Composed of a dozen or so islands and sandwiched between more touristy Marathon and Key West, the Lower Keys have strict limits on development (forget high-rise condos). The largest landmass - Big Pine Key, at 10 square miles - is home to a 9,200-acre deer refuge. And some keys, like Cudjoe, have no commercial center at all.
The area also feels decidedly tropical, and no wonder: Poised at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, it's the closest you can get to the Caribbean within the 50 states. And while the shores of other Keys are notoriously rocky, the Lower Keys' Bahia Honda State Park is a notable exception. It has been rated among the top beaches in the U.S.
All this adds up to a vacation spot where you can let your own rhythm take over: Have a late breakfast, spend the morning exploring by boat, then follow up with some serious beach bumming. If you get bored from all the R&R, you're at most a 40-minute drive away from boisterous Key West - the islands are all connected via bridges along the Overseas Highway.
Where to stay: These sleepy islands host few hotels - though Hawks Cay resort is a lovely exception. Situated on Duck Key, the resort just completed a $40 million overhaul. Post-renovation rates start at $275 - at least $100 less than comparable resorts in Key West
Last updated January 24 2008: 7:01 PM ET
