Great Places to Vacation: Key West – A Picture of Paradise

Lots of us are looking for great vacation spots that are close to home, won’t kill our bank accounts and are filled with the sort of stuff that all relaxation exercises ( is that an oxymoron or what?) should include – sun, fun, surf and booze..:-)

Key West Florida is just about the very best place I have found, in the good old fashioned U.S.A that incorporates all of the above in an easily accessible and affordable package. Like Hemingway, Jimmy Buffett, Edgar Allan Poe, President Harry Truman and many other more famous lovers of the famous Florida Keys, I have found myself "wasting away" in paradise on more than one occasion for a few months on end – lost in nothing else other than a good hammock, some creative work, and enough good scotch to keep my creative juices flowing until a thunderbolt idea came my way. (One of the very FEW benefits of being a self employed freelance writer I guess) Here are my simple tips for a long weekend, (or long winter season..:-) in the Key West and the Florida keys.

• Lodging is especially inexpensive OFF SEASON ( May through October ) on the outer edges of the island, especially around the beach areas by Smathers and Higgs beaches. You can find some of the major chains here which will be FAR cheaper than the accommodations you will find on Duval Street downtown.
• Rent or bring a bike! Biking around Key West is the absolute best way to get around, you do NOT need a car, but if you are staying at the beaches, you don’t want to walk to Duval Street for the crazy nightlife, yet a car is a major pain in the ass ( both for parking purposes and lots of police ensuring the island stays safe from DUI’s) A bike is a great and scenic way to take in the island and gives you lots of exercise to burn off the beer calories you had the night before.
• There is A LOT more to do on this tiny island than simply drink. There are lots of great things to do, places to see and far more landmarks than you would imagine in such a small place. Check out the Hemmingway house, great parks, take in the wild chickens strolling the side streets and much more! Key West is one of the liveliest and imaginative places to visit, make the most of it!

And of course there is more – there are some great Key West centric websites you can check out, and of course Fantasy Fest is a great yearly celebration that puts Mardi Gras to shame….But you can ( and should) check out the Florida Keys JUST to get away, relax and let the smooth and soft sounds of a the Buffett and the beach wash over you – it reminds us that the best things in life are often the easiest to find! Happy trails..:-)