Key West Travel Information
Also known as the Conch Republic and Margaritaville , Key West is
the southernmost endpoint of Florida. The Caribbean-style island that
once called itself home to Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway and
"Winter White House" to President Harry S. Truman, is a minuscule
paradise, 4 miles long by 2 miles wide. Surrounded by the only barrier
reef in North America, Key West lures underwater adventurers to the
beauty of the coral and the splendor of its inhabitants. Thousands of
colorful fish play in the turquoise waters, making for spectacular
underwater photography. Snorkeling and diving are part of the
lifestyle here, and fishing for the catch of the sea is the delight of
both tourists and residents. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
in Old Town is an interesting stop. The house and furnishings are the
way they were when Hemingway and his wife lived in the 1851 home. The
sixty-something cats on the premises are descendants of Hemingway’s
pet felines. Another unique attraction is the Original Ghost Tour of
Key West which escorts brave hearts through Old Town spots associated
with sightings and hauntings, each with a hair-raising story attached.
The best attractions of Key West, however, lie not so much in
the town as in the beauty of nature itself. Some favorites are the
Coral Reef, radiant sunsets over sleepy marinas, lush subtropical
vegetation and the tantalizing fragrance of flowers filling the air.
The gentle kiss of the wind as it greets beachcombers in their early
morning promenade along the surf. These are the things that make this
tiny island monumental in one’s memory. Key West is a sporty
town that loves a good time whether it’s deep sea fishing or playing
golf, snorkeling around the beautiful barrier reef or checking out
cavernous shipwrecks offshore. Fresh and salt water fishing are
favorites along with diving and snorkeling. Parasailing is also
popular. Key West offers a plethora of activities that would please
any palette amid a backdrop of peace and tranquility, pastel-colored
homes, and friendly folk. Key West is about 160 miles from
Miami at the endpoint of US-1.
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