Shipwreck and Pirate Museums

The pirate and shipwreck museums in Downtown Key West are some of the most popular with people of all ages. Kids will definitely get a kick of the fascinating replicas of pirate ships and the oftentimes interactive displays located in these museums. The first of these is the Shipwreck Historeum, that takes you back to the world of shipwrecking with live actors and displays of actual artifacts. The museum also features a 65-foot lookout point similar to the ones shipwrecking captains would use to spot new shipwrecks on the shallow reefs. The next excellent museum that presents the era of swashbuckling pirates is the Pirate Soul Museum. As you enter the Pirate Soul Museum, you walk through dark winding alleys that are designed to give you the sense of walking through pirate caves as well as the narrow streets of the 17th century cities that pirates would invade. The Pirate Soul Museum provides its guests with a pirate journey where you learn about the history, stories, myths and culture of the Caribbean pirates through artifacts, maps, books, and a knowledgeable and engaging tour guide.

Historical Museums and Sites

Key West Florida is filled with excellent museums, houses and monuments that keep history alive in modern day Key West. Two of the most popular historic sites in Key West include the Hemingway House and Truman's Little White House. The Hemingway House was author Ernest Hemingway's Key West home, where he wrote much of his classic novel A Farewell to Arms. Hemingway, as you will learn on the guided tour of the house, was extremely enthusiastic about the lifestyle of Key West, including everything from the excellent fishing to the laid-back drinking culture found in the many bars along Duval Street and throughout downtown. The Hemingway House is also famous for its six-toed cats, which are all descendants of Hemingway's own cat. They are named after famous literary and cultural figures such as Gertrude Stein, Simone de Beauvoir and Pablo Picasso. Truman's Little White House showcases the political history of Key West. President Truman made ten visits to the island of Key West. At first, he used it as a vacation home, but eventually he began to do presidential work from the island and had his team fly in for meetings and discussions. And while the property is most known for being the vacation residence of President Truman, its history goes back to its construction in 1890 when it was used as a naval station for three different American wars. Stepping into the Little White House and going on the guided tour informs you on the unique role the property and Key West in general have had in the American political realm. The Heritage House Museum is the best museum for getting a sense of the history of Key West as a whole, including everything from its cultural heritage to its pirate history to its art history. The museum also features an ongoing exhibit of artwork, currently focused on the art and culture during the Depression era (the time when the property was built).

Other Great Key West Museums

Downtown Key West has all kinds of great museums and attractions for people of all ages and interests. One of the most unique of these that never disappoints is Key West's own Ripley's Believe it or Not! The museum focuses on the weird, unique, shocking and bizarre in over 500 exhibits. Split into 13 different themed galleries, the museum has been a quirky staple in the downtown Key West Florida scene for many years. For nature lovers, we suggest visiting the Audobon House & Tropical Gardens or the stunning Butterfly Conservatory. The Audobon House is a great way to see the natural beauty of Key West with historical overtones. The Butterfly Conservatory features over 50 unique species of butterflies, designed in a gorgeous tropical setting.

Among its famous sunsets, unique historic guesthouses, and excellent water activities, the island of Key West Florida at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys is known for its delicious and unique cuisine. Mixing Caribbean, American, Cuban and seafood influences, Key West restaurants offer something for everyone. While the island certainly has more than enough top-quality restaurants in which to dine, Key West dinner cruises are experiences that should be a part of any Key West vacation. The unique thing about a Key West dinner cruise is that you get to enjoy the famous cuisine of the island an ideal setting out on the soothing waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Each dinner cruise is set up so that guests not only get an amazing dinner on an unforgettable boat setting, but also get to experience unparalleled views of the stunning Key West sunset. Here is a list of Key West's top dinner cruise experiences, each of which provides a unique atmosphere that is sure to be a highlight of any Key West vacation.

