Artists, authors, playwrights and poets have been lured to Key West and seized upon its one-of-a-kind environment of creativity, natural beauty and sometimes eccentric qualities — making it the muse for some of their most acclaimed career accomplishments.
Every day is an adventure in the Florida Keys, where the subtropical climate and scenic natural setting create the perfect backdrop for high-energy activities. Visitors can experience "only in the Keys" watersports and eco-adventures, unparalleled offshore diving, and organized sporting challenges to test skill and endurance — some with a little wackiness thrown in for added enjoyment.
Indigenous Florida Keys cuisine is rich in fresh boat-to-table seafood, enhanced with the light tropical flavors of lime, coconut, mango and papaya. Four delicious foods can be considered signature treats that are best savored only in the Keys: succulent stone crab claws, sweet Key West pink shrimp, light yet exotic lionfish and melt-in-your-mouth Key lime pie.
Key West launches its annual Pride celebration with a June 2 theatrical performance aptly named “Pride Follies.” The production’s format is similar to an old-fashioned vaudeville-type show, presenting a wide array of skilled local talents to delight audiences.
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.
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.
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.
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.