Your Ultimate Guide to Key West Florida
Key West is such a fun destination- it will keep you coming back again and again!
Over the years, I have had such a great time exploring this tiny island. From well-known tourist attractions to off-the-beaten-path travel tips, I’m sharing the best things to do in Key West, Florida.
Things to Do in Key West
With so many fun things to do in Key West, it can be hard to nail down an itinerary. Of course, you’re on a tropical island, so don’t forget to build in time to relax, too! Key West is all about kicking back and enjoying life! Duval Street is the heart of Key West nightlife, so you will inevitably spend a few evenings out in Old Town.
Barefoot Billy’s Jet Ski Tour
One of my favorite Key West attractions was the Jet Ski tour I took with Barefoot Billy’s. Located at the Reach Resort, Barefoot Billy’s offers several different Key West tours. Choose from jet skis, bikes, scooters, and catamarans for a fun Key West adventure.
On the Jet Ski tour, you get to circle the entire island of Key West and they let you really open up the machines; I got up to 50 mph on mine! This is a super cool way to see the island and get your adrenaline pumping. For a more low-key adventure, check out their cruises; you can snorkel or just enjoy cocktails while the sun goes down.
The Hemingway Home & Museum
No visit to Key West is complete without a visit to the Hemingway Home and Museum. Ernest Hemingway lived here in the 1930s and today it is a museum where guests can learn about the author and his adventurous life. The Museum is also famously home to descendants of Hemingway’s six-toed cats, with around 50 of them inhabiting the Hemingway Home and Museum. I recommend taking a tour rather than going on your own; it helps to give context to everything and you’ll have a much better experience.
Conch Tour Train
For a different way to see Key West, hop aboard the Conch Tour Train. This 75-minute narrated tour includes historic venues throughout Key West and is a great way to get your bearings of the town before setting off to explore on your own. There are three stops on the route, where you can hop off for refreshments. Your ticket is good for the whole day, so you can “hop on hop off” as you’d like. If you’re interested in other Key West tours, you can bundle them with the Conch Train Tour ticket.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and Beach
Whether you are a beach bum or a history buff, you’ll love this Florida State Park. Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in both the Spanish-American War and the Civil War and it also happens to be the southernmost state park in the Continental United States. If you happen to visit on the 3rd weekend of the month, you’ll see reenactors conducting historic demonstrations. Fascinating history aside, this State Park is one of Key West’s best beaches for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and fishing.
Fury Water Adventures
For outdoor adventure in Key West, head to Fury Waters Adventures. With a wide variety of water-based adventures, there’s something for every type of water lover. The most popular tour is the Ultimate Adventure; it’s a full-day tour that includes parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
Short on time? You can pick and choose individual activities or head out for a sunset cruise or an eco-tour. Fury also rents bikes and golf carts so you can tour the island at your own pace.
Hemingway Rum Company Distillery
Visit this former tobacco warehouse that now produces Papa’s Pilar Rum, a line of signature sipping rums inspired by Ernest “Papa” Hemingway. In addition to the production facilities, the building houses an experience center, tasting room, and trading post.
Explore the various ingredients that go into rum production, and if you are 21 or older, you can sample the dark and blonde rums in the Papa’s Pilar brand. Don’t forget your ID!
Sloppy Joe’s
This Duval Street hot spot is a must for live music. Open since 1933, this former Hemingway hangout features live music, dancing, and pub fare.
There’s also a Sloppy Joe’s Havana, which thrived during Prohibition; Hemingway frequented both spots. The Havana location just reopened after 48 years.
Where to Eat in Key West
I had some really fantastic meals in Key West. Fresh seafood is a must, and conch fritters and key lime pie are the local specialties. These are some of the Key West restaurants I recommend trying when you visit Key West.
First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery
This is both a must-see Key West attraction and a great restaurant! The restaurant and bar are charming, but I loved that this is the birthplace of PanAm!
Pan American was the largest airline in the world for many decades, until they closed in 1991. The first commercial international flight was PanAm Flight #1, which left Key West for Havana on October 28, 1927. They have a lovely courtyard where I indulged in steamed clams and a flight of beer.
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe
For the best Key Lime pie in Key West, Kermit’s is the spot! So many of my followers told me about this place, I knew I had to try it for myself.
