The Holidays in Key West: A Sunny Take on Christmas Traditions

Program Registration: 5:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us in the breakfast area of the hotel to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our Group Leader will lead all field trips unless otherwise noted. Evenings will often include a review of the day’s sightings and an introduction to the activities for the following day with the remainder of the night at leisure. Meals at local restaurants will have plated table service of regional dishes from a select menu with soft drinks, coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

By the hotel pool.

We’ll take a field trip via trolley with narration to learn about the city’s history and some of its attractions. At the Overseas Railroad Museum, we’ll imagine the thrill of riding down the Florida Keys in 1929 aboard the “railway that went to the sea.” We’ll learn about the Key West Extension, and the tragic demise of Flagler’s dream in the devastating Labor Day hurricane of 1935. The Custom House, built in 1891, served as a post office, court house and government center when wrecking made Key West the richest city.

At a local restaurant.

Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure. It’s an old cliché that Key West is enticing in a raffish sort of way. If you’d like to see for yourself, you might like to explore the lively night life and visit (or re-visit) one of the popular watering holes on Duval Street; take in a cabaret show or jazz venue; walk through some quieter neighborhoods on a Ghost Walk; stroll down to the marina or Old Seaport to gawk at visiting luxury yachts; or just relax and watch the always colorful people parade.

Aboard the ferry.

En route to Dry Tortugas National Park, our onboard naturalist will provide an orientation about the area and the national park's surroundings. During our voyage, we will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande, have an opportunity to see turtles and dolphins, and listen to pirate legends. Upon our arrival to the Park, we’ll enjoy a walking field trip through Ft. Jefferson led by a Park Ranger while learning about its role in U.S. history.

Aboard the ferry.

We’ll then enjoy some free time on the island. You may wish to go on a walk around Ft. Jefferson’s moat with a naturalist, snorkeling, bird watching, or just relax on the sandy beach. Birders, be aware that beginning in late February the adjoining Bush Key is closed to visitors to enable the sooty terns and other unique birds to nest undisturbed. However, activity can often be viewed through volunteer rangers’ spotting scopes. We’ll then board the boat and, after returning to the hotel, take some time to freshen up before dinner.

We will walk to a local restaurant.

At leisure.

By the hotel pool.

We’ll visit the historic Lighthouse Tower & Keeper’s Quarters for an expert-led exploration. Built in 1848, the lighthouse was de-commissioned in 1969 and has since been turned into a museum dedicated to Key West’s maritime history and heritage and the lives of those who kept the light shining out to sea. We’ll see belongings, photographs, and words of lighthouse leepers and their families. While here, those with both stamina and a sense of adventure can take the stairs to the top of the lighthouse.

At a local restaurant.

We’ll visit The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in the heart of Old Town Key West. Hemingway visited Key West for the first time in 1928. He and his wife Pauline grew to love the place and a rich uncle bought this house for them in 1931. After writing in the early morning, “Papa” would go fishing or hang out with local friends in his favorite bars. The Hemingways lived here with their two sons until divorcing in 1940 when he left for Cuba. Today, the house looks much as it did during their residence. We’ll learn about the Hemingway era in Key West, his life, and work during some of his most productive days. We may also catch a glimpse of one or more descendants of his original six-toed cat. Docents will be happy to provide information and answer questions.

At a local restaurant.

What semi-tropical Key West lacks in snow and other trappings of winter holidays, it makes up for with bright lights. We’ll take a trolley ride to see some of the most colorful displays. Plus, we’ll have special holographic glasses that enhance and transform what we see. And, we’ll sing carols along the way! There are Christmas Eve services at a number of local churches. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

By the hotel pool.

Free time. Sleep late, take a walk, open a gift under a palm tree, attend a service, celebrate the day as you like. The average high temperature at this time of year is 76F. The average low is 67F!

On your own to enjoy what you like.

With our Group Leader, we’ll set out on a relaxed walk to the Marina to see decorated boats and more of Old Town decked out.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with juice, coffee, tea, water included.

Independent Departure