My wife & I are gonna be staying just south of Miami in September for a week . We’re gonna ride down highway 1 to key west for sure! What are some must see places to stop at or rides to take?

 

South Beach, Ocean Drive is very nice place to take a walk in the evening. You can dine at Gianni's At The Former Versace Mansion or walk over to
Espanola Way to get a delicious cuban meal. Or stroll along Collins. Whatever you do its a great place to spend the evening.

 

Have a safe and great ride.

 

Thank you!!

 

The Fish House, Key Largo. Snapper Mecumbe. One of the best meals I have ever had. Feed the Tarpon at Robby's.

 

Here's couple of thoughts..in no particular order:
My absolute FAVORITE time to run the Keys Highway (US hwy 1) is just at dawn when the sun isn't up yet, but already lighting up the Eastern horizon over the water.
Another vote for The Fish House. Yellowtail Matecumbe..OMFG..!!
Most Excellent.
When you get to Key West...3rd floor of The Bull Bar on Duval.
You'll understand the phrase:
Just because you can...doesn't mean you should.
If you're coming back off the Keys on Sunday...plan a stop at Alabama Jack's on Card Sound Rd. Gets you out of the US1 traffic, and can be a relaxing break.

 

On the way to Key West is Mangrove Mamas a funky seafood shack on Summerland Key. Good place for a break. In Key West don’t miss Pepe’s on Caroline for great breakfasts. If you want good Cuban food El Siboney in Key West and Versailles in Miami. Boca Chica State Park has a nice beach and Smathers Beach in Key West if you’re looking for some beach time.

 

Do NOT make the mistake of riding US1 from Miami to start of the Keys unless it is very early in the morning (4 am,5 am ).
It will be one traffic signal after another and it is about 6 to 8 lanes of traffic.

Miami Dade county is a huge area..a more detailed description of start point would get you a more detailed response.

Most individuals would use Krome (669) or turnpike (toll road) if on west side to get to start of the Keys.

Old Cutler Road if on eastern side of Miami to access start of the Keys.

Many individuals make the mistake of thinking that Key West is an easy "day trip"..It takes about 3.5 hours to reach Key West with zero stops to enjoy lunch or a few of the stops.
Key West requires an overnight to enjoy a slow scenic trip down, walk Duval and to have a slow scenic return trip.

Leaving Miami at dark and seeing sun rise as you cross the Card Sound Road Bridge is rather nice.

 

Thank you all for the great places & advice keep them coming ! How is the Everglades to ride though? Any nice rides or roads we should check out?

 

Everglades National Park itself at southern entrance that i believe is called Flamingo is OK but really not worth it and rather disappointing if it is someone limited in there number of days. If you read reviews you will see what I mean.
It requires a lot of riding to see the one visitor center that is good but then only get to walk the one good path then walk a very small path and done.
Then a very long and boring ride that is highly patrolled to the end to maybe take a boat ride to nothing.

A much better experience is a mixed Tamiami trail loop.

Start early (8am). This is an all day, mostly daylight and good weather ride only.

It will offer a little history, nature, a boat ride, good food and a couple of neat stops.

It will be mostly a 45mph to 60 mph ride with almost NO traffic lights.

The return via I-75 (used to be known as Alligator alley) from about mile marker 80 to mile marker 25 exit for US27 has a speed limit of 70 mph and is about a $3 toll.

Do NOT speed at all on Tamiami Trail/8 street/41…tickets are easy to get and the miccosukee Indians have their own police in their stretch of sovereign territory.

Directions:
From the south take Krome/997 North

Tamiami Trail West GET GAS NOW

*There is Truck stop gas station at this intersection . You must get gas now.

Ride on Tamiami Trail/41 WEST

*Tamiami Trail got its name because it runs from TAMPA to MIAMI ..Basically it was "the way" prior to interstates.

The first turn-off while riding WEST on Tamiami trail will be on the RIGHT after about 11.5 miles from Krome/997.
Park on dirt road and walk to the Value Jet memorial (air plane crash) on North side of Canal.
Read about it on google before arrival. (15 minute stop)..you are looking at everglades.

NEXT and really close is

The BEST air boat rides will be on your right. About 1.5-2 hour stop.

