10/27/2024
Key West, Florida, Is a Perfect Winter Getaway — With Nightlife, Stunning Beaches, and a Historic State Park
With its quirky arts community, festivals, and museums, Key West is the cultural hub of the Florida Keys. The city also offers visitors a tropical island vibe and gin-clear waters that lap up against white-sand beaches — all without the need for a passport.
“When deciding why to come to Key West, it might be a shorter list to ask, 'Why not?' And either way, you'll have a hard time convincing yourself out of the idea,” Analise Andrews, founder of Key West Food Tours, tells Travel + Leisure.
"Key West has hundreds of years of interesting and infamous history, which includes pirates, shipwrecking, treasure, rum running, military exploits, and billionaire's ventures,” Andrews says. “Its melting pot of culture and turquoise ocean surroundings has given way to a vibrant food scene, which includes the most delicious selection of local seafood and tropical fruits.”
TOP 5 CAN’T MISS
An updated historic resort, Casa Marina Key West offers beachfront suites and elegant dining in the original ballroom.
Visit the house where Ernest Hemingway penned some of his most popular novels — and meet the current feline residents.
Indie bookstore Books & Books is the place to discover works by local authors past and present.
Immerse yourself in Key West's offbeat bar lore at the legendary Capt. Tony's Saloon.
Savor a sweet and tart slice of the island's signature pie at Kermit's Key Lime Shop.