Schooner Haile Matthew

The dinner cruise aboard the Schooner Haile Matthew provides guest with the most romantic dinner/sunset experience. The Haile Matthew is a schooner tall ship designed to resemble the classic sailboats of the 19th century golden era of sailboats. With its two massive sails that guests are invited to help raise, the Schooner Haile Matthew is considered Key West's most unique dinner and sunset cruise experience. But it's not just the beauty of the ship itself that draws guests in, the dinner provided on board is top-notch. Served buffet-style, the dinner aboard the Haile Matthew is provided by Key West's Hard Rock Live and features savory Caribbean jerk chicken with mango salsa, yellow rice, black beans, and plantains. Like most dinner and Key West sunset cruises, guest get to enjoy unlimited complimentary beer, wine, champagne, and sodas. The Haile Matthew also provides live music and a weekly Stargazing Tour with local astronomer Joe Universe.

Sunset Culinaire

The unique draw of the Sunset Culinaire dinner sunset cruise is the gourmet chef that cooks your meal right on board the boat. Guests get to choose what entree and sides they want from the menu and captain and famous Key West chef Brian Kirkpatrick cooks up an unforgettable meal. This is the fine dining of Key West dinner cruises. With a maximum of 20 guests on board, it is also the most intimate of dinner cruises. Due to its limited seating and the popularity of the chef, the Sunset Culinaire sells out well in advance. If you want to take that special someone out on a memorable dinner date, the Sunset Culinaire is your best bet.

Party Cat Dinner Cruise

Almost on the opposite side of the dinner cruise spectrum from the Sunset Culinaire is the Party Cat Dinner Cruise. Where the Sunset Culinaire offers an intimate dinner experience, the Party Cat offers bumping music, lots of people, and plenty of space to dance. Instead of served individually, dinner on the Party Cat is buffet-style and the point of this dinner cruise is to have a delicious meal and then let loose and have a good time. This is more the dinner cruise for groups of friends than intimate romantic dates. And everyone on board the Party Cat Dinner Cruise has a good time. With the famous Key West sunset as its closing, this dinner cruise is the perfect way to start the night off right. The food served aboard the Party Cat is Cuban-influenced with fried fish, roasted pork marinated in tangy Cuban mojo, black beans and rice, and fried sweet plantains. And the beer is flowing all journey long, completely unlimited and complimentary.

Cultural Events

Two great plays will be taking place during march in Key West. The first of these is the Tony award-winning one-woman show Shirley Valentine starring local actress Joan O'Dowd. The play is a comedy about a woman living a mundane life who takes the opportunity to travel to Greece. The results are hilarious and insightful. Shirley Valentine is showing from February 24th through March 27th at the Red Barn Theatre right in the heart of Downtown Key West and on famous Duval Street. Just a few blocks away, also in the downtown Key West, the smash hit The Full Monty will be happening at the Waterfront Playhouse from February 25th through March 20th. This play, which also became a popular movie, tells the story of six steelworkers who find themselves unemployed and come up with an ingenuous plan to make some money. After witnessing their wives' reaction to a performance by strip sensation the Chippendale Dancers, the men decide to put on their own version of a striptease performance. Another fantastic cultural event taking place in March is the popular Cuban Cultural Exposition & Hot Havana Nights, happening this year from March 7th through March 13th. The week-long event celebrates the culture, art, and music of Cuba and features authentic Cuban cuisine, original Cuban art, live auctions, and live music. The main event and live performance takes place on March 13th with general admission tickets going for $100 a piece (but we hear it's well worth it!).

Plants & Garden Events

The main plants and gardening event that will be taking place this March is the 50th Annual Key West House & Garden Tours. The tour is meant to showcase some of Key West's most unique homes and gardens that are not typically open to the public. This year, five of the most elegant and expertly designed homes on the island will be featured as part of the event, which takes place on March 12th and 13th. Participants in the event will be able to take a sneak peak at 5 of Key West's most charming and tropically-landscaped private residences. Proceeds of this event go to help benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation which focuses on preserving the historic and natural beauty of Key West. Another plant-related event in March is Migration Mania which takes place from March 1st through April 30th at the Key West Botanical Gardens. The two-month-long event features exciting animal shows, bird tours, and plant tours with plant and animal life from all over the world. This event is great for anyone who is interested in learning more about some of the most unique and exotic plant and animal species throughout the world.

