Key West is the most popular and developed of the Florida Keys, known for its laidback island vibes and rowdy nightlife. But, regardless of whether you’re traveling with kiddos or are looking for a romantic honeymoon, every kind of traveler can find an incredible adventure to get up to here. Here’s the 13 best things to do in Key West, Florida.
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If you’re not familiar with Key West, it’s both the southernmost island and city in the Florida Keys, a chain of 2,000 tropical islands off the southern coast of Florida.
I live in Florida and have been lucky enough to explore all over the Sunshine State. Key West, with its charming plantation houses, incredible marine life, and laidback vibes, is hands-down my favorite city in Florida—and there’s no shortage of cool things to do to keep you busy during your stay here.
Let’s get into it!
Best things to do in Key West, Florida
1. Paddle through the mangroves
Fun fact—more than 1,800 miles of the Florida Keys’ shoreline is lined with mangroves, a special type of salt tolerant tree and shrub that can grow directly in sea water.
Key West is actually one of the best places in the world to kayak or stand-up paddle board through the narrow mangrove channels. If you’re a wildlife lover, you’re in luck—this is a great way to spot wildlife, from stingrays to tiny sharks and even manatees during the warmer months.
When my husband, Justin, and I visited Key West, we went on this two-hour kayaking tour with Lazy Dog Adventures and LOVED it. It was a great way to learn about the important role that mangroves play in the Keys’ ecosystem and about the incredible biodiversity of this region.
2. Watch the sunset at Mallory Square
One of the most iconic things to do in Key West is to watch the final golden rays of the sun kiss the Atlantic from Mallory Square, right along the waterfront.
Key West’s sunsets are quite iconic—it’s believed their colors are especially vibrant, due to the limited pollution. In fact, its sunsets are so beloved that there’s a daily “Sunset Celebration” festival here, dating all the way back to the 1960s. This event typically starts approximately one and a half hours before sunset and ends shortly after, with street performers, musicians, and food and drink vendors.
It’s inarguably a touristy thing to do, but still, it’s a magical experience to watch a beautiful sunset with hundreds of others, all set to the sounds of street performers and cheering crowds.
Insider tip: This is a POPULAR activity, so if you’re looking to get an unobstructed seat (or even an unobstructed view) for sunset along the waterfront, I’d suggest getting here as early as possible.
3. Visit the Hemingway House
The most popular attraction in all of Key West is the Hemingway Home, a beautiful Spanish colonial-style house from the mid-1800s, where the famed author Ernest Hemingway lived from 1931 to 1939.
The house is full of artifacts from Hemingway’s life, as well as informational signs about his adventures around the world and tumultuous personal life.
If you want an even more in-depth look at the author’s life, there’s a guided tour every 15 minutes (that’s included with every admission ticket), where a knowledgeable docent shows you around the house and provides funny stories about Hemingway’s time in Key West. My personal favorite story during our tour was about the “fountain” next to the home’s pool, which was actually a urinal that Hemingway carried home one night from his favorite watering hole.
Even if you weren’t quite as obsessed with Hemingway’s straightforward prose as I was in high school, there’s another good reason to visit the home—his menagerie of six-toed cats! Hemingway was once gifted a six-toed cat, which were believed to be good luck and more skilled at catching mice, by one of his mariner friends. Somehow, almost a century later, the house now has an impressive gaggle of almost 60 polydactyl kitties.
Pssst… if you’re a true Hemingway fanatic, you might want to consider joining this adults-only Hemingway walking tour, where you’ll get to explore some of his old haunts around town and learn a bit more about his salacious past.
4. Cruise on a tiki boat
If you’re looking to lean into the Keys’ kitschy old Florida vibes, consider joining a floating tiki boat cruise.
The concept of Key West tiki boats is just as ridiculous as it sounds. You’ll board a boat that’s been retrofitted to look like a retro tiki bar—complete with bamboo support beams and a thatched roof—and cruise around Key West’s harbor, taking in the views and a tropical cocktail or two.
