New Stays, Fresh Flavors and Island Firsts

FLORIDA KEYS (September 29, 2026) — From Key Largo to Key West, fall offers a fresh mix of places to stay, flavors to savor and experiences to discover across the Florida Keys.

From reimagined resorts and new accommodations to inventive food tours, restaurants and cultural attractions, new offerings are on tap across the island chain. In Key West, the dining scene is having a moment of its own, with two restaurants earning the island city’s first-ever recognition in the MICHELIN Guide’s Florida selection.

Fall also brings plenty of reasons to celebrate. America’s 250th anniversary continues with special events in Marathon, Islamorada and Big Pine Key, while Key West turns up the color Oct. 16–25 for Fantasy Fest and its 2026 theme, “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals.” 

Here’s a look at what’s new throughout the Florida Keys & Key West this fall:

Airlift 

Key West International Airport (EYW) continues to see strong passenger growth following the debut of its sleek new Concourse A. The airport surpassed 1 million year-to-date passengers in July — earlier than ever before — with July traffic up 16.8 percent over the same month in 2025. Overall passenger counts for the first seven months of 2026 were up by 8.8 percent year over year. “We are positioned to carry the momentum forward through the final months of 2026,” said Richard Strickland, executive director of Monroe County airports. The airport experience also continues to evolve, with recently completed upgrades including a modernized baggage claim, new baggage service offices and improved car rental facilities. Travelers will also find an expanded four-lane TSA checkpoint and enhanced rental car counters.

This fall at EYW, Breeze Airways continues its nonstop service to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU), Tampa (TPA), and Orlando (MCO) six times weekly. One-stop Breeze-thru (no plane change) service from Ohio’s Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) is four times weekly. Allegiant Air seasonal service returns to Ohio’s Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) on Thursday, Oct. 1 and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) on Friday, Oct. 2. JetBlue Airways will resume nonstop daily service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on Thursday, Oct. 8. American Airlines adds a second daily flight to Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) on Saturday, Oct. 31. Service from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) resumes on Sunday, Nov. 1, while daily nonstop service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) resumes Saturday, Nov. 21. Avelo Airlines is to resume nonstop service from Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) on Wednesday, Nov. 18, with twice weekly service. United Airlines’ nonstop daily service to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) returns on Thursday, Dec. 17. Delta Air Lines resumes nonstop service to New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) on Saturday, Dec. 19. Delta also provides daily nonstop service to Atlanta (ATL). Visit eyw.com or call 305-809-5200.

In Marathon at Marathon International Airport, fixed base operator Million Air Florida Keys is targeting completion of its new $4 million 5,460-square-foot passenger facility expansion by late December. The new building is part of Million Air’s strategy to enhance services for private aviation clients and expand the carrier’s offerings in the Middle Keys. Million Air has operated in Marathon since 2022 with its acquisition of the former Marathon Jet Center. The Texas-based aviation company’s Keys operations include U.S. Customs services, catering, vehicle rentals, a pilot lounge, conference facilities and aircraft arrival hospitality offerings. Million Air also completed a $5 million fuel farm in Marathon earlier this year. Visit millionair.com or call 305-743-1995.

Accommodations

In Key Largo, the 15-acre, 200-room Baker’s Cay Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton on Florida Bay in the Upper Keys has unveiled 12 new luxury suites, each with private balconies and hued in calming tones of sand and blue. The new roomy 700-square-foot suites focus on coastal living with Gulf views, airy designs and space allowing guests to unwind. The new suite collection includes water view and partial water view Palm Suites and Paradise Suites. Guests of Palm and Paradise suites have access to a dedicated curated stay concierge to secure dining reservations and personalize their onsite experiences. It’s at 97000 Overseas Highway. bakerscay.com or call 305-852-5553.

In Islamorada, Bass Pro Shops, through its nature-based corporate division, has acquired Islamorada’s iconic Cheeca Lodge & Spa, founded in 1946. The 254-room Cheeca Lodge, known as a luxury resort for anglers, is recognized by its 525-foot-long pier stretching into the Atlantic Ocean. The resort offers a 9-hole par 3 golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Bass Pro Shops also owns the nearby World Wide Sportsman Store and Marina, located at 81576 Overseas Highway. Plans for the property’s conversion and timeline have not yet been released. Bass Pro Shops was founded by conservationist Johnny Morris, who opened the original Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972 from the back of his father’s Brown Derby Liquor Store. Cheeca Lodge is at 81801 Overseas Highway. Visit cheeca.com or call 305-664-4651.

