Personal Renewal in the Lower and Middle Keys
In the Middle and Lower Keys and Key West, personal renewal, wellness, mindful pursuits, and enriching experiences take center stage to create an unforgettable vacation. Visitors can stroll a historic bridge between seemingly endless sea and sky, taste tropical fruits in a hidden grove, kayak to discover secret mangrove realms, and much more.
Come Back to the Keys Starting Oct. 1
The Florida Keys are reopening to visitors Sunday, Oct. 1, following recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma impacted the island chain Sept. 10. Recovery is progressing well and the spirit and resilience of Keys residents is strong, despite the difficult hurricane impacts and aftermath. Many Keys special events — including Key Largo’s Oct. 18-22 Humphrey Bogart Film Festival, Key West’s Oct. 20-29 Fantasy Fest and Marathon’s Oct. 21 Stone Crab Eating Contest — are to take place as planned.
Key West’s LGBT Visitor Center is ‘Tickled Pink’ with New Home
The Key West Business Guild’s LGBT visitor center will move to new and larger digs in October along with the Guild itself, acclaimed as one of America’s leading gay business associations. The new location at 808 Duval St. lies within Key West’s famed “Pink Triangle,” which includes a cluster of LGBT bars, entertainment clubs and stores.
The Florida Keys’ Road to Recovery
The southern stretch of U.S. Highway 1, running from mainland Florida throughout the Florida Keys to Key West, has been called the Overseas Highway, the Highway That Goes to Sea, and -- for those of us who love the island chain -- the road home. Now, following Hurricane Irma’s assault on the Keys and parts of mainland Florida, it's also an enduring symbol of our road to recovery.
A Partnership to Protect Keys Visitors
For those of us whose job and passion it is to showcase the Florida Keys to visitors, major storms are something to take seriously — and be proactive and honest about. As concerns about Hurricane Irma loom for so many people, the Keys tourism website is featuring the latest updates about the storm and its potential path, strength and timing, and vital evacuation information.
Michael Marrero: A True Key West Creative
Michael Marrero, executive director of the popular Key West Theater, is an award-winning playwright, photographer and filmmaker whose drama “Locura” was recently part of a historic Cuban-American theatrical exchange -- one of the first such exchanges between the two countries in half a century.
Key West Womenfest — Where the Girls Are
Each September, thousands of women converge on Key West for Womenfest, one of the largest gatherings of lesbians and their friends in North America. Set for Sept. 6-10 this year, it features dance parties, sports events, pool parties, and top-notch entertainment -- including two comedy shows by the incomparable Tig Notaro.