Category: Florida Reasons Top List USA
Source: https://top-list.co/top-reasons-to-visit-key-west-florida-v1453.html
- Beautiful sunset
- Food heaven
- Vivid coral reefs
- Many sightseeings
- Have chilling bars
- Rich culture
- Variety tours
- Many relax walking areas
- Many options to stay
Beautiful sunset
Beautiful sunset will make everyone feel peaceful and excited. The hues of red, yellow, and purple. That feeling – like you can not find more peace than this anywhere else. It’s one of nature’s finest moments. If Florida is known as the state, then Key West should be the sunset city. The island city is famous for pastel-hued houses that mimic the colors of the sky above.
There are very few places in the world where there is both a magnificent sunset and a festival to celebrate like Key West. Tourists and residents will congregate at the Mallory School square in the evening, roughly two hours before sunset. The resonance of the sunset rays with the undulating sea surface makes Key West’s sunset even more stunning. At the end of the day, the sun’s last orange-yellow rays seemed to remain on the waves and dazzle the water. The sea and sky almost collided at the time when the sun appeared to sink into the water. Key West’s space at dusk looks to be frozen by time because the sky is dense with curling clouds that look like they could fall into the water at any time The coconut palms silhouetted against the soft sand in the afternoon sunlight as they softly waved in the sea air.
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Food heaven
As an island surrounded by the sea, it’s no surprise that Key West is famous for its fresh and bountiful seafood dishes. Rock crab (i.e.the type of crab with thin scales firm and sweet meat s chilled according to local people’s experience, for large and sustainable production), which can be steamed or fried with sauce, is the most famous type of seafood. Besides, Conch is also a legendary ingredient. With sweet, soft and firm meat like sea clams, plus the fact that they are seasoned and tenderized in their own way, they are often used in salads, appetizers or deep-fried. Since then, the fresh taste of the sea is brought into the meal to the fullest. In addition, steamed mussels, Key West pink shrimp, lobster, etc are also great options for main meals.
The accompanying drinks are quite diverse with fresh juices, coconut water, and some legal alcohol. At the end of the meal, you can dessert with a variety of sweet cream cakes. The most characteristic is probably Key Lime Pie. Fragrance and sweetness blend together to provide the perfect finishing touch on a delicious meal.
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Vivid coral reefs
Key West is the southernmost island of Florida, in the Florida Keys chain. Why are The Florida Keys called “Keys” and not “Islands”? All Keys are islands, but not all islands are Keys. Key is an island of biological origin (for example, from coral reefs, then accreted by soil, then mangrove trees spread, and then birds came to live). Islands originate from some form of geological, maybe caused by volcanic eruptions (such as the Hawaiian islands). The small islands in south Florida are all formed from fossil corals, so they are all called Key – Key Largo, Key West, Pigeon Key, Long Key, Big Pine Key, No Name Key, etc.
Seven reef islands make up the Key West archipelago. You may reach out and touch exotic and tropical fish, corals and marine life in these shallow and transparent waters. It is suitable for diving, boating, seabird watching, and snorkeling. The coral reefs are getting closer and are a stunning addition to your underwater adventure. In addition, coral that grows on the ocean floor has a number of advantages for the tourism industry including restoring harmony to the ecosystem’s flora and fauna and acting as a storm barrier. Because the water around Key West Island is naturally transparent and generally clean, as well as the development of water sports, diving to see the coral is very simple and has a lot of safety gear.
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Many sightseeings
Key West is divided into 4 areas, but there are two important streets, Old Town and New Town, where the most tourists gather. Visitors wandering the historic streets of Key West seem to be reliving the time of the 18th century. Each house with a signboard was built in the 70s of the 19th century.
Museum of Fine Arts and History (it used to be Key West’s Customs Department), the theater and the clubs are still carefully maintained. There are a number of private houses along the old town that they use as villas for tourists, ranging from $120 to $150 per night. Most of the rooms are always full, because visitors are not only convenient for walking around the city but also feel like living in old houses that are still kept almost as they are. When you only have a day in port, it’s important to use your time wisely. Many visitors will find the bar and just enjoy Key West’s laid-back atmosphere. Others like to stroll the streets and see some interesting shops. Conveniently on the trip, you can visit the Truman Little White House. Tourist trams are within easy walking distance of Mallory Square.
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Have chilling bars
The nightlife in Key West is bustling. Local bars contribute to a more vibrant atmosphere in the evening. The Parrot was named one of the top 20 bars in America and one of the oldest in town. Here, everything is very vibrant, the atmosphere is open and relaxed. The Green Parrot Bar is an enduring favorite, virtually unchanged. Their jukebox and live entertainment are arguably the best on the island. The Parrot has an attractive clientele, a pool table and a dart board, quirky artwork and an attitude best described by the sign on the wine shelf. The live music here is great, with free popcorn and lots of beers. It is very friendly here and away from all the noise and pollution outside.
