Florida Itinerary for Best Road Trip with Dog (Part2)

Unleash Adventure: Ultimate Dog-Friendly Florida Road Trip Itinerary (Part 2)

This itinerary details our road trip around Florida, highlighting a pet-friendly Key West. It includes Florida’s best activities, beaches, and restaurants for you and your dog.

If you skipped the first part, click Florida Road Trip – Part 1. Otherwise, let’s continue. In the previous part, we left a luxury Palm Beach and headed south.

7. Miami

Although Miami, Florida, is famous for its vibrant nightlife, you’ll find dog-friendly beaches worth including in your itinerary. Miami is a hub for Latin American and Caribbean culture. Additionally, it is renowned for its international cuisine, fashion scene, and energetic atmosphere. There are a few neighborhoods to walk through together with your furry friend.

Little Havana is one of them, especially Calle Ocho. Stop for food and drinks along the way. Don’t miss live music at a pub while sipping some Cuban Libre.

The Controversial Dogs and Cats Walkway Sculpture Gardens at Maurice A. Ferré Park showcase 52 aluminum sculptures portraying different dog and cat breeds adorned in vibrant, flashy colors and patterns. Despite some skepticism within the local art community regarding the artistic merit of the sculptures, the site offers a colorful backdrop perfect for capturing striking photographs. Witness Zen’s experience at this unique location and share your thoughts on its appeal.

To wind down the day, consider Lagniappe at 3425 Northeast 2nd Avenue. This wine bar and jazz club provide the perfect evening ambiance with live music. and promises a delightful experience.

Wynwood Walls doesn’t allow dogs, but you can explore the surrounding streets instead. Get your camera out, and you’ll find many graffiti-filled walls and murals. Check out what they look like in our video.

There are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. Try delicious grilled octopus in Le Chick, authentic Mexican street tacos at Coyo Taco, or Bakan.

Miami Beach

When visiting Miami Beach, don’t miss the iconic Art Deco Historic District, where you can admire the colorful buildings and vibrant nightlife. Take a stroll along the famous Ocean Drive and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

For a change of scenery, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Spanning 3 acres, it features flowering trees, orchids, philodendrons, and over 100 palm species. Particular areas include the koi pond, fountains, Japanese Garden, Native Garden, Edible Garden, and the Collins Canal Promenade. The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm, and welcomes dogs on leashes.

On the way back, drive along Di Lido Island Road and indulge in the breathtaking views of opulent villas and luxurious yachts dotting the waterfront. It’s a captivating experience immersed in the allure of Miami’s upscale lifestyle.

Beaches

Hobie Island Beach, Florida, is one of the best dog beaches in Miami. Its shallow waters allow worry-free surf play. This off-road beach is between Brickell, Downtown Miami, and Key Biscayne. It offers fantastic skyline views, concession stands, and free parking for beachgoers.

If you are searching for more Florida beaches, Haulover Dog Beach is located just across the Haulover Inlet from Bal Harbour; this approximately two-mile stretch of the coast has an adjacent park overlooking Biscayne Bay. Dogs are allowed from 8 am to 3 pm between lifeguard towers 2 and 3. Dogs can be officially off-leash during that time if owners maintain control at all times

8. Everglades National Park

After days spent on the East Coast, we are heading to the southeast part of Florida, but the next stop on our itinerary was Everglades National Park.
The Everglades, once spanning Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay, lost nearly half its area to drainage in the mid-1900s. The park protects 1.5 million acres of this vital ecosystem. It functions as a water purifier for runoff before reaching Florida Bay. Beyond filtration, it enhances South Florida’s climate resilience by absorbing hurricane impacts. The Everglades is a crucial natural sanctuary home to diverse flora and fauna, including 16 wading bird species and over 200 threatened and endangered species.

There are plenty of ways how to discover the park. We joined The Original Coopertown Airboat tour. They offer shared and private daily tours from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. We suggest joining an early tour so you’ll be on time for your next stop. Both tours are dog-friendly. We started with a glimpse of the vast grass expanse known as the “River of Grass” and then went through Hardwood Hammock to an island in the Everglades. Also, we were stopping at alligator holes where you might encounter various wildlife, including the colorful Purple Gallinule and the endangered Everglade Snail Kite. The tour was a chance to appreciate nature and a fun ride for dogs and humans. Check the two following videos about our experience.

9. Coral Castle Museum

As I already mentioned, plan your Florida itinerary accordingly. The Coral Castle Museum is open only from Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last tour starting at 5 p.m.

It is an oolite limestone structure created by the Latvian-American eccentric Edward Leedskalnin. Over the span of 28 years, Ed clandestinely carved more than 1,100 tons of coral rock, employing an undisclosed process that resulted in one of the world’s most mysterious accomplishments. And, of course, it is a great place to take many great photos. Check out how Zen liked it.

10. Three Days Around Keys

We extended our itinerary to spend the next three days chilling around pet-friendly Florida’s Keys, including Key West. The Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles off the southern tip of the US state of Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The Keys offer plenty of activities you can experience with your dog; it was hard to decide which one to do, so please continue to read for more information.

Dolphin Research Center

I stand firmly against animal abuse and exploitation for profit. However, recognizing that every establishment has its own story, I am often drawn to uncovering the truth behind it. The Dolphin Research Center stands out as a different kind of place. If you’re interested in observing dolphins without the feeling of them being held in captivity solely for your entertainment, I highly recommend including it in your Florida itinerary.

