Many people have asked.

While growing up my parents always had a place in the Keys. It is very special to our family and some of my favorite childhood memories are of time spent there with my parents and brothers as well as memories of my children, and my nieces and nephews.

A few years ago John and I came down for my first time in forever. He kindly indulged me as I spewed some tears and a million memories. We had a fabulous time and I was so happy he loved it there too. When we got engaged the whole family said "Get married in the Keyes, get married in the Keyes!" so here we are. We hope you love it as much as we do!

Up to you and any before / after travel plans but totally not necessary. Many streets are very narrow and hard to navigate, but there is a good amount of paid parking lots.

Lyft & UBERS are plentiful and fast. Wait times are usually less than 5 minutes.

Chickens were brought to Key West by early settlers in the 1820s. In the 1860s, Cuban immigrants brought cockfighting to the island. After cockfighting was outlawed in 1986, the cockfighting fans were angry and in retaliation released their roosters into the city. Hurricane George spread the chickens throughout the island in 1998, and they have been multiplying ever since.

Writer Ernest Hemingway was known for many things, including his love for cats. At his home in Key West, he kept a colony of cats, many of which were polydactyl, meaning they had extra toes. These cats, known as Hemingway's six-toed cats, have multiplied and become a beloved attraction at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum but can also be found all over the island.

One of the most fascinating things about Hemingway's six-toed cats is that they are all descendants of a cat named Snow White, a gift from a ship's captain to Hemingway in the 1930s. The six toed cats were said to be better climbers and mousers so many ships kept them on board.

“Conch” (pronounced “konk”), said incorrectly, is the very first indication that you are a fish out of water when it comes to visiting the Keys. Any mispronunciation of one of their most sacred words is a dead give away that you’re an out-of-towner tourist in need of a sunscreen reapplication. The “ch” sound, though used in the chowder it’s commonly served in, should never be said in relation to the beloved sea snail!

DUVAL STREET IS A MILE LONG PUB CRAWL!

Lined with more bars than you can count, a Duval crawl is a must during a visit to Key West. Duval Street is also home to many restaurants and shops.

Forty two! The Overseas Highway is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Completed in 1938, it connects a string of keys and coral rock with 113 miles of concrete roadway. The aptly named Seven Mile Bridge is the longest and most scenic.

As it’s famously stated on the Southernmost Buoy at the end of Simonton Street, Key West is 90 miles to Cuba. Closer than the 150 mile drive down the Overseas Highway to Key West from Miami!