Key West, FL Local Community

The first European to ever visit this place was Juan Ponce de León in 1521. A fishing village was established here as Florida became a Spanish colony. The island was used by fishermen from Cuba who were later joined by others from the United States after their independence. 

Key West was very alone and isolated until 1912 when it was finally connected Florida mainland via the Overseas Railroad. 

This city claims to be the only one never to have had a frost, so it's pretty obvious that you are going to soak up the sun here. Key West has a notably mild, semi-tropical climate. 

If you are planning a visit you won't need a car to move around, in fact, we recommend you to avoid driving once you get here because drivers are not very friendly and parking is very expensive. Visitors usually rent motor scooters, golf carts, bicycles or they use their legs to walk. After all, walking is free and healthier. You can park scooters and bikes on sidewalks, but we recommend you insure them first.

Visit the Dry Tortugas National Park, a place that is so exclusive that is accessible only by boat or seaplane, but so impressive that you can't miss it. Here you will find the historic Fort Jefferson and reefs and blue water to enjoy a nice session of snorkeling or scuba diving. You will enjoy a lot of fishes and turtles. You can also camp here, soak up the sun, swim at the lovely beaches, and enjoy several shipwrecks.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is a lovely place is in the heart of Old Town Key West and it's a historic jewel. This very important American writer lived here for more than a decade and found inspiration in his beautiful house. Take a tour through his home and his gardens and enjoy a day like no other, while you walk through the hallways of history. 

You can also visit another historic home, the Harry S. Truman Little White House. This house used to be naval headquarters during the most important wars. Then the house served as the winter home of former president Harry S. Truman. Today, it is a museum that offers a close look to this important and historic moments and the way life was back then.

When you visit, you absolutely MUST have some key lime pie- made with local Key limes (scientific name: Citrus aurantifolia). Imitations made elsewhere just don’t taste the same. And if you are lucky enough to visit during the 4^th of July, partake in the annual Key Lime Festival that celebrates all things Key lime and the fruit’s importance in the local culture.

Other things to do in Key West: 

- Key West AIDS Memorial: the city lost more than a thousand of its citizens to the AIDS epidemic. You might see some of their names inscribed on the memorial near a pier. 
- Key West City Cemetery: burial customs here reflect combinations of African, Hispanic, Anglo, and other mixed heritages, this is why this place might be interesting for a visit. 
- Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys
- McCoy Indigenous Park 
- Shipwreck Museum
- Key West Lighthouse: for a panoramic look of the island