10 Stunning Florida Keys You Didn't Know About

Almost everyone is familiar with Key West and Key Largo, but there are so many more options in the 120-mile string of islands that defines the archipelago known as the Florida Keys. The word key comes from the Spanish word "cayo” which translates to “small island.”

No trip to Miami is complete without a side trip across the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne. Wander idyllic, sunny beaches, as well as two major parks that bookend Key Biscayne — Crandon Park to the north and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to the south. Climb 109 steps for 360-degree views at Cape Florida Lighthouse, one of Key Biscayne’s most notable sites. Kids will love the dolphin shows and underwater reef aquariums at the Miami Seaquarium.

Siesta Key is renowned for its powder-soft quartz sand beaches, including award-winning Siesta Beach, which ranked number one this year on Dr. Beach’s annual list of the best beaches in America. A stone’s throw from Sarasota, shop the colorful boutiques in Siesta Key Village and sample oysters on the half shell at Siesta Key Oyster Bar, a favorite with locals who call it "SKOB." Explore the eight-mile-long barrier island by bike, stand-up paddleboard or kayak.

In Manasota Key, located in Florida’s Charlotte Harbor area, the waves wash up colorful shells, sand dollars and even shark teeth. Swim in the clear, even emerald-tinted water and hike at Stump Pass Beach State Park on the southern tip of the Key. Take to the sky for parasailing and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and manatees in the crystal-clear waters. Later, go for a paddle at Lemon Bay where sea turtles are known to swim and sun.