The Conch Connection

Florida's southwest coast may be better known for sunshine, beaches and waterfront sunsets, but its historic downtowns take on a different personality after dark. In Fort Myers and Punta Gorda, guided walks introduce travelers to local history, unsettling stories and places associated with reported paranormal activity. Continue south to Key West, and the choices expand to ghost trolleys, haunted walking tours, pub crawls and after-hours encounters with one of the island's most famous residents: Robert the Doll.

These destinations do not need to share one invented legend to make a memorable trip. The connection is the journey itself. Start with a mainland ghost tour in either Fort Myers or Punta Gorda, sail from Fort Myers Beach aboard Key West Express the following morning and spend the next evening exploring the haunted side of Old Town Key West.

Fort Myers Beach is about to get loud—in the best possible way.

ROAR Offshore returns September 11–13, 2026, bringing a weekend of colorful catamarans, flying spray and close racing to the beach. There is even a welcome party on Thursday evening, September 10, for anyone who wants to start the fun a little early.

If you have never watched offshore powerboat racing, imagine a pack of boats charging across the water at more than 90 miles per hour. You hear the engines first. Then the boats burst into view, bounce across the chop and crowd together through the turns. It is fast, noisy and difficult to ignore.

This year's ROAR is different from the event of years past, so forget the old October dates and long list of racing classes. The 2026 weekend has been reimagined around one especially competitive class: APBA Super Stock. The official ROAR Offshore website is the best place to follow announcements as race day approaches.

Started in 2016, Captains for Clean Water is a grassroots nonprofit organization that fights to restore much needed Florida water resources. Committed to uniting the outdoor industry, environmental groups, business community and concerned citizens for the fight for clean water.

A successful family vacation does not require every traveler to want the same thing. One child may be happiest spotting dolphins, another may want a beach, a teenager may crave independence and a grandparent may prefer a comfortable museum or scenic ride. Southwest Florida and Key West make it possible to combine those interests without turning every day into a long drive.

The best plan is not a packed checklist. It is a flexible mix of outdoor time, hands-on learning, local history, good food and room to slow down. Use these ideas to build a vacation that works for toddlers, school-age children, teens, parents and grandparents—and leaves everyone with stories to bring home.

On Sanibel and Captiva Islands, shelling is not simply something to do between swims. It is part of the landscape, the local culture and the reason many visitors return to these Southwest Florida beaches year after year. Gulf currents continually carry shells toward the islands, creating shorelines where every tide can reveal something different.

A shelling day also fits naturally into a longer Southwest Florida getaway. Travelers staying near Fort Myers Beach can explore Sanibel and Captiva before or after a trip aboard Key West Express, turning one vacation into two distinctly different island experiences.

Planning the perfect family vacation means finding a destination that offers something for everyone. From exciting outdoor adventures and fascinating history to beautiful beaches and unforgettable sunsets, Key West checks every box.

Whether you're traveling with toddlers, teenagers, grandparents, or the whole extended family, the island offers experiences that bring generations together. Better yet, if you're traveling from Southwest Florida, the vacation begins the moment you board the Key West Express, where the journey is just as memorable as the destination.

Back in 2012 a few industrious and rum loving folks had the wondrous idea to make a new rum and distill it right here in southwest Florida, Cape Coral to be exact.  Utilizing Florida's very own sugar cane crops and other locally sourced ingredients, all of their rum is small batch, handcrafted using an American copper still pot.  Rums are then placed into American Kentucky whiskey barrels and aged anywhere from 3 to 14 years. Wicked Dolphin is one of the most awarded craft distilleries in the USA and it's right here in southwest Florida!

How long does it take to get to Key West from Southwest Florida? Aboard Key West Express, the trip from Fort Myers Beach takes approximately 3.5 hours from port to port.

Driving from Fort Myers takes a little over five hours without lengthy stops—and that does not include traffic delays, rest breaks or finding parking after you arrive.

With Key West Express, those hours are spent relaxing across the Gulf instead of watching the highway. You can enjoy the onboard amenities, take in the views and arrive within easy reach of Old Town.

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.  

Nothing says America like baseball and baseball at JetBlue Park, is like stepping back in time.