From the second I landed in Key West, I knew it was going to be a great week. Arriving to the small island airport was similar to I remembered from my childhood visits a long time earlier than.
A small airplane, strolling on the tarmac, an airport with native artwork on the partitions, and a single ready space for baggage, taxis, and snacks. It’s arduous to inform in the event you’re inside or out, apart from the air-conditioning.
The heat, humid air on a late winter weekend was a welcome
shock. Warmer than I might have anticipated. On the way in which from the airport to my
resort, the home windows down, a breeze by the window and palm timber overhead
swaying within the wind. It felt like I’d landed in one other world.
Key West has this mystifying impact. The subtropical local weather, the nice and cozy & pleasant locals, the quiet nights abuzz with laughter and love. Tennessee Williams wrote about Key West, “I can write anywhere, but I write the best here.” Something within the spirit of Key West simply makes it that form of completely livable, completely satisfying vacation spot.
Maybe that’s what has attracted LGBTQ vacationers to Key West for many years. It was within the Nineteen Seventies when many homosexual males and lesbians began to flock to town, attracted by the local weather, the artistic group of locals, and an accepting and open ambiance.
Today, that carefree perspective towards life remains to be there. The variety of sights and issues to do are countless; it’s simple to lose observe of time when in Key West.
Is Key West Going Straight?
In latest years, the once-bohemian enclave of Key West has undergone notable modifications in its social panorama, prompting discussions about whether or not it stays as inherently gay-friendly because it as soon as was. Historically acknowledged as a haven for the LGBTQ+ group, Key West has lengthy celebrated its vibrant and numerous inhabitants. However, some argue that the island could have skilled a shift in its dynamic, transferring away from the eccentric, queer, and “weird” popularity that outlined it up to now.
While Key West could not exude the identical stage of countercultural aptitude it did in a long time previous, it undeniably stays a remarkably gay-friendly vacation spot. The island’s dedication to inclusivity and acceptance persists, evident in its quite a few LGBTQ+ occasions, institutions, and supportive group networks. Locals and guests alike proceed to embrace the ethos of range, fostering an atmosphere the place people of all sexual orientations really feel welcome and celebrated.
Interestingly, the inflow of straight guests to Key West has performed a job in shaping the island’s evolving narrative. The rising presence of a broader demographic has sparked a heightened consciousness of the island’s homosexual scene, prompting a cross-cultural change that enriches the general expertise.
While some could argue that Key West just isn’t as explicitly homosexual, queer, or bizarre because it as soon as was, the island’s enduring dedication to inclusivity ensures that it stays a microcosm of a homosexual haven. The proven fact that straight guests are drawn to Key West not solely signifies its broader attraction but in addition contributes to a extra built-in and numerous group. The coexistence of various views fosters understanding and challenges stereotypes, creating a novel ambiance the place folks from all walks of life can come collectively and respect the richness of human range.
In essence, Key West could have developed, however its core values of acceptance and celebration of individuality persist. The island’s capability to adapt and welcome a various vary of individuals, each LGBTQ+ and straight, showcases its enduring dedication to being a spot the place everybody can really feel at house.
In the tip, Key West will not be as overtly eccentric because it as soon as was, however its continued standing as a gay-friendly vacation spot displays a broader societal shift in direction of acceptance and inclusivity.
LGBTQ Travel
Gay Guide to Key West
ACTIVITIES:
What to do in Key West
As the southernmost level within the continental USA, and an island of simply 4 sq. miles, Key West has a stunning quantity of issues to see and do. While there aren’t many sandy seashores besides one state park and the favored Higgs Beach, there’s nonetheless loads of sunshine and swimming swimming pools. Of course, with the subtropical local weather in Key West, the perfect actions are outdoors—and plenty of are within the water!
Fury Water Adventures provides quite a lot of high-adrenaline water actions and sports activities. Some of their extra common choices embrace full-day excursions for parasailing, jet snowboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling.
Their Reef & ‘Ritas Snorkeling journey is a half-day tour that goes out to the Florida Reef (additionally referred to as the Great Florida Reef) and contains limitless margaritas!
Back on land, although, there are nonetheless loads of actions. The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory provides an inviting atmosphere crammed with a whole lot of lovely butterflies, birds (flamingoes!), and flowers—an ideal little escape from the solar, with a well-stocked present store for memento purchasing, too.