In Islamorada, the 24-acre oceanfront Islander Resort, opened in 1951 by fisherman Leo Samuels, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year with 114 newly designed bungalows and suites and 25 fully renovated Bayside Villas for extended stays and group getaways. A new series of rotating artisan displays is planned. A newly expanded two-acre Seaside Sports area features a professionally designed 9-hole PuttTek putting course, permanent courts for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and bocce ball; kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and bicycles. The resort offers more than 129,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor beachfront function space for up to 1,000 guests. Group venues include the Islander House conference center, Hibiscus Hall Grand Ballroom, Palm Terrace, Islander Beach and Coral Point. Guest dining options also include Drift on the Beach with oceanfront, open-air, open-flame fare; the poolside Tides Beachside Bar for all-day dining and cocktails; Coccoloba for beachside bites; and the casual poolside Sandy’s Bar. The iconic Islander Resort is at 82100 Overseas Highway; its nearby renovated Bayside Villas are at 81450 Overseas Highway. Visit islanderfloridakeys.com or call 305-664-2031.

Seeking a luxury ultra-private stay? In Islamorada, the Mar-Key Islamorada estate property, billed as a “legacy property, gated, oceanfront and historically rich, offered only by the week and only to one group at a time,” is set on lush subtropical grounds and designed for discerning, refined gatherings with a maximum of 20 guests. Originally established as the LaBranche Fishing Camp in 1937, the oceanfront estate along 240 feet of Atlantic Ocean beachfront, also known as Bunny Key, has evolved from a historic fishing retreat into a luxurious private escape. The property features three distinct separate residences with a walk-in pool, hot tub, private pool, nine bedrooms and eight baths. It’s located at Mile Marker 81 at 200 Atlantic St. Visit Mar-Key-Islamorada.com or call 305-394-5350.

On Duck Key, Hawks Cay Resort is making a splash with the Dec. 1 opening of Coral Cay Adventure Park, a new 2.5-acre aquatic and recreation park reserved for resort guests and billed as the only water park in the Florida Keys. Anchored by a 32-foot launch tower, the park features three high-speed waterslides — including one stretching 330 feet — along with mini-slides and an ocean-inspired splash zone for younger guests. Beyond the water, a Sports Lawn offers basketball, volleyball and lawn games, while a climate-controlled arcade features retro games and racing simulators. Coral Cove provides space for crafts, seasonal workshops and birthday parties, and Coral Grill serves casual fare, with walk-up service and delivery to private poolside cabanas. The park marks the final piece of a broader reinvention at Hawks Cay that has included an expanded marina, upgrades to Calm Waters Spa and the debut of Salt + Ash from Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, the chef behind Miami Beach’s Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed. Visit hawkscay.com to learn more.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has expanded its Florida Keys portfolio with the debut of Hilton Key West Resort & Marina, formerly Oceans Edge Resort & Marina, on Stock Island. The 20-acre waterfront resort features 175 guest rooms, including 86 suites, each with a private, furnished balcony. Enhancements include refreshed guest rooms with new flooring, furnishings and décor. Amenities include direct marina access, six saltwater pools, complimentary paddleboarding, kayaking, bicycling, yoga, lawn games, poolside movie nights, a fitness center and complimentary shuttle service to Key West’s Old Town and Historic Seaport. Event spaces include the 1,500-square-foot Pavilion, 1,200-square-foot Atlantic Patio and 570-square-foot Mariner’s Boardroom for meetings and celebrations. Dining venues include Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen and Ocean’s Edge Café, serving Cuban coffee, smoothies and grab-and-go fare. The resort is owned by Aliso Viejo, California-based Sunstone Hotel Investors and is located at 5950 Peninsular Ave. Visit Hilton.com or call 1-800-HILTONS. 

