As the first widely-renowned author to make Key West his home, Ernest Hemingway inspired generations of writers and readers to follow in his footsteps and explore the island’s innate creativity. His legacy and love for Key West are celebrated each July during Hemingway Days.
For more than three decades, the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival has spotlighted coral reef protection and environmentally responsible diving. The unique “submerged songfest” takes place in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary at beautiful Looe Key Reef (about six miles south of Big Pine Key).
Key West's Tropical Heat, set for Aug. 16-20, features pool parties, sunset sails, snorkel and paddleboarding tours, drag shows, some wicked late-night parties, and even a Gay Key West Trolley Tour spotlighting the island's LGBT heritage -- so check out the hotspots and highlights.
The Florida Keys offer a terrific choice of sea-based adventures that you can discover at your own pace, according to your own energy level. With options that range from paddleboarding to snorkeling, you only need one basic ingredient to have an exhilarating outdoor experience in the Keys: simply saltwater!
Encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors is vital in protecting the Florida Keys' natural resources — including the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef. Visitors can share Keys residents' commitment to preserving the unique ecosystem by following the “10 Keymandments.”
What do visitors enjoy most about the Florida Keys & Key West? Discover insightful answers -- including unique architecture, biking around Old Town, and the welcoming LGBT community -- gleaned in a recent “man-by-the-pool” interview.
When work schedules and responsibilities seem especially stressful, the siren song of the subtropical Florida Keys can be almost impossible to resist. And why resist? The inviting island chain offers SO many ways to treat body and mind to “unplugged” relaxation, both on and off the water.
Florida Keys diners feast on local fish, shrimp, lobster and stone crab — often flavored with tropical fruits and spiced with influences from the island chain's rich melting-pot history. As well as fueling many local eateries’ success, this simply delicious cuisine has inspired culinary experiences from festivals to classes.
Every Sunday afternoon, Key West’s La Te Da hosts an event that has become a weekly tradition for visitors and residents who love a good time. It goes by the unlikely name of Tea Dance, and its music and merriment are overseen by beloved local DJ Rude Girl and her cohort Molly Blue.
Captain Samantha Zeher, owner of Islamorada's KeyZ Charters, earned her license at just 18 while still a college freshman. Today she offers sightseeing charters that include snorkeling and sunset cruises, paddleboard, eco-tours and Everglades excursions. She’s also happy to treat passengers to island trips exploring Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key and Alligator Lighthouse -- each with a history dating back to the 1800s.