Key west gay activities
From the moment I landed in Key West, I knew it was going to be a excellent week. Arriving to the small island airport was just like I remembered from my childhood visits decades before.
A small plane, walking on the tarmac, an airport with local art on the walls, and a single waiting area for luggage, taxis, and snacks. It’s challenging to tell if you’re inside or out, except for the air-conditioning.
The warm, humid air on a late winter weekend was a welcome surprise. Warmer than I would have expected. On the way from the airport to my hotel, the windows down, a breeze through the window and palm trees overhead swaying in the wind. It felt like I’d landed in another world.
Key West has this mystifying consequence. The subtropical climate, the warm & friendly locals, the quiet nights abuzz with laughter and romance. Tennessee Williams wrote about Key West, “I can write anywhere, but I write the best here.” Something in the soul of Key West just makes it that nice of perfectly livable, perfectly enjoyable destination.
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Don’t be fooled by its size: Tiny Key West knows how to fling a big party, and the LGBTQ community puts on some of the best. From Carnival-style fêtes to gown-clown extravaganzas, the island’s panoply of gender non-conforming festivals celebrates all members of the alphabet mafia throughout the year.
Plan your next Florida getaway around one of these eight events, when Key West clocks are perpetually position to party time.
1. Fresh Year’s Eve Red Shoe Drop
Photo: Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
When: December
Ringing in the New Year is a drag — literally. Since , thousands of Key West onlookers include gathered around Bourbon St. Pub to see local drag legend Sushi (aka Gary Marion) descend from the building’s second story in a six-foot ruby-red stiletto as the clock strikes midnight. The glittering spectacle is a campy take on NYC’s ball drop, and the eclectic crowds rival the hordes in Times Square. Little families, leather daddies, and bohemian grannies all demonstrate up to cheer on Sushi and her gargantuan shoe.
An outdoor stage features other drag
Ride the entire stretch of Florida’s Overseas Highway and eventually, you’ll reach Lgbtq+ Key West, a hedonistic island paradise among the Florida Keys archipelago, shaped by LGBT pioneers of the s. Come to relax in the unwrap arms of Key West’s inviting turquoise waters, revel amid eclectic LGBTQ pool parties and attach an accepting family of locals who pride themselves on inclusion. Forever put to vacation mode, every day in Key West is a glittering sun-soaked celebration packed with a plethora of wild gay annual events such as Tropical Heat and Fantasyfest, topped off with all the drag nightlife a queen could aspire for on Duval Street. Discover the top things to do in Male lover Key West, as curated by the experts at Mr Hudson.
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At Mr Hudson, we realize that true luxury lies in the freedom to scout the world exactly as you envision it. Our curated collection of exceptional properties and experiences speaks to those who seek refinement in every moment—whether discovering hidden gems in storied cities, unwinding at distinguished resorts, or
Key West is out there, way out there
Before there were countless destinations where LGBTQ+ travelers could feel free and celebrated, there was Key West. Known as the U.S.&#;s original gay paradise, Key West was one of the first cities to officially court gay and lesbian tourists—and boy, did it succeed. Today, gay Key West remains a haven for LGBTQ+ travelers, offering a mix of tropical charm, unmatched inclusivity, and endless fun.
What’s not to love? Think stunning beaches, perfect weather, a vibrant nightlife, and an “anything goes” attitude. It’s a place to relax, unwind, and unapologetically be yourself. Pack light because clothes here? Totally optional—literally, in some places.
The residents of Key West hold dear the island’s two biggest assets: nature and history. Before you even see the water, you’ll stand in awe of the lush greens surrounding the restored old wooden homes and the tropical trees and flowers flourishing in every doable corner. When you see chickens running free in the road and the polydactyl cats (with extra toes) lounging at the famous Ernest H