Key West, Nonsmoker Music Lover’s Paradise

Some folks have a real problem with secondhand smoke. Allergies, sinus problems, and being susceptible to upper respiratory infections make being in smoky environments very difficult. If you are also a person who enjoys seeing live musical performances, being a nonsmoker can really put a crimp into your fun. Smoky bars are often the best place to catch live acts. Frequently the only hope is outdoor events and festivals in the summer months.

A visit to Key West Florida can be a delightful experience for the nonsmoker. It is a town known for it’s bars and live music. But, the best part is being in a tropical climate where the definition of a bar often means a room with few or even no walls. Yes folks, you are pretty much outdoors. The cool tropical evening breezes and funky overhead fans usually keep that nasty smoke out of your face. You can just sit back and enjoy the entertainment.

If you have never been to Key West, you should know it is as far south as you can go in the continental United States. It is at the very southern tip of Florida, at the end of a string of interconnected islands known popularly as the Keys. A series of long bridges take you from island to island right over the ocean waves. For those of you who may have a fear of heights it is nice to know that even the longest of these bridges pretty much skim along only 20 feet or so from the waters surface. The almost 100 mile drive from the Florida mainland to Key West is a pure pleasure to enjoy.

The main street in Key West, Duval Street, is only one mile long from the ocean on the Atlantic side of the island to the Mallory Square Dock on the Gulf of Mexico side. It is a street made for fun. Cafes, restaurants, gift shops, art galleries, and best of all bars and beer gardens line both sides of the street for almost it’s total length. This is a place made for nightlife.

Most folks visit Key West in the winter months to escape harsh northern weather. You should be aware of the fact that this is the busiest time to visit. Rooms may be hard to come by and attractions may be very crowded. Late summer and fall is hurricane season. There are fewer people then, but it may be too much of an adventure some folks. That leaves the summer.



Summers are hot and humid in this sultry tropical paradise. Fortunately there is a simple plan you can follow to enjoy this less crowded time of year for your visit to Key West. Find a place to stay near Duval Street. On the Atlantic side of the island is best. It is less congested and affords the opportunity to walk the full length of this exciting street daily. The first and most important thing is to always sleep late. It’s vacation folks!

Sometime after 8 or 9 AM show your face to the world. You will have a couple of early day cooler hours to play tourist a bit. Hit one of the several nice museums, visit the Hemingway house, check out the aquarium, spend some money at one of the many gift shops, or any other touristy activity you can come up with. The important thing is to get back inside to some air conditioning by 11 AM. Eat some lunch, read a book, take a nap, cuddle with your honey, or just goof off.

By about 5 PM, head on down Duval and find some supper. Timing is important. You must be clear down Duval sitting in a dockside café in Mallory Square eating Key Lime pie and drinking Jamaican beer as the sun sets over the Gulf. You will not want to miss that. It is one of the top five sunsets in the world.

When it’s dark and much cooler it is time to slowly make your way back across the island. There is music everywhere. It echoes in the street and fills the mind with pleasure. There is jazz, blues, country, pop, island music, and funky lounge acts in every bar and sidewalk café along both sides of the street. And, since you are basically outside in the open air, smoke is not a problem. It is a nonsmoker’s paradise for sure. Take as long as you want strolling up Duval. You got all night. Tomorrow you are going to do it all over again. Remember to always sleep late. You are going to need all the sleep you can get.