At the southern tip of U.S. Route 1, the major north-south highway that runs all the way up the Eastern Seaboard to Fort Kent, Maine, is the fascinating island of Key West, Fla. It’s the end of the road both literally and figuratively, the last of the chain of inhabited islands arching from Miami, and the place where generations of writers, artists and free spirits have lived unconventional lives amidst tropical splendor. Those who take a Key West vacation will discover an unforgettable destination brimming with natural, cultural and historic attractions.
While Key West is the southernmost point in the continental U.S., it’s actually closer Cuba than it is to Miami. The Caribbean influence can be felt throughout Key West, from the Bahama Village, where the Goombay Festival is celebrated annually, to the Cuban cigar-makers hand-rolling their wares, to the laidback island vibe that permeates the city. Kids will find plenty of entertainment during a Key West family vacation. The new Pirate Soul Museum boasts the world’s only authenticated pirate treasure chest, while the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center features interactive exhibits about North America’s only living contiguous barrier coral reef, which parallels the Florida Keys. The surrounding waters offer plenty of opportunities for diving, snorkeling and fishing. Top historical sites include the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, where “Papa” wrote such works as To Have and Have Not, and the Harry S. Truman Little White House, the former U.S. president’s tropical retreat. And no vacation in Key West would be complete without ending the day with the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, where locals and residents congregate each evening amidst fire-eaters, tightrope-walkers and animal acts to watch the main attraction: the sun setting behind the Gulf of Mexico.
Most visitors to Key West fly into South Florida’s Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and rent a car to drive down U.S. 1, or the Overseas Highway, through the Keys to Key West. This very scenic drive, which includes the famous Seven-Mile Bridge, takes about three-and-a-half to four hours. Another option is to fly into Key West International Airport, which offers service to various Florida cities, or the Florida Keys Marathon Airport, which is at the midpoint of the Keys. Average high temperatures for Key West range from 75°F in January and February, to 89°F in August. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, with the highest potential for storms traditionally occurring between Aug. 15 and Oct. 15. For more information on a vacation to Key West, log on to www.fla-keys.com, Key West’s official tourism council website.