Key West Fishing Events

March is the start of the biggest and most important Key West fishing tournament of them all, the aptly-named Key West Fishing Tournament. The tournament lasts a full 8-and-a-half months and anglers of all ages, experience levels, and backgrounds compete for a variety of titles and awards. Over 40 species of fish that populate the waters of Key West are targeted throughout the event. Many anglers participate in this event each year and in November the results are announced and awards are distributed. The kick-off event for the Key West Fishing Tournament takes place from March 12th through March 14th.

Scooters

Once you enter downtown Key West, you will see hundreds of scooters. Visitors rent them because of their low daily rates and most locals own one because of the convenience of driving around the island on such a compact and fuel-efficient vehicle. Then there is the parking situation. Scooter parking is plentiful in downtown and it is also free! This convenience of the scooter is a stark contrast to the hassle of finding parking with a car, which is both difficult due to the limited space and expensive. Best On Key West offers scooter rentals for as low as $55 for a full 24-hour period (or $35 for a 5-hour period). It is a small price to pay for the convenience and lack of stress that borrowing a Key West scooter provides.

Bike Rentals

In addition to scooters, you will also see a whole lot of bicycles in downtown Key West. The streets of downtown are gorgeous: narrow, tree-lined, charming and dotted with beautiful historic properties either side. A bike ride through downtown Key West is definitely a memorable experience. Bike rentals are even cheaper than scooters and you can find bike rentals all over downtown. Many Key West hotels even offer bike rentals right from their front offices. Best On Key West does not offer bike rentals directly from their website, but they can lead you bike rental locations and they can also provide you with a popular guided Key West bike tour. These bike tours are great for large groups looking for a fun excursion to do together. The tour takes you down all the best and most beautiful streets focusing on the unique plants and foliage of Key West Florida.

Taxis

You probably won't need to use a taxi too often if you are trying to travel within the downtown/Old Town area. Sometimes if you need to get to the opposite end of downtown in a short amount of time, it's a good idea to get a taxi. Otherwise, walking or biking is the preferred method. You will definitely need a taxi if you are trying to get to parts of New Town such as Smather's Beach or the Key West International Airport. Getting a taxi within downtown is typically very inexpensive; when you are taking a taxi to get somewhere in New Town, it might cost you a little more. If your Key West hotel is not in Downtown, you can always use taxis to get to downtown, but you will probably end up saving more money if you rent a scooter or electric car.

Electric Cars

The Key West electric cars are an excellent way to explore the entire island of Key West. All of these cars are open air which allow you to feel the warm salty breeze of Key West. If you are staying anywhere outside of Downtown, it's definitely a good idea to rent an electric car, especially if you have a larger group with you. All the cars require is to be plugged in overnight, and you never have to worry about fueling up. If you want to be more mobile during your stay in Key West, these electric cars are the way to go.

Romantic Excursions in Key West

If you are coming to Key West Florida for Valentine's Day weekend, the top Key West tour you cannot pass up on is the sunset cruise. Key West is known for its phenomenal sunsets. And while many visitors gather on the popular Mallory Square for the nightly Sunset Celebrations, the best way to truly experience the sunset is aboard a boat out on the ocean. There are a variety of Key West sunset tours that do the sunset cruise ranging from high-powered multi-deck catamaran vessels with live music to a stunning schooner tall ship in the style of 19th century pirate ships. Sunset and dinner cruises run nightly, but most of the boats are offering special Valentine's Day cruises. The Schooner Haile Matthew, for instance, is running a special dinner cruise catered by Key West's own Hard Rock Live cafe. The tour will feature special entrees and live music. The Schooner Haile Matthew is the top schooner tall ship in Key West, offering guests the most romantic sunset-watching experience on their stunning 19th-century sailboat replica. For a more lively dinner cruise experience, try the Party Cat Dinner Cruise. This tour provides a fun, night-time atmosphere after enjoying a full tropical buffet and loads of drinks! For a more exciting, party-style sunset cruise, opt for the Commotion on the Ocean with nightly live music and unlimited beer, wine, champagne, soda, and appetizers.

