Enjoy Key West Like A Local Year-Round
Key West is an entertaining, relaxing, and interesting place to visit year-round. Come here to discover one-of-a-kind coastal views, taste delicious seafood, dance at vibrant street festivals, and stay in gorgeous accommodations overlooking lush tropical gardens, or even the Gulf of Mexico. So with all of this happening, how do you decide when to come?
While the beauty remains throughout the year, the number of travelers and events taking place down here do change. Here is a brief guide on how to enjoy Key West like a local year-round.
Take Advantage of Winter Crowds
If you’re trying to escape the cold, then you might want to join the many who head south for the winter. Along with staying warm, you can also make friends with the other snowbirds hanging out at bars and live music venues on Duval Street. Some of our favorites include The Bull for its strong cocktails and Sloppy Joe’s for the live tunes and dancing. Winter also features two of Key West’s most delicious events. The Florida Keys Seafood Festival takes place on January 15th and the Key West Food & Wine Festival is on January 25th.
Have a Balance of Temperature, People & Fun in the Spring
The weather is absolutely phenomenal here in the spring. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the simple wonders of our local ocean breezes and phenomenal sunsets. The atmosphere in Key West is lively, but not as dense with travelers as in the winter months. While it’s still a strong season for meeting people, it’s also ideal for exercise and outdoor movement. For example, the Duval Street Mile in April and the 15th annual Keys100 Ultramarathon in May. Spring also features Key West Pride in early June. Pride Week is an important, colorful, and exceptionally fun cultural celebration with shows, parties, and contests.
Find Peace & Quiet in the Summer
Many of Key West’s most attractive landmarks and attractions can be more enjoyable with fewer people. In the summer, fewer tourists travel down because of the heat. If you know how to beat the heat in Key West, then you can take advantage of the season by booking a trip. Families who come in the summer can roam the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory with less waiting and easier access to the 50+ varieties of butterfly species. Summer also offers greater freedom when choosing a spot on the beach, and less traffic when cooling off with a jetski ride or a similar watersport adventure.
Catch Great Tunes & Events this Fall
September is the hottest month of the year, which means it still offers some of that quiet summer appeal. And as the seasons change, some of the year’s best local traditions come about.
This year, we’re excited for the Keys Freestyle Weekend Getaway, which is a live-music fundraising event featuring performances, bars, and a pool party at nearby Higgs Beach on September 30th. Fall will also see another edition of the otherworldly Fantasy Fest: Key West Halloween Festival from October 21st-30th. This costume-cosplay-focused celebration features a moving cocktail and dance party known as The Masquerade March, cabarets, musicals, marketplaces, and more. This year’s theme is Cult Classics & Cartoon Chaos.
