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A sequence of islands surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Key West is a world other than the mainland. The southernmost metropolis within the continental United States, the sun-soaked outpost treats guests to a seamless mix of nature, nightlife, and historical past. After all, it’s simple to imagine the place is little greater than a three-mile-long bar — and that’s not totally unfaithful. However, past the excitement of Duval Road and the aspect streets filled with endless-happy-hour spots, there’s extra to see on this island paradise than most guests ever take into account. The city has famously been dwelling to literary giants together with Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, and Elizabeth Bishop. After all, the tropical outpost was additionally the longtime dwelling of Jimmy Buffet, who has usually paid musical homage to Key West in his songs.
As we speak, locals respect the eccentric, the creative, the bohemian, and have fun anybody or something that’s just a bit bizarre. It’s sometimes a bit extra laid again than bigger, busier Florida mainstays like Miami and Orlando. Right here’s a information to touring the US’ southernmost outpost like a proudly off-kilter native.
When to go to the Florida Keys
Springtime (between March and Might) is the best time to go to. Crowds start to skinny out from the winter rush, however the climate remains to be snug with a 70-to-80 diploma candy spot. Winter is the excessive season as these from the Northern U.S. hurry to flee the chilly. Summer time is a big gamble, because it brings hurricane season (June to November) which is humid and sometimes wet, however motels supply nice charges and there are fewer vacationers.
With a protracted listing of occasions each month of the 12 months, Key West is a pageant lover’s dream. Listed below are the highlights:
- January: The five-day Key West Food & Wine Festival is a fruits of 30 occasions to have fun the island’s distinctive Floridian-Caribbean delicacies.
- April: The Cow Key Channel Bridge Run isn’t a serious occasion. However, because the “solely zero Okay bridge run,” it completely embodies Key West’s eclectic, humorous, and simply plain bizarre tradition. April additionally brings the annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration which showcases Key West’s historic and weird 1982 “secession” from the US.
- June: Like a toned-down model of Fantasy Fest, Key West Pride is a multi-day occasion to advertise the One Human Household philosophy so completely engrained within the island’s lifestyle.
- October: Fantasy Fest is Key West’s 10-day carnival and the one can’t-miss annual occasion. It’s loud, wild, and really near a bacchanal the place (nearly) something goes. Make your journey plans early and be ready to pay a hefty premium for motels and nearly all the pieces else.
- November: For nearly 4 many years, the Super Boat Annual Key West World Championship has been one of many world’s premier powerboat racing occasions. Spectators crowd at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Key West harbor to observe extra the highest contenders race at greater than 100 mph. The next week sees the Key West Film Festival which options one of the best in impartial cinema for offbeat overseas, LGBT, and documentary movies, plus Florida-centric film premieres as nicely. It’s a full-featured occasion with a big kick-off get together, unique screenings, and an awards gala.
The place to remain
When it comes to in a single day lodging, Key West has one thing for everybody. There are hotels, Airbnb’s, and mom-and-pop locations reminiscent of you would possibly see on the collection Bloodline for hire in Key West. Factor is, there’s solely a lot actual property, as anybody who visits can let you know, it may be costly. Ebook your lodging far prematurely of your journey to get one of the best fee.
Eden Home
For regionally flavored lodging, it’s laborious to beat Eden Home. It was Key West’s first lodge and, even after a number of renovations, it retains the island’s charming, bohemian-meets-Colonial vibe. It’s ‘boutique’ in each sense of the phrase – the form of place the place check-in beers are complimentary and each visitor is assured a hammock.
- Nearest Airport: Key West Worldwide Airport
- Time: 14 minutes
- Distance: 4.9 miles
Southernmost Seashore Resort
Beachfront lodging is scarce in Key West, however Southernmost Seashore Resort is an exception. The Colonial-style cottages are stylish, upscale, and supply loads of island flare – all unfold throughout six beachfront acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. What’s extra: It’s inside a brief stroll to the motion on and off Duval Road, however far sufficient eliminated to guarantee loads of quiet and seclusion.
- Nearest Airport: Key West Worldwide Airport
- Time: 14 minutes
- Distance: 4.8 miles
The Gardens Lodge
A Key West mainstay because the 1800s, the property that’s now often known as The Gardens Hotel was as soon as slated to grow to be a botanical backyard. In 1930, masterful landscaper Peggy Mills bought the property, and reworked the property into an exquisitely lush backyard, with unique tropical vegetation and artfully-crafted brick walkways. And, the tranquil vibe stays, though lately, the property even has facilities for friends, together with heated swimming pools bicycle leases, and the well-stocked Wine Gallery. Lodging choices embody ethereal visitor rooms, an artfully-appointed main bedroom, and 5 distinctive cottages, 4 of which embody personal swimming pools.
