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Key West Travel Guide

It’s the ultimate “come as you are” destination—with a fierce independence streak. The Conch Republic throws its deeply tanned arms around all travelers, and before long you’ll be sipping slushy cocktails on Duval Street and toasting sunsets that inspire lyrics set to steel drums. But this isn’t Vegas with candy-colored houses. Closer to Cuba than Miami, it’s rich in culture as well as world-class diving and fishing in crystal-clear water.

Plan Your Key West Trip

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Photography by Matthew Buck

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Your Trip to Key West: The Complete Guide

The nation’s southernmost city is filled with fun bars, restaurants, historic homes and museums, beaches, water sports and eclectic characters with stories to tell. A three-hour trip from Miami (you can also fly into Key West International Airport ), the drive to Cayo Hueso is anything but stressful when you’re surrounded by crystal blue, sparkling waters on both sides of the highway. A therapeutic drive forces you to slow down and will get you in the mood for what’s to come—boozing, cruising, and possibly some dolphin-watching. Use this guide to plan your trip including where to stay, what to do, when to go, and more

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : Visit between March and May when the weather is milder for South Florida (think 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit and less humidity all around) and there aren't as many tourists.
• Language: English, though there are many native Spanish speakers.
• Currency: U.S. dollar.
• Getting Around: You can rent a car in Key West or use a rideshare app, but a pretty common and somewhat adventurous way to get around Key West is on a Vespa. Many hotels on the island have rental programs for guests, as do local tour companies.
• Travel Tip: If you’re not much of a scooter fan or even a bike rider, you can get around Key West perfectly fine on foot. Old Town is worth exploring at a leisurely pace, anyway. There’s a European-style (above ground) cemetery worth checking out and most of the restaurants, bars, and sights we’ve listed are easily accessible when you’re walking.   

Things to Do

Local bars stay open really late here, and most of them hire local talent to play originals, as well as covers of songs we all love. The Ernest Hemingway Home is a must-do, as is a photo at the southernmost point of the continental U.S.   , designated by an anchored concrete buoy. The well-known tourist attraction has been at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets since 1983 and is one of the most visited and photographed attraction in the Keys.

• You’ll likely end up on Duval Street at some point, where you'll find shopping, dining, and drinking galore.
• Mallory Square is where a daily Sunset Celebration takes place with live entertainment that includes fire breathers and artists of all sorts.
• If tours are more your speed, reserve a spot on the Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour . Guides combine Key West history with some clever ways to make you scream, so this activity may not be suitable for children under the age of 13. 

Explore more attractions with our full-length article on the best things to do in the Florida Keys.

What to Eat and Drink

If you like seafood, you’re in the right place. It’s always fresh and always perfectly cooked. If you’d rather go fishing and present your catch at a restaurant, they’ll season and cook it for you. While you're in town you have to try a slice of Key lime pie. Some of our favorite restaurants in Key West include El Siboney (Cuban food), Eaton Street Seafood Market & Restaurant (go for the stone crabs), Half Shell Raw Bar (oysters, pelicans and the decor here will leave you wanting more) and Croissants de France (for a full-on carby French breakfast of crepes, fresh-baked pastries and French toast—with a side of eggs for balance).

When it comes to imbibing, the options are endless, but for craft cocktails, Caroline’s Other Side is a cozy, cool bar hidden in a Key West-style home. Breweries are abundant here, too. Waterfront Brewery and First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery are a couple; there are also rum distilleries (Key West First Legal Rum Distillery) and the down and dirty, good old bars that haven’t changed since they opened, like Sloppy Joe’s (one of Hemingway's favorite haunts   ), Green Parrot Bar, Capt Tony’s Saloon and El Meson de Pepe where you can dance nightly to salsa.

Explore our articles on the best restaurants in Key West , the best places to eat key lime pie in the Florida Keys and the most fun bars .