In Key West, the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, included in the portfolio of Noble House Hotels & Resorts, has completed a property-wide renovation that includes the new Sweet Bird Bar & Lounge, a waterfront space located adjacent to its lobby; a comprehensive redesign of its 100 deluxe guest rooms and suites, its signature Hot Tin Roof restaurant, its White Ibis Boardroom and the resort’s public spaces. The newly unveiled Sweet Bird Bar offers hand-crafted cocktails and small plates in a venue that draws subtle inspiration from playwright Tennessee Williams’ stage play “Sweet Bird of Youth,” evoking escapism and nostalgia. The resort’s full redesign also includes the debut of a custom mural created by acclaimed artist Orla Ananda, featuring bold geometric compositions. Ocean Key is also known for its Sunset Pier, SpaTerre and the LIQUID Pool Bar & Lounge. It’s located at 0 Duval St. Visit OceanKey.com or call 305-809-8072.

In Key West, the Compass by Margaritaville Key West is targeting its opening in early 2027 on North Roosevelt Boulevard with nautical-inspired design and Compass by Margaritaville signature bedding; a refreshed pool and cabanas, a 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill; and The Backyard, with lawn games. Each of the hotel’s 106 guestrooms, including 26 suites, is to feature an island-inspired design and premium amenities including rainfall showers and smart TVs. Guests can take a complimentary shuttle to Duval Street or Smathers Beach. Old Town Trolley also stops directly at the property, offering hop on, hop off access throughout Key West. It’s located at 2400 N. Roosevelt Blvd., the site of the former Fairfield Inn by Marriott. Visit compass-hotel-key-west or call 305-296-5700. 

Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton features colorful new “Stay Like Lilly” suites in collaboration with designer Lilly Pulitzer. The partnership marks a full-circle homecoming for Lilly Pulitzer’s fashion house, honoring the designer’s deep ties to Key West, the Keys island that inspired the first prints and color-soaked lifestyle. Coinciding with the debut of Lilly Pulitzer’s Vintage Vault, which reintroduces archival prints from 1962 to 1985, Casa Marina is the first Hilton property to showcase these revived designs in hand-painted walls, fabrics adorning the suites, and original artwork framed as fine art in each suite. “At Casa Marina, our priority is creating meaningful, memorable stays for every guest who walks through our doors,” said Evelyn Summer, hotel manager, Casa Marina Key West. “Partnering with a beloved brand like Lilly Pulitzer allows us to offer an experience that feels both iconic and uniquely tied to the spirit of Key West.” The suites are available for stays through Nov. 2027.  For details and pricing visit Hilton.com or call 1-844-HI-CURIO.

Attractions

In Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has a newly rebuilt Mangrove Boardwalk winding across a mangrove canopy. New plans for the park include a state-of-the-art Discovery Center & Aquarium featuring interactive experiences, exhibits and seven saltwater tanks totaling approximately 43,000 gallons, including a 23,000-gallon centerpiece devoted to Florida’s Coral Reef. It’s funded with a $50 million state investment and $2 million from Visit Florida Keys and is targeted for completion by late 2028. World-renowned for being America’s “first undersea park,” the park, connecting to North America’s only living coral reef, was founded in 1960. The 70-nautical-square-mile park is known worldwide for its famed offshore underwater Christ of the Abyss, an 8.5-foot, 4,000-pound bronze sculpture of Jesus that’s a copy of a similar sculpture off northern Italy’s Portofino Peninsula. Pennekamp is at 102601 Overseas Highway. Visit john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park or call 305-676-3777.

In Marathon, the world-acclaimed Turtle Hospital, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is planning a state-of-the-art research and medical facility for the treatment of injured and ill sea turtles, with a targeted opening date of late 2027. The new facility is located just west of the existing hospital at 2396 Overseas Highway. Its 1,800-square-foot stand-alone gift shop, located at 2040 Overseas Highway and opened in July 2025, sells collectible turtle-themed home décor, books, toys, clothing, gifts and souvenirs. The Turtle Hospital, dedicated since 1986 to the rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles, is the world’s first state-certified veterinary hospital to rescue, rehabilitate and release, whenever possible, injured and sick sea turtles. The nonprofit Turtle Hospital, open daily for tours and educational programs, has successfully returned more than 3,000 turtles into the wild. Visit turtlehospital.org or call 305-743-2552.

