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.

Key West, a vibrant island paradise known for its laid-back atmosphere and stunning sunsets, also boasts a thriving art scene that captivates visitors and locals alike. With its unique blend of Caribbean culture and artistic expression, Key West offers a diverse range of art forms, from traditional painting and sculpture to contemporary installations and performance art.

Key West is famous for its sunsets, historic streets, and lively atmosphere, but just beneath the surface lies another world waiting to be explored. Crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, fascinating shipwrecks, and an incredible diversity of marine life have made the Florida Keys one of North America's premier diving destinations.

Few destinations celebrate sunset quite like Key West. Every evening, visitors gather across the island to watch the sky transform into brilliant shades of orange, pink, and purple over the water. But while many travelers head to crowded waterfront locations or Mallory Square, there’s a quieter and more exclusive way to experience one of Florida’s most famous sunsets: the Key West Lighthouse Sunset Experience.

A day trip to Key West sounds like a dream—sunshine, turquoise waters, and the laid-back vibe of America's southernmost city. But here's the catch: driving down the Overseas Highway from Southwest Florida can turn that dream into hours of traffic, bridge crossings, and the dreaded Key West parking hunt. Key West Express offers you a smarter alternative  — a high-speed ferry day trip that starts your vacation the moment you step aboard.

Florida's southwest coast and the Florida Keys offer far more than one kind of beach day. You can search for shells on Sanibel Island, paddle across a tidal lagoon on Marco Island, snorkel beside tropical fish in Key Largo, relax beneath palms at Bahia Honda or combine a remote beach with one of America's most remarkable coastal forts.

These five destinations stand out not because they are identical, but because each reveals a different side of coastal Florida. Some are ideal for families and laid-back walks. Others reward travelers who want to snorkel, kayak, watch wildlife or venture well beyond the usual shoreline.

Beyond Key West’s colorful streets and lively waterfront lies a quieter world of mangrove islands, shallow turquoise water and wildlife moving through largely undisturbed habitat. Key West National Wildlife Refuge protects this remarkable backcountry landscape west of the island, offering nature lovers a chance to experience another side of the Florida Keys.

There are no roads leading into the refuge and no conventional visitor trails through it. Exploring means traveling by boat, kayak or permitted charter and respecting a landscape where wildlife—not sightseeing infrastructure—comes first.

Key West does not slow down when the sun disappears. The island simply changes moods. Sunset crowds gather along the waterfront, live music spills onto Old Town streets, historic buildings become the setting for ghost stories, and illuminated kayaks glide through dark mangrove creeks.

The best things to do in Key West at night include the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, sunset cruises, live music on Duval Street, drag shows, ghost tours, night kayaking, waterfront dining, theater performances and relaxed walks through Old Town. Most evening attractions are concentrated around Mallory Square, Duval Street and the Historic Seaport, making it easy to combine several experiences in one night.

Make your plans for the biggest party of the summer! The 27^th annual Key West LobsterFest is being held this year from August 8^th until the 11^th , 2024.