Top Ten Reasons to Come to Key West

Island Genn With A Nice Key West Dolphin (mahi)

With so many possible destinations to go on vacation, why should someone come to Key West? Well, I am glad you asked! There are probably countless reasons why people visit our island Paradise, but I am going to give you my top ten reasons for visiting!

  1. The Fishing! Key West has some of the best fishing in the continental United States. With easy access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, we have a great number of saltwater species to fish for. If you are looking for calm and beautiful, then the flats and backcountry fishing is the way to go.  But if offshore is your game, we have that too! Both blue water trolling and bottom fishing the reef and many wrecks that dot the waters off of Key West are a great time. For a plethora of information about the different fishing options, visit Dream Catcher Charters.
  2. howard livingston, Island Genn, Indiana Bones, Boat Parade, Key West
    Howard Livingston of the Mile Marker 24 Band poses for a picture with Island Genn and Indiana Bones at the 2012 Superboat World Championship Boat Parade in Key West

    The Location! We are the Southernmost City in the continental USA, located closer to Cuba than to Miami. You can get to the island of Key West by boat, plane or car. Heck, some people have even walked or bicycled here, but that takes some real time and dedication.  You don’t need to have a passport to visit this tropical Paradise if you are coming from the good old USA! And once you get here, you can put away your car keys; this two by four mile island is the perfect place for walking, biking, or using a scooter to get around.

  3. The Weather! Sure, our weather is not always perfect Chamber of Commerce weather, but we do have a tropical climate, similar to the Caribbean. Key West has a small variance in monthly temperatures, with the coolest month being January and the warmest month being July. The Florida Keys are one of the only locations in the continental USA to never have had a frost or freeze.  
  4. Tiki Torch
    Tiki Torch During Sunset at Kaya’s Island Eats Photo: Steven Lamp

    The History! One might not realize the rich history that the tiny island of Key West has. From its earliest days, native Calusa Indians inhabited the island until the Spanish conquistadors made it into a Spanish territory. Later the island came under British rule, and eventually in 1851 the island was transferred to the United States. Industry made the island the richest per capita in the country for awhile. The island boasts the oldest Catholic school in Florida. And because of the island’s location, it played and still does play a pivotal part in the country’s military heritage. This is just the tip of the iceberg (which we will never see here in Key West) when it comes to history. But when visiting you can learn a lot more by taking a tour or visiting the many museums on the island.

  5. View of the lighthouse
    View of the Lighthouse from Hemingway’s bedroom deck.

    The Bars! I am not sure what the official number is, but I have heard that we have more bars per capita than anywhere else in the USA. From famous bars like the original Margaritaville, Sloppy Joe’s Bar made famous by Ernest Hemingway, and the Hog’s Breath Saloon, to little hole in the wall places to grab a drink, you will find no shortage of alcohol on our little island. So, grab cold one and relax.

  6. The Restaurants! I am a foodie, hence all of my restaurant reviews on this blog. So I love that even though this island is small, there are numerous options for places to eat. From comfortable favorites to upscale options and everything in between. Choose from American, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Peruvian, Cuban, Columbian; the list goes on!
  7. Abbondanza Seafood Pasta
    The Seafood Pasta at Abbondanza looked and tasted wonderful

    The Events! The number of events that Key West plays host to is simply mind boggling to me. Fishing tournaments, marathons and triathlons, concerts and plays, festivals, air shows, boat races, sporting events  and more! There is always something to do and see on this little island!

  8. The Wildlife! Of course there are many things to see on and around the water such as fish, manatees, dolphins, and turtles. But we also have some wonderful birding in Key West. And I don’t mean the chickens that are running around the island. I mean great white herons, egrets, white-crowned pigeons, black-whiskered vireos, kingbirds, scissor-tailed flycatchers, spring warblers,  sooty turns, pelicans, cormorants, frigatebirds, short-eared owls, and red-legged honeycreepers. You can visit many places around the island to try and get peak at some of these rare birds. And make sure to visit the Audubon House and gardens on Whitehead Street too!
  9. Dog Friendly! Now not everyplace on the island will let you bring man’s best friend along, but many establishments are pet friendly. I bring my little Maltese, Indiana Bones, with me practically everywhere I go. Many hotels, restaurants, and shops are happy to welcome your friendly dog as well as you!
  10. The Beauty! Key West has so much natural beauty. The clear blue waters, the amazing sunrises and sunsets, the parks and beaches, and the vistas from the bridges and the wreckers museum tower are breathtaking. But some of the architecture is amazing as well and warrants admiration.
Navy Fighter that I got to see close up at the last air show held at NAS Key West.

So, hopefully that gives you some incentive to come visit us in Key West! We hope to see you!

To see what is happening on the island during your visit, check out our Key West Events Calendar. For more information about the fun side of Key West… things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site.

Island Genn – Your Key West Concierge

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