Key West
Key West
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 Florida Key West Southernmost House 1980 Signed Print Carol Sadowski  US $75.99
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 DISNEY OLD KEY WEST VACATION CLUB SOUVENIR WALL SIGN US $69.00
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 RARE OLD ORIGINAL 1950 SUBMARINE BASE KEY WEST FLORIDA SOUVENIR TRAVEL DECAL US $38.95
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 Vintage Souvenir KEY WEST Plate FLORIDA Beer Stein US $34.99
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 FUNKY KEY WEST CHICKEN STORE T SHIRT ROOSTER RESCUE TEAM LILAC SIZE L COTTON US $29.99
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 FUNKY KEY WEST HANDSOME DEVIL T SHIRT BLK GYPSY ROOSTER AVOCADO GRN BACKGROUND US $29.99
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 Hemingway House Key West Acrylic Carved Art Block Model US $24.99
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 XL Top Image Key West Florida Shark Logo Fleece Pull Over Jacket Double Collar US $19.99
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 KEY WEST Florida Advertising Brochures circa 1940 US $19.99
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 New KEY WEST Florida Gay Lesbian STICKER Rainbow Flag US $19.99
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 Key West Ivy Bowl with Sand Shells Scented Candle US $19.95
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 New Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Tank Top Shirt XXL diver black key west buffet US $18.99
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 FLORIDA ORNAMENT MAGNET Orlando Tampa St Augustine Key West Largo Pensacola US $18.95
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 Key West Tropical Souvenir Mug Gift Corp Ceramic Collectible 4 Tall x 35 GUC US $18.50
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 Vintage 1950s Cape Coral FL Souvenir Plate Colorful Flamingos Key West Daytona US $17.99
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 New Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Tank Top Shirt M diver black key west buffet US $17.99
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 New Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Tank Top Shirt S diver blue key west buffet US $16.99
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 1983 SEE KEY WEST THE LOWER KEYS CITY GUIDE W MAP US $16.99
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 VINTAGE ORIGINAL 1950s SCUBA DIVER KEY WEST FLORIDA SOUVENIR TRAVEL DECAL US $16.95
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 16 oz Relief KEY WEST FLORIDA 2007 Souvenir Mug US $16.00
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 VINTAGE KEY WEST FLORIDA SOUTHERNMOST CITY SOUVENIR TRAVEL WATER DECAL STICKER US $15.99
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 KEY WEST COFFEE MUG TALL 7 1 2 x 5 1 2 w US $15.00
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 Key West Florida Sailing Ship Sand Dollar Art Ornament US $14.99
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 Key West Conch Republic Salt Pepper Shakers Florida Souvenir US $14.95
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 Florida Keys and Key West Treasure Map Monroe County Circa 1970s Sloppy Joes US $14.95
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 Florida Ornament Pensacola Everglades Key West Miami US $13.95
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Visiting Fort Jefferson while in Key West
So where is Dry Tortugas anyway, and how did such a spectactular national treasure get such a bizarre name? About 68 miles off the western tip of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is a group of tiny islets known for their sea turtles. Tortugas is Spanish for turtles, and that explains a portion of its odd name.
But what makes it dry, given that Dry Tortugas National Park is surrounded by the waters of the crystal clear blue Caribbean? It turns out that the name comes from when the Spaniards occupied the islands, and they quickly discovered there was no fresh water available. So the islets eventually came to be known as the Dry Tortugas, or "dry turtles." To this day, as a major tourist attraction, boaters and tour operators must bring in their own water for visitors.
First named a National Monument in 1935 by FDR, Dry Tortugas was designated a national park in 1992 at the end of George H. W. Bush's term just before Bill Clinton won the November election. As the site of the unfinished Fort Jefferson, a civil war era brick structure briefly used as a prison to house Lincoln's accused assassination conspirators, the strip of sandy cays and corral reefs is now a destination for eighty thousand tourists each year. Everyone leaves in amazement at the fascinating history of the former fort originally thought of as a defense against the real pirates of the Caribbean.
Visitors can now enjoy all sorts of fascinating and recreational activities at Dry Tortugas park, from a historical tour of Fort Jefferson, to relaxation on the sandy beaches, to an absolutely memorable snorkel expedition to see the amazing sea life.
Of course, the only access to the island is by boat of sea plan. So if you want to book a trip, a Dry Tortugas charter will be necessary. There are some great discounts available on Dry Tortugas charters, Key West hotels, Key West snorkeling, and other recreation packages at Gold Card Key West.
Top 10 Beaches: Key West The Beach