Marathon’s Crane Point Museum and Nature Center will now offer a new ocean exhibit, “Mote’s Mangrove to Reef,” featuring interpretive displays and kiosks, and showcasing eco-connections among the Keys’ coral reef and mangrove and seagrass ecosystems. Crane Point, established in the 1950s, also features fish pedicures, nature walks and guided tours, kayaking, a wild bird center and two historic homes: the tabby concrete Adderley House, a Bahamian-style home from the early 1900s billed as the Keys’ oldest outside of Key West; and the restored mid-century Crane Home for weddings, parties and business events. Crane Point’s new exhibit is partnered with Mote Marine, which has Keys land-based coral nurseries in Key Largo, Islamorada and Summerland Key. Crane Point, with a historic Florida East Coast Railway red train car near its entrance, is at 5550 Overseas Highway. Visit cranepoint.net or call 305-743-9100.

The FOOD: Celebrating Conch Cuisine exhibit at The Key West Museum of Art & History, located at the historic downtown Custom House, runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. Building on original Smithsonian Food History exhibitions that celebrate the role of food in shaping human culture, identity and society, this exhibit delves into culinary traditions, including Key lime pie and Cuban coffee, of the Florida Keys. The exhibit offers visitors an immersive look into how food has defined Keys life and highlights origins, evolution and ongoing influence of Conch cuisine. It also explores dynamics behind the Keys’ fishing economy, food-related labor and exports. Visit kwahs.org/exhibit/food/ or call 305-295-6616.

In Key West, the Tennessee Williams Museum, operated by the Key West Art & Historical Society, is to unveil its new permanent location at 604 Whitehead St. by late fall 2026. The museum, previously operated in a yellow building at 513 Truman Ave., is to feature expanded galleries, additional artifacts, and photographs showcasing the works and life of the famous playwright and artist when he lived in Key West. “This new location gives us the opportunity to tell that story in exciting new ways while creating an even more engaging experience for visitors,” said Dennis Beaver, founder and curator. The museum first opened in 2011 as a temporary exhibit honoring the playwright on his 100th birthday. Williams lived in Key West periodically for more than 40 years, from his first visit in 1941 until his death in 1983, and owned a home at 1431 Duncan St. To learn more visit kwahs.org or call 305-295-6616. 

Sustainability

The Islamorada Environmental Resource Center, located in the historic Russell Cottage at Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve, showcases local nonprofits dedicated to preserving the unique environment of the Keys. Islamorada established the Center as a shared community space for local environmental nonprofits and kids’ activities. Partnerships include Florida Bay Forever, I.CARE, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, Coral Restoration Foundation, Dolphin Life Hospital, Mote Marine Lab, Audubon Everglades Research Center, Surfrider Foundation Florida Keys Chapter, UF-IFAS Extension Services of Monroe County and Islamorada Area State Parks.

It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with rotating partner participation. The cottage also houses the office and gift shop of nonprofit Florida Bay Forever, which hosts guided walks through hardwood hammocks and environmental talks and events. The preserve, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers nature trails, a kayak launch and picnic area. The Russell Cottage, built prior to 1935, and Green Turtle Hammock are located at 81224 Overseas Highway, or Mile Marker 81. Visit Green-Turtle-Hammock-Nature-Preserve or call 305-664-6400.

As part of its $15 million, five-year artificial reef expansion program, Monroe County is continuing development of new artificial reef sites led by program director Hanna Koch. Plans include placing 156 concrete modules across three Gulfside sites to form a network of 12 patch reefs. The structures, featuring varied designs and embedded limestone, are intended to increase habitat complexity, create new recreational opportunities, provide migration pathways for marine species and help disperse fishing pressure on natural reefs. The Gulfside Network is targeted for completion in summer 2027, when the last two network sites are to be developed. In a separate project within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary boundaries, deployments of low-relief complex concrete structures are planned for nearshore bayside waters off Marathon and Layton, areas that are essential nursery grounds for fish and invertebrate species, to mitigate habitat loss. To learn more, visit monroecounty-fl.gov artificial-reefs-program or call 305-289-2562.

