Local Color

Plywood, Duct Tape and That Dreaded ‘Sinking Feeling’

Sometimes in Key West, people get that “sinking feeling.” It happens each Memorial Day weekend when they compete in the weird and wonderful Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta — where, in the course of one wacky afternoon, many participating vessels simply disintegrate in the water, leaving their “captains” dogpaddling intrepidly while spectators howl with laughter.

By |2024-06-19T12:48:50-04:00June 19, 2024|

Key Lime Pie Stars in ‘Sweet’ Key West Festival

Fans of sweet, tart Key lime pie can salute the Florida Keys’ signature dessert, and the tiny fruit that inspired it, July 3-7 during the annual Key Lime Festival. Events include a (very messy!) Key lime pie–eating contest, “limey” dining delights, a wacky Key lime pie drop, and culinary and libation tastings.

By |2024-06-12T12:39:26-04:00June 12, 2024|

Escape to Key West

Visitors to Key West will find palm-shaded streets, picturesque historic homes, a lively multicultural culinary scene and a flourishing arts community. But perhaps the most appealing aspect is the mellow, easygoing pace of life — a pace that inspires new arrivals to release everyday pressures, breathe deeply and absorb the island’s revitalizing rhythm.

By |2024-05-29T15:06:54-04:00May 29, 2024|

Escape to Key Largo

Key Largo, the northernmost island in the Florida Keys, offers a friendly, welcoming vibe and vast natural beauty both on land and underwater. Known as the Diving Capital of the World, the area includes many extraordinary sites where divers and snorkelers can immerse themselves in the profound, quiet wonders of the marine ecosystem.

By |2024-05-01T16:32:40-04:00May 1, 2024|

Dive into the Keys’ Underwater World with FloridaKeysTV

For those who can’t travel to the Florida Keys this spring for the amazing diving, the island chain’s enthralling subsea world can be explored through the free streaming channel and app, FloridaKeysTV. It features hours of quality underwater programming — including the Keys-focused “Destination Dive” series — to inspire ideas for an upcoming visit.

By |2024-04-24T15:10:21-04:00April 24, 2024|

No Name — But Ramshackle Charm and Great Pizza

It’s called the No Name Pub, and it’s billed as “a nice place if you can find it.” But the out-of-the-way location doesn’t keep people from discovering the quirky eatery — or becoming captivated by its historic “Old Keys” charm, world-class pizza and ramshackle décor that includes interior walls papered with dollar bills.

By |2024-04-17T13:44:17-04:00April 17, 2024|

Beware of Strange Bedfellows in Strange Key West Race

In most places, beds are reserved for sleeping or amorous activities. But not in the Florida Keys’ colorful Conch Republic — where, on a Saturday afternoon in late April each year, beds on wheels are propelled by teams of strange bedfellows along Key West’s Duval Street in the Conch Republic Blue Ribbon Bed Race.

By |2024-04-03T10:25:45-04:00April 3, 2024|

Florida Keys Fun Facts … and Arnold’s Exploding Bridge

Florida Keys fun fact: Years ago, during an action-packed confrontation between Arnold Schwarzenegger and a pack of dastardly villains, missile strikes blew up the Keys’ Old Seven Mile Bridge. Okay, that isn’t STRICTLY factual, but it’s based on fact — one of many offbeat facts that give the island chain an engagingly colorful vibe.

By |2024-03-20T14:49:18-04:00March 20, 2024|

Pucker Pros Take Center Stage in Key West’s ‘Conch Honk’

Maybe chart-topping rock stars aren’t abandoning their guitars to play the conch shell. But that’s okay — because the “pucker pros” playing pink-lined shells were treated like rock stars at Key West’s recent Conch Shell Blowing Contest. The event saluted the Florida Keys’ seafaring heritage and centuries-old use of the “conch horn” for signaling.

By |2024-03-13T12:46:25-04:00March 13, 2024|

Fred the Tree: The Florida Keys’ ‘Celebri-Tree’

Fred the Tree, the Florida Keys’ thriving and resolute “celebri-tree” that grows improbably on the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge, is debuting as a movie star in the remake of “Road House.” The beloved Fred is also memorialized in a song and a children’s book — and his Facebook page has 34,000 followers!

By |2024-03-14T18:42:49-04:00March 6, 2024|
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