The Departure: Key West II

There’s so much to do in Key West that it can be overwhelming at times. When sensory overload strikes, duck into the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory for an hour of sanctuary. Here, over fifty species of butterflies and tropical birds fly free in a tranquil, lush oasis where the photo opportunities are many and the pressures are few to do anything other than wander and watch.

Nobody can stay indoors for too long in Key West’s consistently beautiful weather, and what better place to experience the sunshine than at the beach? Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is the island’s best, and while it doesn’t look like much at first — near-deserted roads and construction sites line the walk to the coast after entering the park — soon enough, the water and surrounding foliage become visible and it’s easy to understand why this beach is such a hidden gem. Stretching out for ages on either side, the environment is basically begging to be seen and experienced.

Finally, there’s Mallory Square. Highly popular in the evening, when its daily sunset celebration occurs and vendors, performers, and crowds gather to collectively watch the sun go down over the Gulf of Mexico, it’s just as good (if not less crowded) in the morning or afternoon. Located at the very top of Key West, this is the perfect place to stop and watch the myriad sailboats with a drink in hand, no matter the time of day.