Key West

Independence Day celebrations throughout the 125-mile-long Florida Keys island chain salute the nation’s freedom — and the quirky independent spirit of the Keys — with local parades, picnics and parties topped off by fireworks displays.

The Florida Keys’ sweetest treat is to be in the “limelight” Saturday through Tuesday, July 1-4, as fans of Key lime pie salute the island chain’s signature dessert and the tiny fruit that inspired it. 

Visitors can discover the Africana cultural heritage of America’s southernmost city during a festival and celebration Thursday through Sunday, June 22-25. 

Readers and writers can uncover valuable clues about enjoying and penning mystery fiction Friday through Sunday, June 16-18, from “suspects” including some of America’s most notable authors.

Lisa Ferringo of Summerland Key, Florida, caught a 24.84-pound dolphin fish to earn top honors in the women’s division of the inaugural Key West Co-Ed Mahi Masters tournament that ended Sunday, May 14.

In the Middle and Lower Florida Keys, four unique state parks — Long Key, Curry Hammock, Bahia Honda and Fort Zachary Taylor — are easy to explore and offer some of the best recreational opportunities in the 125-mile-long island chain.

Seventeen regional bartending champions are to converge on Key West Wednesday through Sunday, June 7-11, for the final rounds of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, believed to be North America's largest annual LGBT bartender competition.

Stretching 125 miles into open water, the Florida Keys can boast early settlers ranging from Bahamian fishermen to Cuban cigar makers and New England merchants. In such a rich melting pot, it’s natural that the indigenous cuisine incorporates diverse and delicious influences — with a reliance on an abundant array of fish and seafood harvested from surrounding waters.

Pageants, a cocktail competition and a parade featuring a segment of a 1.25-mile-long rainbow flag are among the attractions for visitors to Key West Pride 2017. The annual festivities, set for Wednesday through Sunday, June 7-11, celebrate diversity and equality in the southernmost city, a perennial favorite vacation destination for LGBT visitors.

Three virtuoso Florida Keys guitarists are to present concerts in three Keys locations Friday through Sunday, June 2-4, intriguing audiences with performances in genres from classical to contemporary to Latin.