Kermit’s is a little slice of paradise, with a tranquil koi pond, rainforest patio, and free WiFi. If you are looking for souvenirs or Key West gifts, the shop has a huge assortment of Key Lime products, from salad dressing to cookies.
Azur Restaurant
For a taste of the Mediterranean in Key West, head to Azur Restaurant. Just a few blocks from Duval, this spot serves brunch and dinner, with classics like French toast and Monte Cristo sandwiches, as well as exotic seafood options like octopus and branzino. Of course, Key Lime pie is also on the menu!
Bad Boy Burrito
For breakfast all day, head to this locals’ favorite. Featuring authentic Mexican food and fresh local seafood, this is a great spot for affordable, delicious food. Don’t miss the aqua fresca to wash down your meal!
Banana Café
This Duval Street bistro & creperie is a great spot for easygoing fare in a low-key setting. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with sweet and savory crepes, the extensive menu has something to please everyone. For that extra Key West twist, try La Key Lime Crepe.
Better Than Sex
The best place to satiate your sweet tooth on Key West is at Better Than Sex, a dessert restaurant. The intimate dining room has limited seating, making this a popular spot for date nights and special occasions. Enjoy luscious sweets and libations in a speakeasy-like atmosphere.
Café Sole
Another locals’ favorite is this seafood restaurant with a French twist. Enjoy fresh locally-caught seafood paired with classic French sauces. Local favorites include duck a l'orange, conch carpaccio, lobster bouillabaisse, and hog snapper with roasted red pepper zabaglione.
Grand Café Key West
This Duval Street Victorian mansion has a fantastic garden and a wraparound porch where you can enjoy a leisurely meal. The menu features the freshest produce, meat, and seafood. In addition to daily seafood specials, the Grand Cafe boasts an award-winning wine list.
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar
Serving American Coastal Comfort Food is the specialty at Matt’s. Serving breakfast, dinner, and Sunday brunch, this Perry Hotel Key West restaurant overlooks a colorful marina and was a recipient of OpenTable’s 2018 Diners’ Choice Award for best ambiance.
You can even bring in our own catch of the day and they’ll prepare it for you.
El Siboney
For traditional Cuban home cooking and housemade sangria, this family-friendly Key West spot is fantastic! If you aren’t traveling to Cuba next, then you must have some Cuban food in Key West.
Salute! On the Beach
Serving Italian food with a seafood focus, this oceanfront spot has great views and great food. Enjoy a Caribbean take on Italian classics.
Where to Stay in Key West
Key West has a wide variety of accommodation choices, from budget-friendly backpacker hostels to luxury hotels, and everything in between.
Casa Marina Key West
This Waldorf Astoria hotel is a Hilton property and features the largest private beachfront in Key West. During my stay, the hotel was fully occupied, but it never felt crowded.
With plenty of room to spread out, this luxury Key West property is perfect for anyone looking for Key West accommodation. They have a full roster of water sports and activities to keep you busy.
One of my favorite meals in Key West was at Sun Sun Beach Bar & Grill. This outdoor restaurant offers exclusive “toes in the sand” dining, with your own private waterfront cabana. The ocean views here are mesmerizing.
The Reach Key West
Another gorgeous Hilton property in Key West is The Reach Key West, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. Located next to Casa Marina, guests of both resorts enjoy reciprocal amenities and room charges. I dined at Four Marlins here and was able to charge my dinner to my room at Casa Marina.
Four Marlins has an amazing view! I enjoyed my Hemingway daiquiri, and the tuna entree was unreal.
How to Get to Key West
There are a few options for getting to Key West. Flying or driving are the most common ways to reach Key West, although if you have a boat, that’s a great option as well!
Driving to Key West
From Miami to Key West is about a 3 ½ hour drive, and it’s a classic American road trip. There are tons of fun places to stop along the way, so if you’ve never done it, I highly recommend driving to Key West.
Flying to Key West
Several major airlines offer non-stop flights to Key West from major cities in the Southeast, as well as Chicago and Dallas-FortWorth. This is the fastest way to reach Key West and maximize your beach time.
Sailing to Key West
If you don’t own a boat, you can still sail to Key West. Key West Express offers catamaran cruises to Key West from Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island. The journey takes approximately 3 ½ hours and allows you to relax and get into vacation mode en route.