Key West, Florida is an antidote for the pressures of living in the real world. Life is laid-back in Key West. Time moves at a slower pace in tune with the ebb and flow of the tides, the warmth of the sun and gentle night sea breezes. Expect eccentric and entertaining. Think festive, funky and fun. There is plenty to do in Key West and plenty of ways to enjoy doing nothing.

Hop on an Old Town Trolley Tour or the Conch Train for a narrated tour covering dozens of points of interest in Key West. Learn about Key West's shipwrecking history and Henry Flagler's railroad that went to sea. Hear legends and lore of the islands colorful past and present. Stroll through the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in the heart of Old Town Key West and get acquainted with a few of the sixty cats that live there. Visit the Harry S. Truman Little White House, once the functioning White House of the United States. Climb to the top of the Key West Lighthouse for a panoramic view of the island and sea. Escape to the lush quiet of the Key West Botanical Gardens. Ferry over to Dry Tortugas. National Park for a relaxing day of snorkeling, diving, kayaking or camping. The Sunset Celebration is a Key West tradition. Each day locals and visitors gather at the Mallory Square docks to say goodbye to the day. Arrive early for a prime spot and watch the kaleidoscope of colors across the water as the sun slips below the horizon. Hang around the action as artists and street performers entertain the crowd.

Residents refer to people born in Key West as “Salt Water Conchs” and people not born in Key West are called “Fresh Water Conchs.” President Harry Truman, Ernest Hemingway, John James Audubon, and Tennessee Williams a few of Key West’s famous past conchs. Beware. Life in Key West is contagious. A short visit may turn you into a Fresh Water Conch.

Written by: Lynne Christen