Where to Stay

Where do we begin? If you want to relax right outside town, there are some newly renovated and reopened hotels worth getting to know, like Havana Cabana, 24 North Hotel, the Perry Hotel Key West and the Gates Hotel. Smack in the middle of the downtown area, though, the possibilities are endless. La Concha Hotel & Spa serves up glamorous 1920s vibes (it opened nearly 100 years ago), Casa Marina Key West, a Waldorf Astoria Resort channels Old Hollywood but in Florida, and the Saint Hotel Key West, an Autograph Collection Hotel, feels dark and mysterious in all the right ways that New Orleans might feel dark and mysterious. Old school bed and breakfasts are abundant in the Southernmost City, too, and there’s something refreshing about booking the old-fashioned way and having bread baskets delivered to your door in the morning.

Explore the best camping spots in the Florida Keys , best hotels for tourists and everything you need to know about visiting the Keys in summer . 

Getting There

You can drive into town (there’s only one road on and off the island  ) or fly into Key West International Airport . While cars are helpful to get around, especially when traveling from one side of the island to the other, most areas are easily walkable. On the rare occasion you’re sailing around the world, or even just the state of Florida, you can dock nearly anywhere on the island. Some hotels give guests the option of parking their boat instead of a car.  

Money Saving Tips

Take advantage of parks and museums that are free of charge for all visitors. Walking, of course, is free, good for you, and a more affordable option than hopping in a rideshare car. If you and everyone in your crew is of legal drinking age, First Legal Rum Distillery offers free rum tastings, with the purchase of one shot glass per person. 

• The Children’s Animal Park has a petting zoo, which will delight kiddos of all ages. 
• The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is another fun and educational place to learn about local plant and animal species. 
• Higgs Beach is free to visit, too. Pack a blanket, a picnic, and lots of water, and spend the day soaking in the sun and saltwater. 

City of Key West, Florida . "Southernmost Point."

VISIT FLORIDA . "Key West."

Key West Chamber of Commerce . "Getting Here."

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Key West   Travel Guide

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17 Best Things to Do in Key West, Florida

Like other vacation locales in Florida, Key West offers plenty of ways for nature lovers to enjoy its coastal seat, including several clean beaches, sailing and kayaking tours, fishing charters, and eco-tours like snorkeling excursions with tropical

• All Things To Do

Duval Street Duval Street free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Fuel your day of sightseeing with strong, sweet espresso from Cuban Coffee Queen. There are multiple locations near or along Duval Street, including the original truck by the waterfront. If it's a hot day (which it always is), get an iced cafe con leche with coffee ice cubes. - Lyssa Goldberg

A visit to Key West isn't complete without taking a stroll down Duval Street. Lined with restaurants, bars, art galleries and souvenir shops, this popular thoroughfare stretches a little more than a mile and is near many of the city's most well-known attractions. Grab a slice of Key lime pie from Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe a few blocks over, sign up for a ghost tour or catch some live music at the legendary Sloppy Joe's bar. Best of all, you can people-watch here free of charge.

Mallory Square Mallory Square free

U.S. News Insider Tip: A Mallory Square sunset is a must during your trip, but don't miss out on sunset views at dinner, too. Plan ahead and book a table at a waterfront restaurant like nearby Hot Tin Roof or Latitudes . These reservations can fill up months in advance. - Lyssa Goldberg

For a great view of the Key West sunset, head to Mallory Square at the northwest tip of the island. During the Sunset Celebration (a free, nightly arts festival that starts about two hours before sunset), this is one of the best spots on the island to catch the sun's last moments and revel in the end of the day. But because it's one of the best vantage points for watching a sunset, it's also extremely crowded, especially with cruise passengers when ships are in port.

Southernmost Point Southernmost Point free

U.S. News Insider Tip: While you're here, laugh to yourself about the self-proclaimed southernmost everything, from the historic Southernmost House mansion and Southernmost Beach Cafe to the Southernmost Grocery Store & Deli and Southernmost Trolley Stop gift shop. - Lyssa Goldberg

One of the most popular things to do in Key West is to snap a photo with the colorful buoy marking the southernmost point of the United States. Sitting at the intersection of Whitehead and South streets, the striped buoy is just 90 miles north of Cuba. Next to it, you'll find a plaque dedicated to Cubans who have lost their lives trying to reach America, and a plaque detailing the history of the Black community on the Southernmost Point.