- Nearest Airport: Key West Worldwide Airport
- Time: 10 minutes
- Distance: 3.6 miles
What to eat and drink
At simply seven sq. miles, Key West is tiny. So, fortunately, its vacationer district is condensed right into a single street – Duval Road. It’s dwelling to Starbucks, Denny’s, Jimmy Buffet’s Magaritaville, mass-produced tchotchke retailers, and pop-up stands with buckets of booze at all times on ‘particular.’ It’s well worth the cease as a result of you’ll be able to’t totally respect modern-day Key West with out it. However, one of the best elements of the island are discovered on the various aspect streets and alleys off Duval. Fortunately, Key West’s diminutive measurement hasn’t stopped the proliferation of fantastic eating places on nearly each nook of the island.
- “$” = budget-friendly or low cost
- “$$”= common
- “$$$”= costly
Santiago’s Bodega
Santiago’s Bodega might look a bit too low-key, however as soon as inside, it’s inconceivable to not respect the Spanish-meets-Keys attraction of this tiny tapas bar. The décor is quaint and understated, particularly given the out-of-this-world good small plates which can be one of the best in Key West (and arguably the state). Just about all the pieces on the menu pairs nicely with a pitcher of their house-made sparking sangria. Reservations are extremely beneficial any time of day because it’s simply we fashionable with locals as with vacationers.
- Finest for lunch, dinner
- $$
Garbo’s Grill
For one thing a bit extra ‘grab-and-go,’ try Garbo’s Grill. This husband-and-wife owned meals truck behind Grunts Bar serves up easy however inventive takes on handheld meals like burgers, burritos, and tacos. The tiny, palm-lined patio is a chill, cozy place to dine alfresco.
- Finest for lunch, dinner
- $$
Higher Than Intercourse
When you can forgive the ham-handed, Valentine’s Day schtick theme of Higher Than Intercourse, you’ll be in for a few of the island’s finest after-dinner treats. This dimly-lit dessert bar gives no illusions about its menu and each plate is nearly unnecessarily decadent. Go for the unique Higher Than Intercourse – darkish chocolate-soaked pumpernickel bread pudding full of wealthy candy cherries.
Inexperienced Parrot Bar & Charlie Mac’s
The Inexperienced Parrot Bar claims to be the oldest bar on the island. Rumors abound in help of and in opposition to the declare. Both manner, they’re been slinging stiff drinks since 1890 – and it feels as if the place has hardly seen a cleansing since. It’s a textbook instance of what a dive bar must be: Loads of dwell music, angle, and no meals on the menu (strive the BBQ at Charlie Mac’s subsequent door when you’re hungry). Don’t miss their Root Beer Barrel – the home boilermaker that mixes root beer and schnapps with a chaser of their least expensive beer.
- Finest for drinks, lunch, dinner
- $$
Captain Tony’s Saloon
A quintessential dive bar, the property housing Captain Tony’s Saloon as served a number of features – and featured prominently in native lore, even incomes a point out in Jimmy Buffet’s tune Final Mango in Paris. Initially constructed in 1851 as an icehouse that additionally operated because the native morgue, the property housing Captain Tony’s Saloon served a number of features earlier than first being opened as a bar in 1933 – a spot often known as Sloppy Joes, famed for internet hosting the likes of Ernest Hemingway regularly. However, after a dispute with the owner, Sloppy Joes moved to Duval Road in 1938 – and 20 years later, native constitution captain Tony Tarracino purchased the joint, and the remainder is historical past.
Salute! on the Seashore
To flee the maddening crowds, Salute! on the Seashore provides decidedly relaxed cocktails and eating removed from Duval Road. Hop an Uber to this funky hangout located instantly on the sand at Higgs Seashore the place beachgoers have quick access to clear tropical cocktails and seafood-centric snacks.
- Finest for lunch, dinner
- $$
Key West Authorized Rum
Key West Authorized Rum is a perfect finish level for a day pub crawl. The chef-owned distillery embraces the island’s lengthy, sordid historical past with liquor and prohibition. The tasting room gives loads of historical past together with free samples and bespoke rum-centric cocktails. Whereas the menu adjustments typically, ask in regards to the Inexperienced Flash – a singular mix of frivolously carbonated ginger, lime, demerara sugar, and vanilla brulée rum.
Blue Heaven
For such a tiny island, the breakfast choices are surprisingly plentiful. However, even locals agree nothing touches Blue Heaven. The country sister restaurant of Salute! has an al fresco courtyard the place roosters run wild beneath the tables. It’s a staple of the island’s breakfast scene and the wait can generally be greater than an hour. However it’s nicely value it as a result of each last item on the menu is inventive and superb. We suggest BLT Eggs Benedict with recent Florida lobster, bacon, avocado, and lime hollandaise sauce. Observe it with a slice of scratch-made key lime pie (as a result of pie with breakfast is suitable right here) – key lime juice and wealthy graham cracker crust, topped with six full inches of meringue.
