During the height of spring break, the nightlife comes alive, as college-age visitors flock to spots

For today's  Destination of the Week , TPG contributor Nick Ewen takes us down to Florida to the southernmost tip of the continental United States 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating as we visit the Conch Republic also known as Key West .
Key West is the final stopping point along the 120+ mile stretch of highway that runs the length of the Florida Keys. It is said that the archipelago was first happened upon by Ponce De Leon in the 1500's, but it wasn't until the early 1800's that Key West first appears in the formal records: a land grant for the island of "Cayo Hueso" (literally: "bone island"). Many believe that the name Key West resulted from the Anglicanization of the original Spanish name. Nevertheless, the island retained much of its Spanish influence while simultaneously emerging as a wonderful spot for a relaxing, Caribbean-style vacation. While certainly subject to the occasional tropical storm, the island benefits from the trade winds that consistently blow across it, carrying away much of the heat and humidity 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating for which South Florida is reviled.
Since Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States, one tourist trap (but must-visit site!) in town is the Southernmost Point marker, located at the corner of Whitehead and South Streets. The line to take a picture can snake up South Street, but for a quick snapshot, it's worth the wait. Nowhere 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating else in the country can you stand just 90 miles from Cuba. You'll also notice that the picture below includes our puppy, and fortunately, Key West is incredibly pet-friendly. Many of the hotels and bed breakfasts in town accept pets; however, make sure you understand the policy, restrictions, and fees prior to arrival. To keep your own pet happy and energized, you can visit Key West's only dog beach (at the intersection of Waddell and Vernon Avenues, near Louie's Backyard) or Higgs Beach Dog Park.
Just a block away from the marker is the southern tip of Duval Street , the main entertainment, shopping, and dining thoroughfare in the town. Running the length of the island, Duval Street has spots for visitors of all persuasions: high-end boutiques, casual cafes, attractions (such as the relatively new Butterfly Nature Conservatory ), fine dining, bars of varying levels of repute, and even numerous drag shows sure to impress even the most conservative member 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating of your traveling party! (My recommendation: Aqua …just beware of the "Fireball" drink!) TPG s parents also recommend a popular dive bar called the Green Parrot , which they call a truly fine drinking establishment.
00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating During the height of spring break, the nightlife comes alive, as college-age visitors flock to spots such as the Hog's Breath and The Bull Whistle Bar . Even if your hotel isn't quite walking distance from these hot spots, pedicabs roam the city, offering simple and affordable transportation back to your accommodations.
TPG s parents also suggest a few must-stop 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating restaurants for visitors. Blue Heaven is great for breakfast and a popular spot with locals that often gets quite crowded. Louie s Backyard has an upstairs deck with ocean views that s the perfect spot for sunset drinks, and Salute! On The Beach is a sister restaurant to Blue Heaven located near the Casa Marina and serves fresh fish for lunch and dinner.
Key West is also paradise for adventurers, as the island provides numerous ways to pass the time out on the open water. The Florida Keys are renowned for the diving 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating they offer, and Key West is no exception. Many different companies offer tours to shipwrecks and coral reefs just off the coast, including Dive Key West and Adventure Watersport Charters . The marina area also provides a plethora of boat excursions 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating off shore to whet the appetite of even the most avid mariner out there. TripAdvisor is full of reviews of various charter boat operators, with some offering full-fledged fishing outings and others providing a relaxing sunset sail along the waterfront.
One excursion deserves special mention: making the 70-mile journey west to the Dry Tortugas National Park . The park covers roughly 100 square miles and consists of seven small islands and the coastal 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating waters around them. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park contracts with many licensed vendors out of Key West who provide chartered fishing, diving, 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating or snorkeling trips to take in the breathtaking beauty of the area. Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, was built to protect the Gulf of Mexico shipping channels in the 1800's and occupies one of the islands; guided and self-paced tours are available upon arrival. Visitors can also take advantage of overnight camping on Garden Key (the same island as Fort Jefferson). Entrance fees are only $5 and cover 7 days in the park.
