Explore. Dream. Discover.

Katie Rae
Aug 19, 2017
3 min read

Key West is a little island gem. So much to see and so much to do. When thinking of all the possibilities I didn't even know where to begin, I wanted to try everything possible but that could take forever. So I decided to start small and work my way up to the bigger adventures.

For starters I went for a long stroll down Duval St. This is a large tourist area here, you'll always see a little hustle and bustle on this street. Great food, good booze, and plenty of people watching. One of my favorite spots just to sit and watch the craziness unravel is Caroline's Cafe, the outside eating space mixed with their famous drink the Mango Delight is a great combination for an eventful night. For a scrumptious treat, Le Petit Paris is unbelievable. Breakfast, lunch or Dinner the owner Robert will be in the back cooking up a true masterpiece for you. Last but definitely not least send your taste buds soaring with a trip to Better Than Sex, but make sure you get a reservation in advance because they fill up very fast! This dessert only restaurant is one of a kind, sit back and enjoy the ambience of this cozy and romantic charmer. With a menu to just die for, you will leave completely satisfied!

Where to? The Butterfly Conservatory of course! Never been before but absolutely couldn't wait to get inside. I've always loved butterflies what magical little creatures they are. Transforming into something completely different from what they were before is truly amazing. The minute you walk into the room you are surrounded by thousands of beautiful butterflies, flying around and landing on you. The lush landscape as well as the other tropical creatures you might find here, make this like another world. A quiet paradise, I could've sat in here forever and some days I might do just that!

Next I decided to do a little sightseeing. I stopped at the Key West lighthouse and was pleasantly surprised the interesting history behind the landlocked lighthouse and the breathtaking views from atop the 88 stairs made for an enriching experience. The story of the brave young lighthouse keeper Barbara Mabrity inspired me to never give up on what I believe in. She fought through the sexism, the loss of all 14 of her family members, and a massive hurricane and survived. She never gave up on herself and never gave up on that lighthouse. As I neared the top of the lighthouse I felt a sense of relief, not only because that was a lot of stairs but because I felt as though I was making the right decision moving here to the island. I looked out at the beautiful view in front of me and just took it all in. This is my home now.

The beach! What else do you do when living in a tropical paradise besides go to the beach? So Bob and I packed ourselves up for a fun-filled adventure and headed to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park for a day full of hiking, relaxing, and exploring. Since it is a state park there is a fee to enter but it's nothing that's going to break the bank. I was actually most excited for the fort! I love exploring things so rich in history, The U.S. Army began construction of Fort Taylor, named for President Zachary Taylor, in 1845. With secession and the beginning of war in 1861, Fort Taylor remained under federal control, one of only three fortresses in Florida to do so. Today the fort is a National Historic Landmark containing the largest cache of Civil War-era seacoast cannons in the U.S. The United States built Fort Zachary Taylor to protect Key West Harbor. When finished, it had three floors of gun rooms and a barracks building consisting of three floors. The "modernization" project which called for removing the top two tiers of the fort came later in 1898 and the fort was completely landlocked in the mid 1960s. The gorgeous views and historical aspects of this place make it a sight to see. Not to mention it contains an absolutely beautiful beach to relax with family and friends, just don't forget your sandals because there's no sand and the little pebbles don't feel so great on your feet!