How to Plan a Gay-Friendly Trip to Key West

Soak up Caribbean surf and sunshine while enjoying all of the creature comforts of a premier gay American resort in Key West, Florida.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Guide books

1. Plan your trip to Key West well in advance. Make a list of the kinds of transportation, accommodations and activities you desire or need.
2. Conduct some research about Key West via books or the Internet. Look for the abundant hot deals offered on Web travel/auction sites.
3. Determine how much you want to spend on air, food, hotel and transportation since Key West offers something for everyone - from discount to discriminating.
4. Schedule your trip to Key West between September and April, when the temperatures are magnificently mild and the island's teeming with gay tourists.
5. Check out Lower Duvall Street, which serves as the epicenter of Key West's gay shopping, dining and festivities. Join in Key West's revelry during March's Gay Spring Break, Mardi Gras and the St. Patty's Day Parade, or take in the infamous Fantasy Fest Celebration in late October.
6. Gather with fellow sun worshippers at Fort Zachary Taylor Beach or the Atlantic Shores Hotel by day, or take a tour of the late author Ernest Hemingway's Key West estate. Dangle your feet off the Mallory Square dock while thousands of tourists applaud yet another spectacular Key West sunset.

Tips & Warnings

• Summer months are sultry, so bargains abound at this time.
• Compare airfares to Key West and Miami. The latter is only 3 hours away by car.
• Grab a copy of "Southern Exposure" and "Gay West" for listings of weekly events.
• Consult a gay travel agent, and confirm your reservations prior to departure.
• Carry a photo ID, extra cash, traveler's checks and several credit cards with you at all times.
• It's tough finding affordable lodging near dancing and dining hot spots (like Duvall Street).
• The most affordable spots are inundated with kids.