March - April 2013, LGBT students and their friends flock to the beaches and the clubs of this beautiful tropical island. Take a break for spring break in a place that embraces individuality, diversity, and openness, all year long.
June 5-9, 2013. A festival of several days of events around town, pool & dance parties, street fair, sunset sails, comedy, film, drag shows, bike tours culminating with the parade on Duval Sreet.
July 10-14, 2013, hundreds of gay naturists & guys who like to get naked, let it all hang out at clothing optional gay guesthouses. Dance parties, foam parties, pool parties, naked shopping and playful 'Happy Ending ' parties. Check website for more info & schedules. Next dates: December 5-8, 2013.
August 15-18, 2013. Key West's hottest event for men: four days of all-male adult-oriented theme parties, entertainment, and men from around the globe. See their website for schedule and more information.
September 3-8, 2013 annual events, the southernmost party for lesbians and friends. Raucous clothing-optional pool parties, dance club night celebrating all things female, women-only water excursions, comedy from some of brightest funny women in the industry.
October 18-27, 2013. Annual week-long series of events bringing visitors to the island in the off-season. The event kicks off each year with the Coronation Ball, where they crown a king and queen. The party ends with a parade of 70,000 costumed revelers.
October 23, 2013, Headdress competition, lasciviously extravagant show, lots of sexy Key West razzle dazzle, spectacular and decadent emcees.
November - December, 2013, usually screens at Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. Showcasing films that exhibit excellence in storytelling and capture the essence of what Key West is all about.
Early October, 2013. Annual events include: pool party, dining, Lazy Bear pool party & pig roast, dance parties & socials, drag show & beer bust. Check website for details closer to the event date.
February, 2014, 10am-5pm. Annual 2-day juried outdoor fine art festival, over 100 artists. Watercolors, oil & acrylic, sculpture, & photography - along Whitehead Street from Greene to Eaton, & on Caroline Street through the Presidential Gates to Truman Annex.
One of Key West's arguably lesser-known aspects is the island's large Cuban-born population. Cuban revolutionary Jose Marti, for example, fired up supporters from the balcony of what is now La Te Da on Duval Street. You can sample great Cuban food in several places in Old Town.
The Key West Cemetery, located at the base of Solares Hill in Old Town, is one of the best places to appreciate the island's rich and varied history. Look for the grave of Edwina Lariz, who described herself as a "devoted fan of singer Julio Iglesias" on her tombstone.
Captain Steve and his crew on the Blu Q catamaranoffer a variety of clothing-optional snorkeling, kayaking and sunset cruises that bring passengers to coral reefs, sand bars and other areas roughly 10 miles west of Key West. You're almost guaranteed to see sea turtles, barracuda, sharks and other denizens of the deep.
The best way to explore Old Town is on bike. The city has installed numerous bike lanes to accommodate bicyclists. With its highest point at only 18 feet above sea level, even novices will have little difficulty navigating Key West's streets.
