Key West and the Florida Keys – A Dreamy Trip to the Edge of America
The Florida Keys are a stunning chain of islands accessible via one of America's most incredible roads – the Overseas Highway (Route 1) – a road made up of a collection of bridges. At the end of this highway lies the unique and independent city of Key West, a popular travel and vacation spot. The city is known as the home of writer Ernest Hemingway, the place with the most beautiful sunsets at Mallory Square, and the most fun nightlife on the legendary Duval Street. Key West is one of the most adored vacation and living destinations for the LGBTQ community, as part of the freedom and liberalness of the islands far from American civilization.
How many days are needed for a trip to the Florida Keys?
A trip to the Florida Keys and Key West requires at least two days. You must be in Key West at sunset, so it's highly recommended to stay overnight (accommodation is relatively expensive).
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12 Must-See and Do Things in the Florida Keys
- Sunset celebrations at Mallory Square in Key West
- Party until the wee hours on Duval Street
- Drive across the ocean on the crazy Seven Mile Bridge
- Visit the literary history of Ernest Hemingway's Home
- Scenic view from the Key West Lighthouse balcony
- Marine treasures and gold at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
- American history at Truman's Little White House
- Selfie at the southernmost point in the continental USA
- Fortifications and beaches at Fort Zachary Taylor at the tip of the Keys
- Stunning natural beaches and local wildlife watching in the Lower Keys
- Professional fishing in Islamorada
- Diving at John Pennekamp Coral Reef in Key Largo
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What are the Florida Keys?
- The name Key isn't a key but a distortion of Cayo, meaning a small island in Spanish.
- Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer, was the first European to explore and map the area in 1513.
- The Keys are a chain of islands located in Monroe County, the southernmost county in Florida.
- It's a chain of islands connected by a highway with many bridges over the water, about 110 miles long, from Key Largo to Key West.
- The chain separates the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico, and its westernmost point, Key West, is only about 95 miles from Cuba, making it the southernmost point in continental USA (Hawaii is further south).
For a special Caribbean food tour in Key West's culinary gems, click here…
This route where Florida's Highway 1 runs is considered one of the most uniquely scenic highways in the USA, with most of the road literally spanning the sea.
Driving to Key West is a must for anyone visiting Miami for a few days.
You can make the round trip in a single day, but it's recommended to stay overnight in Key West or one of the other ‘keys' and enjoy the unique tropical atmosphere of the islands.
For a guided tour of Key West's interesting sites and all the gossip, click here…
The independent character of the Keys' residents
- Residents of the ‘Keys', especially those in Key West, are known as people who choose to live off the grid, and in the past, even before it was easy to ‘come out,' the ‘Keys' served as a refuge for the LGBTQ community.
- The unique character of the island's residents remains to this day. Its peak expression was in 1982 after repeated protests against government checkpoints set up on the exit road from the island (placed to search for drugs), the mayor of Key West declared the island's independence from the United States and the establishment of the Conch Republic. It was a ceremonial move and the independence lasted only a minute. However, the drastic protest action led to the removal of the barriers that were so bothersome to locals and tourists alike.
- Since then, the ‘independence' of the island has been celebrated every year on April 23rd.
Due to their location, the Keys are highly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, and have been damaged and rebuilt several times throughout history.
Map of the Florida Keys and Key West
How to Get to the Florida Keys?
How to fly to the Florida Keys?
Key West International Airport (EYW) Key West International Airport – The easiest way to get to the southern part of the Keys and Key West is by taking a direct flight to the capital of the Keys. While the ideal way to explore the Keys is by a thrilling drive over the iconic Overseas Highway, you can skip the drive with a direct flight right into the heart of the action. The drive from Key West to Miami takes over three hours, so this little airport is perfect for those who want to head straight to Key West.
The airport is accessible from several major airports across the U.S., including Newark, O'Hare in Chicago, Atlanta, and even Miami. There are various seasonal routes from many U.S. airports. The travel time from the terminal to Duval Street, the heart of Key West, is just about ten minutes.
Miami International Airport (MIA) – Miami's major international airport is the main gateway to Florida and the southeastern part of the USA (though Orlando's airport is busier throughout the year). The airport is accessible from almost every corner of the world and the USA, including a direct line from Ben Gurion Airport.
The giant airport has three terminals and no less than 130 gates. The biggest operator at the airport is American Airlines, which has dozens of regular routes within the USA, as well as to most Caribbean Islands and Central and South America. The airport is just a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Miami and fifteen minutes from Miami Beach. This airport serves the northern Keys, just an hour's drive from Key Largo.
