3 Sun-Filled Days in Key West, Florida
The February weather here in Durham, North Carolina can be very temperamental. One week may be sunny and mild, followed by a week of freezing temps! As I was planning a Valentine’s Day Getaway, I knew I wanted to visit a location that was sunny & warm, even in mid-February. Because the trip would only be 3 days, I had to rule out locations outside the US (next time, Turks & Caicos!). Where could I find beautiful weather in winter, a short travel distance away from NC, a locale with plenty of activities to do upon arrival, AND a romantic vibe? Key West Me, Please!
Key West was just a short 2-hour flight for us from RDU and was very affordable. 2 roundtrip tickets (booked through American Airlines) were roughly $350.00 per person. Our flight plans took us from RDU to Miami and from Miami to Key West. Immediately upon landing, I knew I had chosen the right location…the weather was amazing! Key West greeted us with a balmy 80 degrees! Nothing at all like the nippy 40-degree weather back in NC.
First Things First, Head to the Hotel
My husband, Sidney is typically in charge of selecting the accommodations when we travel and he has an excellent track record of picking winners! Key West was no different; he chose The Marker Resort, which is a beautiful 4-star harbor resort. The hotel is stunning and is located right on the waterfront of the Key West seaport, in Old Town Key West. The rooms were comfortable and well-appointed. In addition to looks, the hotel offered some great amenities such as complimentary daily breakfast, a welcome cocktail upon our arrival, and personalized concierge services to name a few! The Marker Resort, Key West is a definite must-stay for any visit to Key West.
There’s This Place…
After slipping into our ‘Keys wear, we were more than ready to get out and see Key West! The much-famed Duval Street was definitely the place to go for some on-foot sightseeing.
Duval Street is the main drag of downtown Key West. The street is only about a mile long, but boy is it vibrant! We really got to experience the character and personality of Key West on Duval Street.
Al-Fresco Dining, Key West Style
Our first Key West meal was at the popular al-fresco-style restaurant, Blue Heaven. The live music playing in the background, under the tropical canopy instantly made me feel the Key West vibe! Our meals were great, I went for the shrimp & grits with a thick slice of homemade banana nut bread on the side and Sidney opted for the pancake breakfast. While the food was good, the cocktails are what really knocked my socks off! The Margaritas were absolutely perfect. I wish I had saved room for dessert because the Blue Heaven mile-high key lime pie looked incredible, but I was just too full. Be sure to give Blue Heaven a try on your visit to Key West!
Key West Lighthouse
Now that our bellies were full from the satisfying meal at Blue Heaven, we were up for taking in more views. Since Key West is such a walkable destination, we skipped the rental car for this vacation (later I’ll tell you more about our golf cart rental) and did all our sightseeing on foot. Strolling from Blue Heaven led us right past the historic Key West Lighthouse. Constructed in 1825, the Lighthouse still stands today as a museum and landmark. The Lighthouse currently offers a guided tour of the tower and the Keeper’s Quarters. I only snapped pictures outside of the Lighthouse, we opted out of the guided tour. I would love to hear from any of you that may have toured the Key West Lighthouse before. You can head to my contact me page and tell me everything I missed at the Lighthouse!
The Old Man And The Sea
After snapping some pics at the Key West Lighthouse, I noticed the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum directly across the street! The museum was the residence of the world-famous author, Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s. The museum is open daily for walk-in visits which feature a 30-minute guided tour. Tickets are only $18.00 per person and it’s a fun experience for fellow book lovers!
Southernmost Point
When you visit Key West, it is absolutely mandatory to visit and take a picture at the Southernmost Point of the continental US. Erected in 1983, the SMP landmark is just 90 miles from Cuba! It truly is one of Key West’s most iconic landmarks. Please prepare yourself for a line of visitors waiting to take photos at the landmark. I rushed and didn’t get the best shots of the landmark, but the memories of standing in front of the southernmost point of the US, with the Atlantic Ocean sparkling behind me, are really what I was after.
Calling All Key Lime Pie Lovers!
You didn’t think I would write an entire blog post about Key West and NOT mention key lime pie, did you? If you’ve never tried a slice before let me tell you all about it! Key lime pie is a sweet and creamy pie made with key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks. Typically it has a graham cracker crust and some folks even like to add a meringue topping (I personally don’t need the meringue). The absolute requirement is the key lime juice. You CAN NOT make a true key lime pie without the juice of key limes. Key limes are similar to traditional limes but are sweeter and less tart; trust me, you can really taste the difference! It’s rumored that key lime pie was born in Key West, but there is no actual proof. Whether the rumor is true or not, the best key lime pie is definitely found here in Key West!
Kermits Key West Key Lime Shoppe
We sampled key lime pie all throughout Key West, but our hands-down favorite was the pie at Kermits Key West Key Lime Shoppe (try saying that 3 times fast). Not only does Kermits have the best key lime pie, but their shop also sells any and everything key lime related you can think of! Key lime juice, key lime salsa, key lime vinegar, key lime seasonings, key lime lotions, soaps, shampoos, and even key lime lip balm! I stuck with just the pie, but it was super fun browsing the shop. Be sure to follow the link above to see all that Kermits has to offer. *Pro tip, the key lime pie is available to order on their website, and they’ll ship it fresh to your door!
Fort Zachary Taylor Park
Fort Zachary Taylor Park is a 54-acre National Historic Landmark located in Key West. It’s just a short golf cart ride off Duval Street and it’s well worth checking out! We were able to stroll along the park with our Kermits Key Lime Pie in hand of course, and just enjoy nature. The park offers guided tours and is an excellent choice if Civil War history is your jam. Even if Fort Tours doesn’t exactly excite you, please check out the park anyway! It’s totally free to wander around, relax, and breathe in the tropical air. The Coast Guard ships also provide an excellent photo backdrop!
Mile Marker 0 – End of the Line
US1 Mile Marker 0 is the longest north-south route in the USA. US Route 1 gives you roughly 2,370 miles of road from Key West all the way to the Canadian Border, just outside of Maine! It’s a fun landmark to visit and it’s much easier to get some photos at than the Southernmost Point! Be sure to add Mile Marker 0 to your Key West to-do list!
Shades of Pink & Orange…The End of Our Keys Adventure
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration – Our final Key West experience was definitely one for the books. I’m on a mission to fill my camera roll with sunset photos and the famous Mallory Square Sunset Celebration provided me with the most incredible sunset views! The Sunset Celebration is held nightly and it’s essentially a crowd of people gathering together to watch the sun set into the Gulf of Mexico horizon. We arrived 2 hours prior to sunset to grab a good viewing spot for the sunset. Mallory Square is filled with artists, food vendors, street performers, locals, and tourists. It’s crowded but not chaotic, everyone is there for the same reason, to watch the beautiful sunset. Watching the sun touch the waves was the most calming and rewarding way to end not only the day but our time in the Florida Keys.
No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again and bring the dawn.
Maya Angelou
Be sure to check out our newest post, all about our time at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris!
