The Conch Connection

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.

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.

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 never needed much encouragement to celebrate individuality.

The island's welcoming spirit, colorful personality and long-established LGBTQ+ community have helped make Key West a favorite destination for LGBTQ+ travelers from around the world.

And while Key West Pride may be the best-known celebration, it isn't the only major LGBTQ+ event on the island's calendar.

The Key West Business Guild, which has promoted LGBTQ+ travel to Key West since 1978, produces three signature celebrations that offer distinctly different ways to experience the island: Key West Pride, Tropical Heat and WomenFest.

Key West has a habit of doing food its own way.

You’ll find lobster rolls served from tiny storefronts, wildly creative tacos coming out of a food truck and fresh seafood that tastes even better when you’re wearing flip-flops. A few of these colorful local spots have even caught the attention of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Three Key West-area restaurants received the national spotlight. Two are still serving hungry island visitors today: DJ’s Clam Shack and Garbo’s Grill.