Best Places to Stay

There is no shortage of excellent Key West hotels and accommodations in which to stay on any given weekend. The island is small but has a huge variety of accommodations ranging from historic inns and guesthouses in Old Town to all-inclusive resorts on the beach. Since most of the action in Key West is in the Downtown/Old Town area, most visitors like to stay there. Finding a Key West hotel in downtown allows you to never use a car or taxi to get around since the area is so small and completely pedestrian friendly. If anything, people rent scooters or bikes to get around downtown, but you can rest assured that almost everything of interest (from the Key West tours to the museums to the bars) is within walking distance. Downtown Key West is filled with extremely charming and romantic guesthouses. Guesthouse are similar to Bed & Breakfasts in that you are staying in an historic building that has been restored to provide comfortable accommodations for visitors. The difference between a guesthouse and a Bed & Breakfast is that guesthouses are treated more like a hotel than a private home. There are a handful of actual bed & breakfasts in downtown, but mostly you will find guesthouses that provide you with complimentary breakfast in gorgeous pool and garden areas, your own private bathroom, and your own private entry into your room. Some of the best Key West inns and guesthouses in which to stay during any Key West vacation, but especially Valentine's, include the Wicker Guesthouse, the Chelsea House, the Tropical Inn, Casa 325, the Douglas House, and the Southernmost House.

How to Spend the Rest of the Valentine's Weekend

Key West has so much to offer all kinds of people with all kinds of interests. Like historical downtowns? Key West has dozens of hundred-year-old structures and historical attractions like the Truman White House, the Hemingway House, and Fort Jefferson out on the Dry Tortugas. Like an active nightlife? There is no shortage of bars and clubs in Key West and it seems like all bases are covered with the variety of drinking holes found on the tiny island. Like beaches and water sports? Key West has one natural beach and about six other excellent beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Or get on one of the many Key West tours that take guests out to the coral reef for snorkeling or diving, or jump aboard a jet ski for a 26-mile guided island tour, or see Key West Florida from a bird's eye view point on a parasailing trip. You will never be able to do it all but you can definitely try your best! Best On Key West has expert Key West natives who can help you plan the perfect Key West vacation any time of the year.

The Key West Cigar and Cubans

The single largest influence of Cubans in Key West had to do with the cigar industry of the 19th century. It was in 1831 that William Wall, a man from England, opened the first cigar factory in Key West. This brought Cubans to the small island in hordes. With the Cuban Independence War in 1868, Key West quickly became the world's cigar-making capital, bringing even more Cubans to Key West. Spanish quickly became the second language of Key West thanks to this influx of Cuban immigrants (in 1870, the first Spanish-language newspaper, El Republicano, was first published). The boom in the cigar industry in Key West came right on time as the previous major industry of the island (wrecking) was quickly coming to an end thanks to an increase in lighthouse construction and the use of steam ships which wrecked much less frequently. In 1885, there was a major strike among Key West cigar makers, which prompted Vicente Ybor, one of the industry's principle manufacturers, to move his company to Tampa, which also quickly became a hot spot for cigar manufacturing. Even with the start-up of the industry in Tampa, Cubans in Key West worked in 200 cigar factories on the island and produced approximately 100 million cigars each year.

