Key West

Anglers passionate about targeting permit can seek the wily sport fish during the 2018 March Merkin Permit Tournament set for Monday through Thursday, March 12-15.  

A 65.2-pound kingfish catch earned the Beach Marine team top honors at the Key West Kingfish Mayhem Tournament that ended Jan. 14.

Key Largo and Key West were least impacted by Hurricane Irma, which struck the Keys Sept. 10, 2017, as were most hotels and businesses on the bayside, or gulfside, in Islamorada and Marathon. The Florida Keys & Key West have been open to visitors since Oct. 1, just three weeks after the hurricane.

Winning a Florida Keys fishing vacation could be as simple as following the Florida Keys Facebook page and entering the #FishFLKeys trip giveaway, part of a four-month social media program that launched Monday. The program spotlights the Keys' recreational fishing activities and the destination’s unmatched concentration of seasoned professional charter guides.

On the subtropical island that has nurtured creative spirits dating back to John James Audubon, aficionados of artistry can discover offerings by more than 80 national and regional exhibitors Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27-28.

For more than three-quarters of a century, Key West has been a haven and an inspiration for some of the United States’ most influential writers. While the late Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams  and  Robert Frost no longer stroll the streets, visitors can view a wealth of literary landmarks and sites that recall their presence and showcase the island’s importance in the literary world.

New Year's Eve revelers in subtropical Key West enjoyed six offbeat warmer-weather takeoffs on New York City's traditional Times Square "ball drop" — including the 20th annual "drop" of a female impersonator called Sushi in a super-sized red high heel.

Canines had a doggone good time in Key West Sunday ,  when the annual Key West Dachshund Walk kicked off New Year’s Eve celebrations in the island city’s historic Old Town. 

A long roster of leading Americana and “Red Dirt” musical acts, performing in a subtropical waterfront setting, await music lovers Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 7-10, at Key West’s inaugural Mile 0 Fest.

From beachside fireworks to wacky takeoffs on the traditional ball drop in New York's Times Square, the Florida Keys offer visitors a wealth of ways to welcome 2018. And because "winter" in the subtropical island chain means balmy breezes rather than blizzards, revelers can leave heavy coats and boots behind as they head out to celebrate wearing light dresses or shorts and sandals.