(North side of road)…North side was a better experience…North side of road seems to be Indian controlled. They are a sovereign nation, they seem to follow their own rules. Just after the Value Jet memorial. Buffalo Tiger's Florida - Boat Tour Agency 29701 SW 8th St Miami, FL 33194
Air boat rides are about $30-$35 per person.

Then about 6 miles to an OLD OLD seasonal GAS STATION on RIGHT if needed. Sometimes it is closed.

Then about 20 miles to FREE Gator Viewing Area on RIGHT.
30 minute stop. Very Good gator viewing.
Caution..very easy to miss, no sign, no slow down lane. Nearly impossible to u-turn back for several miles.

*Park, see Gators, use Bathroom.

Located at Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center –

52105 Tamiami Trail E Ochopee, FL 34141

Gators hide under dock/next to dock


Then about 16 miles to Joanies Blue Crab Café on RIGHT...google it.

*Park, Go inside have a Snack/ Soda use bathroom. Artistic Pictures on wall in bathroom are different. A movie called Gone Fishing was filmed here. Joe Pesci and Danny Glover as two bumbling fishing enthusiasts.

Notice the two random toilets to right of parking lot. 30 minute stop.


Then about 1 mile or less on the LEFT side of the road make sure to stop at the smallest post office in the USA for picture.

*The Ochopee Post Office is the smallest post office in the United States. google it.


Next is intersection of Tamiami and Route 29

* GET GAS at this intersection or get gas in the ONE gas station in Everglades city.

If you are going to eat or have a drink on water at everglades city then go to other gas station.

To the left / south is Everglades City about 2 or 3 miles away.

Good place to eat seafood in a basket sitting along the water in back is at

CITY SEAFOOD 702 Begonia St, Everglades City, FL 34139

1- 239-695-4700 note: Almost everybody in the little tiny town got arrested in the 80’s fishing for square grouper…..google it !
Very rural old Florida style, open air, self service food in a basket next to water.

Notice the water line stain on hall wall by entrance from one of the last hurricanes.

Then about 5 miles further SOUTH on route 29 is even smaller town

(300 or 400 people in season) of Chokoloskee that has the little Ted Smallwood indian museum on the water…they call it a store because of the history but it is a very small museum… think it was $5 per person and takes about 15 minutes to see but you can understand how he lived and delivered mail…


Then get out to Route 29 /Tamiami.


From light you can take Route 29 north going over I-75 for about 26 miles ..this area is taking you right thru the everglades...then make a left (west) onto

OIL WELL ROAD/ 858 and then drive on oil well road for about 5.5 miles then make a right (north) onto pretty Ave Maria BLVD and drive for 3 miles to church.

You need to read about Ave Maria town before arrival for this modern “town” built in in the middle of no place to make sense.

It involves the founder of Dominoes pizza and Barron Collier largest landowner and developer in the U.S. state of Florida.

It is a cute modern town in the middle of no place with church as center. Looks like a Bishops or Pope hat.

Note: Bathroom located in the back right (right of alter in perimeter hall)

Bar/food/pizza, ice cream across street...the bar is just across from side of church..bar food is good.

Return home via route 29 to Alligator Alley/I-75 EAST.

Then ride Alligator Alley EAST (high speed road) will be about 55-57 miles to US27 SOUTH.

Once on US 27 SOUTH it will be about 5 miles to CAFÉ 27 on your left/east side of road. Bathrooms/Bar.
This is a known truckstop/motorcycle stop on the edge of civilization. Google it.

CAFE 27 is just before the ONLY TRAFFIC LIGHT going south you will see.

Café 27 is the only sign of life…a truck stop, gas station, tiki hut, bar and popular outdoor motorcycle hangout.


Then at US27 and Griffin Rd (at the one and only traffic light) is EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK entrance on west side of road.

FREE, Everglades view, bathrooms and sometimes gator view. 15 minute stop.

Then your final location makes a difference...if you are staying south continue on US27 for about 5 or 6 miles to KROME/997 south on your right to go home or stay on US27 to take turnpike to final destination.

You might have 6 traffic lights in this entire loop.

This is a FULL day ride and should only be completed in clear weather.

This area requires that you have your own back-up plan in case of flats or breakdown as a tow truck will take a while to reach you.
Many motorcyclist enjoy this loop.

If you are rolling by 8am the sun will be at your back going west on Tamiami Trail/8th street/41 and then again at your back returning east via I-75 /alligator alley.
You will be returning to final destination at night fall.