Key West Florida is the ideal destination for any kind of special event or holiday: Christmas, New Years, spring break, weddings, anniversaries, parties, reunions and, coming up next month, the lovers' holiday Valentine's Day. Even in the middle of February, Key West has balmy temperatures that still allow guests to jump in the teeming waters off the coast of the island where the coral reef gardens are located. With its quaint narrow streets, charming historic guesthouses, and unparalleled sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico, Key West Florida offers couples the perfect romantic island getaway.
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.
