Literary Inspired Travels to Key West
Starting as children we escape into destinations through story books. From Eloise adventures in New York’s Plaza Hotel to taking a swan boat ride in Boston as in “Make Way for Duckling” by Robert McClosky, books inspire our journeys. On an adult-level though, traveling to Key West is truly a tropical destination complete with literary history.
July 21 was acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway’s birthday, where he would have been 109-years-old. Also a Nobel Prize winner, Hemingway is known to have lived in Key West in the 1930’s for a decade and had penned some of his masterpieces seaside in this quaint, tropical location. Key West celebrates its literary history, pirate tales and island lifestyle year-round with different f
estivals, including the annual Hemingway Days, and through its attractions.
Hemingway Days is the celebration of the legendary author’s work and lifestyle features literary readings, a theatrical premiere, short story competition, fishing tournament, Sloppy Joe’s Annual Papa Look-Alike Contest and a birthday party. During his 10-year residence on the island, Hemingway penned literary classics including “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “To Have and Have Not,” which is about Key West during the Depression.
Festival organizers announced July 21-26 as dates for the 2009 festival.
During a visit to Key West, travelers can visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, located at 907 Whitehead Street. Visitors can partake in other famous Key West attractions that Hemingway himself was known for doing including fishing to the Dry Tortugas in the pursuit of giant tuna and marlin.
Hemingway is not the only claim to literary fame for Key West. Poet Robert Frost also has ties to Key West’s island charms. Visitors can visit the Key West Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage, located at 410 Caroline Street. The 2008 Key West Robert Frost Poetry festival featured poetry and haiku workshops, poetry and haiku readings, art & film events and an international poetry and haiku contests.
Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder, Gloria Swanson, Sally Rand, and other contemporaries also have made their mark on Key West. A couple of contemporary authors who help people escape to the Keys include Stella Cameron with her book titled “Key West,” another book titled “Key West: A Story Sequence” by Jon Michael Miller, and even famous song-writer and singer and author Jimmy Buffett starts his “Where is Joe Merchant“ tale in Key West.
Wanting to plan a trip to Key West to begin writing your own chapter? There are really four routes to Key West: driving down Route 1, otherwise known as the Oversea Highway, over miles of bridges navigating the different keys (about 3 ½ hours from Miami, Florida); flying to Key West via air; arriving via high speed ferry from Ft. Myers, Florida or Miami area; or as a cruise ship passenger.
Key West is famous for its quaint bed and breakfasts for travelers looking for an intimate experience. The Eden House provides a great getaway that is off the beaten path, yet close enough to walk to key attractions and is very cost-effective. For those wanting to stay in the midst of the action, the Duval House is another great option.
Other hotel accommodations near the center of the Key’s happenings include the Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa, Sheraton Suites, Westin Key West Resort & Marina, Ocean Key Resort & Spa, Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa, Sunset Key Guest Cottages (a Westin Resort) and more.
When going to Key West, bring any travel-inspired books with you on your journey to serve as a “travel guide” for you.
What titles have inspired you for your travels?
PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Grizzard, left, of Leesburg, Fla., is congratulated by George Burley, right, and other previous winners after he won the 2008 “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar late Saturday, July 19, 2008, in Key West, Fla. Competing for the eighth time, Grizzard, 69, bested 141 other contenders in the contest that was a facet of a Hemingway Days festival that ended Sunday, July 20, and honored the late author’s literary prowess and fun-loving Key West lifestyle in the 1930s. The 109th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth is Monday, July 21. NO SALES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)
A visit to the Keys is inspiring and I can see how many authors have honed in on this tropical escape. While I love going to the Caribbean, a weekend in the Keys is just as satisfying and closer to home.