Amazing Things to Do in Key West
If you still haven’t been on a vacation this year, now is the time to go. A couple of days at a beautiful destination can truly recover and reenergize one from the everyday stress of our busy lifestyles. One such location is certainly the marvelous Key West. A place that will equally enchant you when you visit it for the one-hundredth time as it did the first time you came here, this city in the warm south offers a unique mixture of cultures that has left a mark also on the local cuisine, which is beyond delicious. Besides the sunny skies and divine nature, Key West offers many museums and historical points, all worth paying a visit. So, keep on reading to find out what the best things to do while in Key West are.
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Certainly one of the most popular landmarks of Key West is the home of one of its most famous residents. Built in the Spanish Colonial style and nowadays with a restored interior, this is the place where Hemingway wrote novels such as For Whom the Bell Tolls. He lived in this breathtaking mansion with his wife, as well as pet cats, so upon your visit, you will certainly see a few cats that are their descendants. You can also take a look at some of Hemingway’s trophies as well as the souvenirs he and his wife collected on their travels, so do pay a visit to this museum.
Glass Bottom Boat and Dolphin Day Tours
In you really want to get a closer look at the exciting underwater life of Key West, you then must take a glass bottom boat tour. Not only will you get to experience the beautiful world of fishes and sea creatures inhabiting the waters of this island, but you will also get the opportunity to explore North America's only living coral reef. There are many truly adventurous Key West tours available to visitors, so for example, if you are in love with the ocean, you can try the dolphin day tours. You will get the opportunity to get close to a pod of more than 200 friendly bottle-nose dolphins, all accompanied with experienced and skilled guides. They will help you enjoy the wonders of the ocean, without disturbing or harming any of its magnificent creatures.
The Duval Street
If you want to take a break from all the sightseeing and have a nice lunch, Duval Street is the one to visit. Popular among tourists, this part of Key West is also the place where many fun events during the year happen, including a festival dedicated to Ernest Hemingway, which takes place every summer. Many visitors come to take a stroll along the Duval Street and even do a bit of shopping in the numerous shops you can find here. However, if you are up for a few cocktails accompanied by amazing music, then Sloppy Joe’s Bar is the place for you. Located at the corner of Duval and Green Street, this is a well-known place for decades, and if you want to grab dinner while enjoying the cocktails and superb bands, you can do so, as this place also offers a restaurant.
Smathers Beach
It would be a shame to visit Key West and not spend a day enjoying at a beach. A great choice for sunbathing and swimming is certainly the Smathers Beach. This is the largest beach on the island and it offers the classical, heavenly scenery with its soft sand and gorgeous palm trees. Moreover, this is usually a peaceful spot, so you can enjoy the breathtaking views while lounging in the shade, but if you are up for it, you can, for example, play volleyball on the beach. The best option may be to dedicate this time to reading a good book (Hemingway is a good idea).
The Dry Tortugas National Park
About 70 miles from Key West is located a historical gem, The Dry Tortugas National Park. With a ride on the boat or a ferry, you can reach this landmark which consists of seven islands and where the 19th century Fort Jefferson is located. After learning about the history of this place, you can go snorkeling and enjoy the glorious sea life.
Finally, we can conclude that Key West is a place everyone should visit. Book your trip now and make sure to stay for more than just a few days, as this place has a lot of interesting things to offer to its visitors.