For the more academically-inclined, the city itself offers many ways to immerse yourself in history and literature. Harry Truman's Little White House , located at 111 Front Street on the west side of town, served as the naval station's command headquarters in the Spanish-American War as well as both world wars. Beginning in 1946, Harry Truman frequented the house during his winter 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating vacations, and numerous visitors' logs document 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating his everyday duties as Commander-in-Chief. Guided tours of both the house and surrounding botanical gardens are available and included with the admission fee.
Literary aficionados can visit the Ernest Hemingway Home Museum . Located at 907 Whitehead Street (just down the road from the Little White House), the house was Hemingway's home for more than 10 years. While living 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating in Key West, the Nobel Prize-winning author penned numerous classics, including The Snows of Kilimanjaro and For Whom The Bell Tolls . The estate today remains the single largest residential property on the island, and visitors can take part in a guided tour of the house, stroll through the lush gardens, or marvel at the 40-50 resident cats, some of whom are direct descendants of Ernest Hemingway's original cat Snowball.
Destination of the Week pieces are not meant to be comprehensive guides to destinations since we don't have the time or funds to visit all these places in person and report back to you. Nor are they endorsements 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating of all the hotels we mention. They are simply roundups of top destinations that we have specifically pinpointed for the opportunity they present to use your miles and points to get to and stay there. As always, we welcome your comments to help enrich the content here, provide opinions and first-hand experiences of these destinations.
00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating Key West International Airport (EYW) is located just two mile east of the central business 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating district of Key West, offering easy access to the city's attractions and lodging options. 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating Each major alliance serves the airport with daily flights, offering 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating a myriad of ways for mile collectors to redeem their hard-earned currencies for free transportation. United Express offers flights from Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Ft. Myers (all of which are operated by Silver Airways), while US Airways provides flights from both Charlotte and Washington-Reagan airports. Delta serves Key West from their Atlanta 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating hub, while American Eagle uses their Miami hub for the short flight down to the Keys. Southwest and AirTran, meanwhile, provide regular service from Orlando, Tampa, and New Orleans.
As you walk the streets of Key West, you will undoubtedly encounter many quaint and charming bed breakfasts, but sadly, these do not offer any point redemption opportunities. Fortunately, most of the major hotel chains have properties on Key West for you to take advantage of.
Key West is home to two Waldorf Astoria-flagged properties: The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort . The two hotels are separated 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating by just a few blocks along the southern coast of the island. The Reach is just steps from the southern end of Duval Street and offers 150 stylish guestrooms, each with a private balcony. Catch a sunset from the resort's private beach (the only natural one on the island) or relax in a chaise lounge by the pool. More active guests can take advantage of unlimited watersports or visit the on-site fitness center, while all visitors can indulge in fine dining at the Strip House, the property's signature steakhouse.
Casa Marina, originally opened in 1920, combines the Old World charm of Key West with the contemporary luxury expected at a Waldorf Astoria property. The resort also boasts a large stretch of private beach along with two oceanfront pools; guests can relax even further in the on-site Spa al Mare. The 311 guestrooms and suites 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating provide at least 350 square feets. TPG s folks love the Casa Marina s grounds, which they say takes it to a whole new level versus the Sheraton, but the rooms felt inferior. In fact, TPG s mom rates the rooms here at just a 3/10 with small bathrooms and no balconies plus service was less than friendly.
Both resorts have rates starting at $236 per night in May, but they both charge resort fees of $25/day. Both are Category 9 properties requiring 80,000 points/night from December to May. The Reach drops to 70,000 points per night from June to November, while Casa Marina drops to 60,000 points per night during that off-season. The Casa Marina is also part of the American Express Fine Hotels Resorts.
00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating The other Hilton property on the island is the DoubleTree Key West ; even though it is away from the action, a complimentary shuttle takes guests to Duval Street, the marina, and other top spots in town.
Hyatt Key West Resort Spa : Located on the north edge of the island, just a couple of blocks from the main pier, this oceanfront property blends the architectural features of old Key West with the modern luxury of the Hyatt brand. 00 am 6 theatre chicago broadway tickets seating The 118 guest rooms start at 460 square feet and include modern amenities such as flatscreen TV's, private balconies and mini-fridges. After a day of touring, guests can cool off in the outdoor pool while sipping a drink at the Blue Mojito Pool Bar Grill, or they c