Key West

Key West

Key West And The Florida Key's, A Great Place To Fly In, Get A Hotel And Stay Forever. It's Paradise Usa

Key West is such a unique city with character and warmth you don't find anywhere else. Being the southernmost city in the continental United States, Key West already has been able to garner quite a bit of publicity all on it's own but before you plan your next vacation there are some tips and hints that will make your vacation much more enjoyable and much easier.

Firstly, getting to Key West. There are so many options today for somebody to get to Key West. The problem is figuring out what you really want to do. If you want to jump right in and immerse yourself in Key West from the get go the obvious option is flying into Key West's International Airport. The airport just completed it's renovation in 2009 and is a great little airport. The drawback to flying directly into EYW is that the cost's are definitely higher so you get what you pay for. My personal favorite is flying into Miami. From Miami Key West is an easy 3-4 hour drive. The air ticket will most likely cost you 30-50% less this way. Rent a car and enjoy the drive, there's only one road in and out of the Florida Key's and that's US Highway 1. US1 is one of the most picturesque drives in the United States (In my humble opinion) and if you have never driven it I would highly recommend doing so. The blue turquoise water's of the American Caribbean are a great backdrop to your impending arrival to Paradise USA. If you don't want the cost and both associated with renting a car you would be smart to look into the multiple shuttle service offered between Miami and Key West and all points in between. These shuttle will cost you less than $50 per person and you don't have to worry about anything but watching the scenery. The other option you have is to grab the Key West Express ferry from Fort Meyers. This is another great way to save some money and see a side of Florida not many people get to. The Express is loaded with lounge areas and refreshments and makes a leisurely trip to Key West absolutely perfect.

Our next topic has to do more with what do do when you get to Key West. Remember, Key West is a small island that is only 4 miles long by 2 miles wide. Once you arrive in Key West it is important to start watching for landmarks. The first and most obvious landmark is the split of US1 as you enter the island. You only have two choice, right and left (it may help to have a map next to you while reading this), left takes you to the larger resorts on the top of the island as well as the airport and Smather's Beach. Going right, you start down the opposite side of the island and US1 becomes Roosevelt Blvd, Roosevelt Blvd then becomes Truman Ave, the major artery of Old Town. Now that I mentioned Old Town you had better know what I mean! Key West the island is split up into 3 sections; Old Town, Mid Town and New Town. As you enter the island at the US1 split you are essentially in New Town. New Town boasts street after street of late built bungalows and offers some solitude from the noise of Duval St. Mid Town is exactally that, Middle of the island. Mid Town blends the newer homes with a few more historic homes and the roads become less modern and more cut up. That leaves us where we started, Old Town. Old Town is where a majority of people coming to Key West end up, it's where all of the hidden lanes are and where mostly all of the action is. Duval St. is at the heart of Old Town and is world famous, Mallory Square is where the Sunset Celebration is and is also in Old Town. If you came to Key West to party Duval St. and Old Town are where you want to be.

Watch for our next article outlining Old Town parking, traffic and general Do's and Don'ts.