Key West. The name by itself conjures up images of fun.

The most famous destination on the island chain of the Florida Keys, this playground of tin-roofed conch houses, restaurants, sunsets and nightlife is your ticket away from the hustle-bustle of the mainland.

Make a quaint bed and breakfast or bungalow your home base for discovering your own muse in Key West. Travel by foot or moped like the flip-flop-clad locals. Or hop on the Conch Tour Train, which has entertained visitors since 1958 and get a conch’s-eye view of this southernmost USA city’s attractions.              

So Much to Experience

Become intrigued by the inspiring history that awaits island-wide. The city where real estate titles date back to the kings of Spain has entertained Harry Truman, Lou Gehrig, Thomas Edison and Tennessee Williams. Visit the former homes of John Audubon and Ernest Hemingway, the latter being where the author wrote 70 per cent of his work. Say hello to descendants of his six-toed cat, Snowball, that roam the property. Drop by Mel Fisher’s Treasures to marvel at the fabled booty of the Spanish galleon Atocha, which was lost off the Florida Keys during a hurricane in 1622.       

Discover Duval Street and its legendary pubs such as Sloppy Joe’s. Relax at the sidewalk cafés, open-air bars and world-class restaurants, offering mouth-watering local seafood and cheeseburgers in paradise.

Renowned for its diving, fishing and water sports, Key West is a place to play. Visit the Historic Seaport district, known locally as the Key West Bight, to arrange a day on the water. Stroll the harbour walk, dine at one of its renowned restaurants or stop in for an ice-cold cocktail. Take the southernmost golfing challenge at the Key West Golf Club featuring an 18-hole course designed by golf legend Rees Jones. Master the “mangrove hole,” played completely over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves.

“One human family” is the official philosophy of this island community, evident in its diversity. Drop by the vibrant Bahama Village neighbourhood, founded in the early 1800s by Africans who emigrated from the Bahamas. The island’s support of the LGBT community also epitomizes its philosophy.

When the sun sets, Mallory Square is the centrepiece of Key West with its improvisational celebration every evening. Catch jugglers, mimes, musicians and street artists or simply watch as the bright orange ball in the sky melts into the sea.

So go ahead. Breathe in the balmy, tropical air. Gaze at the crystal-blue water. Succumb to the art of relaxation—island style.

Travel Planner

To get started on your Key West vacation, please visit fla-keys.com/keywest or call 1-800-527-8539.