The thought of heading someplace warm for a few days to get away from the icy winds and knee deep snow is something that is on everyone’s mind this time of the year. But you don’t have to have a passport, and you don’t even have to book a flight. If you visit Key West you can actually drive all the way there.

Of course it’s a very long drive and most people would prefer to fly. But even so, visiting Key West does not mean that you’re going to spend your entire vacation lying out on the beach. There is so much more to see in Key West than just the beaches that most people miss out on all the many things that Key West has to offer.
From traditional water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and sailing to live theater productions and art galleries, Key West is teeming with activity. Take shopping for example. Did you know that Key West has excellent shopping opportunities? From wineries to unique bookstores and jewelry shops, you’ll find a whole host of stores to choose from. But maybe art and theater are more up your alley?

The arts are very much alive on Key West. Indeed, Community Theater is one of the most popular pastimes and there are always productions of various plays being put on by local groups such as the Red Barn Theater or the Marathon Community Theater. Dance is no stranger here either. Anyone who has visited Key West at Christmas time will be able to tell you about “Nutcracker Key West” where dance professionals join local children to create an island-flavored version of this Christmastime classic.

If you’re into festivals, the Key West is definitely a great choice, for it always seems to be hosting one or another festival. Take the Key West Craft Show for example. During the days it is in residence Old Town turns into an open-air art gallery. Then of course there is Old Island Days Art Festival where you can find everything from photography and paintings to sculpture and graphics, all at prices you’ll have to see to believe, and these are just some of the festivals you’ll encounter. But there is more to the arts than theater, dance and art! We can’t forget cinema!
Visitors to Key West will find the Tropic Cinema to be a dream comes true. While they do have regular new releases of modern movies, they also have plenty of Cinematheque, independent, foreign and alternative movies to choose from including biographies and documentaries of every description. Or perhaps you are more into museums? Key West has those too!

No matter which way you turn you’ll find plenty of activities to choose from here at the southernmost tip of the United States, for Key West offers far more than just pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere; it offers the very best that any escapee from winter could ask for.