Politics, Cuba and Key West

With the boom of the cigar industry in Key West in the mid 19th century, Cubans had a prominent presence on the island. The first Spanish-language newspaper was published in 1868 and the first Cuban mayor was elected in Key West in 1875. His name was Carlos Cespedes. Cuban revolutionary Jose Marti made many trips to Key West to recruit Cubans to fight for the independence of Cuba and it was right in Key West Florida that he founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party in 1891. Another important role Key West has had in Cuban and US politics is with the USS Maine battleship. The vessel sailed from Key West to Cuba where it was blown up, leading to the official start of the Spanish-American War. Crewmen aboard the USS Maine are buried in the Key West graveyard.

The Mariel Boatlift

Key West also had an important role in the Mariel Boatlift of 1980. The Mariel Boatlift was the result of the Cuban government freeing their borders so that anyone who wanted to leave the island and seek refuge elsewhere was free to do so. The largest majority of Cuban emigrants arrived in ports and docks in Key West and Miami. By the time an agreement was made between Cuba and the US government, it is estimated that some 125,000 Cubans made it to Florida, flooding both Key West and Miami. Key West is still a major arrival point for Cubans fleeing their country and trying to reach American soil. Cubans are not openly welcome to arrive in the United States, but the "Wet Foot, Dry Foot" policy allows immigrants who make it to American soil to remain in the country.

Sailing in the Lap of Luxury

Whatever your reason for being in the Keys, we want to help make it special. We provide private charters for a plethora of events — just tell us what you want to do while you have full control of our boat. We can set up a day of watersport activities, head to the living reef for snorkeling, tour the backcountry, set sail across the waters, and end it all with a romantic sunset and moonlit cruise. We can even include kayaking and parasailing.

Our private charter cruises can be completely customized, including delicious food and beverages from our catering kitchen. All of our catamarans are equipped with satellite radio, and we can even arrange for a DJ or live music (like a steel drum percussionist or 5-piece band).

Best on Key West also lets you charter our boats for our pre-packaged cruises and activities. The Island Ting and Power Adventure packages are perfect for corporate teams, family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, spring break parties, quinceañera bashes and more.

Make Your Day Special

From a romantic two-person getaway to a full-out party with up to 125 guests, we can accommodate your Key West adventure on our amazing catamarans. For larger groups, you’re able to charter multiple boats so you can include everyone in your island adventure.

We want to ensure you have the time of your life, so we work with you to make every detail perfect. We can customize a menu of hors d’oeuvres, lunch buffet or the whole works with our catering kitchen staff. A privately chartered boat is the perfect way to say your wedding vows, spend time with loved ones or reward your team for all their hard work.

Our Boats

All of our boats are licensed by the State of Florida to serve beer and wine. Our largest boat, the Marquesa, is fully licensed and stocked with a full liquor bar.

Marquesa

Our largest catamaran, the Marquesa is 69-feet long and can carry up to 125 passengers. We often sail her at lower capacities for a more intimate sailing experience. With more than 2,300-square-feet of deck space, there’s plenty of room for all of your guests. The Marquesa features two bathrooms, freshwater shower, and a “Stairway to the Sea” for easy water access.

Cubed

The Cubed is one of the fastest sailing commercial vessels you’ll find anywhere. At 60-feet long and capacity to carry 65 passengers, there’s lots of room to relax in the sun or the shade. The Cubed features two bathrooms, a freshwater shower, and a “Stairway to the Sea” for easy water access.

Flyer

One of our newer catamarans, the Flyer is able to carry 68 passengers. The boat is 60-feet long and has ample seating in the sun and shade. There are two bathrooms aboard and a freshwater shower, as well as easy access to the water via the “Stairway to the Sea.”

Pelican

At 41-feet long, and with spacious decks, the Pelican can comfortably carry 20 passengers. This swift vessel features a bathroom and freshwater shower.

Appledore II

Available seasonally, the Appledore II is an 86-feet long windjammer. With a capacity of 49 passengers, there’s adequate room for seating and roaming about. The Appledore II is a 2-masted tall ship and features a bathroom.

Appledore V

Perhaps the cream of the crop, the Appledore V is a beautiful 2-masted schooner that sits at 65-feet long and seats 24 passengers. This safe and swift schooner previously sailed the Great Lakes before touring the Keys. The boat features a bathroom.

