Road Trip: Key West

Ah, sun, clear water, great diving, fun shops—and the massive party scene. Key West is a place like no other. Every year thousands of unlucky travelers make the 113-mile trek along the mostly two-lane Overseas Highway to get to the island. Not you. You can fly easily from any point in South Florida with a little bit of planning and precaution. When you’re there, make sure to spend at least a few days to enjoy all the island has to offer, including close and easy diving, fresh seafood, world-class fishing, and the legendary party scene. A must-see is the home of writer Ernest Hemingway and his famous six-toed cats. It’s a lazy, casual town where roosters roam the streets and most people move around on bicycles or scooters. The weather is usually 80 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer with Gulf and ocean breezes and is usually consistent—although hurricane season often can be unkind to the Keys. Ironically, one thing Key West doesn’t have in abundance is good beaches. The island’s 4,800-foot runway is one of only two public landing sites in the Keys. It has one—quite expensive—fixed-base operator (FBO).

WHY YOU SHOULD GO: A flying-over-water experience with land nearby.