When searching for an out-of-the-ordinary getaway, why not head to the Florida Keys? They offer a unique escape close to home: a tropical paradise without leaving the United States. But that’s just the beginning of the Florida Keys’ one-of-a-kind attractions. You will find experiences in the Keys not offered anywhere else in Florida–or anywhere else for that matter!

If you love the ocean and its secrets, you’ll love Jules' Undersea Lodge in Key Largo. An underwater adventure at the bottom of the sea, you’ll have to scuba dive to the hotel, where you’ll find the comfort of two bedrooms and a common room, which is a combination living room, dining area and kitchen with refrigerator and microwave. Other creature comforts include hot showers, books and VCR/DVD movies. While certified divers can enjoy unlimited diving throughout their stay, guests may spend their entire stay underwater without surfacing. www.jul.com

Another underwater spectacle is the Christ of the Deep, a 4,000-pound bronze statue located off Key Largo in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. Duplicated from the Christ of the Abyss off the Italian coast, the Christ of the Deep stands on a 20-ton concrete base in 25 feet of water. The statute makes a great souvenir photograph unlike anything found in your friends’ vacation albums! This is a great site for both divers and snorkelers.

If you want to enjoy the water without donning a wet suit, book a ride in the Nautilimo, the Florida Keys’ only nautical stretch limo! Designed to look like a Cadillac limousine, the Nautilimo is a great way to tour the beautiful shoreline of the Keys. Of course, you also can delight in the reactions of passersby, who struggle to make sense of a white limousine cruising through the water. As a bonus, because you are essentially riding in the body of car, those who get seasick may not suffer because it feels like you’re cruising around town instead of down the coastline. www.nautilimo.com

For those who’ve dreamed about traveling to the ends of the earth, why not travel to the ends of the United States? Only the Florida Keys can claim the southernmost point of the continental United States. Located at the corner of Whitehead and South Street in Key West, the spot is only 90 miles from Cuba. The colorful marker at this spot provides yet another unusual vacation photograph opportunity!

Nature lovers will love the National Key Deer Refuge found on Big Pine Key. Tiny key deer–each no larger than a medium-sized dog–roam this key freely, so caution is advised when driving through the refuge. To catch a glimpse of these miniature marvels, visitors should explore the refuge along roadside edges at dawn and dusk.

Yes, the Florida Keys certainly offer a diverse yet distinctive vacation destination without leaving the country.