Now that 2017 has arrived with all due frivolity, and the excitement of the festive season is over, don’t just sink into the traditional post-holiday rut. Instead, start planning an escape from winter’s hard-to-bear weather and monotonous routine.
Visitors relax on Cannon Beach at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. (Photo by Bob Care, Florida Keys News Bureau)
And where’s a prime hot spot (literally) to escape TO? Clearly, the Florida Keys should top the list of possibilities.
After all, the subtropical island chain ends with the southernmost city in the continental United States, and the friendly temperatures of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico mean swimming, sunning and watersports are typical “winter” pastimes.
In fact, ice — usually greeted with dread in wintry locales — can only be found in tall cool drinks in the Keys (and it’s quite often paired with rum).
When should you plan your warm-weather getaway? Hardly a weekend goes by in the Keys without a special event or festival taking place to provide entertainment and enjoyment, so it makes sense to pick the one most personally appealing and plan a trip around it.
The events celebrate everything from the Keys’ colorful history, artistic culture and quirky vibe to underwater wonders, outdoor adventure and tasty cuisine.
The Key West Food & Wine Festival is among the “tasty” culinary events on the Keys’ winter calendar. (Photo by Rob O’Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)
The island chain’s bountiful fish and seafood harvests, culinary diversity and innovative chefs provide a focus for several “taste-full” festivals this winter. Foodies can savor the flavors at events including Uncorked … the Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival (Jan. 5-15), the Key West Food & Wine Festival (Jan. 25-29) and the Original Marathon Seafood Festival (March 11-12).
Sailing aficionados can observe an internationally renowned challenge in Key West: the Quantum Key West Race Week regatta (Jan. 15-20), whose competitors often include America’s Cup and Olympic Games sailing stars.
Stars of a different kind draw several hundred astronomers to the Lower Florida Keys each February. The Winter Star Party (Feb. 20-26) features truly amazing opportunities for viewing southern constellations, comets and celestial objects.
The Keys’ flourishing creative community inspires dozens of annual art shows and events, including Marathon’s acclaimed Pigeon Key Art Festival (Feb. 4-5) that benefits the tiny Middle Keys landmark.
About 1,500 competitors run across the Middle Keys’ iconic Seven Mile Bridge, above the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, during the annual Seven Mile Bridge Run. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Events also abound for athletes and fans of land and sea adventures. For example, runners can chart a course over one of the world’s longest segmental bridges, the centerpiece of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, during Marathon’s renowned Seven Mile Bridge Run (April 1).
And for those who want to experience the eccentric spirit of Key West, it’s embodied in the Conch Republic Independence Celebration (April 21-30).
The offbeat event commemorates the Florida Keys’ symbolic secession from the United States in 1982, and rebirth as the independent Conch Republic, to protest the establishment of a U.S. Border Patrol blockade at the head of the island chain.
Actually, given all the events and attractions (and don’t forget that balmy year-round weather), there’s really no BAD time to visit the Florida Keys.
And while the “sampler” here spotlights some of the island chain’s most intriguing 2017 highlights, do yourself a favor and check out the full (a.k.a. jam-packed) yearlong calendar of events.
And then make reservations. Because the most important thing on your personal calendar this winter should be a well-deserved break in the Keys.
