At the southernmost tip of the continental United States lies Key West, a unique city with a splendid mixture of cultural influences and mesmerising natural beauty. On land, your attention will be captured by the colourful Caribbean architecture with older homes built out of coral rock or salvaged ship-boards and your taste buds will crave the Afro-Caribbean and Spanish cuisine that leaves no one indifferent.
Key West is also famous for its sunsets, and a very Bohemian and relaxed vibe, so no wonder several famous writers set up their homes on the island, including Ernest Hemingway, Robert Frost, and Tennessee Williams. Key West hasn’t lost its charm till today and still attracts artists of all talents.
Discover the island’s top attractions with some of the exciting activities to do in Key West.
Duval Street
Stretched from one side of the island to the other is the vivacious Duval Street, Key West’s main and most famous road. Packed with art galleries, historic buildings, bustling shops, restaurants, and bars, it is the main place to dine, wine and party on the island.
If you’re looking for a calm and quiet spot, stay at the south end of the street, but if you want to attempt the ‘Duval Pub Crawl’ with hundreds of other visitors, make your way to the northern end around Mallory Square and Sloppy Joe’s.
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Besides the incredible nightlife, the island is famous for housing Ernest Hemingway back in the day, so make sure you visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Considered the most famous and beloved former resident of the Key West, the renowned author lived here for almost a decade, producing parts of his famous novels such as ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ and ‘A Farewell to Arms’.
The house Hemingway inhabited with his wife in the 1930s was built in 1851, in the charming Spanish Colonial style, and it contains many fascinating artefacts and exhibits, as well as the author’s personal possessions.
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
Another amazing museum to visit is the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, home to an extensive range of artefacts and exhibitions found by the Old Town’s waterfront. It was named after the diver Mel Fisher credited for discovering several shipwrecks in the area, it provides a fascinating insight into the island’s history.
In its neatly presented galleries, you’ll be able to see jewels, gold coins, and cannons from various Spanish ships that were discovered over the last couple of decades in the surrounding waters. In addition to these valuable treasures, the museum hosts interesting exhibits on underwater archaeology and the transatlantic slave trade.
Off land activities
Key West offers exciting activities for people of all ages whether you want to explore the surrounding turquoise waters, take your kids to visit historical places or just relax on one of the amazing beaches such as the Smathers Beach where you can lounge and sunbathe but also do water sports.
There are many options for you to leave the dry land for a while and enjoy touring the Key West by boat. Taking one of the Key West Tours should certainly be on your vacation list as you’ll have the opportunity to explore the dramatic underwater vistas with bottom glass boats, enjoy the speed, underwater or airborne, on adrenaline-soaked day trips, or spend a full day of action jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, snorkelling or paddle-boarding.
Key West Aquarium
Another place not to be missed is the wonderful Key West Aquarium, the first open-air home to all sorts of colourful fish and corals in the U.S. It was built back in the 1930s but since then, it has continued to delight generations of visitors with its sparkling fish and amazing marine animals, alligators and jellyfish, sharks and sea turtles. A special feature at the aquarium is the touch tank where you can stroke stingrays and starfish.
Dry Tortugas National Park
It may be the most inaccessible of all national parks in America, but Dry Tortugas is well worth the effort due to its amazing marine life, exciting outdoor activities, and the magnificent Fort Jefferson which is the largest brick building in the Western Hemisphere.
All the other treasures of the national park lie beneath the waves such as the atmospheric shipwrecks shoals of fish and colourful corals which you can enjoy up close by going snorkelling and scuba diving.
Sloppy Joe’s Ba r
Once you’re done exploring and you need to catch a break, the best place to grab a bite to eat, drink and dance is Sloppy Joe’s Bar, the hub of Key West’s entertainment and nightlife since 1933. This joyful but laid-back place offers an unforgettable atmosphere and was actually inspired by Ernest Hemingway.
Located at the corner of Duval and Green Street, this infamous loud and a bit shabby saloon now has a restaurant and retail shop, but most people still prefer its curved bar to have a drink and listen to live music.
If you’re looking for the best vacation spot in the world, don’t miss Key West. It offers fascinating attractions, interesting history, whimsical buildings, stunning marine life and great nightlife!
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