Justin and I did one of these cruises at sunset and it was absolutely one of our favorite things to do in Key West. We cruised out near Mallory Square for sunset and got to watch the sky fill up with punchy colors as the sun sank into the sea—all without the crowds AND with our favorite beer in hand!
During the warmer months, you can even see wildlife while you’re out on the water. We took ours in December, so we unfortunately didn’t see any marine life, but our guide told us that it’s not unusual to see rays, manatees, and even dolphins when it’s warmer.
You can either join a group tour by purchasing tickets by the seat or, if you have a larger group (or just like to ball out), you can book a private tour. Justin and I originally signed up for a group tour, but were the only people that booked for that time slot, so we wound up getting a private tour!
5. Go on a dolphin watching cruise
In full transparency, although children are absolutely allowed on the tiki boat cruises, these experiences are usually more geared towards adults than families. I mean, after all, it is a sunset cruise where you BYOB and blast whatever tunes you want!
So if you’re traveling with family (or that just isn’t your vibe), consider, instead, heading out on a dolphin-watching cruise, where you’ll try to spot some of the 300 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that call Key West home. In addition to dolphins, it’s not unusual to see other types of marine life while you’re cruising around, like manatees and stingrays.
Most of these tours also include a snorkeling component to explore some of Key West’s vibrant coral reefs, where you can see some of the tropical fish and rays that live here up close and personal.
Consider joining this tour, which is on an electric catamaran and owned and operated by a marine biologist, or this tour, who has the BEST guides for finding awesome snorkeling spots.
6. Beach hop
It’s widely believed that the Florida Keys has “bad” beaches, with rocky sand and unclear water. However, I’d beg to differ—I think Key West has some pretty solid options!
Smathers Beach is actually one of my favorite beaches in all of Florida, with soft white sand, calm waves, and gently swaying palm trees.
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is also a nice option, especially for families. Its sand is a bit more rocky and stabby than Smathers, but it still offers tons of shade, calm water, and plentiful amenities, like picnic tables and grills.
Insider tip: For any of the beaches in Key West, I’d suggest packing along some hiking sandals, like my beloved Tevas, to wear while strolling on the sand or wading through the water. There can be random, jagged rocks that feel a bit unpleasant while barefoot, which is definitely not the vibe we’re going for whilst on island time!
7. Get a photo with the Southernmost Point marker
Key West is home to the most photographed feature in all of the Florida Keys, the Southernmost Point marker. When you’re standing at this point, you’ll actually be closer to both the Bahamas and Cuba than you will be to the mainland United States!
This is usually just a quick photo stop, but, I mean, did you even go to Key West if you didn’t get a photo here?
I’d just recommend going as early as you can. The line can get quite long after 9 AM or so and while it usually moves quickly, there’s too many cool things to do in Key West than just spend it waiting in line!
8. Check out the restaurant scene
Because of its coastal location and diverse cultural influences, Key West has a KILLER food scene, with everything from Cuban dishes to lots of food and cocktails made with the beloved Key limes.
You could spend months exploring all of the restaurants Key West has to offer, but some of my favorites are:
- Cuban Coffee Queen, which has sandwiches made out of the most delicious bread and killer Cuban coffee
- Kaya Island Eats, which dishes up a fusion of Key West favorites with Pacific Island influences
- Moondog Cafe and Bakery, housed in an adorable white cottage, with classic fare (think sandwiches and burgers) and a Key lime pie I still dream of.
- The Cafe, which serves Key West favorites, like mahi mahi tacos, with a globally-inspired twist. This would be my go-to option if you’re dining out with vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free friends—there’s tons of options for everyone. Plus, the key lime sangria is SO good!
- Mac’s Place, which serves up island-inspired fare (the blackened tofu tacos are SO good!) in a fun waterfront tiki bar
9. Visit Dry Tortugas National Park
Most visitors don’t know this, but Key West is actually home to one of the least visited U.S. National Parks. Well, kinda, sorta—Dry Tortugas is located about 70 miles west of the city.
