CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Our travel guides are frequently updated. This guide was last updated 10/06. Still, there are places that are bound to have closed or changed since our last update. Use the listed phone numbers to call ahead, and please let us know of any corrections or new places of interest you discover.
Key West has always been different from the rest of the United States or even the rest of Florida. Souvenirs jokingly display the flag of the "Conch Republic," and locals are proud of their defiant, if imaginary, independence.
Key West is set at the very end of the Florida Keys, the southernmost point in the United States, just 90 miles north of Cuba. The resort town has long been home to artists, authors, and other eccentrics who migrated here for the quaint, quirky and very laid-back atmosphere. Quaint and quirky remain the big attraction here, although the affectations of modern tourism have replaced some of the eccentricity with T-shirt shops and big straight nightclubs. Key West is not a big beach resort. There are a few large hotels on the beach, but Key West's focus is at the other end of town, and many tourists, particularly gay ones, don't ever see the beach.
Duval Street is the main drag, running the length of Old Town, and ending at the west end, where sunset is a major event every night of the week. The street is a mixed bag of commerce, with great stores and restaurants nestled among the tourist-trap T-shirt palaces. But walk a few blocks north or south of Duval and you can see (and spend the night in!) some of the charming architectural beauties that embody the seafaring history of the city.
Influenced by Bahamian and Cuban architecture, and the Greek Revival style of New England, these structures are a reflection of maritime trade routes, and more than 2,000 of them are on the National Register of Historic Places. The architecture and foliage of Key West align it more closely with the Caribbean than Orlando, and it is the Caribbean feel that makes Key West such a vacation jewel.
For gay travelers, Key West once reigned as the gay vacation mecca, so much so that other resorts are often called "The Key West of the North" or "The Key West of The West" to proclaim their gayness. The development of other gay destinations and vacations has eroded the resort's previous monopoly and eclipsed some of its offerings, particularly nightlife.
Key West's reign has also been diminished by the continued influx of daiquiri-guzzling straight tourists who arrive on cruise ships and fill the low-end chain motels on the outskirts of the island -- which aren't even particularly cheap any longer. Although those who have made multiple visits may feel some nostalgia for gayer days, there's still enough charm to seduce all but the most jaded of travelers. The elements that earned Key West's reputation are evident -- fine restaurants, a restful, laid-back atmosphere, abundant water activities, and one of the world's largest and most varied collections of gay accommodations.
Days spent poolside or on the beach are truly restful here, and lack the attitude of South Beach or Provincetown. The island is particularly well-suited to couples in search of a romantic getaway.
Don't pack anything dressy (a polo shirt is the most you'll need in the fanciest of restaurants); book yourself into a quaint inn or guesthouse; rent a bike instead of a moped; and bring few expectations except that of relaxation.
Chances are you'll quickly settle into the laissez-faire Key West attitude. We know you'll sleep well and eat well; the rest is up to you.
Part One | Part Two
Related Articles:
Key West: Where to Stay
Key West: Where to Eat
Key West: Where to Play/Meet
Key West: What to See and Do
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Ron Amato Retrospective: 75 Gorgeous Images of Queer Men
March 07 2021 12:00 AM
UPDATED: Here Are the Final 27 Surviving Lesbian Bars In the U.S.
October 12 2022 5:15 PM
Turkish Oil Wrestling: Male Bonding at the Kirkpinar Festival
December 20 2022 2:20 PM
The 13 Least Visited National Parks
January 07 2023 5:00 AM
Just in Time for Pride – The 15 Gayest Cities in the World in 2023
April 12 2023 6:47 PM
OnlyFans Star Reno Gold on His New Boyfriend and Travel Show
December 16 2022 3:10 PM
Here are the Best Gay Sex and Male Nudity Scenes in 2022
April 19 2023 5:23 PM
Get Soaked! with These 35+ Steamy Pool Pics From This Year’s White Party
May 25 2023 9:29 AM
12 Years of Intimate Photos of Same Man - Taken by His Partner
August 29 2022 4:00 AM
Slovakian Jocks With Nothing to Hide
September 28 2021 3:00 PM
Outtraveler: Featured Video
Latest Stories
35+ mouthwatering pics from WeHo's Big Queer Food Fest
March 22 2024 5:01 PM
Prohibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
Russian nightclub employees arrested for drag performance
March 22 2024 9:15 AM
Don't Miss These 10 LGBTQ+ Acts at Lollapalooza 2024
March 21 2024 2:10 PM
Unleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Crafting diversity and inclusivity in beauty with Fashion Foundry
March 20 2024 5:27 PM
Vibrant locks rain or shine with The Pride Store's top haircare essentials
March 19 2024 2:13 PM
25 sexy pics of Aaron Taylor-Johnson our rumored new James Bond
March 19 2024 11:03 AM
Discover Ireland's top countryside retreats: emerald elegance awaits
March 18 2024 3:56 PM
5 reasons to stay at this all-inclusive Puerto Vallarta resort
March 15 2024 2:43 PM
Spanish tourist city transforms into Europe's green hub
March 14 2024 12:53 PM
Empowering women with Nashelle Jewelry this Women's History Month
March 13 2024 3:05 PM
Discover the 15 gayest cities worldwide for 2024
March 13 2024 10:07 AM
Bloom in your skin with The Pride Store’s skincare essentials
March 12 2024 4:31 PM
Discover the last 30 lesbian bars in the US today
March 12 2024 10:25 AM
Iceland: Fire, Ice, Pride
March 11 2024 2:08 PM
Tire mishap on United Airlines flight leads to car chaos
March 08 2024 10:21 AM
The Werkroom's artistic rebellion transforms pop culture icons into queer fantasies
March 07 2024 2:23 PM