10 Best Things to Do in Key West
From gorgeous beaches and stunning sunsets to six-toed cats and Key lime pie, there are many things Key West is famous for. And we haven’t even gotten to the ghosts yet.
Part of the fun of planning your dream Key West vacation is learning about all the fun (and funky) ways to spend your days when you’re ready to venture out from your comfy, private vacation home. Whether you’re looking to spend your days out on the water, exploring local landmarks, or diving into the island’s haunted history, there are plenty of things to do in Key West.
Ready to plan your trip to paradise? Without further ado — this is your travel guide to the best things to do in Key West!
1. Hit the Beaches
Being the island paradise that it is, no visit to Key West is complete without getting your toes in the sand on at least one of the local beaches. Key West beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, with sparkling white sand, turquoise waters, and an abundance of tropical fish and marine life – worth an entire day trip adventure! It’s the closest you’ll get to the Caribbean without needing a passport!
Our favorite stretches of sand to spend the day at in Key West:
- Smathers Beach: Key West’s largest public beach, there’s plenty of room for everyone to find a spot in the sand and enjoy a day at the beach. Its location on the Atlantic side of the island also makes it perfect for kiteboarding, parasailing, jet-skiing, and other watersports.
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach: Surrounded by rocky outcroppings and shallow turquoise waters teeming with colorful parrot fish and other marine life, the beach at Fort Zachary is the perfect snorkeling spot, especially for beginners and families.
- Simonton Beach: A bit of a hidden gem, Simonton Beach is very small but also very quiet and relaxed. It’s perfect for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of busier beaches.
- Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach: Also known simply as Higgs Beach, this one is a favorite among families for its calm, clear waters (perfect for snorkeling) and its adjacent playground for children.
- Rest Beach: With the same calm, clear waters as Higgs Beach, Rest Beach sits just a few yards east of Higgs Beach, but it’s typically quieter and less crowded. As the name implies, it’s perfect for those looking to “rest” on the beach.
- South Beach: A smaller beach just off Duval Street, perfect for when you need a break from walking and want to put your toes in the sand for a bit or take a quick dip.
- Key West Dog Beach: If you’re vacationing with your dog in Key West, there’s a beach for them, too! This small, dog-friendly beach is the perfect spot to let your pup take a stroll in the sand or go for a swim in the cool, refreshing waters.
2. Go Snorkeling
While Key West beaches are certainly some of the most beautiful in the world, nothing beats what’s actually below the waves. The waters surrounding Key West are home to the only living coral reef system in the continental US, and these reefs are absolutely brimming with sea creatures. From colorful fish and crustaceans to sea turtles, stingrays, dolphins, sharks, and more — there’s so much to see in this unique underwater world.
There are two main ways to go snorkeling in Key West — beach snorkeling or offshore snorkeling (by boat).
- Beach Snorkeling: The perfect kind of snorkeling for beginners or those with small children, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach and Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach both offer ample snorkeling opportunities in calm, shallow waters, just a few feet from shore.
- Offshore Snorkeling: To get up close and personal with some of the most incredible coral reefs, you’ll need to head a few miles offshore. There are plenty of snorkeling tours available through Fury Water Adventures and Sunset Watersports. Or, if you want to try something a little bit different, SNUBA of Key West.
3. Spend a Day on the Water
Key West is all about fun on the water, and while hitting the beaches and going snorkeling are certainly must-dos, don’t forget about all of the other water activities this island has to offer. There are many ways to spend a day on the water in Key West, including:
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Jet skiing
- Parasailing
- Kiteboarding
- Inflatables
- Boat tours
- Fishing charters
- Floating tiki bars
You can find tour operators and watersport rentals on just about every beach and marina in Key West. Or, when staying with VHKW, you’ll have access to a personalized concierge service to help you plan your stay and book all the best tours and excursions!
4. Snap a Picture at the Southernmost Point
It’s one of Key West’s most famous and perhaps most photographed landmarks. Taking a picture at the Southernmost Point is a rite of passage for Key West visitors. This large, colorful buoy marking the Southernmost point in the continental USA makes the perfect backdrop to snap a few photos memorializing your trip to Key West.
Just pack your patience; there is typically a line of tourists, but it does move quickly.
