Key West, Florida

Key West: A Multicolored Dream Island

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I swear one of these days I’ll be done talking about our vacation to the Florida Keys earlier this winter, but right about now when we’re socked in with cold and precipitation, it’s a nice, little mental break to somewhere much warmer.

Key West, Florida

If—I mean, when—we return to the Keys, we’ll allot more time to Key West, with a couple days spent in the Middle Keys around Big Pine Key and skip the Upper Keys, which are much more family-oriented, entirely.

Key West, Florida

The white buildings shaded by palms and lined with matching white picket fences are so quaint and lovely.

Key West, Florida

Everyone everywhere travels by bike.

Key West, Florida

We intended to do the same. Bike rental shops are many in Key West, and every friend we know who has been there before said we just had to rent a bike and cycle about the island.

Key West, Florida

We meant to, we really did, but honestly, I love walking around at my own pace, stopping to take photos with the urge hits, and Key West is just so walkable. So walk we did (and bike we didn’t).

Key West, Florida

We walked all the way, in fact, to the southernmost point in the continental United States.

Key West, Florida

We walked down to the Hemingway Home and the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory (both to come in a future post), admiring the exterior beauty of all the stark white churches that peppered Duval Street.

Key West, Florida

I guess what I’m saying is this: Don’t overlook Key West. Give it the time it deserves. Whether by foot or by bike, cover the three-and-a-half-mile by mile-and-a-half island and soak up its charm.

Key West, Florida

Don’t spend all your time island-hopping, and don’t stay by Mallory Square; check yourself into a quiet inn in the historic district away from the maddening crowds and learn just why this vacation destination is so beloved by many.

Key West, Florida

And tell it I’ll be back soon. Next bachelorette weekend I’m in charge of, I’m so there, come Hell or high water.

Key West, Florida

COMMENTS
  • February 7, 2014

    Having a scenic walk at Hemingway Home as well as at the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a nice experience. There are tips that you’ve shared that are beneficial. I appreciate it.

    • February 24, 2014

      Key West looks like paradise right now because of all this cold weather! Might have to consider this for Spring Break one year

  • February 7, 2014

    This blog post about sunny Florida is just what the doctor ordered on a verrrry cold February day. I say keep ’em coming!

    • February 26, 2014

      Ha! I will, indeed. But next up Savannah…then back to Florida again when I run out of things to say about Georgia 😉

  • February 17, 2014

    SO much appreciated… thanks for the sharing your best views. all are so much nice…

  • February 20, 2014

    I must say I have seen the best photos… Truly, you are the best photographer I have came across. All the pictures are clicked perfectly. Thanks for sharing!

  • February 20, 2014

    It is such a beautiful place and this blog help me discover places I’ve never been to. thanks 🙂

  • February 22, 2014

    Love these pics! 🙂

  • February 24, 2014

    Key west is by far my fav USA vacation spot. We’re planning another trip this year. Hemingway house was the best tour-we did it more than once. Love the pics!

    • February 26, 2014

      It’s such a lovely home, and I can totally see Hem penning best-selling novels from there!

  • February 26, 2014

    This was some trip down the memory lane for me. I went to Key West back in 2005 – and i LOVED it! Being from a small Eastern European country that almost no one whom i met in the US as part of my ordinary days, had heard of back then which is not very known around the world, i was super surprised when the curator in the Hemingway home not only had heard of it, he knew which its capital was.

    Superb photos, Kristin – but didn’t you take a photo at the Southernmost point? I have mine somewhere on my external hard drive back home… 🙂

    • February 26, 2014

      Yes! Photo #1 and #8 were taken from the dock at the southernmost point. There was nothing on the pier itself worth photographing, ha 😉

      Wait, which Eastern European country? Bet I’ve been there! Estonia?

      • February 26, 2014

        ha, does Estonia counts as Eastern Europe? I call it a Pribaltic country (or something). I am from Bulgaria – been there yet? 😀

        as for the Southernmost point – i think there was a red-yellow-white-ish cement column of some kind, marking the exact southernmost point, no?

        Nevertheless, great pics – great travels. And i will be wowed if you’ve been to Bulgaria, too 😉

        • February 26, 2014

          Dangit! I was hoping you’d say Estonia or Latvia.

          Scott and I spent our first Christmas together (2005) in Romania and really wanted to get down to Bulgaria (but too cold and snowy at the time). He’s toyed with the idea of doing a combined Fulbright in the two countries as he has a fascination with the history there. So hopefully one day…

  • March 3, 2014

    Key West really is an amazing places for a photographer as the architecture and there paint jobs are so much different than the rest of the country. I am surprised though that you did not add a pic of the Southern most point. I was there 4 years ago and went on a sunset pirate cruise and it was so much fun!

    Happy Travels!

  • March 17, 2014

    Aha! such an amazing tripping spot I have ever found. Your words truly justified the destination. I love it. Weldon Kristin, Good Job

    • April 17, 2014

      Thank you so much for the kind words!

  • March 25, 2014

    Wow! I think I’ll like this place.

  • April 16, 2014

    nice pictures, all of those found to be environment friendly……. Holyland Guest House is also greenery and economical hotel in Nepal.

  • April 16, 2014

    You’ve perfectly captured Key West. Many people do have a misconception of it as a Spring Break party town, but it really is a laid back, charming place. I’m from Miami, so luckily it’s close to home for me.

  • April 17, 2014

    Kudos for capturing Key West so splendidly… I had been to this city in the previous year and Mallory Square remains a favorite spot. Dint know pictures could actually give me such a different perspective of a city that I had actually visited…:)

  • November 11, 2014

    Wow, beautiful pictures, you’re getting me excited for my trip to Florida in January… I’m definitely hoping to make it to the Everglades and the Keys at least–trying to take in recommendations from smart bloggers who’ve been there before!

    • November 12, 2014

      You’re going to have a blast! I have never made it to the Everglades, but that’s also high on my list. Jealous =) I can’t wait to go back to Key West!

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