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Key West — travel, stays & events guide
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Key West, USAOpen-Meteo forecast.
Key West city overview
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City facts
Airport baseKey West International Airport
Known forDuval Street, Mallory Square, Ernest Hemingway Home, Southernmost Point
RegionUSAUSA
Time zoneAmerica/New_Yorklocal time
Founded1806historical origin
City history
The Bahamians apparently set up camps in the Keys that were occupied for months at a time, and there were rumors of permanent settlements in the Keys by 1806 or 1807, but the locations.
In 1823, Commodore David Porter of the United States Navy West Indies Anti-Pirate Squadron took charge of Key West, which he ruled as military dictator under martial law.
William Whitehead became chief editorial writer for the Enquirer, a local newspaper, in 1834.
Fort Zachary Taylor, constructed from 1845 to 1866, was an important Key West outpost during the Civil War.
Construction began in 1861 on two other forts, East and West Martello Towers, which served as side armories and batteries for the larger fort.
The year 1864 became a landmark for the church in South Florida when five Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary arrived from Montreal, Canada, and established the first Catholic school in.
The Great Fire of Key West, on April 1, 1886, started at a coffee shop next to the San Carlos Institute and spread out of control, destroyed 18 cigar factories and 614 houses and.
In 1926, Pan American Airlines was founded in Key West, initially to transport passengers to Havana, Cuba.
In 1935, the Labor Day Hurricane destroyed much of the Overseas Railway and caused substantial loss of life, including approximately 400 World War I veterans who had been working on federal infrastructure projects in.
Completed in 1938, this road was constructed atop sections of the former railway and became part of U.S.
At various times before the 19th century, people who were related or subject to the Calusa and the Tequesta inhabited Key West.
After claiming the Florida Keys for the United States, Perry renamed Cayo Hueso (Key West) to Thompson's Island for Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson, and the harbor Port Rodgers in honor of War.
When completed, they were connected to Fort Taylor by railroad tracks for movement of munitions.
The Florida East Coast Railway was unable to fund repairs, and the U.S. government later rebuilt the route as an automobile highway.
Worth seeing
Duval Street
Duval Street is a named stop in Key West worth keeping on the route when it fits the day's transport, timing and neighborhood plan.
Mallory Square
Mallory Square is useful for reading Key West's daily rhythm through food stalls, craft sellers, local errands and short stops between bigger sights.
Ernest Hemingway Home
Ernest Hemingway Home is a named stop in Key West worth keeping on the route when it fits the day's transport, timing and neighborhood plan.
Southernmost Point
Southernmost Point is a named stop in Key West worth keeping on the route when it fits the day's transport, timing and neighborhood plan.
Fort Zachary Taylor
Fort Zachary Taylor is a clear heritage marker in Key West, best used as a fixed point when grouping nearby streets, monuments and viewpoints.
Key West Historic Seaport
Key West Historic Seaport adds the water-facing side of Key West, making it a good break from museums, traffic and dense historic streets.
Stay overview
Start with City centre for the easiest first Key West stay, then compare Old Town and Waterfront when price, nightlife, quieter evenings or transfer timing matter more than being beside every major sight.
Hotels & areas
Key West hotel choice is mostly about repeat journeys: use City centre for sightseeing, Old Town for a different local base, and Waterfront or Airport area when views, parking, airport timing or longer stays matter.
City centre
City centre is the most practical first base in Key West, keeping main sights, restaurants and short local transfers close.
Best for: first visits, sightseeing, restaurantsCompare staysOld Town
Old Town is the most practical first base in Key West, keeping main sights, restaurants and short local transfers close.
Best for: first visits, sightseeing, restaurantsCompare staysWaterfront
Waterfront suits travellers who want views, evening walks and a calmer base while still keeping central Key West reachable.
Best for: views, quieter evenings, walksCompare staysAirport area
Airport area works mainly for early departures, late arrivals or car pickup, not for a first Key West sightseeing base.
Best for: early flights, late arrivals, car pickupCompare staysFlights & airports
Key West International Airport arrival plan
- Key West International AirportKey West International Airport, Key West, USA
Key West International Airport is the main air gateway for Key West; compare transfer time with your hotel base before locking the first night.
Rental cars
Key West day-trip car use
Do not rent a car for central Key West unless parking and traffic are part of the plan; use one mainly for regional day trips.
Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best base
Choose City centre for a first stay because it keeps main sights, restaurants and practical local movement close.
Airport timing
Leave extra time for Key West International Airport, especially for early flights, late arrivals, traffic or unfamiliar transfer routes.
Local movement
Plan each day in clusters around Key West and Key West so transfers do not consume the best sightseeing hours.
Day trips
Keep one flexible slot for nearby routes from Key West, checking weather, transport and opening hours before committing.
Nearby ideas
Heritage
Ernest Hemingway Home
Ernest Hemingway Home is a heritage-focused side trip from Key West; check the route and opening hours before setting aside the day.
Heritage
Southernmost Point
Southernmost Point is a heritage-focused side trip from Key West; check the route and opening hours before setting aside the day.
Heritage
Fort Zachary Taylor
Fort Zachary Taylor is a heritage-focused side trip from Key West; check the route and opening hours before setting aside the day.
Upcoming events
No upcoming Key West events in the shared event index yet.