Florida

Coastline

Conches and coconut palms

Coast life

All at sea

The southernmost point in the US, this string of tiny islands is a haven for fishing and diving, though the crystal waters make it tempting to just float along like a local manatee.

The road into the Florida Keys changes quickly from terra firma to the marshlands, all connected by a long stretch of highway. The coral archipelago’s Keys – including Largo, Key West, Islamorada and Marathon – have inspired Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett songs for their laidback Caribbean style. Souvenir shops, theme restaurants and other tourist traps abound, but step off the well-trodden path to discover the self-proclaimed Conch Republic’s rich history of Hemingway, big fish and fantastic local food, including the islands’ namesake: Key lime pie.