Key West
Around Key West
Photo: Julian Lupyan · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Florida · 80k people
Key West
Locals say The Keys · “Conch Republic”, “Southernmost City”
Key West · Key Largo
Where the road ends and the sunset begins.
Sunset CoralTurquoise
Welcome to the Keys, where the sunsets are legendary and the pace is always island time. Whether you're here for the fishing, the reef, or just to unwind, you'll find your spot among the mangroves and tiki bars. Make yourself at home, and don't forget to try a slice of key lime pie.
Clubs for Key West
No clubs for Key West yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Key West. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Key West. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mallory Square Famous sunset celebration spot
- Key West Lighthouse Historic lighthouse with panoramic views
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach and Civil War fort
- Dry Tortugas National Park Remote islands with Fort Jefferson
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park First underwater park in the US
- Seven Mile Bridge Iconic bridge connecting the Keys
- Outdoors Snorkeling at the reef
- Outdoors Kayaking through mangroves
- With kids Visit the Key West Aquarium
- With kids Take a glass-bottom boat tour
- Evenings Sunset celebration at Mallory Square
- Evenings Bar hopping on Duval Street
- Locals love Tiki bars
- Locals love Waterfront bars
Through the year
- Fantasy Fest October Costume festival and street party
- Hemingway Days July Literary celebration and look-alike contest
- Key West Songwriters Festival May Acoustic performances across venues
- Key West Food and Wine Festival January Tastings and chef demos
- Key Largo Stone Crab Festival October Seafood and music celebration
Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Best time to be out is November to April. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane season runs June to November. Best: November to April
Talk like a local
- “Conch”
- A native Key Wester
- “Keys disease”
- The tendency to stay longer than planned
- “Island time”
- Relaxed, unhurried pace of life
- “The Rock”
- Key West
Getaways
- Miami City life and beaches
- Naples Upscale shopping and golf
- Cape Coral Waterfront living and boating
- Everglades National Park Airboat tours and wildlife
Local flavour
Rooting for Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Florida Panthers, University of Miami Hurricanes, Florida Gators
Eat and drink
- Key Lime Pie The official pie of Florida, made with Key limes
- Conch Fritters Fried conch meat, a staple of the Conch Republic
- Stone Crab Seasonal claws, served chilled with mustard sauce
- Cuban Coffee
- Fresh Seafood Snapper, grouper, and mahi-mahi straight from the ocean
Where people go
- Sunset piers Mallory Square and other piers where crowds gather to watch the sun sink
- Coral reefs The only living coral barrier reef in the continental US
- Fishing charters Deep-sea and flats fishing for tarpon, bonefish, and marlin
- Tiki bars Thatched-roof bars serving rum drinks and live music
- Hemingway's house The author's Key West home, now a museum with six-toed cats
- Lighthouses Historic beacons like Key West Lighthouse and Sombrero Key
- Waterfront bars Open-air watering holes with docks and ocean views
Heritage and traditions
The Keys are proud of their laid-back island culture, the independent Conch Republic spirit, and a deep connection to the sea, reef, and the literary and artistic legacy of Key West.
This time of year in Key West
- Stone crab season October 15 to May 15 Locals and visitors enjoy fresh stone crab claws at restaurants.
Say it like a local: “Freshwater Conch” — Someone who moved to the Keys
Festivals
- Conch Republic Independence Celebration April Commemorates the mock secession of the Keys from the US in 1982, with a parade, street party, and festivities.
- Key West Pride June A vibrant LGBTQ+ celebration with parades, parties, and events, reflecting the island's inclusive community.
- Key West Literary Seminar January A weekend of talks and discussions with renowned authors, celebrating the island's literary legacy.
- Underwater Music Festival April Musicians perform underwater at a reef, with listeners snorkeling or diving to hear the music, raising awareness for reef conservation.
- Islamorada Seafood Festival November Celebrates the local fishing industry with seafood, live music, and arts and crafts.
- Key West Holiday Boat Parade December Decorated boats parade through the harbor during the holiday season, a festive spectacle.
Landmarks with a story
- Key West Cemetery Known for its above-ground tombs due to the high water table, with unique epitaphs and a rich history.
- Bahama Village A historic African-Bahamian neighborhood with colorful houses and cultural significance.
- Harry S Truman Little White House The presidential retreat where Truman spent 11 working vacations, now a museum.
- San Carlos Institute A Cuban heritage and cultural center, founded in 1871, showcasing Cuban-American history.
- Key West Shipwreck Museum Tells the story of shipwreck salvaging that made Key West the richest city per capita in the US.
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Displays treasures from the Spanish galleon Atocha, a testament to the region's maritime past.
Food traditions
- Conch Chowder A hearty soup traditionally made with conch, now often with other seafood due to conch protection, reflecting the island's maritime history.
- Hogfish Sandwich A local fish specialty, often served grilled or fried, a favorite at casual waterfront eateries.
- Spiny Lobster Seasonal (August to March), locally caught and grilled or in dishes, a summer tradition.
- Cuban Pastries Pastelitos de guayaba and other Cuban pastries, paired with Cuban coffee, a daily treat reflecting the island's Cuban heritage.
- Grouper Sandwich A classic Keys sandwich made with fresh grouper, often at dockside shacks.
Music and arts
- Key West songwriting scene Many singer-songwriters perform in bars and venues, giving the island a vibrant live music culture.
- Key West Literary Seminar An annual literary event that brings together authors and readers, celebrating the island's literary heritage.
- Street performers at Mallory Square The daily sunset celebration features jugglers, musicians, and artists, a unique performance tradition.
- Conch House architecture The distinctive Victorian-style wooden homes with wrap-around porches, a hallmark of the Keys.
A little history
- 1822 US Navy establishes a base on Key West, beginning its strategic importance.
- 1840s Shipwreck salvaging becomes a major industry, making Key West the richest city per capita in the US.
- 1912 Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad reaches Key West, connecting the Keys to the mainland.
- 1935 Labor Day Hurricane destroys the railroad, leading to its abandonment and the construction of the Overseas Highway.
- 1960s Cuban exiles arrive, adding to the island's Cuban influence.
- Game day Key West Race Week
- Game day Key West Half Marathon
- Outdoors Biking around Key West
- Outdoors Sunset sailing
- With kids Turtle Hospital in Marathon
- With kids Dolphin Research Center in Marathon
The Keys have a laid-back island accent that blends Southern drawl, Bahamian lilt, and Spanish words. Locals call themselves Conchs (if born in Key West) or Freshwater Conchs (if they moved there), and they refer to the mainland as 'up north'.
Only here
- The Conch Republic, a mock secession in 1982.
- The Key West Cemetery with above-ground tombs due to the high water table.
- The free-roaming chickens of Key West.
- The Underwater Music Festival, where musicians play for the reef.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Conch' (rhymes with 'honk') and embrace island time—things move slowly.
- Stock up on supplies before hurricane season (June–November) and have a plan.
- Get a bike—Key West is small and bike-friendly; driving and parking can be a hassle.
- Respect the reef: use reef-safe sunscreen and don't touch the coral.
- Be ready for the chickens—they're everywhere and protected.
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Every areaKey West-Key Largo, FL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.