{"id":255159,"date":"2026-05-02T09:13:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T09:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/255159\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T09:13:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T09:13:48","slug":"40-dog-friendly-things-to-do-in-the-florida-keys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/255159\/","title":{"rendered":"40+ dog-friendly things to do in the Florida Keys"},"content":{"rendered":"

Few places in the Sunshine State are as serene and idyllic as the picture-perfect Florida Keys<\/a>. During a visit there, it\u2019s possible to snorkel among sea turtles and dolphins, catch amazing sunsets, sip on tropical drinks and try so much key lime pie.<\/p>\n

With a plethora of open-air restaurants and outdoor activities, it\u2019s also possible to bring dogs along for the ride. There are even chances for four-legged friends to hop on a paddleboard or take a ride on a charter boat.<\/p>\n

We tried out some options firsthand with Leo, our black Labrador retriever, who has a love for swimming and playing fetch in the sunshine. Here are a few ideas.<\/p>\n

\"LeoLeo the black Labrador enjoys a sun-soaked day at Sombrero Beach in Marathon on April 9. The park includes bathrooms and pavilions, plus places to rinse off. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)
\nDog-friendly outdoor destinations<\/p>\n

When it comes to bringing pets along on a Florida Keys trip, safety should be your top priority. During the winter months, the temperature peaks in the mid-70s and drops to the mid-60s at night. During the summer, hot cars and sidewalks should be at the forefront of pet owners\u2019 minds as they work to keep their companion safe and cool.<\/p>\n

Our visit\u00a0included a stop at\u00a0Sombrero Beach<\/a>, which allows leashed dogs right near the Seven Mile Bridge. With white sand, clear water and amenities like bathrooms and pavilions nearby, this beach makes the perfect setting for a picnic or a day in the sun.<\/p>\n

Other beaches that are dog-friendly include Coco Plum Beach<\/a> in Marathon (where all city parks are pet-friendly), Anne\u2019s Beach<\/a> in Islamorada and the Key West Dog Beach<\/a>. Higgs Beach Dog Park<\/a> in Key West offers a dedicated place for pets to run and play.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Curry Hammock Nature Trail is a 1.7-mile dog-friendly walk with waterfront views. Karissa Bellile and Leo enjoy the scenery of the tropical hike on April 9. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s state parks also offer dog-friendly hiking trails and outdoor spaces. During our visit, Leo enjoyed the rockland hammock habitat of the Curry Hammock State Park<\/a> nature trail (1.5 miles\u00a0round-trip) and an hour-long walk on the Golden Orb Trail at\u00a0Long Key State Park<\/a> \u2014 both offering\u00a0waterfront views and unique ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Other dog-friendly destinations include Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park in Key Largo, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park in Islamorada and the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key. Beaches at state parks are off-limits to dogs.<\/p>\n

\"LeoLeo the black Lab enjoys time at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden on April 10. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)
\nDog-friendly attractions<\/p>\n

One of the most pleasantly surprising things about visiting the Florida Keys is seeing how many attractions allow for four-legged visitors accompanying their humans.<\/p>\n

The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden<\/a>, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, contains historic butterfly gardens and flora native to the Florida Keys, Cuba and the Caribbean. It also makes for a great place to take a walk with your dog along boardwalks and mulched paths to learn more about the biodiversity of Key West.<\/p>\n

The historic Key West Aquarium,<\/a> which first opened its doors in 1935, also allows pets in, providing an indoor respite from the heat and some much-needed shade. See rehabilitated sea turtles, sharks and many species of tropical fish with your leashed dog in hand.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Key West Aquarium is a pet-friendly attraction in an air-conditioned indoor space with tropical fish, sea turtles and sharks in an outside pond. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Nancy Forrester\u2019s Secret Garden<\/a>, a parrot sanctuary, is another Key West attraction that comes up in a search for dog-friendly places.<\/p>\n

At the upper keys,\u00a0Theater of the Sea<\/a> allows well-behaved, leashed dogs in all areas except\u00a0the Parrot Theater. The Key Largo Princess<\/a> glass-bottom boat tours also permit dogs under 50 pounds to sail away with their humans. It\u2019s best to call ahead to ensure there\u2019s room for an extra companion on board.<\/p>\n

