Explore off-the-beaten-path Lower Keys attractions that many visitors never see -- and learn about Florida Keys history, culture and ecology -- during a fascinating Up The Keys Eco-Tour developed by enthusiastic Keys resident Kim Stamps.
Now that 2017 has arrived and the excitement of the festive season is over, don’t just sink into the traditional post-holiday rut. Instead, start planning a Florida Keys escape from winter’s hard-to-bear weather and monotonous routine. Because in the subtropical island chain, ice — greeted with dread in wintry locales — can only be found in tall cool drinks (ideally sipped beachside).
For visitors who wonder how Key Westers live — and what lies behind their houses’ white picket fences, historic facades and gleaming front doors — home tours scheduled for December, January, February and March provide a rare chance to find out.
For Morgan Rudluff, Key West’s third annual International Sand Art Competition offered a personal catharsis. For Rusty Croft and Abe Waterman, it provided an opportunity for thought-provoking social commentary. And for spectators watching six artists carve sand at the beachside challenge, it illustrated a triumph of passionate creativity.
A unique subtropical version of the classic ballet “The Nutcracker” awaits holiday-loving audiences Dec. 10-18 in Key West, flavored with characters and sets that spotlight the island’s colorful history, magnificent coral reef environment and even quirky free-roaming local roosters. “Nutcracker Key West” combines 15 professional dancers from around the world with dozens of local children and adults — all passionate about using their talents to bring the beloved story to life.
Born in 1979, Key West's Fantasy Fest has grown to be an exuberant 10-day whirlwind of costuming and masking contests, themed parties, masquerade events and a gala grand parade. And the revelry has also celebrated some amazing people and true-life heroism.
Last October in Key West, I spotted a character wearing a feathered bikini and six-foot-tall peacock headdress, a group of silver-garbed “Beauty School Dropouts From Mars” and a quartet impersonating the legendary Jamaican bobsled team. And it was all part of Fantasy Fest.
Cheryl McBay and her brewmaster husband, Craig McBay, are devoted to producing Keys-crafted beers flavored with an island vibe. Their vibrant microbrewery, aptly named Florida Keys Brewing Co., is tucked away in Islamorada's arts and cultural district at Morada Way.
Key West's Zombie Bike Ride, a pre-Halloween tradition for visiting and local families and groups, is scheduled Sunday, Oct. 23 -- and much of the island is likely to be overrun by an oddly lively gaggle of the biking dead. The spooky spectacle typically draws several thousand participants (including a few slightly bewildered pets).
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.