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At the southern tip of the Florida Keys is Key West, where you’ll find a perfect mix of laid-back atmosphere, vibrant energy and plenty of exciting things to see and do.
With sparkling waters, boat trips, amazing sunsets, beautiful gardens, awesome history, gorgeous architecture, live music and abundant happy hours, Key West is one of those places that so many of us never want to leave.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 28 fun things to see and do on your trip to Key West. I’ll include different types of activities and attractions so there will be something here for everyone. While this is a long list, it doesn’t even cover absolutely everything there is to see and do on the island, but hey, it’s enough to get your planning started!
Key West Map of Attractions
Save our map of places to go, eat and drink in Key West
Things To Do In Key West, Florida
1. Ride the Conch Train
The Conch Train trundles for 75 minutes through the old town of Key West, with the driver providing a narrated tour of history, people, and architecture, while also highlighting sights and activities you may want to visit on the island.
Yes, it’s cheesy, but it’s a great way to familiarise yourself with the old town, as well as learn some interesting facts along the way. For example, we found out why Key West homes have metal roofs, why some houses appear to have eyebrows, and why there are so. many. chickens.
The Conch Train is hop-on hop-off, with four stops around the old town. We went on the train mainly to enjoy the narrated tour and get the lay of the land rather than using it as a mode of transport, so we just did the loop in full and then got off.
If you’d like to use the Conch Train as a mode of transport as well, you could also consider the Old Town Trolley, which goes further around the island and covers more stops.
Conch Train & Old Town Trolley Useful Resources
Book Conch Train Tickets
Book Old Town Trolley Tickets
Conch Train Map of Stops
Old Town Trolley Map of Stops
Check other traveller reviews of the Conch Train and the Old Town Trolley
2. Try Cuban Food
Key West’s close proximity to Cuba has greatly influenced its culinary scene, so you should add Cuban dishes to your Key West food wish list!
Popular Cuban Dishes in Key West
- Ropa Vieja: Shredded beef cooked with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices, often served with rice and beans.
- Lechón Asado: Slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus juice and garlic, usually accompanied by rice and plantains.
- Picadillo: Ground beef cooked with tomatoes, olives, raisins, and capers, served over rice.
- Cuban Sandwich: A pressed sandwich filled with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread.
- Yuca con Mojo: Boiled cassava root drizzled with a garlic and citrus sauce.
- Tostones: Twice-fried plantain slices, often served as a side dish or appetiser.
- Arroz con Pollo: Chicken and rice cooked together with vegetables and spices, creating a savoury one-pot dish.
- Empanadas: Pastries filled with meat, cheese, or other ingredients, then baked or fried until golden
3. Key West Butterfly and Nature conservatory
A popular attraction in Key West is the glass-domed Key West Butterfly and Nature conservatory. Here, you can walk through a cloud of hundreds of vibrant butterflies taking flight all around you. There are also exotic birds, turtles, and even two resident flamingos, Rhett and Scarlett. At the conservatory, you can learn about butterfly biology, ecology, and conservation while enjoying the lush tropical plants, mini waterfalls, and colourful butterflies.
While this is a great place for kids, I am a certain number of years over thirty and still had the best time. It looked like all the other adults were enjoying it too, so don’t just write this off as a kiddy attraction.
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory Resources
Opening hours & admission prices
Check other traveller reviews of the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Can’t visit to visit? Check out their live cam!
4. Sails to Rails Museum
Included with your Conch Train or Old Town Trolley ticket is admission to the Sails to Rails Museum, which we were told needed to be used on the same day as your train or trolley tour.
At this museum, you’ll learn the story of Key West, from the days of the wrecking industries to Henry Flagler, who built a railway from Miami all the way to Key West. While this was partly to help tourists reach his fancy hotels, the railroad was a game changer for travel and trade, and helped transform Key West into the major destination it is today.
The Sails to Rails Museum covers the good, the bad, and the ugly of what it was like to work on the railroads, and finally, how the railroad met its tragic end.