The Conch Republic Marine Army (CRMA) is giving visitors a hands-on way to help protect the fragile mangrove habitats and waterways that make the Florida Keys so special. Born in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017, the grassroots nonprofit has grown into a force of more than 7,500 volunteers who have removed more than 650,000 pounds of marine debris from Keys waters and shorelines. Its free “trips with a purpose” invite volunteers to work alongside CRMA crews removing debris from mangroves before enjoying some time on the water. In the Lower Keys, Saturday trips depart The Perry Marina on Stock Island for cleanup missions in the Key West backcountry and nearshore mangroves. In the Middle Keys, CRMA partners with Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa in Marathon for complimentary cleanup excursions on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with departures at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Whether lending a hand for a few hours or simply learning more about the work, volunteers become part of an ongoing effort to restore vital habitat and leave the Florida Keys a little better than they found them. Visit ConchRepublicMarineArmy.org or call 786-314-6547.

Music

The iconic 1,450-square-foot Shrimpboat Sound Studio in Key West is to evolve with a working recording studio, museum, event space and outdoor drinks bar paying tribute to legendary singer Jimmy Buffett. Thesticker-covered studio, where Buffett recorded for nearly four decades in Key West, is to be given a new life as OK’d by the city’s Key West Bight Board, approving a 10-year lease. The windowless building is located at Lazy Way Lane at Elizabeth Street, between Schooner Wharf Bar and Conch Republic Seafood restaurant in the Historic Seaport District. Buffett first leased the building, a former shrimp-packing cooler and an ice house from the 1940s, in 1986. Much of Buffett’s last album, “Equal Strain on All Parts,” released posthumously in November 2023, was recorded here. Buffett died Sept. 1, 2023. The studio is slated to open by summer 2027. Visit https://www.facebook.com/Shrimpboatsound to learn more. 

Tours

Historian-author Brad Bertelli’s new food tour, Tasting Florida Keys History, explores Keys history and food, featuring a rum runner, bowl of conch chowder, two conch fritters and a slice of Key lime pie. The 75-minute program, priced from $60 per person, is designed for six participants. Bertelli shares stories at Robbie’s of Islamorada about the history behind the rumrunner, the cultural significance of conch as a food source and a tool for indigenous people who once called these islands home, how Key lime pie evolved as a signature dessert, the popular attraction Robbie's in Islamorada, tarpon feeding, and why the Florida Keys are known as the “Conch Republic.” Larger groups and private parties can also be accommodated. Visit bradbertelli.com or call 305-395-9889.

After a day on the water or exploring the Upper Keys, Florida Keys Food Tours is serving up a delicious new way to taste your way through Islamorada. Its new Luxury Golf Cart Food Tour, priced from $179 per person, lets guests sit back and savor the ride aboard a luxury golf cart while a local guide and driver lead the way to some of the Upper Keys’ tastiest stops. Along the route are Food Network favorites, locations featured in Netflix’s “Bloodline,” historic landmarks and tucked-away culinary gems, with plenty of local flavor and Keys stories served up along the way. Other offerings include the Original Islamorada Food Tour, Local’s Happy Hour, Sunset Food Tours and a Sunset Food Tour by Boat. Guests can also roll up their sleeves for the Florida Keys Fish Preparation Experience, a cooking class exploring local catch, preparation techniques and the stories and flavors behind the Keys’ seafood culture. Private tours and customized experiences are also available. To learn more, visit flkeysfoodtour.com or call 305-394-1028.

Dining

Craving a taste of Cuban cuisine on your way into or out of the Upper Keys? Bar Victor is shaking up Key Largo’s food scene with more than a dozen signature cocktails paired with Cuban-inspired bites including crispy croquetas, savory chicharrónes and bite-sized empanaditas. Opened in April alongside Vicky Bakery at 97630 Overseas Highway, Bar Victor serves up cocktails and small plates from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Its family-owned Miami counterpart, Vicky Bakery, has been tempting South Florida with its famous pastelitos and other Cuban favorites since 1972 and expanded to Key Largo in 2025. Together, the two bring a taste of Miami’s Cuban food culture to the Overseas Highway near Shell World. Visit barvictor.com,vickybakery.com or call 305-735-4052.

Key West’s legendary Smokin’ Tuna Saloon has relocated to downtown Duval Street after a 26-month hiatus. Known as the headquarters of the Key West Songwriters Fest and previously located on Charles Street, Smokin’ Tuna is popular for its tasty affordable dining and its music scene showcasing local musicians including Cliff Cody, C.W. Colt, Aaron Hudgins and Elle Haley. Smokin’ Tuna has partnered with Mile Zero Key West for event planning. Popular dishes include its signature wings, tuna nachos and tuna dip. It’s located at 313 Duval St., site of the historic Robert Curry Mansion and former Hard Rock Café. Visit smokintunasaloon.com or call 786-422-9978.

