Why a Month in Key West Is Better Than a Week

Most people experience Key West in a hurry.

They arrive on a Friday, walk Duval Street, watch a sunset, visit a few attractions, and leave feeling like they've "done" Key West.

But after more than 34 years living on the island, I've learned something very different.

The real magic of Key West isn't found in a weekend.

It's found in a month.

A month gives you time to slow down.

To discover your favorite coffee shop.

To bike down quiet streets lined with historic homes.

To find the restaurant you'll return to again and again.

To watch the sunset from different places.

To experience the island the way locals do.

The longer you stay, the more Key West reveals itself.

Why Monthly Rentals Are Different

Key West is one of the most unique destinations in Florida, and many residential neighborhoods are protected by regulations that require vacation rentals to be rented monthly rather than nightly.

While some visitors initially see this as a limitation, many quickly discover it's actually an advantage.

A monthly stay allows you to settle into island life.

Where to Stay Near Ginnie Springs

If you're planning a trip to Ginnie Springs, one of the first questions you'll ask is: Where should we stay?

Many visitors assume the best option is to stay as close to the springs as possible. While that sounds logical, there's something most first-time visitors don't realize.

The springs are where you'll spend your day.

But where you stay determines how you'll spend your evenings.

That's why all of Home Host's High Springs vacation rentals are located in historic downtown High Springs, just minutes from Ginnie Springs and within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, live music, coffee shops, and High Springs Brewery.

Spend the day exploring Florida's crystal-clear springs and rivers. Then park the car, relax, and enjoy the town on foot.

The Best of Both Worlds

One of the things that makes Home Host's High Springs properties unique is their location.

All of our properties are within walking distance of downtown High Springs. That isn't an accident—it's by design.

Most people come here to swim, dive, kayak, tube, paddleboard, fish, or explore the area's beautiful springs and rivers.

A Local’s Guide to Key West: 34 Years on the Island

By Shawn Cowles

I first arrived in Key West more than 34 years ago. Like many people, I thought I was visiting. Instead, the island became home.

Over the years, I built a career as a professional treasure hunter and diver, traveling the world in search of shipwrecks and lost treasures. Yet no matter where I went, Key West always called me back.

What makes Key West special isn’t just the attractions—it’s the feeling you get when you slow down and experience the island like a local.

Why Stay in Old Town Key West

Old Town is the heart and soul of the island. Here you’ll find historic homes, walkable streets, local restaurants, galleries, and easy access to everything that makes Key West special.

Most visitors quickly realize they don’t need a car. Walking and biking are the best ways to explore.

How to Experience Key West

My advice is simple: don’t try to see everything.

Ride a bike down a quiet street. Stop for a Cuban coffee. Watch the chickens wander through the neighborhood. Sit outside and let the island come to you.