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.
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.
SUN SPLASH - MAKE A DASH, COME & PLAY
THE COOLEST PLACE TO BE IN SW FLORIDA
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.
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.
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.
Summers in Key West get really HOT!!
Three of the best parties
for those looking to spice things up!
Sail down to Key West and celebrate your PRIDE for 5 fantastic days and nights. Bask in Key West's famous laid back style and flair. Party with friends, family or make new acquaintances and discover Key West's unique philosophy of One Human Family, encompassing the entire LGBTQ+ family!