In Key West, a new multi-concept or “culinary collective” dining venue, The Reserve Key West, is planned to soon open with four independent chef-driven kitchens and three bars: the rotating The Exchange (reminiscent of the Monteleone Hotel’s Carousel Bar & Lounge in New Orleans); The Ledger, a main floor bar, and The Vault, a speakeasy. The Reserve, at 510 Fleming St., features a colorful mural by artist Fran Williams Wagner, whose commissioned works are also at Miami International Airport, the Bacardi Pavilion in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and the National Airlines ticket office at New York City’s Rockefeller Center. The Reserve, a 5,000-square-foot building once a Key West airline office and a family general store, also housed former bank locations. Visit thereservekeywest.com.

Coffee

In Marathon, the newly unveiled Seashell Coffee Marathon, located at 11399 Overseas Highway, Unit 6, serves up coffee, lattes, matcha, boba, pastries, empanadas, muffins, yuca bites and sweet treats such as Key lime cake. Call 305-294-2917 or visit https://www.instagram.com/seashellcoffeemarathon/.

Baby’s Coffee, a popular institution known for its hearty fresh roasts for more than 30 years, has opened its second location in Key West at 518 Fleming Street. Known as the “Southernmost Coffee Roasters in America,” Baby’s Coffee sells freshly roasted brews, espresso drinks, baked goods and colorful T-shirts and apparel with a signature giant, eyelash-fringed eye. The original Baby’s Coffee is located at Mile Marker 15 in the Lower Keys at 3180 U.S. Highway 1. Visit babyscoffee.com or call 786-937-2229.

Events

Taste the Keys is a signature culinary event presented by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce that runs throughout October in the Upper Keys. This food lovers’ smorgasbord features prix-fixe menus for both lunch and dinner at participating Upper Keys restaurants. Taste the Keys will also feature Trolley Food Tours on Thursday, Oct. 15, and Thursday, Oct. 29, allowing ticketed participants to enjoy a progressive dining experience with sampling stops at four to five restaurants. Tickets are $125 per person for Key Largo Chamber of Commerce members and $150 for non-chamber members. The event includes the Signature Dish Showdown, a community-driven culinary competition where each participating restaurant will nominate a signature dish from its prix-fixe menu as its entry. Visit TastetheKeys.com or call 305-451-1414.

In Key West, Fantasy Fest 2026, the 10-day costuming extravaganza with non-stop daily festivities held each October, is themed “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals.” It kicks off Friday, Oct. 16 with the exuberant Goombay Festival in Bahama Village and runs through Sunday, Oct. 25 with children’s activities at Bayview Park and a tea dance. Highlights include the highly anticipated King, Queen, and Royal Court coronation,outrageously themed parties and performances, cabarets, burlesque, pool parties and DJ-led events. Among anticipated events is a Dolly Parton Tribute Party on Tuesday, Oct. 20; the family-favorite Pet Masquerade on Wednesday, Oct. 21; the colorful 43rd Headdress Ball on Thursday, Oct. 22; and the Fantasy Fest Street Fair and Costume Promenade on Friday, Oct. 23. The Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade, Fantasy Fest’s culmination led by singer-entertainer Grand Marshall Mike Stack, kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 and rolls past an estimated 70,000 partying parade-goers. Visit fantasyfest.com or call 305-295-9112.

Productions

The Florida Keys & Key West are showcased in two upcoming colorful comedic productions. “Bad Monkey,” the Apple TV+ series starring Vince Vaughn, has wrapped production on Season 2, with filming taking place in Key West, Big Pine Key and Marathon. The 10-episode second season, featuring an all-new original story, is slated to premiere Wednesday, Dec. 2, with episodes running through Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2027. Local venues featured include Half Shell Raw Bar at the Key West Historic Seaport and Don’s Place, a neighborhood bar on Truman Avenue. The series debuted in 2024 with the first season based on the novel by Florida journalist and author Carl Hiaasen, with Vaughn starring as Andrew Yancy, a former detective turned restaurant inspector.

