Key West Vacation Information

Location

• Key West, Florida is the country's southernmost city, but that doesn't mean that is difficult to reach. Key West is the last island in the Florida Keys island chain and is accessible to Florida's mainland via Route 1. Travelers may fly into Key West International Airport, drive Route 1, or take a ferry from either Marco Island or Fort Myers Beach to the Key West Bight Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride is less than four hours long.
  
  

Attractions

• Discover the world of author Ernest Hemingway at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Hemingway lived there for over 10 years with a six-toed cat, whose descendants still roam the museum. Families and nature lovers can explore the mangrove forests and undeveloped seashore at the Key West Nature Preserve. Street vendors and carnival performers conduct a nightly celebration at sunset in Mallory Square.
  
  

Water Sports

• The waters off of Key West have coral reefs and shipwrecked boats that have become artificial reefs and homes for a wide variety of fish. Snorkelers and divers will find numerous sites of interest just off shore. Visit Key West Marine Park to see Joe's Tug, a submerged tugboat where barracudas and spotted morays lurk, and the 10 miles of coral reef at Sand Key.
  
  

Accommodations

• Accommodations on Key West are varied, with hotels, inns, home rentals and campgrounds all available. Big Ruby's Guest House is a clothing-optional resort for the gay community. It features a heated lagoon pool and is within walking distance of Key West's hotspot, Duval Street. Ocean Key Resort & Spa at the tip of the island is an oceanside resort adjacent to the historic Mallory Square. Boyd's Key West Campground is minutes from Duval Street. The campground features bathhouses, a coin-operated laundry and bus service to the city. Sites are available for campers and RVs.
  
  

Dining

• Dining options in the area range from classic American fare to various international cuisines. Ernest Hemingway was a fixture at Sloppy Joe's, a full-service bar on the corner of Duval and Greene streets. Shor American Seafood Grill, at the Hyatt Resort & Spa, serves up locally caught seafood and views of the bay. To get even closer to the water, Dreamchaser Charters will serve a gourmet dinner at sunset while out at sea.
  
  

Gay-Friendly Key West

• The Key West Business Guild can suggest gay-friendly accommodations, restaurants, shopping and entertainment options. One such option is the Gay and Lesbian Historic Trolley Tour, the only tour of its kind in the country. Hop on the trolley any Saturday morning at 10:50 a.m. for a 70-minute tour of Key West's gay history.