If you love local history and Hemingway, you should stop by Capt Tony’s Salon. It’s a piece of Key West history and you definitely have to stop by. No food, only drinks served. The space is quite dark and sophisticated but serves good beer and has great live music. The atmosphere is perfect as you relax with a drink and enjoy the live music.
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Rich culture
Visitors can head to Fort Zachary Taylor Historical Park, Florida’s southernmost State Park and an iconic national historic site in Key West. Here, visitors will find plenty of opportunities for sunbathing, hiking, biking, snorkeling, fishing, in addition to a heavy dose of Florida history. Built in 1800, the fort here was used to defend the nation’s coast during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
A visit to the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum is also a great option. The museum displays a wide variety of artifacts from this wreck and others, including a 77.76 carat emerald and several other religious and functional items in gold and silver. There are also exhibits on underwater archeology, movies, and hands-on demonstrations.
If you are interested in learning about history, definitely stop by the Shipwreck Treasure Museum. It is housed in a replica of a 19th-century vandal’s warehouse with exhibits tracing the history of the rescue industry in the area. Actors in period costumes tell the story of “Isaac Allerton,” which sank in 1856. Artifacts from the shipwreck are on display and visitors can also watch movies and videos on the subject. The 65-foot-high observation tower offers stunning views of the sea and surrounding land.
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Variety tours
Crystal-clear waters and coral reefs surround Key West and a boat tour is a great way to explore these habitats and rich marine life. Taking an organized tour also means you don’t have to worry about renting a boat and navigating your way through unfamiliar waters. Guests can book Boat and Snorkeling Tour. It will take you 3 hours to get off the coast to watch wild dolphins swimming and playing in the water, just a few steps from your boat. You have the opportunity to snorkel on a shallow coral reef that is home to more than 600 different species of marine life. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, unlimited freshwater and a professional guide.
Check out Island Tours if you want to visit the islands in Key West; their day excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park by Catamaran is a fantastic choice. The Dry Tortugas National Park is the destination of a full-day excursion on a luxurious speedboat, where you can visit army forts, unwind on gorgeous beaches, and snorkel some of the greatest coral reefs near Key West.
Visit the Conch Tour Train for a tour through the streets. This is a traveling trolley that makes several stops throughout the town and its surroundings. Old Town, Duval Street, Hemingway’s House, and the waterfront are all included in the tour. It provides context for Key West’s involvement in the Great Depression, World War II, and the railroad era.This is a good way to learn the history and see the sights.
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Many relax walking areas
When randomly stopping by Mallory Square, it will surprise you. A bustling entertainment place in the afternoon. Here and there, street performers perform sword swallowing, balancing, juggling, and acrobatics. Small food stalls serving fried cakes, ice syrup, pizza, and hotdogs. A singer sits on the ice, opening his/her heart to an old drum guitar and old lyrics. Tourists gathering on the pier to admire the sunset are often likened to jugglers and other street performers, creating a carnival-like atmosphere. The area has become one of Key West’s tourist highlights, especially in the late afternoon.
Stopping by the famous Duval Street neighborhood is another option. This is Key West’s main tourist strip, with restaurants and shops designed to entertain tourists and cruise ship passengers. This is the right place to start, or perhaps end, a day of sightseeing. Visitors can find historic homes and some of the city’s most popular tourist attractions along Duval.
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Many options to stay
Key West has a fairly modest area, you can explore it all in a few days. When coming here, you can easily choose a place to stay in the heart of the city. If you have a high budget, the following luxury hotels are a great choice. Located at the end of Duval Street near Mallory Square, Ocean Key Resort features waterfront rooms with balconies and a poolside pool. Nearby is the lovely Pier House Resort and Spa with its own private white sand beach and waterfront swimming pool. Just off Duval Street, the Gardens Hotel is a beautifully furnished property with a lush garden surrounding the swimming pool.
Key West offers a wide range of significantly lower rates as well. The two structures that makeup Chelsea House, a lovely boutique hotel, were constructed in 1891 and 1905. The DoubleTree Grand Key Resort is a little further out, but it has a bus that runs every-20-minute to Duval Street. This hotel is situated on broad, beautiful grounds that include well-known tropical gardens.
Ibis Bay Beach Resort is an excellent option if you simply need a place to stay and don’t mind walking a bit. This hotel is close to eateries and food stores and provides a shuttle service to the city center. The Bayside Inn and Suites is an additional choice, located three miles from the city center and offered breathtaking views of the water.
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