Located a small distance from the southern tip of Florida, the island of Key West is an interesting fusion of laid-back locals mixed with developer's designs. Here, thousands of cruise guests stop each day, and the island must have something to offer them. From entertainment to food, the small island packs a big punch when it comes to offering some serious fun for all who visit it.
Quite a few attractions in Key West are very historical. However, there are some that aren't quite so educational, but they sure are entertaining. From the simply bizarre to the incredibly serene, these Key West attractions don't quite fit into the "museum" or "historical homes" category, but they sure are fun to visit and do a great job reflecting some of the personality of this quirky, yet lovable, island.
First, there is the Key West cemetery. Though it may sound sad and depressing, this cemetery is anything but. In a tribute to many of the crazy characters who have inhabited this island, this cemetery shows their true personalities. The cemetery is actually historical and does hold real people; it just does it in a very interesting way. First, many of the tombs are stacked several high in a condominium style instead of laying side by side. This is attributed to the fact that the rocky soil made digging graves six feet deep nearly impossible for the earliest of settlers. Many of the messages left on the graves of the deceased are quite enjoyable for passers-by to read. One of the most famous ones read as follows; "I Told You I Was Sick," and another, "At Least I Know Where He's Sleeping Tonight." The cemetery offers a free walking tour guide, but sometimes it is hard to catch everything during this tour. To get the most in-depth look at the cemetery, guests have two options. The first is to simply tour the site on their own, taking in as much or as little as they would like. The second is to pick up a copy of Sharon Wells' Walking and Biking Guide to Historic Key West to find a map of all the most memorable inscriptions.
After visiting the cemetery, Guests can head over to the Key West Aquarium. This is the oldest attraction in Key West but it is still a fascinating place, especially for youngsters. The aquarium features a long hallway of eye level displays that shows dozens of varieties of fish and crustaceans. Kids are even allowed to touch sea cucumbers and sea anemones in a shallow tank. Another exciting sight to see is the dramatic feeding frenzy of the sharks, tarpon, barracudas, stingrays, and turtles that takes place. To catch one of these, visitors must be a part of one of the free guided tours.
One of the more serene and peaceful moments of the day could come by catching one of the beautiful and famous Key West sunsets. This natural, daily occurrence is a ritual for the island of Key West. Each evening, visitors and locals gather for the Sunset Celebration. Before the sun sets each evening, there is a gathering on the docks behind Mallory Square to celebrate the day gone by. This ritual is a big deal; it includes portrait artists, acrobats, food vendors, animal acts, and many other performers. This carnival-type experience may be overwhelming for some, but it is a great way to enjoy the end of a wonderful day in Key West.
Key West is the southernmost East Coast Greenway, an urban path linking the major Atlantic coast cities from Maine to Florida with non-motorized human transportation. Although this is also the southernmost city in the Continental United States, the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys, the southern end of State Road A1, U.S. Route 1.
Enjoying some of the finest saltwater fishing and deep sea fishing are activities attracting many anglers each year. However, anyone can enjoy a range of entertaining activities for all, including dolphin encounters, sightseeing, waters sports and many others.
The Key West International Airport is a convenient way to arrive. Even though, you can visit the city by sea or land through the U.S. Highway 1 (U.S. Route 1) that runs through 2,390 miles (3,846 km) from Key West, to Fort Kent in Maine, bordering in the north with Canada.
Crystal blue skies, turquoise water and balmy weather are the perfect scenery to enjoy relaxing beach holidays under the sun, or practicing your skills at the Key West Golf Club, an 18 hole course designed by golf legend Rees Jones.
Beautiful foliage and wildlife are available through the many eco-tours available at most Key West Marines, from where you can rent boats and water sports gear, or join one of the kayaking, diving or scuba diving expeditions.
Sightseeing, island tours, and sunset cruises are just around the corner wherever you go in Key West. Otherwise, join the Sunset Celebration held at the Mallory Square, where musicians, mimes, jugglers, and other street artists join in jamboree.
There are many other events, festivals and venues throughout the year, including musical, drama, comedy and art exhibits. At night, Key West beat turns out to the streets, where open-air bars and sidewalk cafes are the beginning of a magic experience under the starry sky.
Food and wine have their own space and time in a city where everything leads to happiness. Some of the finest restaurants offer the best of the island in gourmet specialties, while legendary pubs come alive by night providing you with entertaining that you cannot find at any nightclub, but in Key West paradise.
Key West is also a synonym of freedom and respect, where a vibrant Gay and Lesbian Community contribute to making the stay of locals and visitors as pleasant as possible. Understanding and comprehension of human values make of Key West a warm-heart city.
Touring around deserves you take a ride aboard the Conch Tour Train, seeing Hemingway Home and other points of interest within the city. However, if you really like sightseeing, take the Old Trolley Tour and enjoy more than 100 different points of interest, filled with history, facts and fun.
Traveling with kids is not a problem when visiting Key West. Pay a visit to the Key West Nature Preserve, the Key West Marine Park, or the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach for an unforgettable time together in communion with nature.
The Historic Seaport District is another point of interest that you must not miss. This public walkway was originally used as a commercial-fishing harbor today featuring restaurants and charter services, as well as the free Turtle Kraals Museum.
Key West nature trails offer the contemplation of endangered species of flora and fauna, including Pelicans, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Herons, Terns, and other birds and animals.
Although there are countless attractions and things to do around the island and city of Key West, fans of the most haunted places in America will find a sui-generis attraction right here, in the gateway to the Caribbean.
Ghost Tours of Key West approach visitors to the haunted side of the city since 1996, discovering the legends, ghouls and ghosts. Being more than a tourist attraction, this service was founded by David L. Sloan, author of the book "Ghosts of Key West," featured in the History Channel.
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