City Editor Connor here. When my family moved to Key West a few years ago, it became my favorite place to vacation. No matter how you like to spend a day, it’s the perfect place to get away from it all. Just watch out for iguanas.
Learn local literary history by visiting Ernest Hemingway’s home.
Photo by LALtoday
Why go?
- Want to feel like you’re visiting a different country? Here, everyone’s on island time.
- Key West is the southernmost point of the continental US (read: It gets pretty hot). Visit in the fall or winter to avoid summer crowds and temperatures.
- Stay in the know about things to do with this tour company’s updates and this travel guide .
Don’t miss watching the sunset from Mallory Square.
Photo by LALtoday
Act like a local:
- Food: You can’t go to the Keys and not try a slice of Key lime pie. Every restaurant has its own twist on this classic, but I’m partial to the one at Blue Heaven topped with sky-high layers of meringue.
- Drink: Visit the Conch Republic Seafood Company for nine flavors of mojitos, including Key lime.
- Outdoors: See the island from under the sea. Book a snorkeling tour to get up close to tropical sea creatures.
- Learn: Key West was discovered in the 1500s, so it’s got a long, spooky history. Learn about its past with a ghost tour on a trolley — and say hello to Robert the Doll .
- Listen: The streets are filled with live music. Head to Mallory Square nightly to enjoy music from buskers while watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.
- Explore: Hop on a boat to Dry Tortugas National Park , which is 99% water. This small, remote island is the perfect place to snorkel, scuba dive, or camp.
This patio is perfect for eating a slice of Key lime pie for breakfast.
Photo via Vrbo
Where to stay:
- Vrbo: Charming cottage with a pool (~$539/night)*
- Airbnb: Apartment with easy access to the bustling Duval Street (~$350/night)
- Splurge hotel: Margaritaville Beach House Resort (~$230/night)