Driving to Key West…

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:January 12, 2012
Post category:Uncategorized

Driving to Key West? Many people do not realize that the Florida Keys are a chain of islands connected by a series of bridges, and Key West is the very last island in the chain. Driving time from Miami to Key West takes approximately 3 hours, although due to traffic it may take longer. But the vistas are breathtaking, making the drive well worth it at least once in a lifetime.

Below is a charter showing milage from different major FLorida cities to help you plan your drive. (more…)

Key West Sunset Sail Aboard the America 2.0

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:January 9, 2012
Post category:Activities

Classic Harbor Line Key West America 2.0

Enjoying a beautiful Key West sunset on the water is an awesome way to spend an evening. There are several options to choose from, all of which I am sure would be enjoyable, but the America 2.0 is an amazingly beautiful boat.

For 2 hours you sail through the harbor, by Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach, and get a tour of Mallory Square while the revelers there wave exciting wishing that they were on the water too. The crew is so friendly and they serve up bottled water, beer, champagne, and wine, as well as snacks like a fresh fruit and veggie platter.

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Key West Restaurant Review: Six Toed Cat

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:January 9, 2012
Post category:Uncategorized

Most people know the tale of Hemingway and his six toed cats, descendants which still roam the grounds of his Key West home. Well right next door to the Hemingway Home and Museum on Whitehead Street is a cute little eatery called the Six Toed Cat. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available as well as a small retail shop that sells Six Toed Cat souvenirs like mugs and tee-shirts. The outside of the building is a cute white conch style house and the inside is wide open with colorful island decor.

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Key West: Florida Keys Art Guild Festival

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:December 29, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Running from December 27th through the 31st is the Florida Keys Art Guild Festival, a free art festival held at Bayview Park. It was billed to have dozens of artists from around the country joining local artisans to display their work, ranging from fine jewelry, sculpture, paintings and photography as well as fine crafts. However, I would be surprised if there were a dozen total vendors peddling their wares.

We stopped by yesterday thinking it would be a fun afternoon. It took us maybe a half hour to peruse the few tents. There were some great products there; some beautiful paintings and photographs along with some slightly disturbing works of art. There were really nice jewelry pieces there as well with reversible stones set in silver. My favorite display was of the rock oil candles. The artist takes natural stones, attaches part of a recycled bottle to the bottom as a reservoir for oil, and drills a hole in the top and attaches a fiberglass wick that never needs replacing. Ingenious! (more…)

Key West Holiday Events

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:December 22, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

There are a few things happening on our island this week and next. Some are holiday related and others are not. But they are all interesting! Definitely something for everyone happening this time of year!

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Key West Restaurant Review: Update on ZaZa Pizzeria

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:December 19, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

After ordering overly expensive personal pizzas for take put a few weeks ago I decided that I did not want to cook so my husband and I had dinner there the other evening. Inside there were less people than the last time I stopped by to pick up food; it was still loud though. We ended up eating outside to avoid the noise. Plus it is a beautiful waterfront view sitting out there. And the weather was perfect for sitting outside and enjoying a meal.

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Key West Restaurant Review: Cafe Marquesa

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:December 19, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Located at the Marquesa Hotel on Fleming Street, this classy restaurant has a unique international menu that is constantly changing and very good service. Menus are actually printed daily so the servers will not have any specials to tell you about. My husband and I had dinner here for our anniversary this weekend. The decor is elegant with huge framed mirrors, large windows, and beautiful molding. This all helps with the illusion that the dining area is larger than it is. The tables are fairly close together. Luckily, we were seated next to a very friendly and interesting German couple and we had a nice conversation throughout dinner. It is slightly noisy in the restaurant, but not obnoxiously so; there is foam glued underneath the tables to help combat the noise level. There were a few older gentlemen sitting at the bar that were quite loud, but it quieted down loads after they left.

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December in Key West

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:December 1, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Today is the first day of December! It was 80 degrees yesterday but a major cold front moved through last evening making it a balmy 70 degrees outside today. I know. I know. I am really suffering down here. Well, it may be 70 degrees, but it does not seem like Christmas is just around the corner. Maybe this weekend’s Tree Trimming Party at the Schooner Wharf Bar will change that. This Sunday, December 4th starting at 5:00 PM the Schooner Wharf will be hosting a party to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

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Key West Restaurant Review: Kaya Island Eats

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:November 22, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

This new (only opened 2 weeks ago) eatery is located on the ocean and US1 N in Saddle Bunch Keys (about 15 miles north of Key West). The building once housed another restaurant but Kaya is thus far much different (in a good way). Based on its name, you can probably guess that the menu has a tropical theme which goes in line with the locale. And the owner, Scott, grew up in Hawaii and became a partner at the famed Key West restaurant, Blue Heaven, so it all fits. This also gives one a lot of hope for this spot as the locals really need another good restaurant in this area. Scott has already made some major improvements to the building with beautiful signage and a very tropical decor inside. The place definitely draws you in.

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Key West – Pirates in Paradise

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:November 15, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Starting on November 24th and running through December 4th, is the 12 Annual Pirates in Paradise festival celebrating Key West’s “colorful maritime history.” Historic walking tours, bazaar markets, storytelling competitions, and many more activities will be a part of this event. Check it out while you are here!

Event Schedule of Events:

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Key West Restaurant Review: Boat House

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:November 12, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Walking around last night checking out he race boats, we decided to grab a bite to eat before heading home. We ended up stopping at the Boat House, located beneath the Commodore Restaurant at A&B Marina. For those of you that have been in the area before thinking, there is no restaurant there, you are kinda right. This spot used to be a Tommy Bahama store but they closed their doors about a year ago and the Boat House moved in.

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Key West – Hurricane Rina

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:October 27, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

So, it looks like Key West are dodging a potential bullet with Rina, making everyone happy since she would have put a damper on our Fantasy Fest Celebrations. Only once in the past 20+ years has Fantasy Fest been cancelled and rescheduled, and that was in fact due to a hurricane. You can read more about this and Fantasy Fest in general by reading my article on the history of the celebration.

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