Key West Food and Drinks

The food of Key West is one of the main aspects of a city that visitors are always surprised by and never disappointed in. Along with the island's unique history and exciting water sports, Key West Florida is also known for its delicious cuisine which fuses Caribbean and American tastes to create a unique Key West flavor. Most of the top Key West restaurants feature this sort of cuisine, heavy on fish, seafood, and Caribbean spices. For classic Key Wes seafood cuisine and oysters, there's no place better than the Half Shell Raw Bar, located right on the Key West Historic Bight Marina. For a nice variety of Key West-type and American dishes in a laid-back, outdoor atmosphere, Caroline's is the place to go. For more upscale dining with a highly impressive wine selection, try the Grand Cafe. Key West is also known for its dedicated and very diverse drinking scene. If you have an affinity for alcohol, Key West has no shortage of bars, clubs, and lounges for all tastes. If beer is your thing, try Irish Kevins. For a classy lounge environment, try La Te Da. For a good dance scene, try the super popular Rick's right on Duval Street.

Festival Events

Starting on Thursday, January 28th and continuing through Sunday, the Key West Food & Wine Festival has an impressive lineup of food events, wine tasting, seminars, and parties. The festivities get started off at 5PM on Thursday with the Kick Off Your Flip-Flops Barefoot Beach Party hosed by Barefood Wine and Bubbly in Key West's South beach, just across from the luxury Key West hotel, the Southernmost House. The Barefoot Beach Party will kick the event off in style with Key West seafood favorites, tasty mojitos and margaritas, and live jazz music with the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. Other Key West Food & Wine events that are certainly not to be missed include the Wine Around Key West Bight Stroll along the Historic Bight Marina's boardwalk on Thursday night, the Jose Marti Havana Night Cigar dinner also on Thursday, wine tasting at sunset during the Sunset Grand Tasting on Friday night, Chef Timothy Pierre Labonte's Evolution of Fusion featuring exquisite and creative cocktails, the Duval Uncorked wine tasting and food sampling on Saturday, and an afternoon outdoor wine market on closing day.

What Else to Do in Key West

To celebrate in the fun and excitement of the Key West Food and Wine Festival, Best On Key West provides its customers with all kinds of sunset, dinner, and booze cruises. The best way to experience the famous Key West sunset is undoubtedly aboard one of the sunset cruises that sails out into the Gulf of Mexico. For a sunset trip with live music and unlimited drinks, try the Commotion on the Ocean, one of the best sunset trips around. For a sunset trip featuring a delicious full dinner, try the Schooner Haile Matthew Dinner Cruise aboard a beautiful tall ship schooner vessel. These trips showcase the cuisine of Key West along with the fun, laid-back party atmosphere in a setting that is quintessential Key West. All the trips leave from the heart of the downtown area, just a block or two away from some of the best historic Key West hotels and Key West inns.

Historical Key West

Spring breakers often come to Key West Florida for one main goal: drinking. Sure, the country's southernmost island has a highly impressive and diverse selection of bars, clubs, and lounges and, sure, we have no open container laws, but Key West has tons more to offer spring breakers outside of our many watering holes. For one thing, the city is jam-packed with history. A stroll down any of the narrow side streets in Downtown/Old Town Key West gives you a great tour of century-old mansions, many of which have been converted to guesthouses and bed & breakfasts. Some of these welcome even non-guests to explore their historic living rooms and gardens. Best On Key West offers historic tours to places such as the famous Hemingway House and Truman's Little White House. Most locals know a decent amount of history about Key West, so feel free to ask your concierge or front desk staff. If not, browse BestOnKeyWest.com's many articles on Key West's unique history.

