Sometimes the demands of this concrete jungle are just too much for any one person to handle. It’s right around the time you come to that realization, that throwing caution to the wind, gassing up the hybrid SUV and setting off on a road trip to anywhere sounds like a great idea. Check out this week’s idea for a weekend getaway.
Merely and hour or so away lies a little sanctuary Jimmy Buffet has taken to calling Margaritaville. The rest of us know it by its humble moniker, Key Largo. Take the turnpike South and when you hit mile marker 100 or so, you know you have reached paradise. Despite looking like a sleepy town, there’s plenty to do. Namely, drink and fish, but there are also lesser-known activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Dolphin plus, for instance, allows for a marine biology education that happily incorporates swimming with dolphins and sea lions and even lets you purchase a DVD of the adventure.
At Jules’ Undersea Lodge, guests will be required to scuba dive 21 feet below sea level just to get their room. The former research center has been converted to an underwater habitat complete with TVs, showers and a moon pool to observe the world under the sea.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, on the other hand, will have fishing and camping enthusiasts elated with it’s 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangrove swamps. There are glassbotom boat rides and scuba tours as well.
Dolphin Plus: 31 Corrine Pl. Key Largo; 1-866-860-7946; www.dolphinsplus.com
Jules’ Undersea Lodge: 51 Shoreland Dr., Key Largo; 305-451-2353; www.jul.com
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Mile Marker 102.5 on the Overseas Highway, Key Largo; 1-800-326-3521; www.pennekamppark.com
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