Relax & Unwind in Key West

• Stroll Duval Street, which stretches from the southernmost side to Mallory Square on the northwest of the island. It is home to a vibrant art scene and many shops, cafes and bars.

• Rent a bike and explore the island, its neighborhoods and its historic district. Make sure to ride by the Truman Little White House. The neighborhood is beautiful, with orchids dripping from trees.

• Stop by the US's southernmost point, a photo-op spot for many. The large buoy marking the spot often has lines of people waiting to get their turn. Arrive there early morning if you don’t wish to wait. Or do as we did — stand close enough and get your shot in between the others taking turns!

• Visit the Hemingway House, a National Historical Landmark, built in 1851, that was home to Ernest Hemingway and his family. You will also meet the many cats who inhabit the property, all descendants of a six-toed cat gifted to Hemingway by a sea captain.

• Smathers Beach is the largest public beach in Key West. This half-mile beach runs along the Atlantic Ocean beginning at mile marker Zero, the start of the A1A. Everything that you need for a full day at the beach is there — with rentable chairs & umbrellas, food trucks, public facilities and rentable catamarans, paddleboards and jet skis.

• Settle in for the day and sunset at Fort Zachary Taylor Beach. Bring a picnic. Swim in the clear water. Hike the park. The fort here predates the Civil War and demonstrates how soldiers lived and worked to protect the US southernmost point. There is a fee to enter, so worth making a day of it. And the sunset is completely unobstructed.

• Jet Ski tours take you around the Keys on a 28-mile ride through the coral reefs and undulating ocean bottom. You likely see dolphins, sea turtles and tropical birds.

• Snorkel or kayak through the crystal-clear waters and coral reefs that teem with marine life.

Day Trips:

• Dry Tortugas National Park is 70 miles off the coast of Key West. It is made up of seven small islands and is home to the historic Fort Jefferson. Considered a “top 10” thing to do in the Keys, it is home to world-class snorkeling. Accessible by ferry or seaplane.

• 5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop: It’s a small market making some of the best Cuban sandwiches and coffee for the past few generations. Get the Cuban Mix. Trust me.

• Louie’s Backyard: Incredible Caribbean-American cuisine served in a beautiful Victorian home with an oceanfront setting.

• Little Pearl: A small neighborhood restaurant and wine bar with innovative cuisine featuring fresh locally caught seafood.

• El Siboney: This Cuban eatery serves authentic home cooking in a family-friendly setting. Don’t let the budget-conscious pricing fool you — it’s delicious. Come hungry!

• Half Shell Raw Bar: Once home to a shrimp packing facility, this iconic joint serves up a great happy hour with peel-n-eat shrimp, clams and oysters.