5. Explore the Historic Seaport
The historic seaport is a wonderful place to take a stroll and eat, drink, watch the boats or look out for wildlife.
Whaling Wall.
By the harbour, you’ll see the Whaling Wall, painted by artist Wyland to raise awareness and appreciation of marine life.
Jimmy Buffet’s recording studio.
If you’re a Jimmy Buffett fan, look out for his recording studio, Shrimpboat Sound, now covered in stickers and tributes to the musician.
Tarpon Feedings.
If you’re there at 4 pm, there’s a place where you can watch tarpon feedings. Tarpon are massive fish that look a bit like sharks from the surface of the water — at least they do to me anyway. We actually stumbled across someone feeding tarpons further along the dock after 6 pm, so even if you miss the 4 pm feed, you may still get the chance to watch elsewhere. I’ve marked the 4pm feeding location on the attractions map I created.
6. Sunset At Mallory Square
End your day at Mallory Square, which draws in big crowds for its renowned daily sunset celebration.
The atmosphere is really fun, with musicians and street performers filling the area.
We found that wherever you watch the sunset from in Key West, not only is this always a breathtaking sight, but watching the sun’s final moments with a group of strangers all doing exactly the same thing creates a sense of camaraderie.
Here are a few other places to watch the sunset in Key West:
Top rated sunset cruises:
7. Southernmost Point
Next on our list is getting your photo taken with the Southernmost Point buoy.
Is it the most touristy thing to do in Key West? Probably. But hey, if you want to grab that well-known photo then don’t let that stop you!
The buoy is not actually located at the true southernmost point of the continental US; from what I’ve read that spot is on private property a few blocks away. However, its still a good photo op while you’re in Key West. Watch out for waves though, I got a bit of a soaking while standing next to the buoy!
When we arrived around 9:30am, there wasn’t much of a queue, likely because it wasn’t a cruise ship day.
If you do encounter a long queue, you could always stand off to the side and take a selfie, though you might get other people in the background.
8. Explore Bahama Village
Take a morning walk around Bahama Village, where the first Bahamian settlers arrived back in the 19th century. The dusty streets are lined with pastel-colored homes of all shapes and sizes, and the tiny yards are filled with trinkets and cascading plants.
9. Try Different Takes on Key Lime Pie
While in Key West, you have to try Key Lime Pie (I’m pretty sure it’s the law). Countless bakeries and cafes offering their unique spins on this tangy dessert. From classic versions with graham cracker crusts to creative variations topped with meringue or dipped in chocolate, the “best” key lime pie is all down to personal preference.
That being said, I’ve ranked the key lime pies we tried from favourite to least favourite (although, honestly, all were delicious!):
Remember, we’ve added all these things to
see and do to our Key West map!
10. Key West Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters
Climb the 88 steps to the top of the Key West Lighthouse. The lighthouse, which opened in 1848, had a woman as its Keeper, which was pretty unusual back then.
The iron staircase led us to the top of the lighthouse where we had a great 360 degree view across the island. After that we went inside the small museum to learn more (and take advantage of some much needed aircon!).
Key West Lighthouse Resources
Opening hours and admission prices
Key West Museum Culture Pass (Includes Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters, Fort East Martello Museum, Tennessee Williams Museum and Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House).
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11. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
Across the road from the lighthouse is the former home of writer Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Key West during the 1930s. Your admission includes an optional guided tour, where you can hear stories about Hemingway’s life.
Even if you’re not a fan of his work, the elegant house and grounds are worth seeing. The tour is packed with fascinating tidbits, such as why many of the cats around the property are said to have six toes, the reason a penny is stuck into the ground by the pool, and why there’s a urinal in the back garden.
The Hemingway Home & Museum Resources
Opening hours & admission prices
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12. Mile Marker Zero
At the corner of Fleming Street and Whitehead Street, you’ll find Mile Marker Zero. This marks the end of US Route 1, which runs 2,369 miles from Fort Kent, Maine, all the way to Key West.
It’s a popular spot for photos and a significant landmark symbolising the beginning (or end!) of this major American highway. Fortunately, it doesn’t get the long queues of the Southernmost Point!
