Explore the Family-Friendly Florida Keys
From special animal encounters to meeting sea turtles in their own hospital, the Florida Keys & Key West offer family-friendly activities to captivate visitors of all ages. Families can explore unique aquariums; lush botanical gardens; nurturing facilities for dolphins and wild birds; or a wildlife refuge that protects tiny indigenous Key deer.
‘Heady’ Competition Brings Mardi Gras Vibe to Key West
Celebrating its 38th year of delighting audiences, Key West’s Headdress Ball is set for Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. The glamorous LGBTQ gala typically features about 25 contestants showcasing huge and elaborate original masks, cowls, bonnets and other headgear — with top Florida Keys talents staging dazzling entertainment between headdress presentations.
Resolve to Savor January’s Key West Food and Wine Festival
Attendees at the Key West Food and Wine Festival can enjoy gourmet galas and tastings, art and wine experiences, wine dinners, seminars and activities that spotlight the Florida Keys’ culinary scene and talented chefs. Equally appealing are the glimpses the festival offers into the island chain’s unique heritage, culture and warmly welcoming vibe.
Ken Nedimyer: Steward of Reef Restoration
Ken Nedimyer, an Upper Keys–based director of Reef Renewal Foundation International, is globally recognized as a father of reef restoration, creating strategies to rebuild coral reefs around the world. He oversees three coral nurseries in the Keys — off Tavernier, Big Pine Key and Marathon — that house 21 coral species with 1,000 genotypes.
Key West’s Kelly McGillis Classic Sets the Pace for Female Flag Football Around the Globe
Teams from around the world will compete in adrenaline-packed sporting events in Key West Jan. 24-31, during the 30th annual Kelly McGillis Classic International Women’s & Girls’ Flag Football Championship. The fun includes acting workshops and performances guided by Kelly McGillis herself, a former Key West resident who co-starred in “Top Gun.”
The Amazing Adventures of Santa Keys
Santa does things a little differently in the holiday-loving Florida Keys -- and he even brings some Keys warmth and cheer to people who can't spend the season in the subtropical island chain. Unless you're on the naughty list, you might just get a visit from jolly old Santa Keys this year!
Savoring Sweets in the Upper Keys
Visitors can enjoy the indigenous flavors of the Florida Keys, and even take home mouthwatering “souvenirs” to help sustain them until their next vacation escape. For example, any traveler in the Upper Keys who craves sweets can stop at several spots along the Overseas Highway to discover unforgettable goodies with an island flair.