Things To Do
Duval Street
Duval Street is one of Key West’s main attractions, stretching 1.25 miles from the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean. Lively and upbeat, Duval Street is lined with local shops, galleries, and tons of great restaurants. You’ll find the famous Sloppy Joe’s Bar, Willie T’s, and Capt Tony’s Saloon all along Duval Street! Be sure to stop in for a drink, even just to say you were there. It’s the Key West thing to do! If you dine out at the local eateries, try the conch fritters. They’re delicious!
Mallory Square
Mallory Square plaza is located on the waterfront in Key West’s historic Old Town. Each evening, the square hosts their Sunset Celebration, a small festival with local musicians, artists, street performers, and food vendors. The square is also one of the best spots to watch the Green Flash at sunset!
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Walk through the glass enclosure with hundreds of butterflies, and wear red if you’d like to attract them! Along the way, you’ll also see exotic birds, flowering plants, tropical trees, and waterfalls. There’s even an interactive exhibit where kids can learn and have fun.
Beaches
White sand, clear waters, and vibrant marine life. This Florida Key has beaches like no other! Smathers, Straw Hat, and South Beach are all great options, but Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is said to be the best.
Museums, Gardens, Aquariums, & more!
To better appreciate the history and natural beauty of the island, the Hemingway Home and Museum, Truman Little White House, Key West Garden Club, Key West Lighthouse, and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park are all amazing places to visit. Visitors of all ages will appreciate an outing to the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Key West Aquarium, Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, or the Shipwreck Treasure Museum. With touch tanks and interactive exhibits, there will be no shortage of fun, hands on experiences, especially for young ones!
Watersports
Reef snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, sandbar safaris, wildlife boat tours, sunset sails… the options are endless! May is peak season for dolphin watching, and an early morning boat tour is your best shot at seeing them. The coral reefs surrounding the Keys make for some of the best snorkeling in the world! If you've never seen the Florida mangroves, a kayaking or paddleboarding tour is a great way to explore them. Check out Fury Key West Watersports and Sunset Watersports for some fun in the sun.
Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.
Southernmost Point is a historical landmark, a classic tourist spot, and the perfect place for a Key West photo op!
Fishing Charters
If you’re looking to cast a line, you’ve come to the right place! The waters surrounding Key West offer prime locations for catching marlin, sailfish, tuna, bonefish, tarpon, permit, and reef fish. Check out fishing charters offered through Goliath Charters, All In Fishing Charters, and Key West Fish and Fun.
Conch Train Tours
The Conch Train Tour takes you through Old Town Key West and visits all of the island's main sites. The tour guides are lively and provide historical facts, stories of local residents, trivia, and amusing narrations along the way.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles off the coast of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. Only accessible by boat or seaplane, a visit will take a day at minimum, but campsites are available for a longer stay. The Yankee Freedom III is the largest and fastest ferry from Key West, with day trips typically departing at 7:30 AM and returning around 5:30 PM. Key West Seaplane Adventures is a pricier, but popular option that is said to be well worth it! Be sure to book well in advance (like, several months in advance!) as spots are extremely limited.