5. Stroll Duval Street
The beating heart of the city, no visit to Key West is complete without spending some time on Duval Street. Whether you have just a few hours or a full day to spend, you can stroll, shop, eat, drink, or even dance your way around Duval Street — just watch out for the roosters! Yes, this is where you’ll find many of Key West’s famous resident roosters roaming.
Filled with iconic landmarks, restaurants, bars, museums, art galleries, and shops, Duval Street is where you’ll find famous spots like Sloppy Joe’s, The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, and Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop, just to name a few.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day of fun or a late-night party spot, there’s something for everyone on Duval Street.
6. Catch the Sunset
Key West is known for having some of the most colorful and breathtakingly beautiful sunsets, so it’s no wonder you’ll find entire celebrations dedicated to them, nightly sunset cruises, and nearly every beachfront or rooftop restaurant on the island will be packed at sunset time.
While you can catch the sunset in some capacity nearly everywhere on the island, the best spots are on or near the water. These are some of our favorite places to catch the sunset in Key West!
- Mallory Square: Known for its nightly sunset celebration, you’ll find street performers, food vendors, live music, and more, all coming together for one big party as the sun sets over the water in front of Mallory Square.
- Key West Sunset Cruises: Hop aboard a catamaran, sip champagne, and listen to live music as you sail into the sunset and get incredible views along the way.
- Sunset Key: A private island just off Key West, those staying on Sunset Key have front-row seats to the most spectacular sunsets every night.
7. Step Back in Time at The Hemingway House
Once home to one of the world’s most famous literary icons and Key West residents, Ernest Hemingway, The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is a must-stop for literary lovers and history buffs.
You can stroll the grounds and gardens, learn the history of the home, see where Hemingway worked, and, of course, meet the famous six-toed cats that are descendants of Ernest Hemingway’s original feline friends.
8. Dive into the Haunted History of Key West
While Key West may be best known for beaches and sunsets, this island also holds some dark secrets. Key West is considered one of the most haunted cities in America, and it’s full of fascinating ghost tales.
If you’re up for some spooky fun, you’ll find a few tour operators around Key West, like Ghosts and Gravestones and Key West Ghosts and Mysteries, which offer ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, and other guided tours showcasing the island’s haunted history.
9. Check Out The Key West Culinary Scene
With access to the freshest seafood from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and influences from the Spanish, French, Caribbean, and more — Key West is a foodie paradise! You’ll find everything from conch fritters and crab cakes to Cuban sandwiches and Cajun-style fish, and of course, lots of Key lime pie.
Key West is full of great restaurants, from casual beach cafes and dive oyster bars to fine dining. And don’t worry if you have food restrictions; you can find vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly meals at many Key West restaurants.
These are some of the most beloved eateries in Key West.
- Blue Heaven: A breezy spot best known for “Floribbean” cuisine, serving up fresh seafood, jerk chicken, and Key lime pie.
- Louie’s Backyard: Beachside dining with a menu of fresh surf and turf favorites and gorgeous views.
- Conch Republic Seafood Company: Dockside dining with waterfront views, fresh-off-the-boat seafood, and fruity frozen cocktails.
- El Meson De Pepe’s Bar & Restaurant: Famous for Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, and Cuban coffee, a must-stop when you’re in the mood for Cuban food.
- B.O.’s Fish Wagon: A quirky spot beloved for fried seafood baskets and salvage yard-style decor.
10. Take a Trolley Tour
There’s so much to see and do in Key West, and while it is a very walkable city, it can be hard to see everything if you’re only relying on your feet. The Hop On, Hop Off Trolley is one of the best ways to see many iconic Key West landmarks in just one day.
The trolley has over a dozen stops around Key West so you can hop off wherever you like, explore for a bit, then hop back on to your next destination. It’s the perfect way to get from one side of the island to the other and see famous and historic sites along the way, like the Key West Historic Seaport, the Truman Little White House, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, and so much more.
Don’t Miss These Iconic Things to Do in Key West
While we’ve given you plenty to choose from to keep you as busy as you want to be, don’t forget that sometimes, the best thing to do in Key West is nothing at all! Be sure to take some time to sit back, relax, put your toes in the sand, and sip on a margarita — because that’s what the Florida Keys are all about.
Book your stay with VHKW for the ultimate relaxing getaway. You’ll enjoy private, fully-furnished vacation homes with amenities like beautiful gardens, private pools, and ocean views, close to all the best Key West attractions.
