Key West has a tongue in cheek attitude that is contagious and extremely independent. In 1982, the good citizens of the town decided to declare themselves "free" as an independent republic known affectionately to locals as the Conch Republic, complete with their own flag. When you fly into Key West there is a huge banner at the airport that greets the tourist with a friendly, "Welcome to the Conch Republic." You can even get your very own "Conch Republic Passport" as a treasured souvenir. If you plan your vacation right, April 23 is officially "Independence Day" with enough festival fun to float a pirate ship. So leave your suit and ties at home, grab your favorite Aloha shirts and Birkenstocks, relax and "go native." In Key West, no one is in a hurry, and you won't be in a hurry to leave.
Ernest Hemingway, the undisputed heavy weight champion and giant of macho literature lived in Key West for 10 years, and you can visit the Hemingway Home and Museum where to explore the lush gardens of tropical flowers and trees. The Hemingway home is also feline friendly so if you're a cat lover, the grounds are home to over 50 polydactyl six-toed cats, of which most are descendents of Snowball, Hemingway’s own six-toed mouser that was given to him by a ship's captain. The cats are looked after by the staff and there is a veterinarian on hand that attends to all their medical needs.
Literature is available in the museum bookstore with a veritable hurricane of Hemingway titles. The home itself has original furniture, especially Spanish desks that Hemingway enjoyed collecting as a pastime, along with his prolific schedule of writing. The beautifully appointed grounds are also a favorite spot for those willing to take the plunge into the bliss of marriage, so the next time you hear the phrase, or in this case, paraphrase, "For whom does the wedding bell toll? It tolls for thee!"
Shipwrecks and sunshine have gone hand in hand in this tropical paradise. Pirate treasure and ships that have wrecked on the reefs are on display at the Key West Shipwreck and Treasures Museum. Artifacts and found treasure are on display in the museum, and there is a 65 foot observation tower you can climb to get a birds eye view of the reefs that brought ships to their knees.
If you've never seen a shark or barracuda up close, you can, and safely at the Key West Aquarium, one of Key Wests key attractions. Along with these man-eaters, there are plenty of other denizens of the tropical deep with knowledgeable staff that give colorful interpretive talks about the varied underwater sea life that lies off the coast of the Key.
Set sail on any of the many cruises to explore the waters for sightseeing tours or for an exquisite dinner experience on the high seas in a laid back yo ho ho and a bottle of rum run. Climb aboard the Embark, a glass bottom boat to explore the reefs from above as you glide effortlessly across the waters.
Other sea-going activities include deep sea fishing charters, catamaran rides, para sailing and jet skiing. If you like to dive the depths, the area offers world class snorkeling and diving where you can explore the world of Neptune underwater at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. There are shops that specialize in outfitting the intrepid traveler for underwater exploration with pro's on hand to answer your questions and to make sure you are properly outfitted for your adventure.
You can explore Key West on foot or by trolley, but the most popular tour is aboard the world famous Conch Train. It's been operating since 1958 and hits all the high points along the way from historic sites, botanical gardens, the museums and aquarium and of course, all the shopping districts where dress down casual is the fashion statement, Modern art galleries, bookstores, ice cream parlors, seashell stores, souvenir shops and internet cafes are plentiful ,along with a unique blend of boutiques and odd little shops you won't find anywhere else. For the do-it-yourselfer who prefers the unguided tour, Key West has bike and moped rentals or you can rent and fire up an eco-friendly electric car to explore.
A tantalizing tour for the noire bizarre is the Ghosts and Gravestones Guided Night Tour. Key West is not called one of the most haunted towns in America for no reason. Pirates and sailors, adventurers and explorers, sinners and saints all have tales from beyond the grave and will tell them to you as you travel the darkened streets of Old Town at night There's even a haunted Civil War Fort where a doll right out of the "Child's Play" horror film series hold court. His name is Robert the Doll and he has a nasty attitude who likes to play tricks on you.
Eating in Key West is an indescribable pleasure that is a gastronomical wonderland. This is not run of the mill fare either. The chef's are artisans when it comes to creating a cornucopia of creative cuisine to go with your favorite micro-brew or wine, and the restaurants are galleries of "food as art" for the discriminating foodie. While you enjoy a view of the ocean from most eateries along the waterfront, don't forget to explore the sushi bars, bistro's, Cuban, Italian, American and of course spicy Caribbean restaurants, and outdoor cafes and bars where flip flops, bikini's and Panama Hats are considered formal attire.
Lodging options run the gamut from the laid back opulent to the downright rustic. For the causal beach bum, you can pitch your tent at on e the area campgrounds while sleeping under a tropical sky and being caressed by a Caribbean breeze. Numerous inns and bed and breakfasts beckon you to enjoy a personalized stay, or you can stay at one of hotels or motels where you are certain to find one to fit your taste and your budget, from simple cozy room and board to luxury plus at beachfront abodes with all the amenities to spoil and pamper you Key West style. Ending a visit to Key West is not easy, but ending an idyllic day in the sun is a party in itself. Every evening local Concher's and visitors gather at Mallory Square to celebrate the sunset and another day of sunshine at a “See You At Sunset” celebration that includes street performers such as jugglers and clowns. Local musicians add a dancing beat and artists offer a dazzling display of Key West art. Along with the sideshow there is plenty of food and fun loving frivolity that is a hallmark of the Conch Republic.
According to local lore, the idea for the ritual started with Southern writer Tennessee Williams who went in the evenings with booze in hand to thank the Sun Gods for their gift of bountiful sunshine. In the 1960's, the so called Age of Aquarius, local “hippies' high on more than just life would go to Mallory Pier to “watch Atlantis rise mythically from the sunset cloud formations.” I guess you had to be there. You may not actually see Atlantis rising, but you will find a lot of fun in a festival like atmosphere.
Key West may be a state of mind, but it is also a very pleasant reality of outdoor activity, ghosts and fine dining, where non-conformity rules and beach wear is the uniform of the day. It is a sunshine paradise, where the only passport you need is smile and good pair of flip flops. You know what Jimmy Buffet says, “It's Five O'Clock Somewhere” but in Key West..it's five o'clock 24 hours a day!