Emerald-hued water flanks the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys.

- Peter W. Cross for VISIT FLORIDA

There are many ways to visit Key West on the cheap. Of course, one of the best ways to save money is to check out lower-profile areas. Key West deservedly gets a lot of hype, but there's fun to be had throughout beaches in the Florida Keys.

I asked Carolina Bustamante of Newman PR to recommend some free and cheap things to do in the Florida Keys. Here are her faves:

Key Largo

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: The visitors center features a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and other natural history exhibits interpreting the park's unique marine environment. There's also a theater where visitors may watch nature videos. Snorkeling and glass bottom boat excursions are also available. Admission is $2.50 to $8.50, depending on the number of people in your vehicle. It's one of the more popular Florida Keys points of interest.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center: Learn about the native and migratory bird populations of the Keys and Everglades, and see firsthand the rehabilitative efforts of the animal care for injured, sick, rescued or orphaned birds. There's no admission fee, but donations are encouraged. 

Islamorada 

Rain Barrel Artisans' Village: Stroll through the tropical gardens and see the best in contemporary art and American crafts. Discover that one-of-a-kind creation that makes shopping a fun experience. Watch the artists create your masterpiece. Take a photo with Betsy the Lobster, the world's largest biologically correct replica of a lobster. Admission is free, but B.Y.O. spending money. 

History of Diving Museum: Adult admission to this unique museum is $12. The museum's founder, Sally Bauer, has been inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame.

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park: See a cross-section of an actual coral reef, above ground – for free! You might even see a fossil.

Long Key Bridge fishing: Cast off between mile markers 63 and 65. A fishing license is required, though available at most retailers including Kmart, bait and tackle shops and the like. There's no charge to drop a line; if you catch dinner, you'll save even more money!

Feeding tarpon at Robbie's Marina:
"Amazing," "breathtaking" and "impressive" are words marina staffers often hear from first-time visitors to the end of the dock. They're referring to is the school of 50 to 100 tarpon that come daily and linger for hours.

Marathon

Old Seven Mile Bridge: One of the great free things to do in the Florida Keys is walk across or rent a bicycle and ride over the bridge, explore Pigeon Key and have a picnic lunch, sunbathe or swim. For a tour to see other Florida Keys points of interest on the island including historical buildings and museums, a donation to the Pigeon Key Foundation of $12 is appreciated.

Sombrero Beach: Admission is free. Need I say more?

Turtle Hospital: You know you're intrigued! Take a 90-minute guided educational tour of the hospital facilities and the sea turtle rehabilitation area. At the end of the program, guests are invited to feed the permanent residents. Admission is $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids. Reservations are highly recommended.

Crane Point Museum and Nature Center: Check out interpretative displays of local wildlife, marine-life, dioramas and dramatic exhibits featuring artifacts and objects of cultural interest. Also visit the Adderley House – the oldest house outside of Key West – and the Marathon Wild Bird Center. Admission is $12.50 for adults, or less for kids and seniors.

Lower Keys

National Key Deer Refuge: The property consists of about 9,200 acres of land that includes pine rockland forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, freshwater wetlands salt marsh wetlands and mangrove forests. These natural communities are a critical habitat for hundreds of endemic and migratory species including 17 federally listed species such as Key deer, lower Keys marsh rabbit and silver rice rat.

Bahia Honda State Park:
With an award-winning beach and historic bridge, Bahia Honda State Park at mile marker 37 has become a favorite destination for visitors to our island paradise and one of the top things to do in Floirda Keys. The park, encompassing more than 500 acres and an offshore island, offers some of the best snorkeling and beachcombing in Florida. It's perfect for a quiet family getaway. 

The Seven-Mile Bridge, seen from south of Marathon, carries travelers back and forth to the lower Keys.

The Seven-Mile Bridge, seen from south of Marathon, carries travelers back and forth to the lower Keys.

- Patrick Farrell for VISIT FLORIDA

things to do in the florida keys

Jack Dunn runs along Boca Chica beach in the shadow of the Boca Chica Channel bridge and is treated to a picturesque scene along the Florida Keys Scenic Highway.

- Patrick Farrell for VISIT FLORIDA

florida keys things to do

A couple rides their bikes along the old Seven Mile Bridge, which parallels the Florida Keys Scenic Highway, just south of Marathon in the Florida Keys.

- Patrick Farrell for VISIT FLORIDA

Florida Keys points of interest

The Seven Mile Bridge seen from the air just south of Marathon in the Florida Keys

- Patrick Farrell for VISIT FLORIDA

PLACES TO REMEMBER

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