Key West, Florida: The Island With Timeless Charm

Being the southern-most point in the United States, Key West is a hotspot for tourists. It is also a destination for many cruise ships. With historical landmarks, storytelling buildings and local sites, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. The Conch Republic nation presents a place of free-minded people who are welcoming to a diverse community. Being only a few miles wide, the island of Key West is easily accessible by bike!

Along with many sites to explore during your stay, Mallory Square is the place to be in the evening for sunsets and entertainment. There are vendors selling local art and jewelry and street showman putting on an interactive act. Also, don’t forget to have your caricature portraits made for a fun souvenir. While visiting Key West, keep an eye out for the iconic roosters that live on the island. Most mornings, you may be woken up by one of them at a leisure island time, of course.

For places to stay, there is a wide variety of options to comfort any travel style. Opal Key Resort & Marina sits on the west side of the island with an unobstructed sunset view and provides transport to Sunset Key. The Sunset Key Resort is a place to experience lounging on a private island with the best sunset views on Key West, hence the name. On the east side of the island, Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton, offers a private sanctuary. The property has its own beach front, which is a luxury for the small island with limited beach options. As for the Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, which also sits on the west side of the island. It houses a fun Tiki Bar on the water and a famous chef restaurant, Four Flamingos, a Richard Blais Key West Kitchen. Aside from the places listed, Key West has many other fabulous historic, traditional and modern properties with world-class service and experiences.

Being a nutritional foodie, Moondog Cafe & Bakery and Date & Thyme are my favorite everyday places to eat. The fresh bakery treats, freshly squeezed juices and nutrition-packed wraps are apart of my daily cravings while visiting Key West. A local treasure of a restaurant, Lola’s Bistro provides a culinary experience with an ever-changing daily menu based on the freshest available ingredients. They only accept cash, require a dinner reservation and have limited availability. Local tip, stop by UVA Wines and meet with Mark to discuss what would be a good pairing for your dinner at Lola’s. Mark will then personally deliver your chosen wine to Lola’s to be ready for you when you arrive, what a treat! Also, who can resist a Key West key lime pie slice at the original Key Lime House. I surely cannot. It is a must-visit for me, being that key lime pie is one of my favorite desserts.

Key West has activities for the whole family, including museum tours, parasailing, catamaran sunset cruises, water sports, fishing and more. It's a great place to visit and feel the free-spirited island vibes. Ready to experience Key West and its fun accepting community? Contact me to help you start planning your next trip!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Key West page.