Enjoying our Key West is an easy as ABC. Here's some good information, some tried and true attractions, and some off-the-wall observations. Just follow our lead and you will see why we love our island. Some of it is free, some of it will cost some bucks, but all of it is FUN!

AUTOMOBILE · The best thing to do with your car is park it and rent a bicycle,moped, or even walk around town. Check out the map of Old Town in Southern Exposure Guide or click on MAP here on the web magazine, it will help you find it all. Pick up a copy of the Guide at your guesthouse or local gay bar when you get here.

BOOKSTORES · Get out of the noonday sun and browse in one of our extensive bookstores. They specialize in new, used and rare books, some signed by Key West authors. You'll find books on alternative life styles, Key West, and some tempting cook books.

CEMETERY · Cemetery???

Yes, don't miss it. It's funky, funny and historic and it's located at Passover Lane and Angela Streets. It features stone-encased caskets resting on top of the earth due to the rocky geological makeup of the island. You can even take a guided tour - call 294-8380.

DICK DOCK · You must check out the infamous "Dick Dock" at Higgs beach. It is especially cruisy on hot sunny days. Just ask anyone where the Casa Marina is and you will find the Pier and ... THE MEN. Another spot to catch the sun and the men is Fort (Liz) Taylor State Park beach. Take along a picnic lunch, plenty to drink and lots of sun block.

EVENTS · Key Westers love a party. Lots of events are staged during the year, each of them an excuse to party. Each week you can check out one of the tea dances, from a tropical garden setting to one held by the sea. Click on "What's Happening" for a complete listing of this month's events.

FINE ARTS · Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center, Red Barn Theatre, and Waterfront Playhouse all present performances from November through April. For a schedule of this month's activities click on "What's Happening".

GALLERIES · Stroll down Duval Street, Simonton Street, Front Street and the Old Town side streets. You'll find a collection of art, hand-painted clothes, crafts and some utter nonsense in the creative gallery exhibits.

HISTORICAL ·Key West is rich in history - here are just a few of the spots you should visit:

• Audubon House, 205 Whitehead Street, built in the early 19 th century, contains one of the most complete collection of John James Audubon's bird etchings.
• East Martello Gallery and Museum, adjacent to Key West International Airport. The towers are named for their Martello design, thick walls and one entry point on the second floor. From the top of the tower there is a sweeping view of the island and its surrounding waters.
• Fort Taylor, Southard Street. This magnificent military structure is preserved so that visitors can observe firsthand antique and modern weapons, and walk through the thick walled esplanade.

INFORMATION · In an emergency, dial 911. If you need some help, or someone to talk to, call: · AIDS Help, Inc., 296-6196 · AIDS Prevention Center, 292-6701 · Help Line, 296-4357, or 296-HELP · Lower Florida Keys Health System, 294-5531 · Mental Health Care Center, 294-5237 · Metropolitan Community Church, 294-8912. This list is also available in Southern Exposure Guide, available when you get here.

JAZZ · All that jazz is definitely here. It pops up in odd places, at odd times; usually on Sunday nights. Just ask around.

KEY LIME PIE · This is what to look for: the filling should be pale yellow in color. If it's bright green, don't bother eating it. The topping may be meringue or whipped cream. The filling should be tart and the topping, sweet. Ummm, lip-lickin' good.

LIBRARY · Located at 700 Fleming Street, 294-8488. The Monroe County Library is a cool place to be on a hot or rainy day. The library opens at 9 am Monday through Saturday and stays open until 9 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays.

MUSEUMS · Interesting museums and historical houses tell the stories of the town from Audubon to Wreckers. Add these to the usual list of Hemingway and Audubon:

• Mel Fisher's Maritime Heritage Society Museum, 200 Greene Street. Take the time to sit through the National Geographic film depicting the heroic salvage efforts on the ancient Spanish galleons found off the coast of the Keys.
• The Wrecker's Museum, 322 Duval Street, is the home of a wrecking captain. It's the Oldest House in Key West and is appropriately furnished. The plants in the garden are all indigenous to Key West.

NATURE · Riggs Wildlife Refuge is one of Key West's best-kept secrets. Only a few hundred yards from the airport, you'll find the Salt Ponds, a natural haven that has intrigued environmentalists for years. There are mangroves and buttonwood trees and rare aquatic birds. Behind the chain link fence right off busy Roosevelt Boulevard, you will find an ecologically historic area. Call 294-2116 for directions and for the combination to the lock on the gate.

OGLING · Ogling is a universal activity, but the sights in Key West are somehow a little more outrageous than every other Small Town, USA. Duval Street offers more than an occasional oddity, be it a sartorial splendor or salacious seediness.

POST OFFICE · For postal information, phone 294-2557. Branches are at 400 Whitehead Street, open 9:30 to 5 and Overseas Market, open 9 to 5. Both branches close at noon on Saturdays.

QUALITY · The quality of life on our island is fragile and precious. We ask you to respect our environment; use litter cans, respect the reef when you dive, beep moped horns only in an emergency, and observe the speed limit (25 mph or 30 mph on most Key West streets).

REAL ESTATE · Everyone is fascinated by the Key West real estate market. In the past years, many properties have tripled in value and appear to keep spiraling. Check in with a Realtor; you might find your dream Conch house on your dream island.

SUNSET · Sunset in Key West is a real happening. Read about the sunset on our Sunset page.

TOURS · For a fine overview of the island, get on a sight-seeing Old Town Trolley or a Conch Tour Train. Hour-and-a-half narrated tours tell a fine story and give you a great historic and contemporary perspective of the island. Take along our map, located in the center of the magazine, so you can mark the spots you want to go back to.

UNDERWATER · Diving and snorkeling on our live coral reefs is an experience you'll remember forever. The spectacular reef along the coast of Key West is the only living reef in this hemisphere. You will want pictures, so buy a disposable underwater camera to shoot the vivid corals and tropical fish you see. There are lots of dive boats and several gay-owned and operated sailing and power boats which go to the same reefs and some of the outer islands. Go in the morning so there's less chance of a burnt back. For information on the gay reef trips check out Key's Cruisin - it's under WaterSports.

VACATION · We hope you are enjoying yours and you'll find this guide useful in planning your stay. Be sure to check out our advertisers, they make this guide possible.

WATER - There's this rumor that Key West water is not fit to drink. Well, sometimes it is a little chunky, has a funny color and a strange aroma. But, the state biologists tell us it's among the purest water in the State of Florida. Cheers!

XENOPHILIA · This is the attraction to or admiration of anything foreign or strange. If you are a xenophiliac, you are in the right place! Key West has its share of strange people, events, stores and weird stuff. Just look around; we're everywhere.

YESTERYEARS · Vintage clothing, furniture, memorabilia is in vogue. You'll find fine vintage finery in many interesting shops in Old Town.

ZONKED · This is how you might feel after a night on the Key West town. Head for the nearest beach, throw yourself into the warm, caressing waters, swim a few laps and VOILA! you're ready to zip around again.