BUCKET LIST KEY WEST

11 Things you have to do in Key West!

It´s not easy to keep your eyes on the road while you are surrounded by such incomparable beauty. You find yourself in a constant struggle when you try to decide which blue is more enchanting - the blue of the cloudless sky above you or the deep blue of the endless ocean next to you. Likewise it´s equally difficult not to make a stop at every corner, because you are offered so many exiting activities and amazing things to do. If you still manage to finally get to the famous Mile 0, after 113 miles of driving, you find yourself entering paradise.

Key West is part of the Florida Keys and a beautiful small island which is famous for it´s pastel-hued, conch-style houses and laid-back attitude. Only 90 miles away from Cuba you will experience a taste of Caribbean Culture without leaving the States. It can get a bit overcrowded in high season but the flair and atmosphere of the diverse population here is remarkable at any time of the year.

Now that you finally are in Key West make sure not to miss this 11 MUST-DO-THINGS!

1) JOIN THE SUNSET CELEBRATION @ MALLORY SQUARE

This is probably one of the most famous things you can do in Key West and that is for good reason: it´s just breathtaking. As the sun begins to set Mallory Square lights up with a variety of entertainment. Be there in time and witness how the place turns into a stage for various street performers and artists. There is almost nothing you will not find there: Fire Eaters, Jugglers, Street Musicians and Animal Shows. All in one place and you don't even have to pay an entrance fee. Let yourself be infected by this circus like atmosphere. Enjoy the different shows while eating delicious snacks from the food vendors, don't forget to leave a tip with the show you like and then of course get a good seat to enjoy the main act and observe one of the most beautiful sunsets.

2) GO BAR HOPPING ON DUVAL STREET

After the sun disappears and Key West is encased in a mild summer night the Duval Street awakens. The heart of downtown is the place where everyone goes to have a good time. It´s home to a multitude of bars most of them offering live music, restaurants, lounges and shopping opportunities. Per example the famous Sloppy Joe`s Bar where even Hemingway used to enjoy his drinks. True to the motto: the later the evening the more fun the people you will be perfectly entertained just strolling along Duval Street and meet a couple of tourists who just had a little bit too much to drink.

3) STEP BACK IN TIME AND VISIT THE ERNEST HEMINGWAY MUSEUM

Have a peak into the life of Hemingway as you walk through the rooms that witnessed the most prolific period of this Nobel Prize winner's writing career. Try to take the tour to get more background information and to make your visit even more interesting. Also make sure not to miss the beautiful maintained garden and the six-toed-cats which are an attraction in themselves.

4) GET IN TOUCH WITH THE CHICKENS

They are running around the whole town and always willing to pose for pictures. Who can resist this pretty, colorful animals?

5) DIVE INTO ANOTHER WORLD @ THE BUTTERFLY AND NATURE CONSERVATORY

Numerous butterflies of every color and size are flattering around in the garden inside the glass enclosure. First take a brief moment to see the life cycle of butterflies and then walk into the garden. It feels like you are entering another world. Like you left reality behind and walked straight into fairytale forest. A tropical indoor oasis. If you really want to get close to them try to wear bright colors or perfume which increases the chances of a butterfly landing on your shoulder. Great photo opportunity:) There are also two flamingos, Scarlet & Rhett, that kind of put on their own show and keep the tourists entertained.

6) TAKE A PICTURE @ THE SOUTHERN MOST POINT

Do you know these kinds of sights that are actually overrated but you just have to go there anyway because everyone does it? The so-called Southern Most Point is exactly that. Almost at any time of the day you find crowds of tourists waiting there to get a picture with the in black and yellow stripes encircled bouy which is suppose to mark the southernmost point of the continental USA. Problem is, it does not. Since the southernmost point is around one mile further and is not accessible by the public because it lies on military ground of the US Navy. But still it is a sight that is not to be missed! You don't want to end up being asked: "So where is your picture at the Southern Most Point in Key West?" And actually it is also quite fun to see how crazy the tourists get over this.

7) GET TIPSY ON THE RUM & RAGGAE BOAT TOUR

I cannot recommend this enough!! It was one of the coolest things I did in Key West. The tour starts in the afternoon with a snorkeling adventure. A catamaran will take you to the riff where you will have enough time to experience the colorful underwater. On your way back you can enjoy rum and other alcoholic beverages while listening to the relaxed sounds of reggae music and witnessing the most amazing sunset. By the way all the drinks are already included in the tour price, so go ahead and have a few;) An absolute amazing experience from beginning to end.

8) SPEND A DAY @ THE BEACH

Easier said than done. Key West is not actually popular for it`s beautiful beaches since the beaches are few and also overcrowded. So instead of handing yourself over to the danger of almost lying on someone elses lap rather take an hour drive into Bahia Honda State Park. It doesn´t just feature award winning beaches but even the historic old bridge of Henry Flagler. You can picnic on the beach, take a swim, or relax and enjoy the balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. It´s really worth a day trip.

9) TRY THE FAMOUS KEY LIME PIE

The best place do this is Kermit`s. They don't just have the delicious, creamy yellow cake, whose main ingredients are small, round key limes and sweetened condensmilk, but also everything else that could possibly be made from key limes such as cookies, salsa, chutney, jelly beans, tea, olive oil and so on. You are not sure if that`s to your taste? Don´t worry. They have a tasting bar where you can take your tastebuds for a treat. There is a nice garden cafe where you can enjoy your cake in a relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for a modern interpretation of the well-known cake try the chocolate dipped key lime pie on a stick. Watch out "dangerously addictive".

10) DON`T MISS THE HAPPY HOUR @ A&B LOBSTER HOUSE

No, happy hour doesn´t automatically involve alcoholic drinks. Well it can if you like. But the main focus at the A&B Lobster House is on the delicious, fresh seafood appetizers. You get a lot of them for half the price between 4pm - 6:30pm. A table full of food is presented and you will be pleasantly surprised when the bill arrives.

Last but not least ...

11) JUST STROLL AROUND THE BEAUTIFUL STREETS OF KEY WEST

With all of this exiting activities it could easily happen that you miss the most simple one. Which you really shouldn't! Key West is such a beautiful place, with amazing architecture and lovely streets. Take time to just go for a walk and enjoy all the different facets Key West has to offer.

Thanks for stopping by! Please feel free to leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

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