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The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys

From left to right Breathtaking view of Long Pine Key Lake, Everglades National Park; The Busy Beehives exhibit in the Imaginarium Science Center, Fort Myers; Feeding tarpons at Robbie’s Marina, Islamorada

Informative displays in the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island

Florida tapers off to its narrowest and flattest at its southern tip. While barrier islands rim the shoreline along the Gulf Coast, sandy beaches, mangrove estuaries, saltwater marshes, and the shallow Florida Bay make up the unique Everglades. Farther south |are the Florida Keys, a string of islands that rest on a bed of coral and limestone from ancient reefs. The Tamiami Trail (Highway 41) passes through the Everglades, connecting Tampa to Miami. Interstate 75, often called “Alligator Alley”, is a faster route, linking Fort Lauderdale to Fort Myers and Naples.

SEE MAP

1. Fort Myers

2. Sanibel and Captiva Islands

3. Upper Islands

4. J. N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge

5. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

6. Naples

7. Marco Island

8. Everglades National Park

9. Biscayne National Park

10. Miccosukee Indian Village

11. Big Cypress National Preserve

12. Everglades City

13. Key West

14. Big Pine Key

15. Bahia Honda State Park

16. Marathon

17. Islamorada

18. Key Largo

19. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

The Lowdown

Getting there and around Air Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), in Fort Myers, serves most of the major and low-fare airlines from destinations in and outside Florida. A couple of carriers fly small planes between Fort Myers and Key West. Several taxi companies service the airport and provide transportation throughout the region. Naples and Key West have small airports with a limited service. Most visitors to Key West fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) and drive to the Keys. Car Several rental car agencies are based at RSW. Note that all cars, including rentals, need a transponder device to use for the toll road from Miami to the Keys. Check www.sunpass.com/rentalcar for details.

Visitor information See individual entries.

Supermarkets Publix (www.publix.com) is the major chain here with outlets throughout this region. There is also Winn-Dixie, which is slightly more affordable. Markets Different communities host farmers’ markets on various days, sometimes only in the winter or spring season. Contact tourist offices for details.

Festivals Edison Festival of Light, Fort Myers: junior parade with floats and street performers; www.edisonfestival.org (Feb). Conch Republic Independence Celebration, Key West; www.keywestchamber.org (Apr)

Opening hours Some facilities in the Everglades area close in summer and the fall. Many restaurants in the Everglades and Keys close for a month in the fall.

Pharmacies Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) pharmacies in Fort Myers and Naples stay open 24 hours. However, in the Keys, CVS (www.cvs.com) and Walgreens do not stay open all night. Be sure to stock up on medical supplies before visiting the Everglades and Keys.

Restrooms All major attractions, fast-food restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets, and gas stations have public restrooms.