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About Key WestKey West is the jewel of the Florida Keys, and is the southern-most city in the continental United States. It is a tropical blend of beautiful water, a tropical climate with all that implies, mixed with modern sophisticated restaurants, hotels, conference centers and historical attractions. Nicknamed "the Conch Republic" by early visitors, Key west has attracted adventurers, poets, writers, visionaries and hippies alike. Tourists can view treasures from shipwrecks, discover the haunts of their literary heroes, and marvel at the unique architecture and dazzling gardens that bloom the entire year. Key West's warm weather and warm oceans assure your outdoor activities will rarely be interrupted.
Location Key West is located at the very bottom of the Florida Keys, approximately 160 miles south of Miami on US Highway 1, and is accessible by land, sea and air. Most locals will drive down US 1, but visitors from outside Florida generally prefer to fly into Key West International Airport. Climate The weather in Key West is always mild, even by Florida standards. The surrounding waters keep the key warm and humid, but usually not in the extreme for either. Spring and Autumn temperatures have highs in the mid 70's and low in the mid 50's. Summer can get as hot as 90, and Winter can get as cool as a high in the mid-to-high 60's. The summer is the wettest season as tropical depressions occasionally drift into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Key West gets a lot of sunshine, so be sure to bring your sunscreen. For additional information on current conditions in Key West consult the National Weather Service web page. Marriage Licenses  Couples
must apply for a Monroe County marriage license in person at
the Monroe County Clerk's Office. The Clerk's office is at
500 Whitehead Street, Key West. The office hours are from 8:30
through 5:00 Monday - Friday. The office is closed on most
legal holidays. The cost of a marriage license ranges from $61.00 for Florida residents who complete premarital classes, to $93.50 for non-residents. You can find more information on the web at www.clerk-of-the-court.com. Registered Domestic Partnerships The City of Key West will register domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. To register your domestic partnership you must appear in person at the City Clerk's office, which is located in Key West City Hall at 525 Angela Street in Key West. The cost for registering a domestic partnership is $50.00. There are documentation requirements, so please read the requirements and be sure you qualify prior to arriving at the City Clerk's Office. Information, as well as the domestic partnership application form can be found online at www.keywestcity.com/depts/clerksoffice/cityclerk.asp. Arriving By Air Key West is served by American, Delta and US Airways express vendors. American Eagle and US Air Express both offer service from Miami and Tampa, Delta from Orlando and Atlanta. Cape Air offers service from Fort Myers, Naples and Fort Lauderdale. Gulfstream Air offers service from Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando. In addition to commercial aircraft, many charter companies offer service from most everywhere in Florida, though usually at a substantial price. Private aircraft operating IFR and VFR are welcome. Consult Key West International Airport for additional information.
Arriving By Ferry The Key West Ferry company runs the Key West XPress, a high speed ferry that runs daily round trip service between Fort Myer's on Florida's West coast and Key West. You can board the vessel Atlantis at 7:45 each morning and arrive in Key West at noon. Spend the day (or several, and depart on the Atlantis for the return trip at 5:30pm, arriving in Ft. Myer's shortly before 10. For additional information, contact Key West Ferry, Inc. directly
at Arriving by Car Driving to Key West from the mainland will require about 3.5 hours if you drive straight through with no stops. Be wary of estimates though, because accidents and construction can slow your journey significantly. During holidays, spring break and long weekends you should be prepared for significant traffic delays. In most places US 1 has only one lane in each direction, and passing can be tricky. Starting your drive from Florida's east coast, take the Florida Turnpike south to US 1. From the west coast take I-75 (Alligator Alley) east to the Miami exit, then take the Turnpike Extension south to US 1. Once you are on US 1 you drive straight through to Key West.
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