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Southern Secluded Isles: 11 Sun-Drenched Spots to Soothe Your Soul
by Carrie Miner
 Key West
Further down the road along Florida’s coast, Key West wraps itself in the mystery and romance that has enticed such creative souls such as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost and Jimmy Buffett to its shores.
Situated on the last of the Florida Keys, this island can be reached from Key West International Airport [EYW]. At the “End of the Road,” this southwestern subtropical paradise provides a refuge from the hassles of everyday life.
Here you can fill your days with sightseeing, shopping and maritime activities and your nights with fiery sunsets, edgy entertainment and seaside cocktails.
The influence of Cuba and the Bahamas is evidenced in the island’s menus, museums and lodgings.
At Key West anything goes. Here at the Southern-most city in the United States, you can visit the John Audubon House and Ernest Hemingway’s home, angle for billfish beyond the reef, swim with dolphins in the turquoise waters or stroll through the renovated Historic Seaport district.
Spend a pleasant afternoon warndering through a historic fort, watch street performers play when the sun goes down, dine on island specialties and dance the night away before starting all over again in the morning.
Cedar Key
For a different approach to island exploration, Cedar Key offers unique shopping and dining along with nature tours, fishing and boating in the Gulf of Mexico. Accessed from George T Lewis Airport [CDK], this small fishing village provides an up close look at ocean and marsh wildlife.
As one of the oldest ports in Florida, Cedar Key has always played a central role as a major supplier of seafood. Today people visit the sleepy community to browse among the eclectic mix of shops and galleries on the historic streets and to enjoy the fresh seafood in the island’s world-famous restaurants.
This nature lover’s paradise can be explored by canoeing, kayaking and bicycling. Among Cedar Key’s protected sanctuaries, you can go birding at the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, explore the salt marsh at the Waccasassa Bay State Preserve, hike through the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and watch Florida’s gentle giants at Manatee Springs State Park.
Other local attractions include the Cedar Key Museum State Park and the prehistoric Indian mound and nature trail at Shell Mound Park.
Galveston Island
If you take the time to tie down at Scholes International Airport at Galveston [GLS], you’ll discover the island playground that is a favorite escape of Houston residents.
For an oceanfront room with a view, check into the historic Hotel Galvez. However, if you’re looking for classic elegance and close proximity to the Strand Historic District, you might want to consider staying at the elegant Tremont House.
While Galveston Island sports 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches, there is more to do here than the typical beach activities. In addition to swimming, surfing, fishing, beachcombing and crabbing, you can also learn about the eccentric history of this town once known as the “New York of Texas”.
After exploring Galveston’s shores, head to the Strand Historical District, where you’ll find more than 100 shops, restaurants and art galleries situated within the district’s 26-square blocks. Another favorite destination in Galveston is the old downtown district near the wharves where you’ll find the Railroad Museum and the Texas Seaport Museum.
Other featured island attractions include train tours, carriage rides, ocean cruises, duck tours, performing arts at the Grand 1894 Opera House and some of the best dining in Texas.
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