Key West Vacations - Florida

Key West Vacation Highlights

159 miles south west of Miami

Key West is a city which celebrates at every opportunity, with festivals and parties throughout the tourist season. The social calendar lasts for 365 days a year, encompassing events and activities  such as fishing tournaments, art festivals, literary seminars and plays, international power boat races and yachting regattas.

For 10 days in November, the Pirates in Paradise Festival takes place in Key West, featuring re-enactments of the island's history with displays that include tall ship battle re-enactments, pirate characters roaming the town and children's activity programs.

Fantasy Fest, Key West's answer to Mardi Gras, attracts as many as 70,000 costumed party goers from around the world for a ten-day event in October that culminates with a parade through Old Town.

The Key West Aquarium dates to 1934 and is a family favorite with children's touch tanks of starfish, sea cucumbers and conch, and outdoor displays of sharks, barracudas and sawfish. The aquarium has a unique "Pet A Shark" attraction.

Hemingway House, a lovely Spanish colonial residence, is one of Key West's best known attractions. It was here that the famous author wrote many of his best known works during the 1930's. His "last penny" can still be seen pressed into the pool deck and the descendants of his cats are still in residence.

If you're into diving, pirates and sunken treasures, The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum is a must.  With its displays of doubloons, pieces of eight, emeralds, and solid-gold bars, it tells how Mel Fisher and his crew found a multimillion-dollar treasure trove in 1985 aboard the wreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha.

Audubon House & Tropical Gardens displays a well-preserved home, dating from the early 1800's  that is a prime example of early Key West architecture.

The house is named after the renowned bird illustrator  John Audubon, who was said to have painted in the gardens in 1832. The house features rare Audubon prints, gorgeous antiques, historical photos and lush tropical gardens.