Popular Tours

Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music and Hors D'oeuvres

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from $ 79.95

Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner and Drinks Included

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Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

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Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

U.S. News Insider Tip: Combine this stop with the Key West Lighthouse across the street. Then, visit nearby Blue Heaven in the quirky, colorful Bahama Village neighborhood for the best backyard vibes (and Key lime pie) in town. - Lyssa Goldberg

Literary icon and journalist Ernest Hemingway is one of Key West's best-known and well-loved "freshwater Conchs" (a resident who was not born on the island). His former home – which he lived in for less than 10 years, but owned until his death in 1961 – is located in Old Town and is now a U.S. National Historic Landmark. Literature buffs take note: Hemingway penned parts of some of his most famous works, including "A Farewell to Arms" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls," in this very residence. The grand house itself is interesting, as it was one of the first in Key West to have indoor plumbing and a pool. Inside, the rooms contain memorabilia about Hemingway's life and work.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

For the cleanest beach and best waters in Key West, you should head for the westernmost point of the island to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. There, you can sunbathe, hike, bike, fish and get a dose of history all in one place. Recent visitors noted the clear waters, making it an ideal snorkeling spot, but travelers also warn that the sand is not soft and that beach shoes are needed to traverse the rocky terrain safely. While the beach might not be as powdery soft as some other Florida beaches , it does offer some great snorkeling opportunities, according to recent visitors. You can either bring your own or rent equipment on-site. Along with your water gear, pack some food and charcoal: This beach has plenty of barbecue grills.

If you get tired of hanging out beachside, stop by the historic fort located within the park. The fort was built in the mid-1800s and was used during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. Daily guided tours are available at 11 a.m. or you can follow the self-guided tour.

Take a Key West boat tour Take a Key West boat tour

When you're not admiring the waters that surround Key West from the beach, enjoy them from the deck of a boat. Several companies offer sailing, snorkeling and kayaking tours, not to mention sunset cruises and fishing charters .  Danger Charters , Classic Harbor Line  and  Sebago Key West  all receive favorable reviews from recent travelers. There are also several tours designed exclusively for dolphin watching (the Florida Keys are home to bottlenose dolphins year-round, along with six other dolphin species that pass through the area) – Wild About Dolphins and Honest Eco  are among the most popular, according to recent travelers.

If you sign up for a  snorkeling tour , you'll likely sail to the Florida Keys Reef – the only living coral barrier reef in North America. Located approximately 6 miles off the coast of Key West, the reef has shallow waters ideal for beginners. Travelers can also sign up for kayaking tours and paddle through the uninhabited mangrove islands in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge.

Smathers Beach Smathers Beach free

Key West isn't known for its beaches. However, the largest and most bustling one on this island is Smathers Beach, which is particularly popular during spring break. Recent travelers say the beach is clean with calm waters, plenty of shade under the palms and amenities, including bathrooms, food trucks, and chair and umbrella rentals. Visitors also say the views are great and praise the beach's soft white sand. In recent months, several visitors noted an abundance of sargassum (smelly seaweed).

You'll find Smathers Beach on the southern shore of the island, stretching half a mile along the Atlantic Ocean and State Road A1A. It's close to the airport, which can be a pro if you enjoy watching the planes take off and land, or a con if you're not a fan of the noise.

Harry S. Truman Little White House Harry S. Truman Little White House

Originally built by the U.S. Navy in 1890, the Little White House served as naval command headquarters during the Spanish-American War, and also played roles in both World Wars and the Cold War. From 1946 through 1952, President Harry Truman used this house as his winter vacation home and because he spent 175 days of his presidency here, it became known as the Little White House. The name is fitting: Since Truman's days, many other presidents have also vacationed here, including Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Today, the Little White House has been restored and turned into a museum. Exhibits document Key West's role in naval conflicts, as well as the house's history – the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine were both discussed here.

Recent travelers highly recommend a visit to the Little White House, especially for self-identified history buffs. The guides and exhibits both earn high marks from reviewers. The only gripe among recent visitors concerned the admission cost, which some felt was too high for a one-hour experience.

