Key West City Guide – Best 15 Things To Do in Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida is the southernmost point in the continental United States. In fact, Key West is actually closer to Havana, Cuba than it is to Miami, Florida! This charming beach city stretches only 2×4 miles wide and is a great destination for a weekend getaway in the sun! Key West is known for their beaches, lively nightlife, and historic sites. Read my full Key West City Guide below – featuring Top 15 Things to Do, Where to Eat, and more!
Know Before You Go to Key West, FL
- Key West is HOT in the summer (especially July-Sept).
- Wear a lot of sunscreen! In 6 hours, I was as red as a lobster just from walking around and shopping.
- There are no Ubers on the island. Cabs are available, but everything is walkable or bikeable!
Getting to Key West, FL
Key West is part of a connection of small islands off the coast of mainland Florida. You can get to Key West by land, sea, or air!
Flying to Key West:
There is a small local airport in Key West (Key West International Airport- EYW).If you opt to fly right into the island, you won’t need to rent a car. Key West is very walkable and has plenty of bikes available for rent if you’d like!
Some people opt to fly into Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Tampa (TPA) and then rent a car to drive the rest of the distance. Distances are listed below.
Driving to Key West:
Driving into Key West is a great option. Keep in mind you’ll be driving for 90 miles just from mainland Florida. Distance is listed below.
- 90 miles from mainland Florida
- 165 miles from Miami, Florida
- 188 miles from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- 392 miles from Orlando, Florida
- 425 miles from Tampa, Florida
Sailing to Key West:
Many cruises will make a pit-stop in Key West. However, this will only give you one day in the vibrant city. For some, this is enough to see the highlights. But for others, you’ll definitely want to come back asap.
There is also a Ferry service from Ft Myers. This is a full day trip with overnight options available.
Top 15 Things To Do In Key West
1. Visit The Southern Most Point In The USA
Admission: Free
Visiting the Southern Most Point in the USA is a must for your Key West City Guide. Yes, the city in general is the southern most point in the USA. However, visit the landmark to snap a quick picture of this monumental moment! 🙂 Be prepared to stand in line for this picture opp, especially if a cruise ship is in town!
2. Shop at the Rain Barrel Artisans Village
Admission: Free
Explore the artisan village that has dozens of local shops. This is a perfect place to souvenir shop and explore the trinkets that locals have designed.
3. Visit Ernest Hemingway’s Home
Admission: $15 per person
You’ll quickly learn that Ernest Hemingway is a huge part of the history of Key West. His home is available to tour as a historic museum. Explore the house and the garden surrounding it and learn why Hemingway fell in love with this city. Guided tours last for 30 minutes, but you can spend time on your own exploring too.
BONUS: Over 40 cats live here which is enough of a reason to visit this landmark in my opinion.
4. Take a Sunset Cruise
Admission: $35-55 per person
If you’ve read any of my other city guides, you know I LOVE a good sunset cruise. There is nothing better than relaxing on a boat as the sun goes down with 20+ random strangers (haha). I recommend Sebago for a sunset cruise – free drinks and appetizers are plentiful.
5. Take a Train Tour
Admission: $20-$40 per person
It can get SO hot in Key West that walking around by foot is exhausting. Instead, opt for a train tour – it’s 90 minutes and takes you to see all the historic sites in downtown Key West. You’ll learn a lot about the history too!
Book tickets here. PS: Ticket prices are a little high but include admission to other museums and rum distilleries too.
6. Watching the Sunset at Mallory Square
Admission: Free
Mallory Square is the perfect location to see the sunset on land. Grab a drink and show up to watch one of the best sunsets in Florida.
Note: This is a very popular spot at sunset so you won’t be alone! It’s so popular that they began calling it the “Sunset Celebration“.
7. Visit the Butterflies
Admission: $15 per person
Key West has a beautiful Butterfly Nature Conservatory. Spend an hour or two exploring the beautiful venue filled with 50 types of butterflies. Being surrounded by butterflies is a magical experience that takes all your stress away! It’s open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5PM.
