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Island House if you're a boy (day passes available). Pearl's Patio and Alexander's Guesthouse for women and men.

Key West's official motto of "One Human Family" is the local community's way of saying how much they love everyone -- and that the LGBT crowd should feel especially welcome! There's not a diminished presence of queers in Key West, we're just more lovingly mixed in!

Not even San Francisco or New York can rival the enthusiasm of Key West Pride Fest (http://www.pridefestkeywest.com). Held for at least a week every early/mid June, there are dance parties, contests, scavenger hunts, happy hours, BBQs, street fairs, guesthouse open houses, and of course, the exuberant finale Parade Sunday afternoon. Book your trip in advance because revelers flock from around the world to get in on this LGBT blowout!

The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, at 907 Whitehead Street in Old Town, is open for visitors every day of the year from 9am to 5pm. (No reservations needed.) The house was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1968, and still stands as one of the most beautiful examples of classic Key West architecture, including lush gardens and a large swimming pool dug out of the island's coral base. Though many cats inhabit the grounds today, Hemingway's son Patrick said that his father never owned cats there, just peacocks.

You bet! Key West has gorgeous weather all year 'round. Because the Florida Keys are located in the subtropical region of the Western Hemisphere and in the warm Gulf of Mexico, they keep their warm-maritime climate and usually only have passing storms (not like week-long storms up north). Winter temperatures still average in the mid-70s Fahrenheit.