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How to get to the Florida Keys by car?
- When it comes to driving, there aren't too many options in the Keys; there's one road, Highway 1. It's one of the most legendary and stunning drives in all of the USA.
- The drive on Highway 1 from Miami to Key West takes about three hours, and it's filled with breathtaking views, magnificent bridges, and the sensation that the ocean is just about to swallow everything.
- The Overseas Highway, the nickname for Highway 1 in the Keys, stretches 182 kilometers from the southern tip of the South Dixie Highway south of Miami to Key West.
- Along the highway, there are 42 bridges, the longest and most famous of which is the Seven Mile Bridge connecting Marathon with the lower Keys towards Key West.
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When to Visit the Florida Keys?
- The best time to visit Key West and the Keys in general is in the winter and spring, when the weather is very stable and exceptionally pleasant
- Winter in Florida is probably the most perfect weather in the entire Western world. The temperatures are very pleasant, around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, and there isn't much rain. For this reason, many tourists flock to the Keys to spend their winter in the warmth and sunshine of Florida
- Unlike the pleasant winter, summer in Florida is pretty tough. The temperatures soar high, and the humidity is just dreadful
- Although the summer weather is tough, Key West in the summer is especially vibrant with street parties, unique events such as the Ernest Hemingway Festival in July, and more (in the afternoon and evening)
- As you get closer to August, the humidity rises, and around 3:00 PM, a heavy rain begins that lasts for over an hour, breaking the humidity
Click here for a dining experience and tastings at the Hard Rock Cafe in Key West…
From late spring to fall, significant tropical storms can occur in the Keys and all of Florida, occasionally including hurricanes that notably impact the Atlantic coastline. The Keys are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, so if there's a storm on the horizon, leave the area as soon as possible.
How to Plan a Trip to the Florida Keys?
- Planning a trip to the Keys is the easiest thing in the world. The island trip is entirely linear, everything is along the Overseas Highway, from Key Largo to Key West.
- The trip is based on driving all the way to Key West, touring the (surprisingly tiny) big city, and returning the same way.
- The road itself is perhaps the main attraction of the trip in the Keys, besides the tour in Key West.
- The trip in Key West itself centers around Duval Street, the main and lively street of the small town. Nearby are all the important sites in the city, such as the lighthouse, the bustling Mallory Square, Ernest Hemingway's house, and of course the selfie at the southernmost point of mainland USA.
- Outside the main route, there are a few more sites in the city, such as the Zachary Taylor Fort and the Fort East Martello Museum.
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Everything You Need to Know About Staying in the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a popular travel and vacation spot all year round (except when there are hurricanes, then it's really not advisable to be there). A trip in the Keys is at least two days long, so there's not much choice but to find accommodation for at least one night.
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- If you're coming to the Keys for a vacation (highly recommended!), it's worth finding a spot to chill for a few days on the dreamy beaches throughout all the Keys, from Marathon to Key Largo.
- The largest city and leading tourist destination in the Keys is the fabulous Key West, one of the most unique destinations in all of the USA and one of the most attractive spots for the LGBTQ+ community. Unfortunately for the city, it's located right at the end of the Keys, more than a two-hour drive from Key Largo and three and a half hours (without traffic) from Miami.
- Staying in Key West is a particularly fun experience. The vast majority of hotels and accommodations are located in the unique wooden houses of the Old Town, just a short walk from the entertainment center of Duval Street. These hotels are mostly private and they aren't cheap.
- There are large resort hotels from international chains such as Marriott, Ibis, and more along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico on the eastern part of the island, not far from the airport, along North Roosevelt Avenue.
Click here for a list of 8 great hotels in Key West…
Since accommodations in Key West are not cheap (to say the least), another lodging option in the Keys is the city of Marathon beyond the Seven Mile Bridge. Marathon offers a range of excellent hotels and motels from top chains, at really affordable prices. The issue with these hotels is the drive in the dark from the vibrant city and crossing the Seven Mile Bridge (over the ocean) in the dark hours.
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Map – Where to sleep in Key West?
Everything there is to see and do in Key West
Key West is 4 miles by 1.5 miles in size. The island has served as a U.S. military base since 1822, at a time when it was not yet connected to the mainland and was not a part of Florida. A railroad reached the island via wooden bridges in 1912 but was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935 and replaced by a road, which can be traveled on to this day in 1938.
Key West is the largest city in the Keys and the capital of the southern Monroe County (technically also the capital of the unofficially independent state of the Conch Republic). The city is home to about 25,000 people, most of whom live in Old Town, the western district of the city.