8. Take a Boat Eco-Tour
Admission: $80-90 per person
Sebago offers great Eco-tours that allow you to explore. This 5 hour activity is a perfect way to spend your morning. Half of the tour is spent in kayaks while the other half is snorkeling around the mangrove islands. This is a fun way to get out on the water and enjoy nature!
9. Papa Pilar Rum Distillery
Admission: $10 per person
Spend an hour touring the Papa Pilar Rum Distillery and learn the history and process for rum distilling. Then, sample it for yourself. Tours start at 11AM and continue every hour until 5PM.
10. Visit the Little White House
Admission: $22 per person
Did you think you’d find a Presidential Landmark in this Key West City Guide?! The Little White House is actually Florida’s only Presidential Landmark throughout the entire state! This Little White House was Truman’s house. In the late 40s and 50s, Truman used this as a remote White House during the winter months.
It’s a “living museum” because the government still uses it today for events and meetings. Guided tours are offered daily between 9AM and 4:30PM (every 20 minutes).
11. Mile Marker Zero
Admission: Free
Another classic Key West photo opt: mile marker zero! Stretching from upper Maine to Key West, US 1 is a 2,369 mile interstate that connects most major cities in the eastern U.S. My Key West City Guide wouldn’t be complete without this!
Fun Fact: Tourists often steal this sign as a memento so the city is constantly having to replace it.
12. Spend a day at the beach
Admission: Free to $7
There are a few great beaches in Key West that are the perfect place to spend a day under the sun! Check out the beaches below:
- Fort Zachary Taylor – Large Beach (entry is $2.50 for walkers or $7 per car)
- South Beach – Crowded Beach with Chair Rentals (free entry; $20 chair rentals)
- Key West Higg’s Beach – lots of people watching and activities available (free)
- Smather’s Beach – largest beach on the island; perfect for sunbathing (free)
13. Shop on Duval Street
Duval Street is the hub of shops, restaurants, bars, and more in Key West. Stroll down Duval Street to see art shops, souvenir shops, and more!
14. Bar Hop on Duval Street
Shop by day, drink by night. Duval Street has it all. Some popular bars to check out at night are listed below:
- Irish Kevin’s Bar – live entertainment; lots of beer options
- Smallest Bar Key West – 72sqft bar; unique experience; photo opp
- Vinos on Duval – great wine; cozy bar
15. Key West Lighthouse
Admission: $12 per person
Walk 88 steps to the top of the Lighthouse in Key West. This will give you a great view of the city, plus a small workout! 🙂 Along the walk, you’ll see photos of the history of the lighthouse.
Best Restaurants in Key West, FL:
- Sloppy Joes – Most Iconic Restaurant
- Bagatelle – Wrap Around Porch with Great Lobster Mac N Cheese
- Sarabeth’s – Best Breakfast/Brunch
- Little Pearl – Amazing Seafood Restaurant
- Sunset Pier – Great Drinks and Wonderful View
- Key West Brewing Co – Local brewery with a 10-beer sampler!
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Key West is such a beautiful and laid-back place. I also did some of the best snorkeling there. The only thing I miss are nice beaches – I’ve found only one which was really lovely. I remember it being in some sort of a protected area. Anyway, a dreamy place with a lot to enjoy.
This post really makes me want to go to key west. I have heard it in passing by people visiting there or passing through but never really knew much about it. The places looks utterly charming and beautiful. I’d love to spend a few days here at elast.
We love to visit Key West but it has been awhile since our last visit. Good to find some new spots for our next trip. I have seen the train but never did the tour. A fun way to learn more than strolling on our own. Hubby would want the run distillery tour for sure. But a sunset cruise is my favourite way to enjoy Key West.
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Key West. I’d love to travel there at some point. This guide is a great resource that I will definitely refer to.
I’ve been to the southernmost point, Hemingway home, little white house, sloppy Joe’s Mallory square, Duval st. But I missed Mile Marker 0 and the Lighthouse!!! Time to go back!
We were hoping to get to Florida in 2021, but covid had other ideas so it’s still on our to-do list to get all the way to Key West. Thanks for all these great tips for when we do go.