PeaceBang’s Top 6 Reasons To Vacation in Key West, Florida:

1. Although it has a reputation as a party town, Key West is relaxed and friendly. Duval Street is the only place where you’re going to see rowdy, obnoxious tourists stumbling around drunk, and even that isn’t out of control.  There’s a good mix of outdoorsy types, families, retirees and party kids. Everyone seems to get along.

2. Unlike many other tropical destinations, Key West doesn’t try to hustle you for every last dollar. Things are expensive but not insanely so, and since it’s an island, even the locals are paying more for their necessities. That they pass along the cost to the tourist seems fair enough.

3. There are a lot of local businesses to support, and I like that. The bars and restaurants aren’t chains, and lots of people came down here from the mainland U.S. to live their dream by opening a little shop or cafe. They’re friendly and eager to share their enthusiasm for good food or drink or frozen yogurt with you.

4. When I take a winter vacation I look for a few things: good weather, the opportunity to swim, some sort of cultural and educational dimension, safety and affordability. Key West had glorious weather all week, I spent hours every day in either the pool or the ocean, I enjoyed the Hemingway house, live music, a drag show and karaoke, and I appreciated learning more about Cuban boat people and what happens when they reach the islands out here. I felt very safe as a single, female traveler and I paid $119 a night for a large room with a kitchenette.

5. Key West is known for its live-and-let-live attitude, and that seems to attract a more free-spirited kind of person to live and vacation here. I felt very comfortable everywhere, even with the naked guests at my clothing-optional hotel pool. The atmosphere isn’t ridiculously sexually charged the way one finds in, for instance, New Orleans. It’s just open, free, relaxed, sunny and happy.

6. You don’t need a car. It’s a perfect island to bike around, and you can rent scooters or little carts.