Hello Key West! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Rare shipwreck silver bar, dolphin sunset celebration, and summer reading animal farm + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Major resort ownership shift: Bass Pro Shops acquired Islamorada’s 27-acre Cheeca Lodge & Spa. Northwood Hospitality continues operating the 254-room resort after 15 years of upgrades, including 43 oceanfront suites and a conference center -- check the Cheeca deal.
Laid-back island escapes: Just 20 miles from Key West, Sugarloaf Key offers glass-clear water, quiet mangrove mazes, serene sandbars, Key deer sightings, clear-kayak eco-tours, and skydiving views of the Lower Keys without cruise crowds -- explore Sugarloaf Key.
Rare maritime discovery: Treasure hunters recovered a 22-pound silver bar from a 17th-century shipwreck off Key West, the first such find in over two decades, and the crew believes more may be nearby -- see the silver-bar find.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local sanity saver: Key West Gardens at Fort West Martello is a volunteer-tended tropical hideout tucked into a 19th-century fort, with shady brick arches, sea breezes, and garden rooms that feel miles from Duval. Free to wander, donate if you can... it’s a low-key reset that rewards unrushed laps.
Nostalgia on tap: Trade the Duval crawl for a low-key hang at The Retro Room, where 24 drafts meet classic arcade cabinets, pinball, and a wall of board games that will wreck your bedtime. The “Cooler of Mystery” and even espresso mean you can make it a whole vibe, not a quick pit stop.
Local sunset reset: Need an easy midweek breather? Truman Waterfront Park gives you wide-open green space, a breezy harbor walk, a kids’ splash pad, and that A+ sunset without the tourist chaos. Pack a blanket or ride your bike, catch the sea breeze, then call it an early win.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎧 BINGO & BEATZ with DJ Sanaris @ Key West Theater | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:00 PM – BINGO is back at Key West Theater, and DJ Sanaris is spinning while we pretend we came for the music and not the pot. Wednesday summer nights, local gift cards up for grabs, familiar faces, and just enough friendly trash talk to keep it spicy.
🐬 Dolphin Sunset Celebration @ Dolphin Research Center (Marathon) | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:45 PM – Swap your usual happy hour for after-hours at Dolphin Research Center, hand-feeding dolphin-safe jello, chatting with marine pros, and toasting champagne as the Keys glow. It’s a once-a-month, intimate sunset hang that somehow feels exclusive, even for locals who already call paradise the backyard.
🐄 Summer Reading: Monroe County Sheriff's Animal Farm @ Big Pine Key Library | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – This Summer Reading stop brings the Sheriff’s Animal Farm to Big Pine Library, a peak Keys moment where the stacks meet snouts. Meet goats, a miniature horse, maybe a lemur, and learn what makes them tick. Quality kid time, minimal sugar bribes.
🎮 Pokemon League @ Game Grid | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve still got that binder from ’99 or you’re just here for shiny cardboard, the Thursday Pokémon League delivers screen-free strategy, trades, and bragging rights. Bring your own deck, meet fellow fans, maybe snag a prize, definitely relive recess without the cafeteria smell.
🍨 Mamey & Mojitos Ice Cream Social @ Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum | Friday (6/26) at 5:30 PM – Celebrate our 115-year-old mamey tree at the Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum with fresh-made mamey ice cream and mojitos crafted with Key West’s First Legal Rum, because hydration should taste like vacation. Plus author Ernesto Vildostegui, DJ Arson, a bolita draw, and free admission.
🎆 America Celebrates 250 Years @ Duval Street | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Key West is throwing America a 250th birthday bash June 27 with a Duval Street parade ending in a party at Truman Waterfront. Expect U.S. 1 to fly giant flags for Flag Day, a warm-up for unbeatable 3rd and 4th, because subtlety is on vacation.
🚜 Farm Open House @ Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Nothing beats a low-key Sunday wander through a working farm, meeting the hens, the veggies, and your inner child. They open the gates on the second and fourth Sundays each month, 1 to 3pm, it’s free, and donations, patience, and closed-toe shoes are appreciated.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Key West report Weather forecastToday — High: 91°F — Low: 83°F — Precip: 12%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 84°F — Precip: 11%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 90. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 84. This house is wildThis 2019 Key West gem, designed by one of the island’s top architects, pairs sleek modern living with tropical flair. Set on an oversized 7,200-square-foot corner lot, it features vaulted ceilings, six skylights, white oak floors, an elevated pool, lush gardens, and a detached one-bedroom guest house, all offered furnished.
Take a peek inside → |
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