Key West vacation planning starts here

Key West is the last Florida Key linked by the Overseas Highway. This small island paradise has been host to spongers and wreckers, drug runners, fisherman, and even the United States Navy. Over the years Key West has evolved into a weathly little tourist town. The island only spanning two miles by four miles and a population approximately 27,000 full time residents.

Key West is loaded with resorts, hotels and bed and breakfasts. During the season from January through June, these lodging accommodations are mostly filled with vacationers. Vacation rentals and campgrounds also house tourists who are trying to get away from a cold winter someplace up north.

Interactive Map of Key West

Virtual Tours of Key West

Here in Key West the calendar of events is filled with festivals, fishing tournaments, and yearly arts and entertainment. Other group events dot the calendar for conventions for Parrotheads, Power Boat Races, a nautical regatta, Pride week, and of course one of the biggest festival events, Fantasy Fest.

The azure blue waters that surround Key West and the Lower Florida Keys have much to offer for SCUBA divers, snorkelers and fisherman. There is no place else in the country to see so many species of marine life in one place. Wrecks and reefs, both artificial and natural coral, are home to hundreds of species of tropical and game fish. Whether you choose to go snorkeling on a catamaran or take a night dive on a wreck, you will be surprised at the sea life in our waters.

Fishing in Key West holds many angling opportunities. The waters just north of the Lower Keys are shallow and hold tarpon, bonefish, permit, shark and barracuda. Fly fisherman from all over the world come to the Florida Keys to saltwater fly fish. Wreck and reef fishing is very productive in the waters around Key West. Snapper, grouper, cobia and kingfish make for a great catch for dinner. Some restaurants in Key West will even cook your catch for you. Nothing better than the freshest seafood.

Key West has many great attractions for visitors of all ages. From the Ernest Hemingway Museum to the Key West Aquarium. Key West even has a ghost tour that takes visitors on a walking tour through town and highlights all the haunted homes.

Key West real estate is no doubt a great investment. The land value in the Keys has been stable and rising for decades. Just recently over the past few years it has taken a tremendous surge. The influx of investors that are buying real estate in Key West has grown by a lot and it shows. Many older homes in need of restoration are being purchased and totally renovated.

Key West is also commonly known as the Conch Republic. Conch (pronounced konk) is a snail-like animal that lives in a beautiful shell. They are no longer harvested here in the Keys, but you can certainly find some of the best Conch Fritters you've ever tasted here in Key West. Each April Key West celebrates Conch Republic Days to commemorate our sucession from the Union in 1982.
The Conch Republic was born on 23 April 1982, after the U.S. Border Patrol blockaded the Keys with a "border". Mayor Dennis Wardlow seceded from the Union, declared War, then surrendered demanding Foreign Aid; thusly creating "The People Who Seceded Where Others Failed".