Sightseeing in Key Largo

In the 1920s, one man accomplished a feat so seemingly impossible that scientists, engineers, and scholars are still mystified by it today. This man, Ed Leedskalnin, actually carved 1,100 tons of coral rock to create Coral Castle. Thanks to Ed's ultra-private, night-owl work habits, the methods he used to do so remain mysterious to this day. Part museum, part sculpture garden, Coral Castle features a hand-carved 9-ton gate, a Polaris telescope, and a sundial with seasons?all carved from coral rock. Visitors can explore the site through guided tours, which delve into the history and science behind the structures, as well as a love story. Afterward, they can grab a bite at Coral Castle Caf?. The highly ranked TripAdvisor attraction has been referred to as a modern megalith and compared to such ancient megaliths as the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Some even consider it one of the Wonders of the World, and it has been featured on everything from the History Channel to the Travel Channel. In 1981, the TV show In Search Of with Leonard Nimoy profiled Coral Castle.

True to its name, more than 95% of Biscayne National Underwater Park is covered by water, resulting in a submerged, verdant landscape. In the shallows of Biscayne Bay, explorers can catch sight of waving fields of underwater grass as well as the occasional manatee, sea turtle, or wild submarine. Kayaks paddle out to the more than 30 islands dotting the park’s expanse, reaching destinations such as a 1930s lighthouse. Venturing out from the shore filled with lush mangrove forests, snorkelers dive into living reefs to see fish and turtles gluing the coral together.