Flip flops, sunsets, boats & bar hopping.
Key West is a sleepy small town at the tail of North America. Only 90 miles to Cuba, the southernmost point in the U.S. is a strategic location with a dubious past; remaining in the union during the civil war, pirates, military posts, Cuban influences, and the launch of the conch republic; Key West is the stuff of dreamers and romantics. One visit, and you too will be enamored.
Getting to Key West
Key West is an easy drive from Miami, making it hard not to add it to a trip to Miami. Crossing the overseas highway bridge, you can feel the city leaving your body, kick off your layers, play our Key West vibe playlist, roll down the windows and let the sunshine put the city behind you. It doesn’t take long for the water to call to you and laid back vibe; enjoy a lunch along the shore, with the sea as a backdrop and a frozen drink. If you haven’t put on your flip-flops and sunscreen, now would be a good time. What better way to enjoy Key West than finding the perfect beach house.
Rent a Car
Looking to make more of your visit to Miami, adding on a Key West getaway is the perfect extra moment. Or with so much to do in Key West, you could make an entire vacation exploring the Florida keys and key west. Renting a car is a perfect way to experience Key West on your own terms, stopping along the way. Check out the options and compare pricing to find the best deal for your trip.
Other ways to visit:
Fly: Key West International airport; land directly into Key West, the small airport gets a fair amount of traffic due to the local navy base. The airport is a short taxi to the main part of Key West.
Cruise Ship: There are a lot of Caribbean cruise routes with a day stop in Key West.
Ready to hit the road?
Put our Key West Vibe playlist on, roll down the windows, turn up the volume & enjoy the views along the way.
Explore things to do.
A brief history of Key West
Looking for the fountain of youth, ponce de Leon found key west in 1521. Bone Island, Cayo Hueso in Spanish, was a place of limited means; rough shorelines made it hard for ships to navigate the peninsula. Before the overseas railroad, most visitors arrived in Key West from the water. A maritime position, vessels used key west as a stopping point before the lighthouses; the shores and waterways were treacherous to ships navigating the channel.
In 1904, Henry Flagler began his Overseas Railroad to Key West. It was completed in 1912. Key West prospered as trainloads of the wealthy from the north would come to stay on Key West, at the exclusive resort Flagler had built. Henry Flagler’s dream came to an end. In 1937 work began to construct a highway over the railway bed. It opened to traffic in 1938. 1942 saw the completion of the Overseas Highway.
After the Great Depression, Key West focused on tourism, encouraging artists, celebrities, and wealthy patrons to enjoy warm weather. Many great writers found a second home with lots of inspiration. Some of the greatest novels and poverty were written in Key West by famous residents 0- Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, and Judy Blume, to name a few. Key West was and continues to be the perfect getaway – gorgeous weather, inspiring nature, and plenty of bars,
Long Live the Republic!
In 1982, the Conch Republic was established. This creative republic drew attention to the severe economic problems the Keys and Key West were once again experiencing. In 1982, the Federal Customs Agents set up a barricade at the top of the Florida Keys searching for aliens, drug dealers, and drugs being brought in from waters around the Keys. The agents identified themselves as a “Border Patrol” and held up traffic for hours searching vehicles and seeking passengers’ identification.
The mayor of Key West and various political leaders protested to the U.S. Government. They seceded from the United States to draw attention to the economic plight created by the situation.
Thus the Conch Republic was born! A Prime Minister, Ministers of Justice, Education, Tourism, and an Admiral of the Fleet was appointed, and to this day, April 23 is celebrated as Conch Republic Day. Key West was the mouse that roared.
Key West is waiting!
With so much to see and do, Key West is a remarkable place. Looking for more reasons to visit the Conch Republic, read our Exploring, Key West post to find more reasons to get to Key West.
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