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Key West!

 

 

“Where the Sun Sets into Paradise.”

Anna Maria Island

Key West

An Island in and the County Seat of Monroe County, Florida

 

Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States, is a tropical island paradise known for its laid-back charm, colorful history, and lively atmosphere.  Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Island, it constitutes the City of Key West. 

Located about 90 miles north of Cuba, it spans just over 7 square miles but offers a unique blend of Caribbean and American culture. With its pastel conch-style houses, turquoise waters, and famous sunsets at Mallory Square, Key West is a destination for artists, and adventurers alike.

The island, also known ad the Conch Republic, is celebrated for its rich literary and cultural heritage vibrant nightlife along Duval Street, and outdoor activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

Key West embodies a free-spirited island lifestyle, with its motto being, “One Human Family”, making it one of Florida’s most iconic getaways.

The Southern Most Point, Key West, Florida

The Southern Most Point, Key West, Florida

Location & Size

Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States, located about 90 miles north of Cuba at the end of the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys.

Covering just 7.2 square miles, it is a tropical island city surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Founded

Key West’s history begins in the early 1820s, when the U.S. acquired Florida from Spain. In 1822, U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew C. Perry planted the American flag on the island, establishing it as part of the United States to help control piracy in the surrounding waters. The island, originally known as Cayo Hueso (Spanish for “Bone Island”), became a hub for shipwreck salvaging, as vessels often ran aground on nearby reefs.

By the mid-1800s, Key West had grown into a bustling port city with industries like wrecking, sponge fishing, and cigar manufacturing. Its strategic location also made it an important military outpost during the Civil War and later conflicts. Over time, Key West developed its distinct identity as a mix of Caribbean, Spanish, and American cultures—laid-back, artistic, and unique.

In 1982,  US Border Patrol set up a roadblock and inspection point on US1 just north of the mainland, looking for narcotics and illegal immigrants.  When complaints were ignored about this hurting tourism, Mayor Dennis Wardlow and the city council declared Key West’s independence as the Conch Republic on April 23, 1982 as a form of protest.  Today, though not officially existing, the Conch Republic has evolved into a state of mind, a symbol of the island’s independent spirit and is celebrated during the Conch Republic Days every year in April.

KEY WEST WEATHER

Population

As of 2023, Key West has a population of about 26,000 residents, with tourism bringing in millions of visitors annually.

Known For

  • Being the southernmost city in the continental U.S.

  • Its historic Old Town with colorful conch houses and charming streets.

  • Duval Street nightlife with bars, live music, and entertainment.

  • Mallory Square sunset celebrations with street performers and vendors.

  • Key lime pie, the island’s signature dessert.

  • Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and its famous six-toed cats.

  • The Conch Republic identity and quirky island spirit.

  • World-class diving, snorkeling, and fishing in the surrounding coral reefs.

  • Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and its Civil War-era history.

  • A laid-back, tropical lifestyle that blends Caribbean and American culture.

  • Fantasy Fest, an annual 10 day adult celebration in October,  featuring parades, costumes, libations and fun!

Cost of living

  • Median household income: around $75,000

  • Median home price: about $1 million (among the highest in Florida)

  • Average rent: around $3,200 per month for a two-bedroom apartment

 

 

Things to do

  • Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum

  • Visit the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

  • Take a photo in front of the iconic Southernmost Point marker in the U.S.

  • Enjoy live music, shops, and nightlife on Duval Street

  • Snorkel and dive in the nearby coral reefs and Dry Tortugas National Park

  • Watch the famous Mallory Square sunset celebration with street performers

  • Take a fishing or sailing charter in turquoise waters

Rhett and Scarlett at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

Rhett and Scarlett at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

Fun Facts

  • Key West was once the richest city per capita in the U.S. due to shipwreck salvaging.

  • Key West once declared itself the “Conch Republic” in 1982 as a tongue-in-cheek protest against a U.S. Border Patrol blockade.

  • Chickens roam freely around the island, adding to its quirky charm.

  • Key West is the southernmost point in the continental U.S., just 90 miles from Cuba.

  • The island was originally called Cayo Hueso (“Bone Island”) by Spanish explorers.

  • Ernest Hemingway lived here in the 1930s, and wrote some his most famous works. His former home is now a museum with six-toed cats descended from his pets.

  • The island is famous for its nightly sunset celebrations at Mallory Square.

  • Key lime pie, Florida’s state pie, originated here and remains a local favorite.

  • U.S. presidents including Harry S. Truman spent time at the “Little White House,” which now serves as a historic site.

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