Key West Travel Guide

16/10/2023

Just a typical Key West sunset 🙃

19/09/2023

Summertime - and the living is easy in Key West.
(Pictured: Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park today)

02/09/2023

Fair winds and following seas Mr. Buffett. You threw a hell of a party.

The City of Key West is deeply saddened at the passing of our icon Jimmy Buffett.
"Jimmy exemplified our island lifestyle and attitude," said Key West Mayor Teri Johnston. "He was instrumental in our island's robust economy in the 1970’s through his music and keen business acumen.
"His unwavering commitment to the protection of our ecosystem, manatees, and the Florida Everglades has helped preserve our sensitive island environment for generations to come," she said. "Today, we will all be slipping into our flip flops and sipping a margarita in your honor."
Buffett owned a home in Key West and was a long-time resident. Over the years it was not uncommon for him to hold pop-up performances to the delight of local and visiting fans.
City offices are flying flags at half-mast in honor of our native son. City hall will be playing Jimmy's music in his honor.
Photo courtesy of Rob O'Neal

16/12/2021

26/11/2021

Calling for a boycott of Crystal Cruises - who are bringing a ship to Key West on Saturday that violates the voter referendums that restricted these too-large cruise ships. For years mega-ships have ruined nearshore water quality with mud plumes, and overwhelmed the quaint town with way too many passengers.
Cruise lines must respect the ports they visit (many have said they would...like Virgin and Norwegian). But Crystal Cruises apparently could care less about Key West's eco-system or residents.

25/11/2021

It is clear that Crystal Cruises does not care about the ports they visit - they are planning to bring a large ship to Key West this Saturday. We local residents voted overwhelmingly for sensible limits on ships too large for our small island. Mega-cruise ships deep draft cause mud plumes that degrade nearshore water quality, harm coral reefs, and endanger marine life. And having thousands of people dumped into Old Town at one time is no fun for anyone. If you are planning to visit Key West aboard Crystal Cruises, expect protests. And in the meantime, let Crystal Cruises know that they should respect the ports they visit! (Just look at what these mega-ships do to Key West beautiful water. SHAME ON CRYSTAL CRUISES)

20/10/2021

We understand and accept this was a medical emergency that required the ship to enter our harbor, BUT this is also a reminder why Key West voters overwhelmingly passed laws to limit the size of ships that can come to our island. They ruin the nearshore water, smother the coral with silt, and overwhelm our tiny town.
Why on earth did Desantis overturn our referendum? Was it because he took a million dollar donation from the cruise ship pier owner months before he signed a law overturning the voters of Key West. Shame on you governor.)

First cruise ship since March 2020, deemed necessary for a medical emergency onboard. This is what it looked like.

03/07/2021

Tropical Storm Watch now in effect.

10/06/2021

Key West's nearshore waters are looking BEAUTIFUL with the absence of the mega-cruise ships which are too big for our shallow waters (and our tiny island).
Thankfully, the voters of Key West overwhelmingly passed three referendum to limit mega-cruise ships.
We request governor Ron DeSantis veto the bill sitting on his desk that would undo the referendum and take away Key West's 200-years of local port control. Undoing the will of the citizens of Key West is outrageous. Destroying our fragile eco-system is unconscionable.

02/05/2021

Power outage. Do your best to chill until service resumes.

A fault in the Upper Keys triggered a voltage fluctuation on the Transmission Line (TIELINE) which resulted in multiple electrical feeders going offline, affecting 10,000 KEYS customers, just before 2:00P. Crews are working to restore power. Please check the comments section for additional updates.

29/04/2021

If you care about Key West, please sign this petition. The citizens of Key West voted to limit mega cruise ships to protect the coral reef and our nearshore waters.
Sign and share please!
https://www.change.org/p/governorron-desantis-eog-myflorida-com-save-the-safer-smaller-ships-key-west?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_28634494_en-US%3A7&recruiter=1198847726&recruited_by_id=b36b45f0-a928-11eb-98a2-b7af8a01bff4&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_abi&utm_term=share_petition

Save Safer Smaller Ships Referendum, Key West!

26/03/2021

Bill Blue Most Exceptional Benefit Concert

Saturday, April 17, 2021 5-9 pm (Gates open at 4)

Coffee Butler Amphitheater

Tickets $20, Reserved Seating Section $30, Covid Protocols Observed

Featuring Key West musicians: Barry Cuda, Mick Kilgos, Kim Jade Fry,

Dani Hoy, Chris Rehm, CW C**t, Adrienne Z, Claire Finley, Gabriel Wright, Ray West, Tony Baltimore, Tony Roberts, Claire Finley, Joey Marchiano, Kenny Fradley, Larry Baeder, Jersey Slim, Dora Gholson, Francois Gehin, Ray Spence, The Happy Dog, Jesse Wagner, Gary Hempsey, Ericson Holt, Juliana MacDowell, Jeff Clark, Randy Morrow, Claire Finley, Mike Ault, Tommy Tangie, Turner Harrison

After a bout of cancer, Key West’s Bill Blue is finally on the mend. This concert is dedicated to helping him get on his feet financially after his illness. Bill’s record label, Conch Town Music, gained permission from the City of Key West to use the Coffee Butler Amphitheatre at the Truman Waterfront for a fundraiser concert on Saturday, April 17, 2021.

Renowned in recent years for his Sunday Soundchecks at the Green Parrot and successful concerts at the Key West Theater, Blue has been a fixture of Key West music for more than forty years. He earned his chops with blues legend Arthur ‘Big Boy” Crudup, who wrote “That’s All Right Mama,” made famous by Elvis Presley. After touring with Crudup and opening for Bonnie Raitt, Blue went on his own and finally settled in Key West in the 1980’s. Regular performers at Sloppy Joe’s and the Full Moon Saloon, Bill and his band were the first to play music for John Vagnoni at The Green Parrot.

Blue hadn’t recorded in 25 years when he released the CD “Mojolation” in 2013, followed by “The King of Crazy Town” in 2020.

Always willing to play benefits and lend a hand to his fellow Key Westers, Blue was honored by the City of Key West in 2013 for his service to the community. October 13th was declared “Bill Blue Day.”

This concert is also a community effort. Musicians are donating their time. Ram’s Head Group is donating their ticketing platform and production assistance. And 100% of ticket sales and sponsor donations are going directly to Bill Blue thanks to Conch Town Music.

Please join us in helping our old friend, Bill Blue. Buy a ticket today!

Sat Apr 17, 2021 - 5:00 PM Bill Blue's Most Exceptional Benefit Concert Coffee Butler Amphitheater, Key West, FL

Tickets available here: https://www.axs.com/events/397564

Get tickets for Bill Blue's Most Exceptional Benefit Concert promoted by Conch Town Music Presents at Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Key West, FL on Sat, Apr 17, 2021 - 5:00PM at AXS.com

10/03/2021