Key West lies right at the southernmost tip of Florida, and at just 145 km from the coast of Cuba, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were a part of the Caribbean instead. This small and quaint island city is famous for its pastel-hued, conch-style houses and kaleidoscopic coral reefs, which offer some of the best diving and snorkelling opportunities in the whole of the United States.
For such a small city, Key West offers plenty to see and do for whatever kind of traveller you are. Culture vultures should make sure they pay a visit to The Hemingway Home and Museum – the former home of Ernest Hemingway where he wrote 'To Have and Have Not' among other famous works. You can take a picture at the Southernmost Point Buoy – where the United States of America officially ends – and the Truman Little White House – the official 'winter' White House of former US President Harry S Truman. The city also offers some fantastic nightlife at the bars of Duval Street and the iconic Sloppy Joe's.
As in other parts of the Florida Keys, nature plays a starring role in Key West. There are some breathtaking sunsets at night as you look out into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and the diving opportunities here are second to none. You'll also find some impressive wrecks submerged just offshore filled with marine life such as nurse sharks, barracuda and turtles.