Key West Day Trip Guide | Miami’s Island Escape​​ 🌊

📍 ​​Why Key West?​​ A ​​3-hour drive​​ from Miami transports you to a ​​tropical paradise​​—think Hemingway cats, pastel houses, and sunsets that’ll make your Instagram explode. ​​🚗 Road Trip Essentials​​ ✔ ​​Depart Early​​: Leave Miami by ​​7 AM​​ to beat traffic + crowds. ✔ ​​Must-Stop​​: ​​Seven Mile Bridge​​ (park at Pigeon Key for drone shots). ✔ ​​Parking Hack​​: Street park near Truman Annex ($5/hr)—walk everywhere! ​​🏝️ Key West Highlights​​ (Follow This Order!) ​​1️⃣ Hemingway Home & Museum​​ ($18) ​​Cat Heaven​​: 50+ polydactyl (6-toed) felines roam freely. ​​Tea​​: Yes, Hemingway was messy—his typewriter remains pristine though. ​​2️⃣ Southernmost Point Buoy​​ ​​Skip the Line​​: Snap a pic from the side (same ocean, zero wait). ​​3️⃣ Cuban Coffee Queen​​ ​​Order​​: Cortadito (espresso + sweet cream)—​​liquid adrenaline​​. ​​4️⃣ DJ’s Clam Shack​​ ​​Must-Eat​​: Connecticut-style lobster roll (buttery, no mayo). ​​5️⃣ Zero Mile Marker​​ ​​Quick Photo​​: The official start of ​​US Route 1​​. ​​🌅 Sunset Secrets​​ ❌ ​​Avoid​​: Mallory Square (overcrowded tourist trap). ✅ ​​Hidden Gem​​: ​​Fort Zachary Taylor Beach​​ (free + epic views). ​​💡 Pro Tips​​ ✔ ​​Footwear​​: Sandals > flip-flops (cobblestone streets hurt!). ✔ ​​Timing​​: Arrive at sunset spots ​​1 hour early​​. ✔ ​​Budget​​: Bring $100 cash (parking + food adds up). ​​#KeyWestDayTrip #HemingwayCats #LobsterRollGoals​