It’s been 80 years since you could travel the Florida Keys by rail. But Monroe County wants to look into bringing it back, as a monorail or light rail system. The Monroe County Commission Tuesday approved a resolution asking the state Department of Transportation to to conduct a feasibility study on the project. The idea … Read more
THE FLORIDA KEYS ALONG THE OVERSEAS HIGHWAY — Harry Appel and Jen DeMaria live in a secluded beachside retreat in the Lower Florida Keys. On a recent afternoon, an endangered Key deer drops by as they sip iced tea in their backyard. The deer poses for a photo, then scampers away. For years, New Jersey … Read more
Florida Keys Bars A visit to some of the best Florida Keys bars from the top of the Florida Keys to the bottom and back again. Written and narrated by Dave McBride
“Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed!” So announced American Astronaut Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969, when he and fellow Astronaut Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to land on the moon. Six hours later, Armstrong stepped off the ladder of the lunar module saying his historically famous words, “That’s one small step … Read more
Florida Keys Community College, the only post-secondary education institution based in the island chain, is adding two new associate’s degree programs, in Hospitality and Ecotourism Management and in Culinary Management. FKCC’s Goal The goal is to prepare students to work in the area’s dominant industry: tourism — and take advantage of that industry for internships and … Read more
For years now I have heard stories about Key West. Key West, after all, is the land of Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway, in fact, called Key West “the St. Tropez of the Poor.” I finally made it to Key West and saw for myself the mythic party land under the palms. I was … Read more
Want to brush up on your snorkeling skills or enjoy the beautiful Florida Keys’ waters without paying for a boat trip? You won’t see massive coral formations as shown on television, but you can find a wonderful and intriguing underwater world in the nearshore waters. At three area Florida State Parks, a quick swim will … Read more
The world’s most famous and intriguing haunted doll will be taken out of his secured, glass display case at Fort East Martello Museum from October 28-30. But have no fear-Robert the Doll will not be lurking about. Instead, he will join Key West Art & Historical Society Curator Cori Convertito, PhD, on a trip to … Read more
Accommodation options in the Florida Keys Resorts, like the island chain itself, are rich in atmosphere and appeal. Now through 2016, eight new properties – comprising just over 1,000 rooms – are planning to open from Key Largo to Key West. Additionally, a number of meticulously renovated lodgings are welcoming visitors. Each one joins existing … Read more
For the first time in more than two decades, a new hotel will open in Key Largo, with the 2016 debut of the Playa Largo Resort & Spa. “As the first new hotel built in Key Largo in more than 21 years, Playa Largo Resort & Spa will offer a level of luxury, service and sophistication … Read more
Heavy machinery cleaned up debris at the former Crystal Bay Resort in Marathon over the weekend, clearing part of the property as developer Marvin Rappaport hopes to start construction in January. Rappaport said there are 30 cottages on the property near mile marker 50 bayside of U.S. 1, which he plans to demolish and rebuild. … Read more
Islamorada’s kinda got it going on. Somehow, without much fanfare, it has reached a tipping point where, because of a batch of new eateries and resorts, it feels like the “cool” key. That wasn’t always the case. In the past, the Florida town’s venues had tired nautical themes and shells galore. Now you’ll find local … Read more
Volunteer to have a ringside view and help keep the party on track! Fantasy Fest is seeking volunteers to be Parade Ambassadors for the 2015 3Wishes.com Fantasy Fest Parade on October 31. Parade Ambassadors will be right in the middle of all the fun, chaos and excitement that is the All Hallows Intergalactic Freak Show. … Read more
There has been a long ongoing debate about the availability of various seafood populations in all of Florida and the Florida Keys. There are several groups (they now call these groups “stake holders”) that have different opinions on how these populations are doing. Commercial Fishermen rely on plentiful catches and a thriving market with high … Read more
KeysCaribbean Luxury Resort Villas & Marinas salutes four Florida Keys events in September and offers three compelling reasons to enjoy an end-of-summer escape to the Keys. “September in the Florida Keys is a great time to experience events that can only be found here.” said Sam Schorr, KeysCaribbean managing director. KeysCaribbean Luxury Resort Villas & … Read more
A new general management plan will phase out private airboat use on 109,000 acres added to the park in 1989 and require commercial operators to come under management of Everglades National Park as concessions. Permits will be given to longtime users but cannot be passed on. The aging gladesmen of the River of Grass will … Read more
I’m in a kayak, alone and three months pregnant, paddling through jade water, trying to reach an unnamed island off the shore of Big Pine Key, Florida. The mangroves that have waded offshore—tangles of long grey legs topped with a mess of bright green leaves—point me towards a strip of beige sand. A smattering of … Read more
Key West is a popular cruise port of call on numerous Caribbean itineraries, and although many travelers flock to busy Duval Street, the area offers cruise passengers outdoor activities and unusual things to do beyond the typical tourist stops. Cruisers will have no problem finding the Ernest Hemingway House and Sloppy Joe’s Bar, but here … Read more
Summer may be slipping away, but you still have time to slip beneath some waves. The best part is — you don’t even have to leave the country to do it. Yahoo Travel went in search of easily accessible and interesting places to don fins, mask, and snorkels for a fun day of fish peeping. … Read more
Playa Largo resort, currently under construction at mile marker 97.4, bayside, is seeking Monroe County Planning Commission approval for 24 off-site affordable housing units to serve as employee residences for its staff. It is also proposing to build 28 single-family homes on the same parcel of land as the two 12-unit workforce housing buildings. The commission … Read more