Another production filmed in the Florida Keys, “Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate,” is a 90-minute independent film by director Tony Armer. The supernatural horror-comedy follows a local waitress, ghost-tour guide and unlucky tourist who accidentally awaken a centuries-old curse connected to legendary pirate Anne Bonny. “Key of Bones” is slated to premiere in Key West Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Tennessee Williams Theatre. Visit filmfloridakeys.com or call 800-345-6539 (800-FILM-KEYS). 

Businesses

In Key West, Bella Laine is a new curated boutique, working candle studio, and gallery bringing hand-poured soy wax candles, jewelry, artwork, home goods, handbags, sustainable clothing and gift boxes to the Florida Keys. Founded by artist and candle maker Emily Shipman, Bella Laine features a “vessel bar” where visitors can create their own candle. No reservations are required. Occasional events include activities such tea tastings and art and figure drawing classes. It’s located at 601 Fleming St. Visit bellalaineart.com or call 305-780-7225.

Marketing

Key Lime Academy, a self-paced certification program for travel advisors, is relaunched by Visit Florida Keys with new destination information, itinerary planning tools and sales resources. More than 1,000 travel professionals have earned a “Conch-Star Specialist” designation, recognizing their expertise in trip planning for specific niche interests, including that of families, couples, honeymooners, adventure seekers, solo travelers and active adults. Learn more at key-lime-academy or call 305-296-1552.

Visit Florida Keys & Key West is also rolling out “Play in Your Own Key,” its new flagship destination brand campaign celebrating the many ways travelers can experience the island chain in their own way. The campaign will continue to roll out with new creative and activations, including a 2027 partnership with YETI, the outdoor cooler, drinkware and gear company.

Accolades 

Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70 miles west of Key West, was named the country’s top spot for birdwatching, ranking 12th among 20 of the world’s best birdwatching destinations, according to a survey by AllClear Travel Insurance. California’s Moss Landing on Monterrey Bay, ranking at 15th, was the only other birdwatching location cited in the U.S. The survey ranked 115 wildlife hotspots around the globe to discover “ultimate birdwatching” destinations.

Two Key West restaurants, Blue Heaven, at 729 Thomas St. in Bahama Village, and Moondog Café &Bakery, at 823 Whitehead St. near the Hemingway Home & Museum, have landed in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 Florida restaurant selection for culinary excellence. The guide cites Blue Heaven’s “signature Key lime pie, topped with a towering baked meringue,” and the “exceptional food at great value” at Moondog Café & Bakery, named a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for quality and pricing.

Key Largo’s original Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, today owned by Stephanie Figueroa, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Known for casual Keys fare in its quaint kitschy and rustic setting, it was established in 1976 by Jeff MacFarland, who named it after his mother. In 1987, MacFarland hired cook Angie Wittke, who later became its second owner with sister Paula. It’s located at 99336 Overseas Highway, and open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sister venue and the larger Mrs. Mac’s II is located down the road at 99020 Overseas Highway. 

Key West's Elizabeth Bishop House & Garden, where celebrated poet Elizabeth Bishop lived and wrote from 1938 to 1946, earned a Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Use Award from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Restoration highlights include original 19th century windows, wood louvered shutters and a cistern returned to the historic use of gathering rainwater to irrigate a garden of native plants and fruit trees. The home’s original built-in bookshelves, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, light fixtures and doorknobs were all restored. The home, built in 1889 and located at 624 White St., is one of a few surviving Key West Historic District eyebrow houses.

Key West International Airport earned the Florida Airports Council’s Benjamin J. Siwinski Sustainability Award for its use of bird-friendly glass throughout the airport facility. Specialized ceramic patterns were embedded into the glass surfaces, creating visual markers that help birds avoid collisions. Glazing systems with low exterior reflectance also were utilized to further reduce the likelihood of bird strikes. The award, one of the council’s highest environmental honors, was announced at the 2026 Florida Airports Council Annual Conference.

The Florida Keys & Key West is a finalist for “Most Desirable Region Worldwide” in the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, with more than 200,000 travelers expected to cast votes this year. Winners are to be announced Wednesday, Nov. 4. Wanderlust is billed as the oldest travel magazine still in circulation in the United Kingdom and Europe.

###