Seven Mile Bridge

The basics

It’s important to know the difference between the Old Seven Mile Bridge and the New Seven Mile Bridge: The old bridge is now a motor-free tourist attraction that ends at Pigeon Key, and the new bridge is an active highway that ends in Key West. Pigeon Key has a beach, museum, gift shop, and open-air train. Although there’s ample room across the 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) Old Seven Mile Bridge for cycling, walking, and rollerblading, the parking lot fills up quickly.

Things to know before you go

• Admission is required to access Pigeon Key.

• Waters below the bridge are as deep as 22 feet (6.7m), which makes for fun fishing.

• The Seven Mile Bridge Run is an annual race that takes place every April, one of the few events occurring on the bridge.

How to get there

The only way to get to the Old Seven Mile Bridge is to drive on the Overseas Highway, which is US Route 1 that leads from the mainland in South Florida all the way down to Key West. The Old Seven Mile Bridge begins right after Marathon at Knight’s Key, then stretches across the open water until it reaches Little Duck Key.

When to get there

The small parking lot at the entrance to the Old Seven Mile Bridge fills up quickly so visit as early as possible. The bridge lacks shade, so arriving early also lets you avoid walking miles under peak sunlight. Even though Pigeon Key closes early, sunset is a popular time to visit the bridge if you can find a parking spot.

See Fred and Donna from the New Seven Mile Bridge

Unless you’re only visiting the Old Seven Mile Bridge, you’ll certainly have to travel over the new Seven Mile Bridge to reach Key West. As you’re driving down the Overseas Highway, look out at the Old Seven Mile Bridge and you’ll see Fred the Australian pine tree and Donna the bush rooted into the oldest parts of the bridge. These lonesome leafy lingers act as unofficial mascots for the bridge.