The Edge of the Country
A trip to the Southernmost point of the United States is not the most convenient or quick destination, and you sure cant get there by cheap car rental usa, but Key West offers a taste of a culture that is gorgeous, sunny, decadent, and not what you would have been expecting. Key West is known as the winter home of Ernest Hemingway, Margaritaville to Jimmy Buffet and has a thriving and vibrant gay scene. It is only 90 miles from Cuba and holds a distinct flavour from its relationship to that island and the many exiles and their descendants who settled there. Key West offers something for everybody. The south side of the island has accessible and friendly sandy beaches. Smathers Beach on the Atlantic Ocean side has a wide stretch of sand, parking, concessions, and restrooms. For a place where old Key West meets new Key West head to the Bahama Village institution Blue Heaven at 729 Thomas Street. Immortalized by Jimmy Buffet in “Blue Heaven Rendezvous”the courtyard was reputably home to a boxing ring where Ernest Hemingway refereed boxing matches on a Friday night. They are know for their excellent breakfasts, vegetarian fare, and Caribbean cuisine. You don’t want to miss the wonderful touches of Cuban culture which survive in the short, sweet shots of coffee that you can buy at numerous local shops. A bucci is a single shot or a colada gives you 4 shots in a bigger glass and will really get you going. Try the Cuban Coffee Queen at 284 Margaret Street for authentic sandwiches, coffee and other snacks. No trip to Key West would be complete without a visit to the famous Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square Dock. As the sun goes down you can see the best of the US street performers display their talents, along with local food vendors and artists displaying their wares. Look out to sea and on a clear day you can imagine seeing Cuba, or at least smelling it!
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