can do some serious damage.<\/p>\n

2 p.m., On the Road Again<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still not ready to leave, make one last pit-stop at Hobo\u2019s Caf\u00e9 for Key Lime Pie in a jar. Made in house with real Key Lime and graham cracker crust, the desserts might not make it home. Try not to cry too hard as you see the Key Largo sign telling you goodbye as you \u201cReturn to Reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Lodging<\/strong><\/p>\n