Despite its lack of visitors, the national park is absolutely worth exploring. It’s home to Fort Jefferson, which dates back to the Civil War and has the impressive title of the largest brick structure in all of the Western Hemisphere. Plus, the park has crystal clear electric blue waters, abundant marine life, and some of the best snorkeling that Florida has to offer.
The reason that it’s not at the top of most visitors’ bucket list is the cost and logistics of getting there. Given its remote location, you can only reach Dry Tortugas by taking the Yankee Freedom Ferry boat, which starts at around $220 per person roundtrip, or a seaplane with Key West Seaplane Adventures, which starts at $466 per adult.
Still, if you’re a national park lover like we are, a history buff, or just have a bit of flexibility in your budget, Dry Tortugas is a unique and awesome day trip to include on your Key West itinerary.
10. Learn about Key West’s spooky side on a ghost tour
Speaking of Civil War era forts, did I mention that Key West is, like, mega haunted? In fact, The Travel Channel has named Key West as one of the most haunted cities in the United States! It’s believed that the city’s dark past, like its Yellow Fever epidemics and involvement in the Civil War, contributes to its alleged abundance of paranormal activity.
There’s tons of walking tours where you can learn more about Key West’s spooky—and occasionally grisly history—like this adults-only walking tour of the downtown area, or, if you’re REALLY into paranormal activity, this tour that includes a full-hour of doing your own ghost-hunting in a Civil War era fort.
11. Bar hop on Duval Street
To be honest, this is many travelers’ main activity while they’re in Key West—enjoying the best beer and frozen drinks that Duval Street has to offer.
Duval Street is Key West’s main drag and home to over 100 bars, ranging from classy cocktail joints to straight up dives.
Justin and I didn’t quite make it to every bar on Duval Street, but we did stop at enough to pick out a few of our favorites:
- Sloppy Joe’s: Sloppy Joe’s is a Key West institution, dating all the way back to 1933. In fact, this was Ernest Hemingway’s favorite bar during his time living here. Today, you’ll find live music, ice cold beer, and a friendly atmosphere.
- Captain Tony’s Saloon: This bar is actually Sloppy Joe’s former location (remember that story I told above about Ernest Hemingway carrying a urinal home? Yeah, that happened as Sloppy Joe’s bar and staff carried all of their equipment and furniture from their first location—where Captain Tony’s Saloon now stands—to its current location right across the street!). But Captain Tony’s is cool in its own right, with its eclectic decor of hundreds of old bras, license plates, and dollar bills; live music; and strong drinks. We spent most of our last New Year’s Eve at Captain Tony’s and had an absolute blast!
- The Green Parrot: For a more chill, local vibe, The Green Parrot is yet another Key West classic, dating all the way back to 1890. The bar has a more authentic, dive-y feel and is a good place to listen to some live music and soak in the Keys’ laidback vibes.
- General Horseplay: If you’re looking for something a bit more bougie, this is an upscale cocktail bar with hand-crafted cocktails and a good environment for a date night.
12. Check out the museums
To be honest, checking out museums wouldn’t be my first (or even fifth!) choice of things to do in Key West.
However, if you happen to be visiting on a rainy day or a particularly hot one and want to escape into air conditioning, there’s a number of good museums to choose from, like:
- Harry S. Truman Little White House: This historic building served as the winter White House for President Truman, starting in 1946, and has been used as a retreat for other U.S. Presidents over the years, including Eisenhower and Kennedy. Admission here includes a guided tour, which is offered every 20 minutes. If I had to pick one museum to stop at in Key West, this would be it!
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum: This fascinating museum covers the history of a Spanish ship, the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank off coast of the Florida Keys in 1622 while carrying gold, silver, and gemstones. A treasurer hunter named Mel Fisher searched for the shipwreck for years and years before finally discovering it in the early 1970s. This was quite the find—valued at around $450 million, the Atocha was added to the Guinness Book of World Records as being the most valuable shipwreck to ever be recovered!
