Key West Celebrates It’s 200th Anniversary

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There is a big celebration happening in Key West in 2022. A Bicentennial celebration Heritage Festival March 19 -30, 2022. It marks the anniversary of the island’s settlement. March 25 officially marks the bicentennial anniversary of the first permanent settlement founded in Key West. Still, the festivities started on January 21, with the Key West 200 exhibit opening its doors to welcome visitors to learn about the island’s unique history as the southernmost point in the United States. Now is the perfect time to plan your Key West Vacation package and be part of the celebration.

Some of the artifacts visitors can expect to see include cigar-rolling tools, 19th-century homewares, clothing, journals, and photographs, as well as Overseas Railway memorabilia, Ernest Hemingway’s boxing gloves, and tools used by indigenous communities. Museum visitors will be delighted to discover that tourism is only a small portion of the story. The true breadth, depth, and diversity of the island have a captivating history to celebrate. The Key West Trolley is a great way to get around. The fishing in Key West is not to be missed.

There is also a Key West 200 exhibit open through December 11, 2022. In addition, a granite time capsule will be filled and placed in the city on March 25. Events will include drone fireworks, special lectures, ceremonies, flag-raising at Mallory Square, and community celebrations. Everyone is invited to participate, kids, adults, residents, tourists, and pets, to celebrate the city, the history of Key West, and the people.

The post office in Key West has created a specialized collector’s item cancel stamp, so any mail coming through the 33040 zip code during that week, will be canceled with the unique stamp. In addition, Key West’s Bicentennial will include film nights with productions written by Tennessee Williams, who lived in Key West for more than 30 years. To complete a history-filled visit, take a look at Casa Marina, built more than 100 years ago. The plans for this resort were conceived by Henry Flagler, the railroad tycoon who built the Overseas Railway connecting Key West to the mainland.

Key West’s 200-year history makes it one of Florida’s most fascinating stops. Pair this with our complete Miami to Key West Road Trip itinerary.

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.