Authors and Artists Make Key West a Creative Haven
Authors and artists, playwrights and poets have long been lured to the seductive island of Key West — rightfully known as one of America’s most fascinating playgrounds for creative spirits.
‘Custom Made’ Shines Spotlight on Old Key West
With 12 fireplaces and a roof steeply angled so snow can’t accumulate on it, the Custom House isn’t exactly a typical building in frost-free Key West. But it’s definitely one of the most architecturally significant — and this year it celebrates its 125th birthday.
Robby McClung: Bluegrass and the Keys’ Creative Vibe
As a co-producer of Islamorada’s annual Baygrass Bluegrass Festival, local singer/songwriter Robby McClung is passionate about generating more interest in that musical genre — and about bringing performers from around the world to enrich the Florida Keys' cultural and arts community.
Sophisticated Shopping Tempts Key West Travelers
Discover Key West’s tasteful sophistication in a vast array of boutiques, shops and unique galleries — some easy to find and some found only by wandering narrow byways off the main track.
A Key by Any Other Name …
Recognized as a prime Florida Keys boating and family destination, the Marathon and Middle Keys area is made up of a group of small islands whose names are as colorful as their vivid nightly sunsets. They include Boot, Knights, Hog, Vaca, Stirrup, Crawl and Little Crawl keys — plus Pigeon Key beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge, East and West Sister’s Island, Deer, Fat Deer and Grassy keys.
COASTing Along with Billy Kearins
Billy Kearins is the founder of COAST — a rustic, funky space made up of a retail store showroom, studio workshops, an event venue and more — all located on Stock Island’s Front Street where a hand-painted sign indicates “Mellow Folk Welcome.”
Key West: Not Exactly Normal
Key West is gloriously, outrageously abnormal — a place where wild chickens roam the streets and people feel comfortable wearing tiaras to lunch. A place where dogs are favored customers at more than one bar, and nobody thinks it’s strange to spot grown men dressed like Darth Vader or Marilyn Monroe (sometimes during the same evening!).
It’s LOBSTER Time: Key West’s 20th Annual Crustacean Celebration
Melted butter is optional, but you should definitely bring a hearty appetite (and possibly a bib!) to the 20th annual Key West Lobsterfest. Yes, the eagerly anticipated crustacean celebration is coming up soon — and as always, it features a mouthwatering schedule of events.
Islamorada Captain Makes Rod-Building an Art
When Randy Towe was 10 years old, he asked his mother to buy him a $200 custom fishing rod. His mother didn’t agree, so he convinced her to spend considerably less and purchase the necessary parts. The young fishing fanatic then built his own rod -- and today, he crafts prized rods for others from his store in the Florida Keys.
Key West Climate and Celebrations Mean Year-Round Appeal
Key West's favorable year-round climate, and the packed annual calendar of events and celebrations, mean any time is a good time to escape to the eclectic, eccentric island city.