Have you ever had a memory so vivid and real that you could put that visual memory, in every detail, to pencil and paper? Well, Mario Sanchez was just such an artist.
You may not have heard of him before, but you'll soon discover that Mario Sanchez was a man to remember and is a great part of Key West's historical and legendary art scene.
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.
Key West is known for its beautiful sunsets, colorful architecture and laid-back island lifestyle, but beneath its tropical charm lies a fascinating history that spans centuries. From Native American settlements and Spanish explorers to literary legends, presidents and treasure hunters, the island has countless stories waiting to be discovered.
Corona Virus has forced us all to adjust how we work & play. Key West provides the perfect respite with sand between your toes and sunshine on your face on this idyllic island oasis. Relax, rejuvenate, mask up and social distance as you escape to the vacation spot of Pirates, Poets & Presidents.
Planning your next Key West trip? Scoping out the best places to eat or finding that perfectly, idyllic resort with all the amenities? Well, once you get there, you'll want to document your trip and all that you did and saw. There's nothing like making friends and family envious of your good fortune, while taking a wonderful sailing trip to the tropical oasis of Key West, Florida. To help you in your pursuit of finding that perfect spot, that is that " oh so " Instagram perfect, we have our recommendations on this very important issue!
A brick fortress, a rocky beach, tropical fish, shady picnic tables and one seriously good sunset spot—all in the same park? That is Fort Zachary Taylor.
Tucked away near Old Town and the Truman Annex, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is the kind of place where a quick visit can easily turn into most of the day. One minute you are wandering through Civil War-era passageways. The next, you are pulling on a snorkel mask, watching birds along the shoreline or settling into the shade with something cold to drink.
It is also an easy adventure for travelers arriving from Fort Myers Beach aboard Key West Express. The park is about 1.8 miles from the ferry terminal, so you can get there by taxi, rideshare or bicycle—or make the roughly 35-minute walk part of the experience.
Take a quick look at the Key West Express Fort Zachary Taylor guide, check the latest details on the official Florida State Parks page, and get ready for a day that can be as active—or as wonderfully lazy—as you want.
A Florida road trip does not have to be a race from one hotel to the next. The most memorable itineraries mix scenery, wildlife, waterfront stops and different ways of traveling. That is what makes a road-and-ferry trip so appealing: you can explore at your own pace, park the car in Fort Myers Beach and finish the journey to Key West across the Gulf.
This flexible route works for couples, families, friends and solo travelers. Begin wherever your Florida plans take you, add one or two natural stops on the way to Southwest Florida, and then let Key West Express turn the final leg into part of the vacation. Instead of spending another long stretch behind the wheel, you can move between climate-controlled seating and open-air decks while the island gets closer.
Here in Florida, anytime is the time to plan a vacation. Key West is the ideal getaway filled with activities and adventure to make smiles and memories for any and everyone!
With all the different options that you have for a Key West Vacation, what should you do and see on your trip to paradise?
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.