Half-Day Cruise from Key West with Kayaking and Snorkeling

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Key West Afternoon Snorkel Sail with Live Music and Cocktails!

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Key West Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

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Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters Museum Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters Museum

If you can fend off the claustrophobia and don't mind heights, the climb up the tiny and constricting 88 spiral steps to the top of the Key West Lighthouse is worth it for the views, say recent visitors. Once you're up there though, be patient: According to past travelers, the viewing balcony at the top is very narrow. After taking in the views, take a look around the keeper's quarters, which have been around since 1887. The cozy house is now a museum that surveys the history of lighthouses in the Keys, with photographs and various artifacts. The gift shop is also a great place to find regional art.

One ticket gets you access to both the lighthouse and the museum. Admission for adults costs $17; kids ages 7 to 18 get in for $9, while children younger than 7 can enter for free. Discounts are available when you purchase your tickets online. Visitors are divided on whether the admission price is worth the local history provided in the museum, but most agree that the panoramic views seen from the top of the lighthouse are unbeatable. The lighthouse and museum are open daily (except Christmas) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Situated across the street from the  Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum , you can easily visit both sites in one day. Reviewers say there is some street parking, but most recommend walking in from town.

Conch Tour Train Conch Tour Train

Operating for more than 50 years, the Conch Tour Train is an ideal option for travelers interested in learning the history of Key West, but who don't have a lot of time to spend meandering through different attractions. This 75-minute narrated tour loops through Key West's famous Old Town, focusing on the city's rich history. The tour departs from Front Street and makes three stops along the way for visitors to grab refreshments and stretch their legs, and then wraps at Mallory Square . Passengers can also choose to hop off at a stop to visit nearby attractions and catch a later train.

Recent visitors praised the excellent tour guides, calling them knowledgeable and entertaining. They also said the train was a great way to see Old Town while giving your feet a break from walking. While some travelers thought the tickets were a bit overpriced, others appreciated the tour's convenient hop-on, hop-off structure.

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

If you love butterflies, this is the spot for you. The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is filled with 50 to 60 species of colorful winged creatures that seemingly float through the air in an enclosed, glass-domed aviary. Plant enthusiasts will also find much they'll love here, as the butterflies share their home with a wide variety of plants, along with more than 20 species of birds including two famed flamingos.

Past visitors highly recommend a stop here, describing the conservatory as a serene place to get away from the crowds or impending rain. Those traveling with kids said the kaleidoscopic butterflies and birds were a hit with the younger crowd, and the outing proved educational, too, thanks to a short film on butterfly metamorphosis.

Audubon House & Tropical Gardens Audubon House & Tropical Gardens

Whether you're interested in colonial furniture, period architecture, tropical greenery or artist and naturalist John James Audubon, you'll find a host of curiosities at the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens. Located in Old Town a block away from Duval Street , the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens dates back to the 1840s. The house was built by Captain John Huling Geiger, but it's named after well-known ornithologist John James Audubon, who visited the Keys in 1832. Twenty-eight of his works can be found in the house. While you're here, take a look at the house's decor and then head outside to the lush and colorful garden, which includes orchids, bromeliads and other tropical plants. For some, the garden was their favorite part of the house, noting that the vibrantly colored flowers make for prime photography subjects. Other reviewers remarked on the careful restoration of the house and its period-specific antiques.

When you walk into the house, you'll be greeted by a staff member who will offer a brief introduction. Many visitors remark on how friendly and knowledgeable the docents are. From there, you can embark on your own self-guided tour. The Audubon House is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Admission for adults costs $15; students (of any age) pay $10; tickets for kids ages 6 to 12 cost $5; children younger than 6 get in for free. You can purchase Audubon prints (and other souvenirs) in the on-site gift shop. For more information, visit the official website .

Key West Aquarium Key West Aquarium

The Key West Aquarium is proof that good things come in small packages. More small-scale than your typical aquarium, this indoor-outdoor attraction is a historic facility that first opened in 1935. Although it might be lacking in elaborate exhibits, this one-story aquarium still has a good range of creatures for the entire family to see. Take your kids to the touch pools to see if a sea cucumber is as slimy as it looks. The museum also hosts several tours and presentations throughout the day. If you're lucky, you may get to feed a gentle nurse shark if you attend the shark presentation.

