Madeline
Key West has been high on my “to travel to” list for some time. It is a tropical destination within the continental United States that is not available anywhere else. Between COVID and a work schedule that requires staying within a specific time zone, Key West made a lot of sense for us to take a vacation there. Add in a conference my boyfriend was attending in Miami, and we were sold on setting that as our vacation destination.
Getting To Key West
One may consider the three hour drive to Key West from Miami as a burden, but many treat it as part of the fun. We rented a car in Miami and started the drive early the next day. We made many stops including to take pictures of the beautiful turquoise water. Drink a flight of beer at the Florida Keys Brewing Company. And of course, we stopped for a seafood lunch at The Island Fish Co. We did not even stop at every stop that was worth stopping at. The drive there was fun, the drive home was tedious as we were on a mission to get me to the airport to catch a flight home from Miami.
Historical Aspect
When we first decided to go to Key West, history was the last thing on my mind. But as avid museum goers, when we realized all the historical sites there was to see, we were excited to learn about the area. Because it was the Southern most part of the United States, it was a hub for importing and exporting. It was a place of vacation and also the biggest sponge producer in the world. Presidents have spent so much time there that there is a house considered the second white house. And of course, Ernest Hemingway lived there a majority of the time and wrote many of his famous novels there.
Nightlife
There is no shortage of nightlife on Duval Street in Key West. We found ourselves out every night enjoying the festivities. There is no shortage of bars intended for the crazy Spring Breakers and Bachelorette parties. We took the time to attend one of the many drag shows. And we also found ourselves enjoying martinis on the water. The nightlife is vast and carries a large type of people. If you enjoy a good cocktail, there is some kind of nightlife for you.
What I Would Do Different
We chose to stay at Margaritaville for both the location and for the price. It sat somewhere in the middle for both. In speaking with a bartender, we discovered that there is a private island with a hotel on it with regular shuttles to downtown. Although the hotel is quite pricey, it also gives the opportunity to be both in the middle of everything and in a quiet retreat.
The other thing I would want to do different is to fly into Key West. As I mentioned, the journey in was part of the thrill of going to Key West, that being said, I also now feel like I clicked that box. For me, being able to get to my vacation quicker may have it’s own price tag I would be willing to pay for.
Final Thoughts
Key West was a last minute vacation that I am happy we took. We were able to escape the cold California winter (yes, I am being sarcastic) and enjoy a nice tropical one on the other side of the country. It was a much different trip than Spain or Italy, but it was worth the time and the money we spent to see a place in the United States I had never seen before and I will be happy to consider going back at any time.
