I tend to be the kind of traveler that doesn’t do a ton of research before arriving in a new place.
I sometimes feel that you can learn a lot more about a place by going into it without preconceived notions or expectations based on what you’ve read and tried to “pre-learn.” If I do too much planning beforehand, I wind up treating my trip like a series of scheduled events that need to run on time with so many things booked per day, rather than the relaxed exploration and adventure it was intended to be. I get my hopes up and read the reviews about other people’s experiences, and I form an opinion of the place before I've even set foot there.
I think as a traveler, this can sometimes be one of the worst things you can do, because so many more amazing things happen when you don’t allow yourself to develop preconceived notions.
Of course, this “no need to plan” attitude only goes so far. You want to be pleasantly surprised by what you encounter, not completely unprepared. You’ll obviously want to have enough knowledge to know what the weather might be like so that you can pack accordingly, how expensive things are/how much you’ll need to budget, how easy it is to get around, and what some of the cultural customs are. Knowing a little bit about all of these things will make your experience much more seamless.
There is one downside to this laid back way of traveling, though, and it’s that I often come across things I would have liked to do while on the trip once I’ve arrived back home. By not checking out what all there is to do or see in a place beforehand, you do run the risk of missing your chance to take part in it.
Looking back, there are a few things I wish I’d done while in Key West. So until I make it back there, maybe you can do them instead!
Take a food tour
Taking a food tour is one of the best ways I know of to get a feel for the local cuisine, and having a guide often means getting access to places off the beaten path that serve up delicious local dishes and favorites. You also get to see the city on foot and learn about aspects of its history, architecture, and culture at the same time.
Some tasty eats you can expect on a Key West food tour are tropical fruits, fresh local seafood, and of course, Key Lime pie. Unfortunately, I only discovered this Historic Seaport Food and Walking Tour recently while browsing Airbnb’s Key West experiences, but if I ever go back to the island, it will be on my list for sure!
If drinks are more your thing, there is also a bar-hopping tour listed on Airbnb. Or, if you want to mix food, drink, and history all in one, try Eat Drink Discover Key West.
Explore nature in a meaningful way
Being on an island means there’s plenty of adventures to be had out on the surrounding water. You can find access to almost any water sport in Key West, including sailing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, parasailing, jet-skiing, waterskiing, paragliding, and so much more. Fishing tours and boat charters are another big attraction for those vacationing here.
There are also plenty of eco tours to get you out exploring the natural world and hopefully even interacting with some of the wildlife native to the Florida Keys. Many companies offer snorkeling trips or guided kayaking tours that can help you learn about native plants and animals.
My partner and I did some kayaking through the mangroves and waterways on our own, but then I came across the Waterway & Mangrove Cleanup & Eco Tour. Most people don’t include cleaning up shorelines as part of their vacation bucket list, but I think it’s a great idea!
As the listing says, “This trip is for travelers who want to make an impact on the environment they come to visit. Key West is a top destination for drinking, eating, and partying, and as a result our waterways are often damaged by careless travelers.” A tour like this would be a great opportunity to do good while also learning about the area’s ecosystems from a local expert.
It may not be your most conventional tour, but that's one of the things that caught my eye. I would love to see more out-of-the-box options like this when I travel!