The aquarium is home to several rescued sea turtles that are native to Florida waters.

Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour

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from $ 60.00

Key West Small-Group Sunset Sail with Wine

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Key West Sunset Sail: Dolphin Watching, Wine, and Tapas

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Higgs Beach Higgs Beach free

Located on the south side of the island along the Atlantic Ocean, Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park encompasses 16.5 acres of oceanfront, two piers (one on each end), a Civil War-era fort and the site of what's believed to be the only known African refugee cemetery in the U.S. Beachgoers can enjoy a day of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding in the ocean, plus land activities ranging from sunbathing to beach volleyball, tennis and pickleball.

Higgs Beach is known for its fine, white sand and shallow water, making it an ideal beach for families with small children. However, when you first enter the water, the sand can be rocky, recent travelers warn, so bring water shoes. You can avoid the rocks entirely by walking down the Reynolds Street Pier past the rocky shore to a ladder, where you can step down into the water. Beach chairs and umbrella rentals are available, or you can set up shop at one of several tiki huts, permanent wooden umbrellas, or picnic tables with barbecues. The park also offers visitors a bike path, a children's playground, a dog park, plus public restrooms and showers.

Key West Cemetery Key West Cemetery free

U.S. News Insider Tip: For more of the macabre, take an evening Ghosts & Gravestones tour to learn about the spooky tales of other Key West sites, where you'll meet the legendary (but haunted) Robert the Doll. – Lyssa Goldberg

Located in Old Town, the Key West Cemetery has been around since 1847 and is well worth at least a walk-through. The quirkiness of the city's residents extends even to the grave. Tombstones in this 19-acre cemetery don't bear the typical inscriptions. Instead, you'll find epitaphs that reflect the island's casual lifestyle. Some of the more well-known inscriptions include "I told you I was sick" and "I'm just resting my eyes." One tombstone for a captain is actually topped with a ship's mast. Notable Conchs buried here include Ellen Mallory, whose name you'll recognize from Mallory Square ; William Curry, Florida's first millionaire; and "Sloppy" Joe Russell, who was Ernest Hemingway's fishing guide and a bartender at the famed Sloppy Joe's bar on Duval Street . 

Key West First Legal Rum Distillery Key West First Legal Rum Distillery free

Key West's First Legal Rum Distillery opened its doors in 2012 and is the first since the end of Prohibition. Here, visitors can tour a working rum distillery, learn how to make a killer mojito or try a free sample of the establishment's specialty white and dark rums, which are made with Florida cane sugar and infused with flavors of coconut, vanilla creme brulee and Key lime. The distillery also sells flasks, shot glasses and rum cake.

Past visitors praised the distillery's delicious drinks and informative staff members, but noted that the tour was limited to one room. Even so, many recommended visiting for the wide selection of rums and rum drinks alone (including piña coladas).

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center free

With more than 6,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery center seeks to inspire visitors to preserve the marine ecosystems of the Florida Keys and enjoy this natural resource responsibly. Here, guests can learn about the native plants and animals of the Florida Keys through exhibits highlighting the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, four national wildlife refuges and three national parks, including Dry Tortugas, which is on an island about 70 miles from Key West.

Visitors can watch a 20-minute movie about the Keys' fragile ecosystems and then explore the center on a self-paced tour. Staff and volunteers are also on-site to answer questions. Notable exhibits include a replica of NOAA's Aquarius, the only underwater ocean laboratory in the world, and a spotlight on the long maritime history of shipwrecks inside the sanctuary's waters. After completing renovations in late 2022, there are even more hands-on activities, such as a mangrove exhibit where guests can play animal noises and guess which animal made the sound, an area with microscopes so you can watch coral close-up, and a paddleboard photo-op that looks like you’re paddling through the mangroves. The center has been certified by KultureCity as a sensory inclusive facility for people with sensory sensitivities; it offers a separate room where people can take a break from the exhibits. Sensory kits are also available.

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