Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Key West
At Key West you’ll find the southernmost of everything – the Southernmost Point (expect a long wait for that photo), the Southernmost House, the Southernmost Beach Resort, the Southernmost Beach Cafe … you get the picture.
Key West has a well-earned ribald reputation, from its days as a port-of-call during the wrecker and pirate era to its “come as you are” vibe today. Cultural diversity is celebrated year-round.
Key West is the end of the line in the USAAs one of Florida’s oldest cities, Key West still retains much of the grandeur of the past in its architecture and a mature tropical forest shading much of the city.
Once you arrive, park the car at your hotel and don’t move it again. This is an incredibly walkable city, although there are lots of bike, scooter, and electric car rentals on the island to go farther afield.
Higgs BeachA walk down Duval Street will take you to art galleries and fine restaurants, t-shirt shops, and the many bars that the city is known for. Pub crawls are easy since the distance between bars is so small.
Captain Tony’s Saloon – where Ernest Hemingway hung out, and Harry Truman was known to have a drink or two – was the original Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which is now just around the corner.
A picnic spot in the ruins of the West MartelloJimmy Buffet discovered Key West in his early days, and when you see the seat with his name painted on it at Margaritaville, he might just be sitting in it.
Whitehead Street connects some of the must-see attractions: the Hemingway Home, the Audubon House, the Little White House, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
Historic marker along Whitehead StreetThe Key West Aquarium isn’t far from Fort Zachary Taylor and Mallory Square, where every sunset is a celebration.
The harbor is just around the corner, a launch point for off-island adventures such as a trip to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.
Sunset along the Mallory Square waterfontTrails and Parks in Key West
Dry Tortugas National Park Our friend Bob "TruckrBob" Finley shares his experience with planning, and reaching, the toughest park to visit in Florida: Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles offshore from Key West. 
Eastern Continental Trail A hiking route spanning more than 4,800 miles along the East Coast, the Eastern Continental Trail spends nearly 1,300 miles crossing Florida from its southern terminus at the Southernmost Point in Key West. 
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Spanning from Key West to Key Largo, this 108-mile linear state park corridor is an island-hopping slice of tropical paradise along the former route of the Florida Overseas Railroad
Fort Zachary Taylor Hiking Trails Sweeping views of oceanfront under the imposing shadow of a coastal fortress define the southernmost hike in the United States.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park A grand sentinel that protected the fledgling town of Key West from attack, historic Fort Zachary Taylor is an imposing presence looming behind a popular destination beach.
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden With boardwalks and natural footpaths winding amid curated collections against a backdrop of natural Florida Keys habitats, the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is a delightful natural destination.
Little Hamaca Park A preserve along the historic Key West Salt Ponds, Little Hamaca Park has a boardwalk and footpath leading through a cross-section of the island's habitats.
Overseas Heritage Trail, Lower Keys 38.0 miles. Between Key West and Bahia Honda Key, this segment of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail crosses many historic railroad bridges in view of mangrove-lined shores.
Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park Within sight of the Atlantic Ocean, Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park is a rare patch of green space in the city of Key West, with native trees and a natural freshwater pond.Articles
The Florida Keys, Revisited (6/29/2018) Nine months after Hurricane Irma, we headed to the Florida Keys to see how both the infrastructure and the natural areas are healing. Here's an overview of what we found, from Key West to Key Largo. 
Dry Tortugas National Park (4/17/2017) Our friend Bob "TruckrBob" Finley shares his experience with planning, and reaching, the toughest park to visit in Florida: Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles offshore from Key West. 
Cuban chugs in Key West (7/15/2015) Sometimes we take history for granted. A walk through the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden led to a collection of Cuban chugs, which we didn't know what they were until we learned their story.
Waves at White Street (7/7/2015) At the Atlantic end of White Street in Key West, a convergence of history, culture, and recreation happens on one of the quieter corners of this bustling island
Key West Au Naturel (7/1/2015) On a recent visit to Key West, we sought its natural side - what it looked like before it became a city. And since it's been a city for more than 150 years, it takes a bit of sleuthing to find natural habitats.