- Shipwreck Museum: This museum delves into the history of shipwreck scavenging in Key West, as well as the discovery of the Isaac Allerton, a ship that sank in 1856. Out of all of the museums, this is my least favorite, but there is a cool lookout tower that provides nice views over Mallory Square and Sunset Key.
13. Drink some rum at the First Legal Rum Distillery
Like any good tropical destination, I had assumed that Key West would be bursting at the seams with rum distilleries. But in fact, the first legal one was actually founded here in 2012!
You can now go on a FREE tour of the aptly named First Legal Rum Distillery every day, which departs every half hour from 12-5 PM and, of course, includes some free samples. If you’re not one for tours, there’s also two bars here where you can try some of their spirits or you could even take a mojito-making class!
How to get to Key West, Florida
Key West is actually kind of remote, located 128 miles from the mainland U.S. Luckily, though, you have a few options to get there.
Flying to Key West
Key West is home to its very own airport, the Key West International Airport, with direct flights from 24 U.S. cities. And as a bonus, Key West is pretty small—about four miles by two miles wide—so, if you fly directly here, it’s easy enough to get around without a rental car, by using taxis, ride share, and bikes.
Alternatively, you may be able to find significantly cheaper airfare if you fly into the Miami or Fort Lauderdale airport. However, they’re both over 100 miles from Key West, so you’ll need to rent a car if you wind up landing here. So make sure to account for all of the costs when determining which option will be cheaper in the long run!
On the bright side, driving from Miami or Fort Lauderdale will take you through the rest of the Florida Keys, which brings me to…
Driving to Key West
You can alternatively get to Key West by doing a road trip through the Florida Keys, often starting in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. From here, you’ll drive along the Over-the-Seas Highway, across 44 islands, and eventually end in Key West.
If you have five or so days to spend here, this would 100% be my go-to option—there’s SO many cool things to do in the Florida Keys, from stunning beaches and world-class scuba diving to seeing the World’s Largest Lobster (yes, really!) and endangered species of tiny deer.
This is exactly what Justin and I did during our most recent trip to the Keys, and we have zero regrets!
Plus, I personally enjoyed having car in Key West. It’s definitely not needed, but it is helpful to explore some of the city’s attractions, like Smathers Beach or Cow Key Channel, which are located a few miles from downtown Key West.
Where to stay in Key West, Florida
Listen, I LOVE Key West, but one thing you should be aware of is that accommodations are quite limited and VERY pricey. In fact, it’s not unusual for hotel rooms to cost $350 (or more!) per night! Accordingly, I’d suggest booking a room well in advance of your trip to get the best rate—and to ensure you get a room in the first place!
Here are some of our favorite hotels in Key West:
- Ocean’s Edge Resort and Marina: If you’re a resort lover, this property, right along the waterfront, is an excellent option, with SIX(!!) pools, an excellent onsite restaurant, and kayak and paddleboard rentals. Just be aware that it’s located a bit outside of downtown Key West, which is nice if you want to have a respite from the hustle and bustle, but not so nice if you want to be able to walk to Duval Street.
- Casablanca Hotel: The Casablanca is housed in a charming historic building, but has all of the amenities that you’d expect from a modern hotel, from a swimming pool to continental breakfast and guest rooms with private balconies. Best of all, the location is KILLER, just minutes away from Duval Street, while being tucked away enough to be totally chill at night.
- The Gardens Hotel: This adults-only property is an excellent option for a romantic getaway or honeymoon, complete with onsite massages, weekly live jazz performances, and two outdoor pools. It also has an excellent location close to Duval Street AND you can even make some fun new animal friends during your visit, including turtles and a friendly resident cat.
Enjoy Key West—it’s one of our favorite U.S. cities! Do you have questions about any of the best things to do in Key West? Let us know in the comments below!
