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A Day in Key West
Tourists in the US typically gravitate towards rugged landscapes like grand canyons, or crowded cities such as New York. Massive cliffs and towering skyscrapers are breathtaking but there’s more to see here! Key West, the southernmost part of the continental United States, is a tropical gem of the country. This island city offers a vibrant culture, history, and art in a lush setting. While eastward, paddle through salt pond tours, and in the west watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. On its southernmost point, you’ll reach the edge of the country where Cuba is just 90 miles away. But don’t let the mojitos fool you, you’re still in…
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Mel Fisher Maritime Museum: Exploring the Maritime History of Florida and the Caribbean
Key West’s present day is decorated with bars, restaurants, street performers, and tourists worldwide. But it wasn’t always this paradise that snowbirds flock to. It was once plagued with slavery, and colonizers during the Colonial period. Being closer to the Caribbean Islands, it endured piracy that plagued nearby islands such as The Bahamas and Jamaica. Throughout this historical time slavery, plantation economy, and piracy were interconnected through attacks on treasure ships and ports. Centuries later Florida maintains a connection to the Caribbean as natives seek refuge from political instability and poverty. A visit to the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum presents these tumultuous times through exhibits of treasure, ships, slavery, and…
