Key West

The southernmost island town in the continental US, with a Caribbean feel, reached via the Seven Mile Bridge on the Overseas Highway (US-1); Hemingway's home and sunset at Mallory Square.

Key West sits at the southern end of the Florida Keys. It is the southernmost city in the contiguous United States, about 145 km from Cuba, and belongs to Monroe County, Florida. The island is about 6 km long, with the Old Town concentrated in the western half, where Victorian wooden houses, Caribbean flavor and Hemingway's literary footprints come together; the island calls itself the "Conch Republic." The weather is warm all year. December–May is the dry season, sunny with little rain and the best time to visit, but also high season with the highest room rates; June–November is hurricane season, with the greatest risk from August to October, and summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms. The area divides into three parts: first, the walkable Old Town, where Duval Street links the Hemingway Home, the lighthouse, the Southernmost Point buoy, the Harry S. Truman Little White House and various museums, and where you can watch the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in the evening; second, beaches and forts, including Fort Zachary Taylor, Smathers Beach and the East and West Martello Towers; third, the Lower Keys and trips out to sea: heading north along US-1 are Bahia Honda State Park, the National Key Deer Refuge, the Seven Mile Bridge and the Marathon Turtle Hospital, and boat trips go snorkeling at Looe Key or by ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park. Getting there: it is about 260 km, 3.5–4 hours by car from Miami along US-1; you can also take a bus or fly into Key West International Airport (EYW). On the island you can get around on foot, by bicycle or in a rented electric mini car; parking is scarce. We suggest 2–3 nights: one day for the Old Town, one for the beaches or the Dry Tortugas, and one for the drive back up the highway. Take care with sun protection and use reef-safe sunscreen; in high season, book accommodation and the Dry Tortugas ferry in advance.

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