The restaurants are all gay-friendly and a few of them are gay-owned and operated as well. Eat authentic Cuban fare at El Sibony in Old Town, oysters at Hog's Breath Saloon, key lime pie at Kermit's, or sample the locally distilled rum at Papa's Pilar distillery and bar. Key West is a great place to grab an outstanding meal, with an impressive selection of award-winning restaurants on this small island. It's believed that the cats are descendants of Hemingway's six-toed cat named Snow White, and they enjoy leisurely lives at the Hemingway Museum today.
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Enjoy a guided tour of Hemingway's home and gardens, but be careful not to trip over one of the 40 to 50 six-toed cats living on the museum grounds. No literary buff would pass up the chance to visit one of America's greatest author's homes.
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The free center is located across the street in a 7-acre park with a freshwater pond and wildlife rehabilitation center. While taking in the pier and Martello Towers, stop at the Key West Wildlife Center for a stroll along their nature trail to catch a glimpse of local wading birds. Even though there are over 260 sunny days per year in Key West, if you happen to visit on cool or rainy day, check the local cinema to see what's playing. Tropic Cinema supports independent films and filmmakers, and screens historically important, experimental and avant-garde art films. On your first visit, you might spend all day just wandering historic Old Town and joining the nightly sunset carnival at Mallory Square. Much of the Florida Keys and Key West was badly damanged during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, though the city and region quickly recovered. If visiting during hurrican season (June to November), be prepared and alert for any travel advisories or last-minute changes. Between March and June, the temperatures are still amazing, but you'll find a little less tourists (except during spring break season). Key West's most popular time for tourism is in the winter, when northerners, Europeans, and cruise ships take over the city to escape colder weather. It's easy to understand why Key West locals adopted their whimsical motto: "Close to perfect, far from normal." When to Visitīecause Key West is at the southernmost tip of both Florida and the continental USA, it actually sits within a tropical climate, so has year-round warm temperatures. On Key West, you can find drag shows, gay and lesbian fishing excursions, gay pool parties, and a number of award-winning gay-owned and managed cafes and restaurants. There are four clothing-optional, LGBTQ resorts on the island. Many establishments offer suites or apartments, perfect for a group of friends. It's common to find private pools, private beaches as well as clothing-optional sunning decks. They're often private hideaways tucked underneath swaying palms, furnished with island wicker or rattan and museum-quality antiques. In Key West, many guesthouses cater primarily to gay men, lesbians or a combination of the two. A longtime tropical playground for the LGBT community, Key West's warm, "come as you are" ambiance is one of the main reasons many gay and lesbian visitors feel more themselves in this subtropical island's gay scene than anyplace else.
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Key West is an open-minded community that is safe, gay-friendly and relaxed. VIDEO: Get the inside scoop on gay Key West from one of our Gay Travel Gurus below! If you're on a budget, skip the group tour and embark on your own self-guided tour using the printable Pelican Path Self-Guided Tour of Key West to learn the stories behind 51 historic buildings on the island. There are plenty of walking tours you can join in Key West to learn about the history of this quaint island village. Driving and parking in Key West tends to be expensive, but the city is easily walkable and you can also rent a bicycle, moped or golf cart. There are also various nearby mainland airports that are accessible via car. The best way to get into town is the Key West International Airport. Famously, Key West was the home of out writer Tenessee Williams for decades.
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This tiny island, just 7.5 square miles, sits 90 miles north of Cuba, and is known for its fabulous turquoise waters, tropical foliage and welcoming culture.įor decades, Key West has been considered a place where one can be out, open and welcomed, and where gay visitors quickly embrace the motto, 'One Human Family.' Key West has had a number of openly gay and lesbian elected officials, a gay chief of police and a rainbow flag flying over City Hall, helping gay locals and visitors alike feel comfortable anywhere on Key West. At the very end of the Florida Keys, Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States.