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 is a tropical island located at the southernmost tip of Florida. It is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a casual laid-back atmosphere.  When we think tropical AND island.... our minds immediately wander to sunshine, sand between our toes and fresh air. 

There are many outdoor activities to enjoy in Key West.  Most restaurants offer some type of an outdoor spot, whether it be a patio, porch, pool or waterside dining. Outdoor concerts, countless festivals, swimming and sunbathing to fishing and biking. Here are just a few of the best outdoor activities in Key West.

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.

Turn a Familiar Florida Drive Into an Unforgettable Adventure

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.

While the island of Key West may be physically small, it's only about 2 by 4 miles. What the island offers it's visitors, in the form of celebrations, festivals and all around fun for young and old, is anything but small.

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.

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!

Dixie Roadhouse is a fantastic place to go with friends or to make new ones!

If you find yourself visiting Southwest Florida and are looking for fun things to do, you just might want to check out the Dixie Roadhouse. Enjoy country music, live entertainment, a great dance floor and a super charged, high-energy atmosphere, then Dixie is the place for you!

AQUA Bar and Nightclub, Key West

A visit to Key West is incomplete without taking in a Drag Show!

Shows at Aqua are fun, sharp, sometimes raunchy and a classic part of the Key West experience. Either grab a seat up by the stage or in the shadows in the rear, you are bound to have a roaring good time. The dynamic, high-energy cast create a fascinating and memorable  evening,  as they perform to famous tunes and outlandish celebrity impersonations!