Michelle Lowe’s paintings seemingly pop off the canvas. Each scene is a snapshot of lively-eyed creatures like hogfish, angelfish, large-scaled tarpon, tangs and turtles, or the unmistakeable contours of native seagrape trees, palm fronds and plumage of island birds.
It’s almost inevitable — sometime this coming fall or winter, your thoughts will turn yearningly toward Key West. Maybe you’ll be drawn by the glitzy outrageousness of Fantasy Fest, or the sudden desire to spend New Year’s Eve watching the “red shoe drop” on Duval Street. Or maybe you'll just want to flee a northern winter.
"Only in the Keys!" has become a common response from people hearing about everything from a Key West parade for dachshunds to mermaids attending a Lower Keys music festival (FYI, these are both actual things).
While the Florida Keys are better known for their living coral reef and other offshore wonders, the island chain also features inviting beaches from Key Largo to Key West. These sandy spots are perfect for chilling out, sunning, swimming or just dipping your toes into warm, clear turquoise waters.
Attention, foodies! Key West, the sunny subtropical getaway known for its fantastic fresh fish and stunning seafood, is hosting its first-ever full-fledged restaurant month. It’s called WineDine KeyWest, and it takes place Sept. 16 through Oct. 16. And during the mouthwatering month, you can enjoy multicourse prix fixe meals at as many as 30 Key West restaurants.
Rob Mitchell, owner of Key Largo's Keys Diver, relishes the diving tourism business and the island lifestyle. He also takes protecting the Florida Keys personally — making it his mission to share ways divers can help protect the oceans for generations to come.
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.
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.
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.
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.