In a metropolis made common from its many well-known previous residents, there’s loads of historical past in Key West to discover. Tennessee Williams, a homosexual literary icon, referred to as Key West house and the Tennessee Williams Museum provides a self-guided tour by his life and work. Learn about his life and work and an introduction into Key West’s literary historical past with letters, artifacts, and memorabilia from his time in Key West.
However, the preferred historic house in Key West is the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West for practically 10 years, and his former house is a monument to his life and work whereas on the island. On the property, you’ll discover Key West’s first swimming pool and a flourishing colony of cats—most of them, surprisingly, with six toes! It’s price wandering the grounds and taking a guided tour to be taught extra about Hemingway’s historical past in Key West.
For up-to-date and native listings of issues to do in Key West, particularly for LGBTQ vacationers, the Gay Key West Visitors Center on Duval Street has a number of helpful vacationer data. Their listing of homosexual pleasant Key West companies contains low cost coupons, and the workers inside are nice for making suggestions on the perfect actions, eating places, and nightlife. The guests heart is operated by the Key West Business Guild which has promoted the island to LGBTQ vacationers since 1978.
KEY WEST BEACHES:
Where to Beach & Swim in Gay Key West
Key West, the southernmost level of the continental United States, is famend for its pristine seashores and vibrant aquatic actions. For a quintessential seashore expertise, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park stands out as a best choice.
Nestled on the western tip of the island, this historic state park boasts a ravishing sandy shore with crystal-clear waters, making it a really perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing. Beyond the seashore, guests can discover the well-preserved Civil War-era fort, including a contact of historical past to their coastal retreat. There’s a small entrance payment it’s important to pay to enter the park and seashore space, whether or not you park a automobile or not. It’s an important spot for sundown!
Higgs Beach is one other gem alongside the shores of Key West, providing a laid-back ambiance and a spread of water actions. This seashore is provided with volleyball courts, picnic areas, and even a stunning pier for these looking for a leisurely stroll over the turquoise waters. The shallow and calm waters at Higgs Beach make it a family-friendly vacation spot, whereas the adjoining Edward B. Knight Pier offers a wonderful vantage level for breathtaking sunsets.
There’s a small seashore bar and restaurant, Salute! On The Beach, which is a good spot to seize a drink. Personally, that is my favourite Key West seashore nevertheless it’s a little bit additional out and more durable to get to.
For a novel and full of life swimming expertise, Dante’s Key West Pool Bar offers an alternative choice to the normal seashore setting. This vibrant institution incorporates a refreshing pool surrounded by lush tropical foliage, making a relaxed oasis within the coronary heart of Key West. Visitors can get pleasure from a refreshing dip within the pool, sip on tropical cocktails, and savor scrumptious bites in a full of life ambiance.
Dante’s is a really social place—and really loud! But it’s so handy because it’s proper in the principle metropolis heart and the vibes are enjoyable. Plus, it’s free to enter; you’re simply anticipated to purchase meals or drink (don’t convey your individual).
Whether you like the historic attraction of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, the family-friendly ambiance of Higgs Beach, or the full of life poolside expertise at Dante’s Key West Pool Bar, Key West offers a various vary of choices for seashore and swimming lovers to bask within the solar and benefit from the island’s distinctive attraction.
RESTAURANTS:
Where to Eat in Gay Key West
Key West is an leisure vacation spot as a lot as it’s a foodie vacation spot. The two-by-four-mile island has loads of seafood, predictably. For seafood, don’t miss the native specialty of conch fritters from The Conch Shack.
The conch meat is fried in a tasty ball with spices and served with a dipping sauce. An ideal pleased hour snack! (And The Conch Shack has among the finest beer and alcohol costs for another bar in Old Town Key West!)
For fine-dining seafood, Azur Restaurant (gay-owned) serves Mediterranean-style dishes infused with conventional Italian elements.
At the A&B Lobster House, you possibly can get pleasure from sundown over the harbor from their out of doors, wrap-around patio. Serving conventional surf & turf dishes, it’s the proper spot for a romantic dinner. I’ve been to A&B on each journey I’ve taken to Key West, really—it’s the form of place you go for a very nice meal. The good restaurant to deal with your self!
While seafood is on the market nearly in every single place in Key West, there are many different choices, too. Like all homosexual locations, brunch is huge! Blue Heaven serves a heavenly do-it-yourself banana bread and a decadent lobster eggs benedict in a ravishing courtyard with roaming chickens.
The meals is among the finest on the island, and the dwell leisure is quirky and enjoyable in a means you possibly can solely count on from Key West.
