There really was gold in the waters off Key West—and finding it became one of the most famous treasure-hunting stories in history.
For 16 years, Mel Fisher and his crew searched the waters of the Florida Keys for the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Fisher kept the team motivated with his now-famous declaration: “Today’s the day!” On July 20, 1985, those words finally came true when the crew discovered the ship’s long-lost main cargo hold.
The tart and tangy key lime are important in the culinary world internationally, but in Florida there are actually festivals where enthusiasts join in celebrating this exotic citrus.
Summer time is fun time for kids, teens and grown-ups alike. Who doesn't love sun & fun at the pool! So for the young and young at heart Sun Splash Family Waterpark is the perfect escape from Southwest Florida summer temperatures.
Some Key West bars are places to grab a drink. Irish Kevin's is a place where the room itself becomes part of the show. Live performers, sing-alongs, quick-witted crowd interaction and a steady stream of Duval Street energy have made this Old Town stop memorable since it opened in July 1998.
Whether you stop in for an afternoon set, return after dinner or make it part of a longer evening downtown, Irish Kevin's offers the kind of shared experience people often remember long after their Key West trip. Travelers arriving aboard Key West Express can reach the heart of Old Town without bringing a car onto the island, making it easy to include Duval Street in a day trip or overnight getaway.
Few establishments are as closely tied to Key West as Sloppy Joe’s Bar. Its bright corner entrance, live music and connection to Ernest Hemingway have made it one of the most recognizable stops on Duval Street.
Yet Sloppy Joe’s is more than a famous place to order a drink. Its history reaches back to the end of Prohibition, when Key West’s waterfront culture brought together fishermen, writers, rum runners and independent personalities. Today, the bar remains a lively gathering place where visitors can experience a piece of that history while enjoying food, music and the energy of Old Town.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to Key West, here is what to know about the story and experience of Sloppy Joe’s.
Imagine wandering through Key West and hearing live music drifting from a waterfront bar. You stop for a drink—and discover the person on stage wrote a song you've heard a hundred times.
That's the magic of the Key West Songwriters Festival.
Held each spring, this five-day celebration brings songwriters, performers and music fans together throughout Key West for something very different from a traditional music festival. Instead of spending your entire trip in front of one giant stage, you can discover performances in intimate theaters, waterfront venues, legendary Key West bars and unexpected spots around the island.
Key West has no shortage of bold colors and big personalities, but one of the island’s most memorable places is also one of its quietest. At the edge of Higgs Beach, the weathered brick arches of West Martello Tower shelter a tropical garden filled with orchids, butterflies, native plants, shaded paths and glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean.
The site is home to the Key West Garden Club, and regular admission is free. That makes it an easy addition to a Key West day trip, especially for travelers who want a peaceful break between the island’s beaches, historic sites and busier attractions. If you arrive from Southwest Florida aboard Key West Express, West Martello also offers a very different side of the island from the activity around Old Town.
Key West has never needed much encouragement to celebrate individuality.
The island's welcoming spirit, colorful personality and long-established LGBTQ+ community have helped make Key West a favorite destination for LGBTQ+ travelers from around the world.
And while Key West Pride may be the best-known celebration, it isn't the only major LGBTQ+ event on the island's calendar.
The Key West Business Guild, which has promoted LGBTQ+ travel to Key West since 1978, produces three signature celebrations that offer distinctly different ways to experience the island: Key West Pride, Tropical Heat and WomenFest.
Key West has a habit of doing food its own way.
You’ll find lobster rolls served from tiny storefronts, wildly creative tacos coming out of a food truck and fresh seafood that tastes even better when you’re wearing flip-flops. A few of these colorful local spots have even caught the attention of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Three Key West-area restaurants received the national spotlight. Two are still serving hungry island visitors today: DJ’s Clam Shack and Garbo’s Grill.
Dixie Roadhouse is a fantastic place to go with friends or to make new ones!
If you find yourself visiting Southwest Florida and are looking for fun things to do, you just might want to check out the Dixie Roadhouse. Enjoy country music, live entertainment, a great dance floor and a super charged, high-energy atmosphere, then Dixie is the place for you!
