mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I did

JR69 Loc: Wolverine Michigan

Spent 45 days in Florida and 10 days in the Keys for the first time in January. Many photo opps. One of things we took in was a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West. An all day trip on the Yankee Freedom III. . https://www.drytortugasinfo.com/gclid=CLyCrZj_rdMCFYVqfgod_YgCjw Check out this web page. If you like history, the fort is great, birding, snorkeling is also plentiful. Highly recommend !!~

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I don't think anyone mentioned Truman's "Winter White House". It was an unexpected treat.

tigerbob Loc: MS Gulf Coast

If you are driving from Miami, Leave Very early so that you have sun behind you, the water views are spectacular !!

Do Not try to compose every shot, take bunches, you will find some "treasures" when you get back and review !!

Been visiting Key West for over 60 years, lived there for 10, and there is always something new !!

RELAX AND ENJOY 😎

ELNikkor

Years ago I stayed on Bahia Honda on the way down. Check it out and see if it is still a beautiful little tropical isle...

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You will find that Key West is lovely but expensive. You will also find that it is hot and humid in May. I am not familiar with their calendar but if there is something going on in May you will have fun.
Good place for some street photography. The key is not that big and if you like maritime photography do not miss the shrimp boats toward the NE of the key but you will have to ask for information. There are boats to visit Dry Tortugas at Mallory Square if memory does not fail. The Hemingway House is a favorite to visit. Plenty of restaurants and places to stay. The old Key West area has old architecture that you could find interesting and there is a lighthouse near the downtown are that you could also find interesting. There is a beautiful beach that there is no way you can miss.
The Everglades is pretty hot in May and no birds. Some areas are usually restricted during the summer months due to mosquitoes.
Enjoy!

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Don't miss the Hogfish Bar and Grill on Stock Island, right before you get to Key West. Look it up. It's unique and colorful in a good way.

dieseldave Loc: Davenport,IA

Just got back from the keys. if you want birds and alligators, the Everglades Natl Park has a tram tour that had at least 100 alligators, and many birds, herons, egrets, osprey and more. The old railroad that is now falling apart is viewable from one of the keys on the way out, Key deer on big pine key, I am not too excited about a lot of 'tourist pics' but Duval and Mallory square are great places to do a bit of candid people shots and the beaches, palms, and sunset/rise are always there..

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Chuckwal Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

the entire scene at Key West esp sunset at Mallory Dock have fun
chuck

sab2101 Loc: Henderson Nv.

Duval St. I loved it............Mike

buffalolover

Wow! As expected, bukus of great suggestions! Thanks to all and keep 'em coming!
Lawrence

milemarker17

I live about 15 miles out of Key West. As you make your way down the Keys, you won't get much in the way of water views from US1 until you're entering Islamorada. There's a very scenic vista available from the bar/restaurant upstairs at World Wide Sportsman at MM 82. (I also recommend the beach-based dining and views available next door at Morada Bay, and the Islamorada Seafood Co. on the other side of WWS isn't bad, either.) If it's sunset time, there are many great spots to pull over along the way the length of the Keys. You can photograph lots of tarpon in the water (and people feeding them) at Robbie's Marina in Islamorada on the Gulf side of the road around MM 77. If you kayak -- you can rent them at Robbie's -- the trip out to Indian Key from there is photo-worthy. There are sometimes nice vistas at Anne's Beach which is on the Atlantic side at MM73. It's a big kite-surfing destination. If you're not driving, there's a great view from the Channel 5 bridge at MM71, so have your camera ready. Unfortunately, there's no place to pull over on the bridge itself. In Marathon, the Turtle Hospital is an interesting stop and sometimes there are some photo opps with turtles being released. Sombrero Beach in Marathon is one of the nicest in the Keys. If you have time, a trip to Pigeon Key (a central stop in the building of the Flagler Railroad) by the Seven Mile Bridge will provide some out-of-the ordinary perspectives of the bridge. Bahia Honda Beach in between Marathon and Big Pine Key has been named a best beach in America by Dr. Beach and is well worth a visit, as someone else mentioned. If you'd like to photo the key deer, they're usually easy to find on Long Beach Road which is an almost immediate left when you first come onto Big Pine Key. There is an off-the-grid island by Big Pine Key called No Name Key. The kayak tours available by the bridge leading onto the island are led by a very knowledgeable guide and there are some excellent opportunities for bird photography around there. http://www.keyskayaktours.com/ A lot of photographers into birds find Boca Chica beach rewarding which is off Geiger Key. About 3 miles from US1 by the Circle K on Big Coppitt Key around MM10. (I'm also a fan of the restaurant at the Geiger Key Marina which is on the way. A real locals' place and scenic.) In Key West, itself, there's no shortage of things to see and shoot. I recommend the Butterfly Conservatory for photographers which is one of the top Duval St. attractions, the gardens at West Martello Tower, Mallory Square at sunset (of course), Ft. Zachary Taylor is a popular beach spot among the ruins of an old fort, and take a sunset cruise. I've had good experiences with Danger Charters. If you have the time and inclination, the trip to Ft. Jefferson is well worth it and has the best snorkeling I've experienced here. Hope that helps.

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

Don't forget the burial grounds in KW lots of interesting shots to be had there. Sunset cruise is awesome!

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Markncorryton

Don't skip the other islands you will pass over on your way down to key west. Stop at each and look around and ask locals for suggestions. I camped at the John c pennekamp and I would highly recommend stopping there for photo ops. Also, I highly recommend stopping at the Islamorado seafood restaurant, after your meal go into the little store next door and grab a frozen chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick. Remember the drive through the keys will surely be the highlight of your trip. Take your time and enjoy.

Npt Bob Loc: Newport, RI

The only things I can think to add to all the great suggestions above are;
- snorkel trip to "Christ of the abyss" from John Pennekanp Park in Key Largo. Google for info.
- swim with the dolphins at Dolphins Plus. Also in Key Largo.