A welcome sight lifted the spirits of many weary Florida Keys locals returning home in the weeks after Hurricane Irma’s Sept. 10 passage through the beloved island chain. That sight was “Fred," a salt-sprayed Australian pine tree that's growing out of a roadbed on the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge.
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.
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 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.
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, 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.
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.
Fans of fine food can enjoy multicourse prix fixe meals at a number of Key West and Islamorada restaurants Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, during WineDine festivities designed to showcase indigenous Florida Keys cuisine and the talents of local chefs. Featured restaurants range from casual waterfront spots to trendy bistros and award-winning gourmet emporiums.
People from around the world are drawn to the Florida Keys, hoping for one-of-kind encounters with some of the unique animals, birds and marine creatures that call the Keys home. Whether observing rare birds, getting up close to a bottlenose dolphin or “meeting” a sea turtle in a world-class “rehab” center, there are plenty of ways to make lasting wildlife memories.
Key West's dining options range from a vintage trolley pizzeria with a wood-fired brick oven to a lovely eatery on a secluded island with spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. The city is well known for its over-the-top fresh seafood and delicious island-influenced cuisine — as well as stellar eateries showcasing cuisines from around the world.