The Conch Connection

Every March, Key West trades a little of its tropical color for shamrock green. The island's original St. Patrick's Day Bar Stroll is not a newly invented pub crawl or a generic ticketed party dropped into Old Town. It is a homegrown Key West tradition with roots stretching back to 1979, a collectible shirt, a changing route and more than four decades of stories.

For visitors from Southwest Florida, Key West Express makes it possible to begin the celebration with a Gulf crossing instead of a long drive. Because the stroll continues into the afternoon and participating venues change from year to year, an overnight stay is the most relaxed way to enjoy it without watching the clock.

Gold coins, Spanish galleons, notorious pirates and fortunes lost beneath the waves—few places in Florida inspire maritime legends quite like Key West. Some of those stories are firmly rooted in history. Others have grown taller with every retelling. Together, they reveal how geography, dangerous reefs and centuries of seafaring shaped the island visitors know today.

Traveling aboard Key West Express offers a fitting introduction to that story. As the ferry crosses the Gulf toward Key West, you are following waters that once carried Spanish treasure fleets, merchant vessels, naval ships, fishermen and the occasional pirate.

It has been a few harrowing weeks in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.   Through the kindness of friends, strangers, neighbors, first responders & utility workers, everyone has united to make Key West whole again.  On October 1st, Key West officially reopened to welcome all to this island paradise.  

Key West and Cuba are separated by roughly 90 miles of water, but their shared story has been unfolding for generations. Cuban immigrants helped build the island's economy, supported the struggle for Cuban independence and left a lasting mark on local politics, education, art, architecture, language and food.

That heritage is not confined to a museum display. You can experience it in a strong cup of café cubano, a historic building on Duval Street, a plate of roast pork and plantains, or the Spanish name many locals still use for Key West: Cayo Hueso. Arriving aboard Key West Express places you near the Old Town streets where much of this history unfolded.

Have you ever wanted to run with the bulls?

How about doing it without an actual bull chasing you?

Welcome to Hemingway Days, where Key West puts its own wonderfully unconventional spin on one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite Spanish traditions.

Mel Fisher and the Treasure of the Atocha

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.

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.

Choosing a Key West hotel is often less about the room and more about the kind of trip you want once you step outside it. Opal Key Resort & Marina sits on the harbor at the edge of Old Town, placing guests close to sunsets, sightseeing, dining, boating and the lively streets that make Key West memorable.

That location gives the resort a distinct personality. It is not a secluded beach retreat, and it is not removed from the action. It is a waterfront home base for travelers who want to walk out the door and start exploring. Here is what that means in practical terms—and what to consider before booking.

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.