Tours and Activities

The many Key West tours and activities are really what makes a Key West trip go from a fun vacation to an unforgettable time spent in a tropical island paradise. Best On Key West offers spring breakers a huge variety of tours and activities that get you out on the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Do not pass up your chance to go snorkeling in the country's only living coral reef system. Underneath the surface of the waters that surround Key West is a stunning marine environment made up of soft and hard coral and all kinds of tropical marine species. A basic Key West snorkeling trips takes you out for a 3 and a half hour journey to a spot along the coral reef where you get to strap your snorkel gear on and take a peak at this fascinating underwater wonderland. If you want to take it a little further, try out one of the Key West scuba diving trips. Both certified divers and non-certified visitors can experience the one-of-a-kind scuba diving trip off the coast of Key West. But the fun doesn't end there. Try the Jet Ski Island Tour, by far one of the most popular and most exciting tours in Key West. Or reserve a spot on the Back Country Safari to explore the primitive mangrove islands just north of Key West. The options are endless and you can either browse the huge list of tours on the Best On Key West website or call to speak directly with a Key West expert.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of different types of accommodations you can pick from when coming to Key West for spring break. The ideal place to stay is in the Downtown or Old Town area. This will allow you to walk to all the tours, activities, museums, bars, restaurants, shops, and other attractions. Staying in downtown during spring break can, however, cost you a pretty penny. If you are trying stick to a budget, try some of the many Key West hotels, motels, and inns scattered throughout the New Town area of Key West. Best On Key West has Key West hotels experts that will be able to set you up with the ideal place to stay for you and your group.

Where to Have Your Wedding

Most couples who choose to have their wedding in sunny Key West Florida opt for one of the luxury Key West hotels. One of the most popular of these Key West hotels for wedding is the stunning Victorian-style Southernmost House. This guesthouse has become somewhat of an icon for Key West in recent decades as it stands tall and looming at the south end of Duval Street. Anyone who has been in this area of Key West has seen the massive mansion which has been recently painted a subtle pink color. What is great about a wedding at the Southernmost House is the amazing and spacious outdoor pool and gardens area that faces out into the Atlantic Ocean. The Southernmost House is known for its top quality interior and exterior design and once you see their pool area, you will understand what all the fuss is about. A great perk of having your wedding at a Key West hotel or Key West inn is the fact that you can have your guests stay right on the property instead of finding hotel rooms scattered throughout the island. Other excellent Key West hotels in which to have your wedding include the high class Simonton Court, the lush Tropical Inn, the fancy Ocean Key Resort, or the cozy Key West Harbor Inn. Other locations around Key West you can have your wedding at include Zachary Taylor State Park (known for its beaches and great parks), Smathers Beach, or the Grand Cafe. The Grand Cafe is a restaurant serving fine dining inspired by the local Key West cuisine. They have great indoor and outdoor seating areas and people use the restaurant to conduct their wedding ceremony and/or to celebrate in the post-wedding reception. The food here is always excellent and they have a great and wide variety of wines from all over world.

Where to Stay

The best place to stay for an ideal Key West vacation is in the downtown area. This area is where you will find all the meticulously restored historic Key West inns and guesthouses. Staying in this area also allows you to walk everywhere you need to go. If you are thinking about having your wedding at one of the Key West hotels, find out what kind of deals they can cut you if you also book several of their rooms for your wedding guests. But is not required to stay on the property in which you hold your wedding. You can always have your wedding a luxurious place like the Southernmost House and then rent rooms somewhere a little less fancy in order to stick to your budget. Check out the different Key West hotels and guesthouses on Best On Key West to decide which one is the best for you.

How to Celebrate

Aside from the wedding and the reception, there is tons of activities for you to do to celebrate your wedding with your new spouse and your wedding guests. A Key West sunset dinner cruise is an excellent way to catch the famous Key West sunset while munching on some delicious island-inspired cuisine and having a grand time out on a boat with your spouse and your closest friends. If you guys want to get out on the water for a more thrilling type of experience, try Best On Key West's Jet Ski Island Tour or the Back Country Safari. If you are interested in nature and sightseeing, try the Dry Tortugas excursion out to the beautiful Dry Tortugas National Park.