In Old Town Key West, you can feel a unique blend of Caribbean, Cuban, and American atmosphere. Many of the houses on the island are designated for preservation and are made of wood. The island today, and especially in the past, was a refuge for artists and writers, including Ernest Hemingway whose house can still be seen today. Additionally, the Ernest Hemingway Festival is held in the city every July.
Duval Street
The legendary main street of Key West is Duval Street. This street runs across the entire island from Mallory Square in the west to the southernmost point of the USA in the southeast. The street is lined with elegant boutique shops, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It is one of the streets most associated with the LGBTQ+ community in the USA. The street is bustling with revelers and tourists all hours of the day and is considered one of the most fun streets in all of Florida.
Key West Lighthouse
The Key West Lighthouse is located on Whitehead Street, one block west of Duval Street and opposite the house of author Ernest Hemingway. The lighthouse was built in 1848 and has since dominated the skyline of the flat city and island. Climbing 90 steps leads to the lighthouse's observation deck, from which you can clearly see every corner of the western Key. In what was the lighthouse keeper's residence, there's a small museum with exhibits related to the construction of the lighthouse and the city's history.
Address: Whitehead St. 938, Key West
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Ernest Hemingway's Home and Museum
The legendary American author Ernest Hemingway's home stands opposite the Key West lighthouse, nestled behind the vibrant Duval Street. There are quite a few places associated with the prolific writer, from Lake Como in Italy, through Paris and Havana, Cuba, to other spots in the USA like his birthplace, Chicago. But this is probably the home most closely linked to him.
The historic house was built in the Spanish style and was Hemingway's residence from 1931-40. It's one of the busiest tourist destinations in Key West, but it's definitely worth visiting to see a piece of American literary history. The home is inhabited by more than 60 six-toed cats, descendants of Snowball the cat, who lived with Hemingway and his family.
Address: 907 Whitehead St., Key West
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Mallory Square
Mallory Square is located at the northern end of Duval Street. The square is essentially the waterfront of the Old Town facing the Gulf of Mexico, where the city's main cruise port is also situated. In the afternoon, the square becomes particularly lively with the nearly anarchistic fun of the city in what is known as the Sunset Celebrations. Traditionally, crowds and tourists gather here to watch the stunning sunset to the west, over the horizon of the gulf and the Sunset Key opposite. The square features performances such as fire-eaters, interactive theater displays, a carnival atmosphere, Caribbean street food, and more.
At the back of the square lies the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden, featuring bust sculptures of figures who have influenced the city's design and history.
Key West Aquarium
The Key West Aquarium is located in the southern part of Mallory Square. It's one of the oldest aquariums in Florida, having started its activity in 1934, and has since been drawing a substantial number of curious tourists every day. The aquarium is a great place to experience all the tropical wonders of Florida, including alligator species, local sharks found in the Gulf of Mexico, exotic types of jellyfish, and more.
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Address: Whitehead St. 1, Key West
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Key West Shipwreck Museum
Next to the aquarium, on the southern side of Mallory Square, in a wooden building with an open observation tower and a massive U.S. flag, lies the charming tourist museum that tells the story of the endless treasures of the Caribbean. The museum features exhibits of findings and events where treasures were discovered from sunken ships, some lying in the depths for over 400 years. It's an interactive museum with actors, pirates, and an entire experience almost Disney World-like.
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Address: Whitehead St. 1, Key West
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Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
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In the museum's display, the rare bounty of the The separate and important wing of the Shipwreck Museum is located just south of the tourist museum. The museum is named after Mel Fisher, who in 1985 found the wrecks of the Spanish ships Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita. These two ships sank in the area in 1622 and contained an unimaginable amount of gold and silver bars and gemstones.ships (only samples from the 47 tons of gold and silver bars found), as well as maritime archaeological finds recovered from the sunken ships. The discovery of the ships and the museum were a significant part of the trend that spread after the discovery, where treasure hunters dove into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in search of other Spanish fleet ships that looted America in the 17th century.
Address: Greene St. 200, Key West
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Truman Little White House
The Little White House is set along the Gulf of Mexico, just south of Mallory Square. Built in 1890 for naval officers, it's especially known as the winter retreat of President Harry Truman, who fled there from the Cold War problems in the White House in Washington for vacations from 1946 to 1952. After Truman, it also served subsequent presidents and vice presidents who escaped there from the White House; it was an important diplomatic meeting place. Nowadays, the house is open to the public, offering insights into mid-20th century American politics.