What to do
Exploring the seashores and swimming within the turquoise water of the Keys must be on the high of each customer’s listing. Whether or not you do that by snorkeling, scuba diving, or using a jet ski is as much as you. After all, the wealthy historical past of Key West is value diving into as nicely. Moreover, Key West sunsets are to not be missed, as avenue performers supply full of life leisure when you stroll the streets, having fun with the breeze. The island undoubtedly toes the road between ‘Jimmy Buffet-inspired touristy’ and ‘stylish island bohemian.’ Once you’ve had your fill of the bustle of Duval and half-drunk-by-morning vacationers, escape to Key West’s finest off-island experiences. What you might not know is that the island’s trendy historical past is inextricably linked to the lifetime of Ernest Hemingway. To grasp and totally respect Key West, it’s essential to begin initially.
Hemingway Home
Residence to the storied creator from 1931 to 1940, Hemingway Home is a requisite first cease for brand new guests because it gives the proper primer. After transferring into the Spanish colonial home along with his second spouse, journalist Pauline Pfeifer), Hemingway penned works together with Inexperienced Hills of Africa (1935) and The Brief Completely satisfied Lifetime of Frances Macomber (1936) on the property. A tour of the museum takes little greater than an hour or two. Guides present a lightweight, instructional glimpse into the lifetime of not simply Hemingway the person, however the historical past of Key West as an entire. A lot of his unique memorabilia (together with a tiny author’s loft which seems frozen in time) and loads of six-toed cats nonetheless stay.
Barefoot Billy’s (Water Adventures)
Not surprisingly, Key West’s finest adventurous diversions are on the ocean. Barefoot Billy’s supply a bunch of guided water-based actions together with snorkeling, dolphin watching, and harbor cruises. However, their large get is a two-hour jet ski tour that circumnavigates the complete island (no earlier ability required). Whereas there are a handful of stops alongside the way in which, the tour is quick so be ready to maintain up.
Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park
Seventy miles west, you’ll discover one of the distinctive nationwide parks in the US. Dry Tortugas National Park is a shocking, distant outpost that few Individuals have ever heard of, not to mention visited. It’s comprised of seven islands, protected coral reefs, and Fort Jefferson – a sprawling, 19th-century army set up that noticed little use in its day and nonetheless stays very well-preserved. The true win for vacationers is simply off-shore because the island is dwelling to a few of the clearest, warmest tropical waters within the nation. Chartered floatplanes are the quickest (and most costly) technique of transportation to/from Key West, whereas the ferry is way slower however lets you take within the surroundings. For an ‘all-in’ expertise, the park service provides restricted in a single day tenting for not more than a dozen guests. However be ready: there aren’t any companies (water, cell service, or electrical energy) of any sort. You might be, fairly actually, by yourself.
Sundown Key
Even with the miles of gorgeous shoreline, The Florida Keys aren’t recognized for his or her Caribbean-style, smooth sand seashores. For a uncommon seashore expertise in Key West, e book a day go to Sunset Key, only a seven-minute boat journey throughout from Mallory Sq.. The tiny island is dwelling to one among Florida’s most unique motels and a restricted variety of non-guests are allowed to calm down on its personal, flour-soft seashore every day. After sundown, head to Latitudes – the lodge’s beachfront restaurant, routinely ranked about one of the best and most romantic in Key West.
Key West Cemetery
Nestled into Previous City, the Key West Cemetery is a microcosm of native historical past. Established in 1847, the 19-acre cemetery is the ultimate resting place for locals from all walks of life, from mariners to cigar makers to millionaires. Maps of the cemetery can be found from the Sexton’s Workplace for self-guided excursions, and the Historic Florida Keys Foundation additionally provides strolling excursions twice per week. After all, with a status as one of the haunted locations on the town, the storied cemetery can be one of many stops showcased on the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour of Key West.
How to save cash in your journey to the Keys
Experiences
Search for Groupon offers, reductions by way of your lodge, and financial savings for these procuring on-line. And, don’t neglect about Key West’s budget-friendly experiences, from free, self-guided strolling excursions to historic websites to public seashores.
Resorts
Whereas the climate could be unpredictable through the hurricane season in late summer time and early fall (sometimes in September and October), there are ‘low season’ lodging charges obtainable. And, if attainable, e book prematurely to snap up one of the best offers.
Automobile Leases
Ebook in Advance and be open to no matter is obtainable. Rental cars could be costly proper now and having some flexibility will enable you to lower your expenses.
Editors’ Suggestions
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