13. Kapok Tree
Close to Mile Marker Zero is the kapok tree.
Standing tall with its massive trunk and distinctive roots, the kapok tree is known for its impressive size and unusual appearance.
While I don’t think it’s worth going out of your way for, I thought it made for an interesting stop when walking down Whitehead Street.
14. Don’t forget to Relax and Recharge!
Depending on when you visit the Florida Keys, it can get REALLY hot. During our May visit we found that by mid-afternoon, the muggy heat would send us into relax-and-recharge mode. On those particularly toasty days, we would take advantage of happy hours, go for a swim at our resort pool, or relax on the balcony.
Accommodation (Where We Stayed)
Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages (Rated 9.2 on booking.com) // Adult-only secluded B&B just a short walk from Duval Street and popular attractions. Amenities include four swimming pools, complimentary breakfast and onsite bike hire. Plus, the lush grounds are absolutely STUNNING!
15. Visiting The Surrounding Sandbars
Key West isn’t known for having the best beaches (at least by Florida standards). However, if you love the beach then you could take a trip out to explore one of the surrounding sandbars, which is essentially small, exposed patches of sand in the middle of the water.
If you’re an experienced boater you could hire a boat and go find these sandbars yourself, or you could join one of a number of positively reviewed sandbar excursions available.
Alternatively you could do what we did as inexperienced boaters and combine the two.
We took an excursion that involved driving our own small, two-person motorboats through the mangroves and exploring these gorgeous sandbars!
After a short briefing on how to drive the boat, we followed our group captain. Zipping through the open water was exhilarating, and then idling through the mangroves gave us the chance to look for wildlife.
We then spent around 90 minutes visiting a couple of sandbars where we explored the trails and enjoyed the beautiful, quiet beaches. We did a bit of snorkelling which was fun enough, but we went to a much better spot for snorkelling on another trip (see no.16 on this list). Snorkelling wasn’t really the focus of this excursion anyway, more just an optional thing to do around the sandbars if you wanted to.
As this trip was just as much about the journey as it was the destination, I think if you’re an experienced boater, you might not find this trip that exciting. However, if like us you have little or no experience driving a boat, then this trip is perfect, as you get the fun of driving yourself combined with a stunning key that you might not have found on your own.
>>> Book this Boating & Sandbar Excursion Here<<<
16. Discover Key West’s Marine Life
One of our Key West highlights was taking a biologist owned and operated dolphin-watching and snorkelling eco-tour.
Our small group took a 4-hour trip on a boat named Squid. The crew of two provided us with healthy veggies and fruit and shared lots of information about the local wildlife as we went out to find dolphins.
While they can’t guarantee you’ll see a dolphin, they say there’s a 90% chance you will, and we were happily part of that 90%! Our captain communicated with the boats of other tour companies as they all tried to help each other find the dolphins.
When we found dolphins, we watched them from afar, as the boat doesn’t approach them or encourage them to come closer with food.
For the snorkelling part of the trip, one of the guides joined us in the water and helped us find and identify tons of cool fish, including quite a few stingrays!
While the snorkelling was definitely better on this excursion than the sandbar excursion I mentioned earlier in this guide, I thought the two boat tours we did complemented each other well: one with the fun of driving a boat and enjoying beautiful sandbars, and the second giving us a better opportunity to see marine life.
>>> Book the Dolphin-Watching & Snorkelling Excursion Here<<<
17. Enjoy Fresh Seafood
If you’re a seafood lover then your stomach is going to have a good time in Key West! There’s a lot of different seafood dishes you could try, but here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Key West Pink Shrimp: Known for their sweet flavour, these shrimp are often served in a variety of dishes, from simple shrimp cocktails to elaborate seafood platters.
Conch Fritters: Savoury, deep-fried balls made from a seasoned batter of chopped conch meat, mixed with vegetables and spices. A Key West appetiser staple that you will find everywhere!
Stone Crab Claws: Typically served chilled with a mustard dipping sauce, these sweet, succulent claws are a must-try during the season from October to May.