Address: Front St. 111, Naval Air Station Key West
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The Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A
At the southern end of Whitehead Street, there is a concrete buoy anchored to the ground. The colorful buoy features a sign marking it as the southernmost point of the continental USA. Technically, it’s not the absolute southernmost point in the USA—that honor goes to the nearby Whitehead Spit, part of a military base slightly to the west (and Hawaii is further south than any of the Keys anyway). Still, this buoy has become a popular spot to visit, where thousands of tourists take photos with the official marker.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
The massive fort dominates the western edge of the Key and the large dock. The fort itself was built in 1866 as part of the Civil War efforts but has always been a crucial line of defense for the USA against external enemies. Today, this grand American fort is open to the public, serving as a large park. Nearby is the American naval base.
The fort's beach is one of the most beautiful in Florida. Though part of it lies on a base, the western side near the fort is open to the public. You can stroll along the beach and the fortifications of the fort. There’s also a small museum with a collection of Civil War military artifacts.
Key West Cemetery
Surprisingly, Key West Cemetery has become a popular tourist spot. The unique character of this small city is also reflected in the place where the pioneers who transformed the barren Keys into today’s liberal and vibrant city are buried. All the graves here are raised above the ground due to flooding concerns. The cemetery also hosts the USS Maine Memorial, commemorating the battleship whose sinking in Havana in 1898 led to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Fort East Martello Museum
The eastern fort of the city is now located next to the airport on the southern coastal highway A1A, or Roosevelt Avenue. The fort was part of the island's defense system along with Fort Zachary and was built in 1861. Besides offering the stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean, it also houses a small history museum that tells the story of Key West and the development of settlement in the islands.
Address: S Roosevelt Blvd. 3501, Key West
Everything to See and Do in the Florida Keys
The Lower Keys
The Lower Keys are the archipelago located beyond the Seven Mile Bridge. They have a different character from the chain of the Upper Keys, the boundary line of which is the city of Marathon. The Lower Keys are an archipelago of dozens of small islets featuring nature reserves and some of the most stunning beaches in all of the USA. The end of the Lower Keys is the western Key and the city of Key West, but east of the city, there are plenty of places to explore the wild nature of the islets.
The tip of the Seven Mile Bridge is Bahia Honda State Park, which connects with the largest key in the Lower Keys, Big Pine Key. In the state park lies the stunningly beautiful Sandspur Beach.
Big Pine Key is the most developed of the Lower Keys, apart from Key West, featuring small docks and charming private hotels offering plenty of peace and nature. In its northern part is the Blue Hole Observation Platform, a popular park where you can observe the wildlife of the tropical region. Heading towards Key West, in the Saddlebunch Keys, you’ll find the lovely Sugarloaf Beach.
Upper Keys
Marathon
The small city of Marathon is home to ten thousand permanent residents and a few thousand tourists who stay there every day. The city is located at the westernmost part of the Upper Keys, from where the Seven Mile Bridge leads to Bahia Honda Park, the gateway to the Lower Keys. Marathon has attractions like the Turtle Hospital, where they care for giant sea turtles injured by fishing or ocean pollution. You can see the turtles and how they're treated there.
Not far from the hospital is the Crane Point Hammock, where you can see an impressive geological collection along with explanations about the unique ecology of the islands and the history of settlement. South of the small city lies the beautiful Sombrero Beach. Marathon is a relaxing resort town with plenty of attractions for tourists, including boating, diving, and even spearfishing.
Islamorada
The town of Islamorada, or ‘The Purple Island' as it translates from Spanish, is home to seven thousand residents. The town is spread over a chain of seven long and narrow islands, along which runs the Overseas Highway that occupies a large part of their area. Islamorada is considered the fishing capital of the Keys and claims the title for the sport fishing capital of all of the USA. It is only a fifteen-minute drive from Key Largo and an hour and a half from Miami. The town has several attractions, such as the History of Diving Museum and the Theater of the Sea marine park.
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From Islamorada, boats head towards the Indian Key Historic State Park, a secluded island which was an ancient Native American settlement. On the island, you can see the wildest tropical nature of the Keys.
Key Largo
Key Largo, along with its neighbor Tavernier, is the second largest settlement in the Keys, with a population of twenty thousand. While it is a small city in a great location, not far from Miami, it's considered less interesting tourist-wise than the grand empire of Key West at the end of the Keys. In terms of area, Key Largo, as its name suggests, is the largest in the chain of islands. The key and the city are the gateway to the Keys, just an hour and a quarter drive from Miami.
The main attraction in the city is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, a very popular diving destination. The entire reef is inviting and pleasant, even if you don't plan to dive, including a small visitor center where you can learn about the reef, the corals, and the wildlife.
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