Key West Florida Travel Guide

Key West, Florida may be reached by air, by land and by sea, whatever suits you best. The Florida Keys are a 120-mile long island chain and are known to be a beautiful and relaxing destination treasured by the U.S. with amazing Key West, Florida hotels.

Various airlines fly into Key West International Airport (EYW), with its many convenient Key West, FL hotels, but many people choose to travel by car, driving the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, U.S. 1, designated an All-American Road, a National Scenic Byway. This drive gets visitors in a relaxed state of mind with time to unwind from everyday hurried life. You will pass through Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and the Lower Keys, each with unique features and character. Take your time and stop when you see something which interests you – this is not a race!

Once in Key West, lodging choices vary from full-service, luxury hotels and resorts to bed and breakfasts and condominiums. Don't worry, affordable lodging is at your fingertips with our selection of discount hotels in all price ranges. Choose accomodations that match your vacation style!

Discovered in a search for the Fountain of Youth in 1513, the Keys provide an outstanding natural setting for all kinds of outdoor activities, many geared towards the surrounding waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Straights of Florida and the Atlantic Ocean. Any type of fishing you might like to try is available, including deep sea fishing. Explore the waters through scuba diving or snorkeling in the only continental U.S. living-coral barrier reef and you can be rewarded with sights of abundant fish, amazing coral formations and possibly a ship wreck!

As is often the case, taking a guided tour of this city helps you get oriented to the layout and some of the major points of interest. On your own, there are a variety of must-see attractions. For a cultural experience, plan to visit Ernest Hemingway’s Home and Museum in Old Town. This National Historic Landmark preserves the Pulitzer Prize winning author’s surroundings as he wrote his famous tomes. The Audubon House and Tropical Gardens may be toured to see tropical foliage and the famous works of John James Audubon, renowned ornithologist. Stop in at 322 Duval Street to see the Oldest House in South Florida for a free tour.

Walk historic Duval Street, where you can browse unique shops for island treasure, have a dining experience with the freshest seafood imaginable or perhaps just people watch as Key West is teeming with a diverse population. OneTravelSource.com is the place for the lowest prices on discount hotels near Duval. Evening brings a party atmosphere at the bars, so be ready for a great time! Watch for pub crawls, live music and yearly events such as Fantasy Fest and Hemingway Days to rev the excitement on Duval.

Drive to the Southernmost Point of the continental U.S. It creates an amazing photo opportunity to remember your vacation. Swim with dolphins or take a sunset sail. And speaking of sunsets, every evening everybody stops to enjoy the sunset. Nightly Sunset Celebrations at Mallory Square Dock are fun for watching the sun sink while you view arts and crafts, street performers and enjoy local street food.

An interesting day trip about 70 miles west of Key West is the Dry Tortugas National Park. Arrive by ferry boat or seaplane and really get away from it all in this primitive park. Kept pristine, visitors enjoy birdwatching, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking and some of the best coral reef snorkeling. With a little planning you can camp overnight for a castaway experience.

Your visit to Key West will be whatever you have dreamed about it being. It can be mellow relaxation or it can be filled with heart-pumping action. Stop dreaming and start packing because you are going to Key West!