Grilled Grouper: A firm, white fish that’s delicious when grilled and often served with a side of Key lime butter.
Lobster: Florida spiny lobster, especially popular during the lobster season, is often grilled or steamed and served with drawn butter.
Snapper: A versatile fish that can be grilled, baked, or blackened. It’s frequently featured in local dishes and pairs well with tropical fruits and spices.
Ceviche: Fresh fish or seafood marinated in citrus juices, mixed with onions, peppers, and cilantro. It’s a refreshing, zesty starter.
Blackened Mahi-Mahi: This fish is seasoned with a blend of spices and cooked until it has a dark, flavourful crust. Often served with rice and vegetables.
Oysters: Fresh, briny oysters, often served on the half shell with a squeeze of lemon or a dash of hot sauce. I loved the seafood sauce it was often served with.
Tip: The sandbar excursion we mentioned earlier departs from and returns to Stock Island, which is home to Hogfish—a restaurant famous for its hogfish sandwich (voted the best fish sandwich in the Keys!).
18. While the night (or Day!) Away on Duval Street
There’s plenty of great bars and live music to check out on or near Duval street. We spent balmy nights here, popping into bars we were drawn to and enjoying the fun atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking to dance the night away, enjoy a laid-back drink, or listen to some live music, you’ll be able to find somewhere that suits your mood.
Beyond the nightlife, Duval Street offers restaurants, unique boutiques, art galleries, and local shops, so it’s certainly worth a visit at any time of day.
19. Key West Cemetery
Take a quiet visit to Key West Cemetery. It was established in 1847, 16 feet above sea level after the original cemetery was unearthed during a storm. You can pick up a free map from the entrance or online to help you navigate the labyrinth of plots and gain insight into some of the locals resting here, such as well-known residents like ‘Sloppy Joe’ Russell, Key West’s best-known barman.
The cemetery is also home to a monument dedicated to sailors who died in the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbour.
There’s some expected humour mixed in with history, with epitaphs like “I told you I was sick,” “I’m just resting my eyes,” and “at least I know where he’s sleeping tonight.” If you do visit, be aware that it is an active cemetery, so be extra sensitive to anything that might be going on around you.
Key West Cemetery Resources
Official website with opening hours
Free map and self-guided tour
20. Key West Wildlife Centre
Tourists are welcome to visit Key West Wildlife Centre, although the centre exists primarily to help wildlife rather than being a typical tourist attraction.
We decided to pop in as we were passing by, and it is free to visit (donations welcome). Here a friendly staff member enthusiastically told us about the facility and their work rescuing and rehabilitating birds.
You can’t see the birds currently being rehabilitated, but there was a small trail to walk along where we could spot other wildlife. The most interesting part of our visit was learning more about the centre from the staff member so if you do stop by make sure you have a chat with one of the volunteers.
Key West Wildlife Centre Resources
Official website including opening hours
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21. West Martello Tower and Garden Club
If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful and quiet, explore the tropical gardens set within a Civil War fort at Key West Garden Club. It’s free to enter, although donations are appreciated. The entire place is beautiful and well-maintained—perfect for sitting and relaxing for a while.
West Martello Tower and Garden Club Resources
How to visit Key West Garden Club
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22. Higgs Beach
Lining one side of West Martello Tower is the small but very pretty Higgs Beach.
Amenities include picnic tables, a playground, restrooms, and showers. There’s also a pier and a dog park, catering to both human and furry visitors. Parking is free, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, the nearby Salute! On The Beach restaurant serves meals with a view of the beautiful water.
If you’re in the area from October to April, there’s an Artisan Market on Sundays near the gardens that looks really good. Our visit was in May, so we missed it, but I wanted to mention it anyway because it’s certainly somewhere we would have liked to go had we been there at the right time of year.
23. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
At Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, you can visit a historic fort, stroll along walking trails, and relax on a beach all in one day.
