Seven Mile Bridge

This lengthy bridge has an intriguing history and provides incredible views.

The Seven Mile Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the entire country, and it is located in the Florida Keys. The Seven Mile Bridge connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys, and if you have the opportunity to venture over it, make sure it is during the daytime so you can see the miles of glistening blue-green water that surround you the entire drive over it. The Seven Mile Bridge initially started getting built in 1909 as a railway by Henry Flagler. It was truly an undertaking and a huge accomplishment at the time, because there is certainly nothing simple about building a railway bridge over the ocean with such limited technology. Unfortunately, the original bridge was badly harmed by a hurricane in the 1930s.

The current bridge we drive on today to get to the southernmost Keys was constructed in the late 1970s. You are able to see the original bridge that runs parallel to the current one as you drive along, though you can see how much damage it has taken over the years. Some portions of the original bridge still make for a great fishing pier, too. This is arguably one of the most scenic highways you can traverse – and if you’re lucky the water will be crystal clear enough for you to see marine life like turtles and dolphins.