The Dolphin Research Center operates as a non-profit research and educational facility. Many of its residents were born there, while others were transferred from different facilities or rescued and rehabilitated, deemed unfit for release back into the wild by the Government. The center’s research program is focused on cognition, behavior, and husbandry, striving to contribute to our understanding of these magnificent marine animals.

Leashed dogs are welcome, and they can enjoy close encounters with the dolphins along the boardwalk, where these intelligent creatures often approach the water’s edge to interact. Besides that, you can hear interesting facts about dolphin behavior and learn about interaction with them.

Theater of The Sea

Since 1946, Theater of the Sea has had a diverse array of marine and terrestrial life, including dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and birds, most of whom were rescued.

With a general admission ticket, guests can enjoy a variety of shows. Importantly, well-behaved, leashed dogs can join the adventure. If you enjoy exploring new experiences with your dog, Theater of the Sea offers a wonderful opportunity for them to encounter something different. We particularly enjoyed observing the turtles, many of which cannot survive in the wild, such as one with a spinal disorder who wears a life jacket for support.

The lagoon-side beach is open for visitors, usually from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, depending on the weather.

After the show, you can visit a gift shop for souvenirs and head to Papa’s Grill for lunch or dinner.

Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada

Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada offers another exciting destination to explore with your furry friend. Here, you can witness the spectacle of feeding enormous tarpon. While only small dogs are permitted on the boardwalk for the feeding experience, you can still observe from a distance if you prefer.

Additionally, indulge in some shopping at Robbie’s Tropical Open-Air Shopping! The selection includes art, jewelry, sunglasses, and clothing to browse and enjoy.

For dining, there’s the fantastic Hungry Tarpon Restaurant, a waterfront establishment with a spacious outdoor seating area. You can enjoy scenic views while savoring signature dishes such as Tuna Sliders or Mahi Reuben, accompanied by delightful cocktails. The restaurant caters to early birds, opening at 6:30 am and staying open until 9 pm for those seeking a memorable dining experience.

Marathon

Sombrero Beach is one of Florida’s best beaches for dogs, so don’t miss it on your itinerary. It offers a shady park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms, and showers.

Sombrero Beach is a turtle-nesting beach. From April through October, it is not unusual for Loggerhead Turtles to come onto the beach at night to lay their eggs. During active turtle nesting season, the City limits human activities near active turtle nest establishments. Turtle nest areas typically represent less than 10% of the available beach area. The remainder of the beach is open for our visitors and residents to enjoy.

Coco Plum Beach has over a mile of sandy beaches, which are Florida’s paradises for dogs. The water is shallow, and your pet will love to romp in the shallows and play catch. Expect to meet other dog owners and dogs here.

A stroll along the Seven Mile Bridge is a must-do activity before the day draws to a close, offering the perfect opportunity to capture stunning sunset shots.

Across the way lies Bahia Honda State Park, probably one of the world’s most picturesque parks, but pets are restricted from beaches and permitted only in designated areas.

Key West

Key West, Florida’s southernmost point, is renowned for its pet-friendly ambiance, where chickens roam freely. It lies approximately 90 miles north of Cuba, marking our furthest stop on the itinerary.

At the pinnacle of this list are sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters, and a gentle off-shore breeze, but beyond these typical beach experiences lie the enchanting sandbars.

Sandbars, characterized by areas of sand rising above the water’s surface, offer a unique adventure. Standing in shallow waters on soft sand, with the vast expanse of the open sea before you, while small sharks and rays gracefully glide around, is an unforgettable pet-friendly experience synonymous with the beauty of Key West.

There are many options to get a private charter to visit some of them; 2-3 hours will usually cost you $500-600. We found the best choice by EASY DAY CHARTERS since they offer private and shared tours for up to six people at $125 per person. And they are dog-friendly on all tours. Check out what it looks like.

Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is a frost-free arboretum and botanical garden containing a collection of trees, shrubs, and palms, including several “champion tree” specimens. It is located on Stock Island.

The garden showcases flora native to The Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Caribbean and emphasizes the cultivation of threatened and endangered species of the Florida Keys. This society encourages the study of this collection and promotes the benefits of native vegetation worldwide.

Key West Aquarium

Located in Key West’s famous Mallory Square, the Key West Aquarium is pretty small but a cool, pet-friendly spot for a short visit.

The aquarium is home to jellyfish, sharks, and many other marine animals. It offers interactive conservation talks and animal feedings. Guests can also meet moray eels, barracuda, grouper, tropical fish, conch, and sea cucumbers with narration by the aquarium’s expert guides.

Touch Tank offers guests hands-on experience, including daily shark and turtle feedings. Dogs are welcome anytime as long as they are on leashes.

Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden

​Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden is a pet-friendly sanctuary for orphaned parrots at 518 Elizabeth St, Key West. They rescue, rehome, and train parrots and specialize in macaws. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden.

Refresh yourself and your pet on the patio of the pet-friendly Louie’s Backyard. Another option is the Two Friends Patio, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and dogs are welcome at a table on the covered patio. Geiger Key Marina offers good menu options and a lot of fresh seafood. It is not touristy and is off the beaten path.

To continue with part 3 of our Florida itinerary, click Florida Road Trip – Part 3.