If you head to the fort at 11 am, there is a guided tour every day with a ranger that’s free with your park admission. It’s great if you want to learn more about the history of the old Civil War fort. The tour is full of interesting nuggets of information, such as why there is a passage called the Powder Run and why the toilets were a colossal failure!
At the beach area of the state park, you can rent chairs and umbrellas or simply throw down a towel. There are also plenty of shady picnic benches, BBQs, and a café for food and drink. The warm water was quite wavy during our visit, so we didn’t bother with the snorkelling, which we’d read could be quite good here.
You do have to set your expectations for Key West beaches as they aren’t the big, spacious, soft sandy beaches you can find in other parts of Florida, but we still thought this beach was lovely nonetheless.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Resources
Up-to-date hours and fees
Amenities & experiences
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24. Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden
Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden is a small sanctuary for rescued parrots. The garden is home to around a dozen colourful birds, mainly macaws, with a few African greys as well. Some of the parrots can even speak. Nancy, an artist and sustainability activist, has been rescuing orphaned parrots for 30 years.
If you visit at 10 am, you can hear Nancy talk about the parrots and ask her any questions you might have. We spent around 90 minutes at the sanctuary, chatting with Nancy and one of the volunteers. Both were incredibly passionate about the birds and shared lots of interesting facts and stories.
For example, Nancy hadn’t originally planned to start a sanctuary. Her journey began when the first birds were abandoned on her land. We were told all of them had been bred in captivity and then abandoned, so none had learned to fly although some potentially still could in the future if they wanted to. Most of these parrots aren’t trained to a high level. If they were and this high-level training didn’t continue when they’re eventually rehomed, they would become really distressed.
Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden Resources
Official website (with opening hours and admission)
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25. USCGC Ingham
Explore the USCGC Ingham, a historic Coast Guard cutter launched in 1936. This remarkable ship survived both the Second World War and the Vietnam War. Take a self-guided tour, where you will see the Captain’s Quarters, where the captain lived and worked, and the separate areas designated for different ranks.
You’ll also find the Petty Officers’ Lounge and Dining Area, a cosy spot where the crew relaxed and dined. There’s also a small medical area, offering a glimpse into onboard healthcare during its active service.
Walking through the ship is educational and fun, plus you can enjoy some great views from the telescope on the deck.
USCGC Ingham Resources
Up-to-date opening hours and admission prices
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26. Truman Little White House
Truman Little White House is set in a secluded, well-manicured neighbourhood known as Truman Annex, was originally built in 1845 as part of Fort Zachary Taylor. The Little White House is where President Harry S. Truman spent 175 days of his presidency on working vacations, following doctors’ orders to spend more time in a warm climate.
You can enter the Truman Little White House grounds for free and enjoy a small complimentary exhibition, or you can book a 40-minute guided tour inside. We were initially hesitant about the tour because of how much it cost (around $25) given the length, but we decided to go for it and were glad we did. Our guide showed us the various rooms where Truman lived and worked, while sharing interesting and funny anecdotes along the way.
Truman Little White House Resources
Official Website
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27. Key West First Legal Rum Distillery
Visit Key West’s first legal rum distillery for a free tour. These short tours start at midday and run throughout the afternoon.
On our tour, two friendly guides took us through the small distillery and shared the process of how they make their supposedly no-hangover rum.
Whether you take the tour or not, you can sample their delicious rums at the bar or purchase cocktails and souvenir bottles to take home with you.
Key West First Legal Rum Distillery Resources
Official website
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28. Dry Tortugas National Park
Take a day trip to Dry Tortugas, where you can visit Fort Jefferson, a former Civil War prison. Enjoy pristine beaches, snorkel in the sparkling water, and relax in the sun. This 100-square-mile park is accessible by seaplane (40 minutes) or by the Yankee Freedom ferry (2 hours 15 minutes).
Tickets to Dry Tortugas sell out weeks, if not months, in advance. So, if you want to visit Dry Tortugas, book your tickets as soon as your trip is confirmed.
Dry Tortugas National Park Resources
Book ferry tickets
Book seaplane tickets
(National Park admission included with transport tickets)
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