It's not difficult to see why it attracted writer and adventurer Ernest Hemingway, whose former house is now a major tourist attraction in the city. Getting there is the classic American road trip - a 113 mile drive down the Overseas Highway, or US1, through the Florida Keys. Stop at Key Largo and see the African Queen, the boat featured in the 1951 movie of the same name, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. It's smaller than you might expect but its history is fascinating, and you can take tours on it.
http://www.africanqueenflkeys.com/
Key West Old Town
Old Town is the original Key West settlement on the western part of the island and contains the major tourist destinations including Duval Street, Mallory Square, Fort Zachary Taylor and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. It is also where the classic bungalows and guest mansions are located.
Where the action is
Try to find accommodation as close to Duval Street as possible since this is where the night-time action is and you don't want to be walking far in the searing heat. Most of the bars and restaurants are here, more than 250 of them. Go to the pier at the northern end of Duval Street at sunset for a drink, and then to Mallory Square for the best views of the sun going down.
Boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling are all popular in Key West. Those more interested in aesthetics will be delighted by the local architecture of mainly wooden buildings dating back to the 19th century, including the Bahamian conch houses.
The modern part
New Town occupies the eastern half of the island and features more modern infrastructure - large shopping centres, retail developments, a cinema, residential areas and schools.
https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/