The visitors center is operated by the Key West Business Guild which has promoted the island to LGBTQ travelers since 1978. Their directory of gay friendly Key West businesses includes discount coupons, and the staff inside are great for making recommendations on the best activities, restaurants, and nightlife. On the property, you’ll find Key West’s first swimming pool and a flourishing colony of cats-most of them, strangely, with six toes! It’s worth wandering the grounds and taking a guided tour to learn more about Hemingway’s history in Key West.įor up-to-date and local listings of things to do in Key West, especially for LGBTQ travelers, the Gay Key West Visitors Center on Duval Street has lots of useful tourist information. Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West for nearly 10 years, and his former home is a monument to his life and work while on the island. However, the most popular historical home in Key West is the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Learn about his life and work and an introduction into Key West’s literary history with letters, artifacts, and memorabilia from his time in Key West.
Tennessee Williams, a gay literary icon, called Key West home and the Tennessee Williams Museumoffers a self-guided tour through his life and work. In a city made popular from its many famous past residents, there’s a lot of history in Key West to explore. The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatoryoffers an inviting environment filled with hundreds of beautiful butterflies, birds (flamingoes!), and flowers-a perfect little escape from the sun, with a well-stocked gift shop for souvenir shopping, too. Their Reef & ‘Ritas Snorkeling adventure is a half-day tour that goes out to the Florida Reef (also called the Great Florida Reef) and includes unlimited margaritas!īack on land, though, there are still plenty of activities. Some of their more popular options include full-day excursions for parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and snorkeling. The subtropical climate in Key West, the best activities are outside-and manyįury Water Adventuresoffers a variety of high-adrenaline water activities and sports. While there aren’t many sandyīeaches, there’s still plenty of sunshine and swimming pools. Surprising amount of things to see and do. LGBTQ TravelĬontinental USA, and an island of just four square miles, Key West has a The number of attractions and things to do are endless it’s easy to lose track of time when in Key West. Today, that carefree attitude toward life is still there. It was in the 1970s when many gay men and lesbians started to flock to the city, attracted by the climate, the creative community of locals, and an accepting and open atmosphere. Maybe that’s what has attracted LGBTQ travelers to Key West for decades. Tennessee Williams wrote about Key West, “I can write anywhere, but I write the best here.” Something in the spirit of Key West just makes it that kind of perfectly livable, perfectly enjoyable destination. The subtropical climate, the warm & friendly locals, the quiet nights abuzz with laughter and love. It felt like I’d landed in another world.
#GAY PRIDE WEEK KEY WEST WINDOWS#
Hotel, the windows down, a breeze through the window and palm trees overhead The warm, humid air on a late winter weekend was a welcome Waiting area for luggage, taxis, and snacks.
Walking on the tarmac, an airport with local art on the walls, and a single Just like I remembered from my childhood visits decades before. SPONSORED - From the moment I landed in Key West, I Stay tuned for more travel stories and reviews from my Key West trip later this year.įor more information about the Florida Keys and the COVID-19 crisis, click here. While traveling is not currently recommended, Key West is a fantastic year-round destination, so please use this guide to plan for your future trips. Virtually all tourism-related businesses, including beaches, boat ramps and fishing piers, have temporarily closed. Note: Like most cities and states, Key West is temporarily closed to visitors until further notice, due to concerns about the threat of coronavirus.