“A Spring Escape to Key West’s Tropical Charm”~2025
Spring is a special time of year to visit Key West. The island is great for people who are looking for a different spring break experience, because there's a nice mix of visitors. From anglers to artists, to families and retirees, there's something for everyone on Key West. We have highlighted below just a few of the top reasons to visit Key West during Spring Break 2025.
March to April, 2025
Melting away winter in Key West’s ocean-kissed breeze.
As spring breathes new life into the world, Key West offers its own kind of renewal with turquoise waters , swaying palm trees, and endless sunshine. Imagine strolling though quaint streets lined with pastel-colored homes, sipping a refreshing mojito as the ocean breeze dances through your hair. From vibrant sunsets at Mallory Square to lazy afternoons on pristine beaches, this spring escape promises a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, all wrapped in the island’s warm tropical embrace. It’s a place where winter fades into memories, replaced by the vibrant life and warmth of the Island.
Some Enticing Reasons to Visit Key West During Springtime
Annual House & Garden Tour
Every year, the Old Island Restoration Foundation offers tours of many of Key West finest homes and gardens. Highlights include exquisite restorations, interiors full of art collections, and gardens that showcase the beautiful, lush tropical vegetation that thrives on the island of Key West.
ELIZABETH BISHOP HOUSE & GARDEN OPENING
Elizabeth Bishop standing with her bicycle in front of a coconut palm in Key West, ca. 1937. (Elizabeth Bishop Papers, Vassar College.)
Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979)
- United States Poet Laureate, 1949-50
- Winner of the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award, 1950
- Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, 1956
- Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, 1966-79
- National Book Award winner, 1970
- National Book Critics Circle Award & Neustadt International Prize, 1976
Restoration of Elizabeth Bishop House is Nearly Complete
In 2019 we acquired the former home of celebrated American poet Elizabeth Bishop at 624 White Street.
The 19th-century eyebrow house is a registered Literary Landmark and one of Key West’s most important literary sites. Years of meticulous work to restore and preserve the house to the way it was when Bishop lived there in the 1930s and 1940s are now nearing completion, with an expected opening in early 2025.
The Elizabeth Bishop House will become the public face of our commitment to Key West’s literary heritage, serving as our day-to-day headquarters and providing a valuable resource for the public. Visitors to the Bishop House will have an opportunity to see Key West through the eyes of this singular poet and understand Bishop’s important work in the context of this subtropical island city.
62nd Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest – March 8, 2025 at 10AM – 2PM EST
Celebrate the historical significance of the Conch Shell on the island of Key West. This unique contest is held at Key West’s Oldest House Museum & Garden, 322 Duval Street. Contestants test their Conch blowing prowess by creating music with a conch shell. Free and open to all ages, the annual Conch Blowing contest is a Key West tradition that spans over 60 years.
March 18-19,2025: STUDIO OF KEY WEST: BETH CHAPMAN IN CONCERT
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Old Town New Folk
https://tskw.org/beth-nielsen-chapman-in-concert
Born in Harlingen, Texas, Beth Chapman grew up in a family of five, moving frequently due to her father’s Air Force career. Settling in Alabama in 1969, her musical journey began with a German guitar and songwriting amidst the turmoil of the Vietnam War and civil rights movement. Beth’s debut album, Hearing It First, recorded in Muscle Shoals, was released in 1980. Moving to Nashville in 1985, she wrote #1 hits for Tanya Tucker and Willie Nelson.
Her career includes critically acclaimed albums with Warner/Reprise and collaborations with artists like Emmylou Harris and Elton John. Following personal tragedies, she released Sand And Water, a moving reflection on loss. A breast cancer survivor, her album Deeper Still resonated deeply with fans.
Beth’s music spans genres, with notable works like Prism and the Grammy-nominated The Mighty Sky. Her 2018 album, Hearts Of Glass, showcases her lyrical depth. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016, Beth continues to inspire as a songwriter, teacher, and speaker, with her latest album, CrazyTown, was released in 2022.
Old Town New Folk is underwritten by Nick and Lorie Howley, with additional support from Doug and Sherri Montgomery, John and Marilyn Rintamaki, Nell Smets, and Michael Blades and Kathy Kilroy. Series sponsored by Blue Heaven
March 29-30,2025: NAS KEY WEST: SOUTHERNMOST AIR SHOW SPECTACULAR
NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular 2025
The NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular presented by Key West International Airport will be on March 29 & 30, 2025 onboard Naval Air Station Key West. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Team the Blue Angels and other military and civilian aerial performances will fill the skies on the Florida Keys. This year’s theme is AIR | LAND | SEA in addition to celebrating the U.S. Navy 250th Anniversary!
Admission and parking is free. Preferred seating is available for purchase. The gates open at 10 a.m. and the show begins at 11 a.m. with the Blue Angels flying at 3 p.m. Boca Chica Field is located at Mile Marker 8 on US 1.
April 18-25,2025: 43RD ANNUAL CONCH REPUBLIC DAYS
The Conch Republic’s Annual birthday party means 10 days of nonstop festivities. Try your hand at the conch blowing competition, attend the Independence Celebration Parada Party, and close it all out with an epic pig roast and pirate costume competition. An unforgettable week in Key West!
The Founding of the Conch Republic
The Conch Republic was born on April 23, 1982, in response to a United States Border Patrol Blockade of the Florida Keys. Since the United States insisted on treating the Keys like a foreign country, Mayor Dennis Wardlow seceded from the Union. Today we stand proudly as a community of who have “Sovereign State Of Mind” and as the “People who seceded where others have failed”
May 1-29,2025: STUDIOS OF KEY WEST: ISAAC VALDES-THE WAY IT WAS
Experience the historical charm and vibrant culture of Old Key West through intricate wood carvings. This exhibition captures the essence of Key West’s bygone days, depicting its unique architecture, lush landscapes, and colorful local life.
sponsored by Key West Historic Inns
Opens Thu May 1, 6-8pm
On view May 1-29, 2025
XOJ Gallery
Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta
Participate in or watch from the safety of the dock, Key West’s wackiest boat race! Competitors are given a strict list of the most minimal supplies, hence the name: The Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta. Participants are allowed a single sheet of 4-by-8-foot plywood, two 8-foot-long 2-by-4s, a pound of fasteners and a trusty roll of duct tape. Regatta rules even forbid the use of caulking or adhesives, though epoxy paint is permitted. The “sink or swim” challenge is a Memorial Day Weekend tradition in the Florida Keys, with Sunday’s fun scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. when teams can register at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St. May 26
Spend the day at Key West’s favorite beach.
Soak up the sun, listen to the waves and the wind blowing through the trees at Fort Zachary Taylor. Not only is this a beautiful beach where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean, it’s also got historical significance; this State Park is home to an old Civil War Fort. For just a few dollars per person you can explore the fort, swim in the turquoise waters, BBQ or have a picnic and watch a spectacular sunset while the sailboats float by. This is truly one of the island’s best spots to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of Duval Street.
Choosing to visit Key West in the spring is the perfect way to invigorate your soul and boost your energy after a long winter.
