Besides balmy year-round weather, endless blue water and a seriously laid-back vibe, in the Florida Keys you’ll find an enticing array of environmental, cultural and adventure activities that can’t be enjoyed anywhere EXCEPT in the island chain.

AFrican Queen Key Largo

Cruise into film history aboard the African Queen, the actual vessel from director John Huston’s classic 1951 film by the same name. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Want to make lasting vacation memories? Then enliven your stay with some of the “only in the Keys” experiences outlined here.

Cruise on the original African Queen. Channel classic cinema icons in Key Largo by cruising on the restored African Queen (yes, it’s the actual vessel from the 1951 film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn). The venerable boat, registered as a national historic site, underwent a $70,000 restoration in 2012 and today looks much as it did on the silver screen. Come aboard for a 90-minute Key Largo canal cruise or even a dinner cruise.

“Hook and cook” in the Sportfishing Capital of the World. Book a skilled charter captain or guide in Islamorada, called the Sportfishing Capital of the World, for exhilarating offshore, reef or backcountry fishing. The Keys claim more saltwater fishing world records than anyplace else on the globe. After catching your fish (like yellowtail snapper or tuna), take it to one of many nearby restaurants to have it cooked. There’s nothing like savoring perfectly prepared fish that you boated yourself.

Meet “patients” at a pioneering sea turtle hospital. Encounter rescued sea turtles during a behind-the-scenes tour of the planet’s first licensed veterinary hospital specializing in these fascinating creatures. A dedicated team at Marathon’s Turtle Hospital rescues, rehabilitates and nurtures sick and injured turtles and, whenever possible, releases them back into the ocean. Since it opened over 30 years ago, the hospital has treated and rehabilitated nearly 2,000 injured sea turtles. Occasionally it’s possible to witness a turtle release — a truly heartwarming experience.

Key Deer Lower Keys

A Key deer searches for food in the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. About the size of a large dog, the deer are indigenous to the Lower Florida Keys. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Drive across the Seven Mile Bridge. It’s a “bucket list” adventure to drive over the landmark Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest segmental bridges in the world and the centerpiece of the iconic Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Connecting Marathon and the Lower Keys, it stretches above the blue Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico — giving drivers the sensation that they’re floating over water.

Discover tiny Key deer. On Big Pine Key, if you’re lucky, you can glimpse a real-life “Bambi” that’s about the size of a large dog. Tiny Key deer, an endangered species that live only in the Lower Keys, can be seen grazing especially in the early morning and at dusk. In 1957, the National Key Deer Refuge was established to protect and preserve the deer and other Keys wildlife resources. Spotting one of the shy creatures isn’t always easy, but it’s a real treat when you do.

Explore the vacation home of former President Harry Truman. Key West is home to the Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum, Florida’s only presidential museum, where Truman spent approximately six months of his 1945-53 presidency. View items including the original piano and poker table (ask about its unassuming “disguise”) used by the former POTUS.

Southernmost Point Key West

A family poses for a photograph at the Southernmost Point marker in Key West — which commemorates the southernmost spot of land in the continental United States. (Photo by Laurence Norah, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Take a “southernmost selfie.” Key West’s red, black and yellow Southernmost Point marker isn’t terribly picturesque, but hundreds of visitors take their photos beside it every day. Why? Because the ungainly buoy replica marks the southernmost spot in the continental United States. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on Whitehead Street, its brightly-painted body bears lettering that proclaims it’s just 90 miles from Cuba. What better place for a selfie?

Besides these, many other unique and unforgettable activities are waiting for you in the Florida Keys — from eco-adventure “voluntourism” opportunities to special events showcasing the island chain’s rich environment, colorful heritage and fun-loving attitude.

And they ALL offer ample proof that the best vacation experiences can be found “only in the Keys.”