Most of the Key West motels and resorts even have on-site eating places. The homosexual, clothing-optional resort Island House provides a surprisingly tasty lunch and dinner menu for friends and guests, with recent seafood and snacks served poolside.
The views are nice, however so is the meals. And a daily pleased hour makes it a enjoyable night hangout, too.
La Te Da (additionally a gay-owned resort) has a classy restaurant and resort proper on Duval Street, Key West’s homosexual neighborhood. The restaurant serves high-quality eating with seasonal specialties and provides dwell leisure most nights in an outside setting.
Bagatelle is a seafood-focused restaurant within the coronary heart of Key West’s leisure district. With a wraparound balcony good for people-watching, the informal however subtle restaurant serves seafood and basic American eats in a transformed 19th century house.
In a city with as a lot life and vitality as Key West has, don’t miss out on desert! So many eating places and cafés lay declare to the perfect Key Lime Pie, however cease into Kermit’s Key West Lime Shoppe for an entire vary of Key Lime-flavored deserts and meals—every thing from salsas to candies, and even an ice cream model.
NIGHTLIFE:
Where to Drink and Party in Key West
The nights in Key West are lengthy, and they need to all begin at sundown with the day by day Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. It’s a nightly avenue carnival with arts and craft distributors, avenue performers, meals stalls, buskers, and musicians all crowding across the harbor to observe the solar disappear behind the horizon.
It’s stuffed with vitality and life—a basic instance of that Key West vibe you gained’t discover wherever else.
All of Key West’s homosexual and lesbian nightlife takes place on Duval Street, in an space referred to as the Pink Triangle. The Pink Triangle gayborhood features a cluster of LGBT bars, leisure golf equipment, and even a rainbow crosswalk.
Drag exhibits occur each evening at Aqua Nightclub, whereas Sidebar, 801 Bourbon Bar, and the Bourbon Street Pub, and even La Te Da Cabaret Bar often host particular exhibits and performances.
All the Key West homosexual bars supply pleased hours and the informal, carefree atmosphere of the island life makes it simple to fulfill and mingle with locals. Look out for visiting performers at among the leisure venues and theaters.
The finest supply of knowledge is Q Magazine—the one month-to-month information to homosexual Key West. You’ll discover copies in a lot of the homosexual outlets, motels, and bars across the island.
HOTELS:
Where to Stay in Key West
In Key West, many guesthouses cater primarily to homosexual males, lesbians or a mix of the 2. They’re usually personal hideaways tucked beneath swaying palms, furnished with island wicker, rattan, and the anticipated bric-a-brac. In reality, there are 4 totally different LGBTQ-specific, clothing-optional resorts.
Island House Key West is among the hottest. It’s undergone a number of redesigns and updates, and the personal, secluded area attracts guests from everywhere in the world. With a world-class gymnasium and a 24-hour poolside bar & café, the clothing-optional resort provides an important escape. The Island House in Key West stands as an iconic and inclusive retreat, epitomizing the laid-back attraction of this vibrant island.
From its full of life poolside occasions & events to the tranquil ambiance of its lush gardens (which at evening provides the texture of a homosexual sauna labyrinth), the Island House stays a haven for homosexual vacationers looking for a snug and accepting atmosphere, embodying the spirit of Key West’s enduring dedication to range and inclusivity.
The solar deck and pool are common all instances of the day and evening, and the rooms are all surprisingly spacious with loads of on-site facilities. It’s the kind of place the place you don’t actually need to go away in the course of the day, as a result of the pool’s so snug and there’s a lot to see whereas on the property.
For a design-centric resort choice, The Marker resort is positioned steps from the Key West harbor and has three swimming pools on-site, together with an adults-only one. It’s the latest resort inbuilt Old Town and the rooms are fantastically designed with easy tastes of luxurious.
The Marker resort & resort is most handy in the event you’re planning to see loads of the websites and spend your days purchasing alongside Duval Street or within the memento outlets of Old Town Key West.
• • •
Key West is a novel homosexual vacation spot—totally different from different
LGBTQ hotspots and seashore cities throughout the United States. In its personal particular
means, there’s a enjoyable and funky ambiance—a bit like different small seashore cities, however
particular in its personal methods. With a big LGBTQ native inhabitants and a historical past of
help for the group, it’s one in all America’s finest LGBTQ locations.
Note: One of my visits to Key West was supported and sponsored by the Florida Keys, although I’ve since been again by myself dime—most not too long ago in 2023. Discover extra journey ideas for the Florida Keys on their tourism web site. Additional LGBTQ ideas and a information to the city is produced by the Key West Business Guild.