I've Visited the Florida Keys for 27 Years-and This Is the Most Charming Small Town in the Region

"It only takes eight minutes to drive from the beginning to the end of Tavernier Key. But this tiny community, located near the southern end of Key Largo, is packed with rich history, historic inns, and miles of gorgeous ocean views. I grew up visiting the Florida Keys, and it's truly one of my favorite places to visit. Take it from Chris Trentine, who was born and raised in the area and now owns the Crooked Palm Cabana cocktail bar. To him, Tavernier is one of those places in the Keys that still has local, small-town charm. "Anytime something happens, everybody comes together-if you need a favor, like your car breaking down, you'll know somebody around who can help you," he says. "That's what makes the community so special.""

"Tavernier has a storied past. The area was once home to the Calusa and Tequesta Indigenous peoples, but was named "Tavernier" when the Spanish arrived in the area around the 17th century. But the city that travelers see today was largely the result of the boom that came after 1912, when the Florida East Coast Railway's Overseas Railroad (commissioned by Standard Oil founder, Henry Flagler) was completed. And once the Overseas Highway was completed in 1938, Tavernier quickly became a popular destination among tourists."

"For Florida history buffs, it's hard to think of a better place to stay than the Coconut Palm Inn. The property was built in 1947 by Herbert Alley, an engineer. He constructed the building using rubble generated by a hurricane that wrecked the area in 1935, as well as steel rails leftover from the construction of the Overseas Railroad, with the intent for"

Tavernier Key is a compact Florida Keys community with historic inns, scenic ocean views, and a strong, small-town local culture. Indigenous Calusa and Tequesta peoples originally inhabited the area. Spanish arrival in the 17th century gave the area its name, and major development followed the Florida East Coast Railway's Overseas Railroad completion in 1912 and the Overseas Highway in 1938, spurring tourism. The town preserves Old Florida character through its historic district, mom-and-pop shops, and locally owned establishments. Accommodations like the Coconut Palm Inn, built using hurricane rubble and leftover railroad materials, appeal to history-minded visitors.

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