Explore Key West History

There are many reasons to visit Key West­ and one of them involves our island's history. Go to the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor and tour a civil war fort while you're there. Have a beer at the bar famous for its Nobel Prize winning customer. Find yourself at the daily sunset celebration and notice the buildings surrounding you­ they're former warehouses that date back to the island's once-booming wrecking trade. Dine outdoors on the same waterfront that first hosted the sponging and shrimping businesses. Join a SCUBA trip to dive to a Spanish merchant ship from the 1600's. There's no escaping it­ we're a little island with big history!

If you're a first-time visitor to the Southernmost City, get ready to make some special memories. Go to sunset and watch for that flash of green in the water off Mallory Square. Eat a fantastic dinner featuring seafood that was swimming in the ocean this morning. Drool over more gold than you've ever seen in one place or walk through a President's retreat. Everywhere you go here, you're surrounded by the city's history­ you can see it and touch it.

You've been here before? Then you'll want to revisit some great old memories and also make new ones. A favorite hotel or guesthouse where the world goes away? A fantastic show that made you laugh until you cried? How about recapturing the memories from a fishing trip or dolphin watch or back country kayaking? Or do you merely want to explore a few more blocks of the island city on foot and drink in the fragrance of frangipani? There's lots to do. And with each activity, you're adding to Key West's history by making some history of your own.

Accommodations
Does your taste run to historical guesthouses whose tropical gardens invoke your idea of paradise? Or are hotels or resorts more your style? Do you like it quiet, or does your family want a pool and a great restaurant on site? We've got them all in Key West - and can accommodate any budget.

Restaurants/Nightlife
Whatever you'd like for dinner, Key West has it on a menu somewhere. Cuban? Greek? Mexican? Japanese? No problem. Steak? Lobster? A fresh and fabulous grouper sandwich? No problem there, either. Just promise yourself you'll try something new while you're here. And you can eat indoors or out, with a view of the water or of the people walking along Duval Street.
And after dinner, when you'd just like to hang out and get entertained for a few hours? That's easy in the Southernmost City. Many of the clubs and bars feature live entertainment that ranges from Broadway to country, Latin to the blues, rock'n'roll to island rhythms. Feel free to ask a local for recommendations and you won't go wrong.

Festivals & Events
What if you came to Key West and we threw you a party? That's how it will feel when you visit during a specific event. Regardless of your interest­ theatre, fishing, art, wild and craziness­ at different times during the year we're celebrating it! Click on our calendar for a complete rundown of parties, street fairs and festivals to see what we've got planned for you.

Museums/Attractions
Take some of your Key West time to walk in the footprints of our history. Want to see what brought the island out of the Depression?­ go to the Aquarium. See where Presidents have stayed?­ visit the Little White House. Revisit the pirate days?­ we've a museum for that, too. And so much more . . .

Watersports/Marinas
If you're a fan of the water, you'll only have to choose how you want to enjoy it­ by diving beneath the surface and exploring the magnificent reef, by skimming the waves on your day trip to Fort Jefferson, or by parasailing high above the water for the view of a lifetime. Jetskis and kayaks are easy to come by. You can join a charter for a sportfishing trip, or rent a boat for your own private tour­ and there's no charge for the gorgeous sunset.

Real Estate
We don't blame you if you fall in love and can't leave­ that first happened to someone in the 1820's. Whether you choose to seek a first or second home or are just looking for a vacation rental, a click here will take you to Keys real estate professionals.

Getting Here
- Airlines to Key West
- Driving to Key West
- Ferry to Key West

Where to Stay
- Bed & Breakfast
- Guesthouses
- Hotels
- Gay Friendly
- Pet Friendly
- Resorts
- Vacation Rentals
- Camping & RV

Where to Eat
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Dinner & Outdoor Dining

Things To Do
- Electric Cars
- Attractions
- Boating & Marinas
- Fishing
- Museums
- Nightclubs & Bars
- Professional Services
- SCUBA & Snorkeling
- Real Estate
- Shopping
- Watersporrts

Festival & Events

April 15-19, 2009 - 15th Annual Robert Frost Poetry Festival -workshops, contests and poetry readings at the Robert Frost Cottage behind the Heritage House- 410 Caroline St. For more information, call 305-296-3573.

May 2009 - The arrival and sinking of the Vandenberg - Key West's next attraction will soon be on her way. Check for her schedule at www.Explore KeyWestHistory.com and join us for the celebration.

July 14 - 19, 2009 - Hemingway Days - A week of celebrating all things Ernest, including the look-alike contest, marlin tournament, and the not-so-dangerous Running of the Bulls. For Hemingway fans with a literary bent, author's readings and the annual short story contest are always popular. Visit www.hemingwaydays.net

October 23 - November 1, 2009 - Fantasy Fest The theme is "Villians, Vixens and Vampires." Join us for a ten day celebration bringing some 50,000 revelers to Duval Street, Fantasy Fest is the hottest Halloween celebration in the country and the island city's most outrageous party. The spectacle climaxes in a glittering grand parade. Visit www.fantasyfest.net