\"PatrickPatrick Connolly, Karissa Bellile and Leo the black Lab enjoy the sunset from Mallory Square in Key West on April 10. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

With so much water to explore in the Florida Keys, there are kayak and paddleboard outfitters that allow canine companions to join the adventure. While certainly not the only outfitter, Lazy Dog Adventures<\/a> in Key West offers kayak, paddleboard and boat tours where pooches are encouraged to join.<\/p>\n

There are many charter boat tours<\/a> and even a floating tiki hut adventure<\/a> that also encourage humans to bring their pets.<\/p>\n

\"LeoLeo the black Lab is hopeful for snacks while dining at the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant at Robbie’s of Islamorada on April 11. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)
\nDog-friendly restaurants<\/p>\n

When it comes to dog-friendly dining in the Florida Keys, there are many options on patios and in the open-air establishments that line the Overseas Highway. Many servers are quick to provide water bowls to ensure everyone stays hydrated.<\/p>\n

During our trip, we first tried the Island Fish Co. Restaurant & Tiki Bar in Marathon, where we dined on conch fritters and deep-fried key lime pie while sipping tropical cocktails. Leo was content to sit next to the table with us and stay cool by his water bowl.<\/p>\n

He also enjoyed a few leftover chips and was happy to keep us company at Schooner Warf Bar in Key West, where a band jammed to classic rock tunes and the tuna nachos really hit the spot.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Island Fish Co. Restaurant and Tiki Bar is a dog-friendly eatery serving up appetizers, seafood, tropical drinks and more in Marathon on April 9. Patrick Connolly and Leo the black Lab approve. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

On our way out of the Keys, we were sure to check out Robbie\u2019s, the Islamorada hotspot where visitors can feed the tarpon. There\u2019s also a market and boat rentals daily at the waterfront hangout. From our table at the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant, we had a clear view of people feeding tarpon while we dined on corvina and mahi.<\/p>\n

In Key West, other top dog-friendly eateries<\/a> include Blue Heaven, Louie\u2019s Backyard, Salute!, Hogfish Bar & Grill and First Flight. In Key Largo, check out The Buzzard\u2019s Roost, Mrs. Mac\u2019s Kitchen II, Key Largo Fisheries Backyard, Skippers Dockside, Snook\u2019s Bayside, Key Largo Conch House, Sundowners, Hobo\u2019s Cafe, Sharkey\u2019s Sharkbite Grill and more.<\/p>\n

\"PatrickPatrick Connolly, Karissa Bellile and Leo the black Lab enjoy a visit to Robbie’s of Islamorada on April 11. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

In the middle keys, top options include Islamorada Fish Company and Wahoo\u2019s Bar and Grill.<\/p>\n

For other restaurant recommendations, check out bringfido.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"LeoLeo the black Lab takes in the views from camp at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys on April 11. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)
\nDog-friendly stays<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no shortage of options for overnight accommodations for the whole family in the Florida Keys, pets included.<\/p>\n

Our stay included three nights of tent camping at Bahia Honda State Park, which sits just after the Seven Mile Bridge. Known for its pristine beaches and stargazing opportunities, the park is a perfect place to camp right on the water, though dogs are not allowed on the beaches or in cabins.<\/p>\n

\"PatrickPatrick Connolly, Karissa Bellile and Leo the black Lab enjoy a photo op at Long Key State Park on April 11. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Any state park campground would make an ideal choice for a camping getaway in the Keys. For indoor stays, there are many vacation rentals from Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.com.<\/p>\n

Overnight accommodations that come up as being particularly pet-friendly include the Islander Resort and Three Waters Resort and Marina, both in Islamorada; Baker\u2019s Cay Resort, Key Largo; Ambrosia Key West; Margaritaville Beach House, Key West and Hawks Cay Resort.<\/p>\n

BringFido also lists unique overnight stays like an Airbnb apartment in Key West in a 100-year-old building where the 1955 film \u201cRose Tattoo\u201d was filmed. Another is East Sister Rock Island,<\/a> a private vacation rental just off the coast of Marathon.<\/p>\n

Other interesting stays include a 34-foot catamaran sailboat<\/a> near Key West and an Islamorada home with a private dock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Find me\u00a0@PConnPie on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or send me an email:\u00a0pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at\u00a0orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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