Key West

Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States, about 160 miles (257 km) south-west of Miami at the end of the Overseas Highway (US-1). The drive takes roughly 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours without heavy traffic, crossing 42 bridges including the Seven Mile Bridge, so a day trip means about eight hours in the car and is demanding; an overnight stay is strongly advised. Alternatives are Greyhound or FlixBus services of about 4.5 hours, private and shared shuttles, or a short flight from Miami International Airport. The compact Old Town can be explored on foot or by bicycle. Mallory Square, at 400 Wall St, hosts the nightly sunset celebration with street performers, while Duval Street runs across the island lined with bars, shops and restaurants. Other stops include the Ernest Hemingway Home and its six-toed cats, the Harry S. Truman Little White House, the Key West Lighthouse, the Southernmost Point buoy, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and the Historic Seaport boardwalk. A one-day arc starts with a departure from Miami before 7:00 AM, breakfast in Old Town, a morning of museums and the lighthouse, a lunch of conch fritters or fresh fish at the seaport, an afternoon at the beach or on a snorkel or sunset sail, and a sunset at Mallory Square before the long drive back. Key lime pie is the local dessert, and several bakeries and cafes sell it by the slice. November to April brings cooler, drier weather, while hurricane season from June to November can disrupt plans. Parking in Old Town costs about $15 to $30 per day, and the Hemingway Home is about $19 per adult. Information is available from the Florida Keys tourist office at 305-296-1552. Visitors wanting the Dry Tortugas ferry or a full evening should plan a night in Key West.