12 reasons to visit Key West, Florida
21.07.2023 - 08:01
/ roughguides.com
Once a rip-roaring buccaneers’ town, Key West is now the quirky, tropical heart of the Florida Keys. Closer to Cuba than mainland Florida, visiting Key West feels a million miles from the rest of the USA. The island’s boisterous history, free-spirited outlook and unique “Floribbean” vibe are powerful draws for all kinds of visitors, whether you’re into water-sports, night-life, nature, or art. Here are our twelve top reasons to visit Key West.
The entire Florida Keys is an ocean-lover's paradise, with a host of unforgettable water-based activities and experiences to enjoy. So, whether you’re an experienced diver or novice snorkeller, oceanic activities should figure high on your to-do list when visiting Key West.
Head to the historic Seaport to take your pick from several longstanding operators offering everything from wreck dives, reef dives and mangrove kayaking, to glass bottom boat trips. To make the most of Key West's watery wonders, you could book a «double dip trip». With stops at two top snorkelling sites reached on a high-speed state-of-the-art catamaran, this provides fun and thrills aplenty.
Fancy fishing Key West’s stunning waters? Check-out Andy Griffiths Charters. An experienced local fisherman, Andy can arrange epic three-day excursions out to the Dry Tortugas or, for a less full-on (and more affordable) experience, you could try the four-hour fishing option.
For excellent onsite watersports, you could investigate booking a stay at Parrot Key Hotel and Villas. One of the most luxurious resorts in town, it's lushly-landscaped and set on a white-sand beach, with four swimming pools and close proximity to Old Town.
Florida coral reef © John Pennekamp/Shutterstock
To soak up the old-time atmosphere of Key West, visit the narrow streets around the lighthouse and to the west of Whitehead Street — aka Bahama Village. Many of the small buildings — some of them former cigar factories — are pretty run-down and provide a contrast to the restoration found elsewhere in Old Town. The Caribbean vibe here is authentic, deriving from the Bahamians who worked in the salvage trade and eventually settled in Key West.
Key West's Bahama Village © travelview/Shutterstock
Taking time out to take-in an epic sunset (or several) is an absolute must when visiting Key West. And, thanks to the daily Sunset Celebration - started by hippies in the 1960s, and now managed by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society — you can enjoy this exceptional solar spectacle in the company of jubilant jugglers, flamboyant fire-eaters and fellow revellers. The celebrations kick off two hours before sunset on bustling Mallory Square, with plenty of food stalls, cocktail stands and craft vendors adding to the distinctly Key West vibe.
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