Discover Key West: 13 Fascinating Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Tropical Paradise

1. Conch Citizenship Process

Hold on to your shells, because Key West has its own snail-paced citizenship process: Residents born on the island are dubbed "conchs" and if you move there, after seven years you metamorphose into a "freshwater conch". But wait, these Conchs aren't just fancy shells - they're medium-sized to large saltwater snails teetering on the edge of endangerment and protected species in the Florida Keys. As descendants of early settlers who relied on the sea, Key West locals wear their conch label as proudly as a mollusk with a swanky vacation home!
Source => conchtourtrain.com

2. Chicken-Feeding Fines

In Key West, it's no longer legal to "put all your eggs in one basket" when it comes to feeding feral chickens: city officials have made feeding the roaming population punishable by law, with fines starting at $250 for a first violation and increasing to $500 for repeat offenders. This decision was made due to the chickens causing extensive property damage, carrying diseases, and leaving their fecal deposits on public surfaces. Don't worry, though - they're still living the free-range lifestyle on ranches north of Lake Okeechobee and near Fort Myers.
Source => orlandosentinel.com

Did you know that Miami Beach is home to the world's largest collection of Art Deco architecture? Over 800 mesmerizing buildings in less than a square mile await your discovery! 🌴🏛️✨

=> Fun Facts about Miami

3. Mallory Square's Sunset Celebration

As the sun dips below the horizon, Mallory Square turns into America's Got Talent on a pirate ship: magicians, jugglers, psychics, and musicians all come together for Key West's iconic Sunset Celebration. This daily party has attracted famous literary visitors like Mark Twain and Tennessee Williams, making it a must-see experience filled with history, talent, and the awe-inspiring beauty of a fiery sunset.
Source => mallorysquare.com

4. Tennessee Williams' Key West Connection

When Blanche Dubois lost her way and hopped off the trolley for a margarita: it turns out Tennessee Williams wrote the final draft of the iconic play, A Streetcar Named Desire, while staying at Key West's La Concha Hotel in 1947. Williams made the island his home from 1941 until his passing in 1983, influencing its literary culture, and now curious tourists can explore an exhibit that delves into his illustrious life and works in this tropical paradise.
Source => kwahs.org

5. Key Lime Pie's Mysterious Origins

Navigating troubled waters in the culinary history of the Florida Keys, one may be knocked overboard by a rogue fact as tart as the limes that star in their iconic dessert: Key West, the land of sun and seafood, didn't actually invent the key lime pie! Gasping like a fish out of water, we grasp onto the stories of possible culprits: Aunt Sally, a humble cook whipping up citrus concoctions for millionaire William Curry, or sunburnt sponge fishermen who threw together the zesty treat with limited ingredients onboard their vessels. The tidal wave of popularity swept up the pie as a Key West staple, leading it to be crowned Florida's official pie in 2006.
Source => whatscookingamerica.net

6. Key West's Snow-Free Climate

Here's a downright frosty fact: Floridians have been snowed out of their paradise in Key West an astounding zero times! That's right, folks: Key West has never experienced frost or snowfall, with its lowest temperature recorded at a balmy 41°F (5°C). So pack your bags, ditch the snow boots, and prepare to soak in the warmth all year round!
Source => 33traveltips.com

7. Key West Lighthouse's Comeback

Sure, the first Key West Lighthouse may have "lost touch" with its fanbase during the Great Havana Hurricane of 1846, but like a seasoned rockstar it quickly reinvented itself into a showstopper with a dazzling third order Fresnel lens in 1858: Now a well-preserved museum, the lighthouse offers visitors the chance to scale the charts (88 steps to be exact) for a spectacular view of Key West and an up-close encounter with a first order Fresnel lens from the iconic, yet retired, Sombrero Key Lighthouse.
Source => trolleytours.com

8. Hemingway Days Festival

You know your cat obsession has gone too far when an entire city celebrates your whiskers each year: Key West, Florida pays homage to the legendary writer Ernest Hemingway, who called the city home for 11 years and penned classics like A Farewell to Arms and To Have and Have Not, with an annual Hemingway Days festival that includes a lookalike contest, a literary competition, and even a faux running of the bulls.
Source => explorersinmotion.com

9. Key West's Unique Attractions

In a tropical paradise where butterflies comfortably flutter around politicians' old stomping grounds and literary geniuses sleep soundly with six-toed feline companions, seeking adventure by land or sea is as easy as rum in a Key lime pie: Key West boasts attractions such as the Key West Butterfly Conservatory, Little White House, and Hemingway House, as well as activities at Fort Zachary State Park and Key West Food Tours, not to mention a world of snorkeling and sunset sail escapades.
Source => gaykeywestfl.com

10. Aquarium: Unplugged!

Before the days of SeaWorld, Key West brought you: Aquarium: Unplugged! You see, back in 1933, the Key West Aquarium was innovatively constructed with an open-air design due to the scarcity of fresh water on the island during the Great Depression, using sea water mixed with concrete, harnessing natural sunlight to showcase the ocean's treasures without any electrical hijinks: This gem of an attraction not only became the first of its kind in the industry, but also creatively adapted during World War II as an indoor rifle range, before eventually being restored to its original marine wonderland purpose in 1946 and becoming a vital player in Florida Keys' conservation efforts.
Source => keywestaquarium.com

11. Underwater Art Gallery

In need of a cultural deep-dive? You'll find art that's leagues beneath the ordinary in the most unexpected of underwater venues: At the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary lies an underwater art gallery installed on a sunken ship, the General Hoyt S Vandenberg. Created by Austrian artist Andreas Franke, the 'Plastic Ocean Project' showcases 24 photo illustrations encased in plexiglass and attached to the ship's hull, with each piece transforming into a unique masterpiece as the ocean's salt, algae, and microorganisms leave their mark.
Source => media.fla-keys.com

12. Hemingway's Six-Toed Cat Descendants

From Hemingway's most cherished gift to a "paw-sitively" fascinating tourist trap, the charming feline family of Key West, Florida goes above and beyond in flaunting their intriguing digits—literally: The Hemingway House in Key West is home to numerous cats, many of which are polydactyl, meaning they have six toes on each paw, and are believed to be descendants of a white six-toed cat named Snow White, once gifted to writer Ernest Hemingway by a sea captain. This quirky feline attraction has even led to a nine-year legal battle over the application of the Animal Welfare Act to the home's furry residents.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

13. Butterfly & Nature Conservatory Magic

Where butterflies mingle and flamingos tango: The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is an enchanting world of over 50 species of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, and two show-stealing flamingos, all housed in a breathtaking glass-domed tropical wonderland. A visit isn't complete without browsing through the Wings of Imagination, a picture-perfect gift shop featuring Sam Trophia's original butterfly masterpieces.
Source => keywestbutterfly.com