Besides balmy year-round weather, endless blue water and a seriously laid-back vibe, in the Florida Keys you’ll find an enticing array of environmental, cultural and adventure activities that can’t be enjoyed anywhere EXCEPT in the island chain. Enliven your stay with some of the “only in the Keys” experiences outlined here.
Dragons will invade Marathon in June -- but they're far from the fire-breathing type feared in fairy tales. Marathon’s “Battle in the Bay” race features a fleet of sleek, graceful dragon-headed boats whose teams power them through the water in a breathtaking example of strength and teamwork.
Entertaining guests in Key West is a breeze with limitless opportunities to raise the “fun-o-meter” sky-high. One of the top “go-to” places is La Te Da, renowned for its excellent food, decadent libations and lively array of entertainment options.
A lighthearted sea battle featuring tall ships, a parade dubbed the world’s longest and a “drag” race for female impersonators are all part of the wonderfully wacky 36th annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration. Set for April 20-29, the offbeat event commemorates the Florida Keys’ symbolic secession from the United States.
Old Road Gallery, owned by artists Dwayne and Cindy King, is a working studio and gallery that overflows with handcrafted pieces of pottery, bronze and copper. It’s also an outdoor sculpture garden. And each day visitors, invited to take a tour, stroll through winding trails and learn about artistic techniques and styles.
The June 5-11 finale of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic features 14 regional bartending champions from the U.S. and Canada — all converging on the island city and competing to create the most luscious Key West cocktail. The renowned challenge, one of North America’s largest annual LGBT bartender competitions, takes place during Key West Pride.
How many times a day does the sun set in the Florida Keys? That's just one of the wacky questions that have actually been asked by visitors to the island chain. Read on to discover more crazy questions and their answers -- including how long the Seven Mile Bridge REALLY is.
This week’s Keys Voices is a personal invitation to readers from Diana Nyad, famed around the globe for her incomparable 2013 swim from Cuba to Key West. She and expedition leader Bonnie Stoll return to their “home away from home” April 2-6 to lead a series of walks as part of their innovative EverWalk program -- and everyone is welcome to join them.
In Key West each April, "drag racing" takes on a whole new meaning — as the island city's exotic drag queens don outlandish sporting costumes, lavish wigs and towering high heels to vie for victory in the Great Conch Republic Drag Race. The wacky competition is scheduled Saturday, April 21, on Duval Street (known, of course, as the island's "main drag").
By following the "10 Keymandments," travelers can have meaningful, memorable Florida Keys vacations while respecting and helping preserve the Keys' natural world. This amazing environment includes the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef, which supports an incredibly diverse population of plants and animals.