Page Contents
Things To Do In Key West
Key West is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Florida. Forms famous bars to museums, this place has it all. A visit to Key West will be one of the top things that you will do this year and we strongly recommend it.
This article will help you figure out the many places that await you in this amazing city. Hope you have fun discovering it.
Read also other destination in Florida, things to do in Tallahassee
Must-Visit Attractions In Key West, Florida
Here are some destinations in Key West, Florida that you must not miss out on at any cost.
1.Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is a sanctuary that is dedicated to the native plants and animals of the Keys. It achieves its aim by a number of interactive exhibitions that are bound to touch the heart of its visitors.
This place is also home to Aquarius, which is the world’s only underwater ocean laboratory. Here you would be able to explore the native flora and fauna of the Keys through a number of interactive mechanisms.
Once you are done exploring the center, we recommend you to spend some time at their gift shops where you can purchase books, videos, and games. Overall, this is an ideal place to visit with your kids and we highly recommend it.
2.Mallory Square
Get a taste of the culture of Key West with a visit to Mallory Square. This place serves as a hub for the local population as it is a space for performers from all walks of life. Here you will find musicians, performers, and food vendors.
This is an ideal place to visit if you are looking to do things out-of-the-box. Mallory Square is a vibrant place and comes with a host of places to explore.
3.Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
The Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Key West, Florida. It owes its popularity to its attractions, which include a fort, park, beach, and a cafe.
If you are looking for things to do at the weekend with your family, you should head here. The venue is also used for a lot of private events, so if you are looking for a place to host a private party, you might want to consider this place.
The park is filled with amenities that can be availed on a rental basis. This is one of the best places to spend your time in Key West and we highly recommend it.
4.Key West Aquarium
If you are looking for things to do in Key West along with your kids, this is the right place for you. The Key West Aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums in Florida and is one of the most famous tourist spots.
The aquarium has a number of attractions built especially to capture the imagination of young visitors. At the aquarium, you shall be able to experience sea-life at its finest. If you are interested to delve deeper into the mysteries of sea-life, you could opt for one of their innumerable educational programs.
5.Duval Street
Nothing spells out fun times like Duval Street. One of the most famous streets in Key West, this place is known for its bars.
If you are looking for things to do at night in Key West, we recommend you to indulge in some bar hopping at Duval Street. You will find here famous bars like Sloppy Joe’s and Bourbon St. Bar.
6. Key West First Legal Rum Distillery
The Key West First Legal Rum Distillery needs no introduction as its name says it all. If you like rum and would like to be acquainted with the procedure that goes behind it, this is your chance.
This place offers free private tours on a daily basis, so you need not worry about money. Not just this, this place is also kids and pets friendly.
When at Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, we recommend you to try out their mojito. A visit to this place will be one of the most fun things that you will do in Key West.
7.Smathers Beach
A visit to Key West would be incomplete without enjoying its beaches. If you are looking for things to do at the weekend that involves lying around and soaking in the sun, this is the place for you.
Smathers Beach is one of the most exciting public beaches of Key West. Here you will find clear blue waters that are complemented by the white sand. This is an ideal spot to plan a picnic with your family.
8. The Southernmost Point Buoy
The Southernmost Point Buoy marks the southernmost point in the continental United States and is one of the major tourist destinations in the Key West.
There is not much to do here except for posing with the marker of Southernmost Point Buoy. Even though you wouldn’t have much to do here but a picture taken at the Southernmost Point Buoy will surely look good on your Instagram profile.
Museums To Visit In Key West, Florida
Key West has a host of museums that will acquaint you with its history and culture. Here is a list of museums that you must visit in the city.
1.The Ernest Hemingway Home And Museum
Are you a fan of the American writer, Ernest Hemingway? At Key West, you have the chance to come a little closer to understanding the life of this legendary writer.
Make a visit to The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which was inhabited by Hemingway in the year 1931. You can opt for a guided tour of the place which will help you to understand the place in all its nuances.
Not just this, you shall also have the chance to meet many of Hemingway’s cats that live in the compound, most of which are six-toed. The museum is also often used as a wedding venue, so if you are planning on hosting an event, you might want to consider this place.
2.U.S Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Museum
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Museum is dedicated to the martyrs who were killed in World War II and Vietnam. If you are interested in history, especially marine history, this is the place for you.
Here you would be able to understand history in a better manner. The museum includes a photo gallery, which will take you back in time and acquaint you with the rich past. Do not forget to get yourself a souvenir from their Gift Shop as a reminder of your visit.
3.The Harry S. Truman Little White House
Located in the Truman Annex neighborhood, this place served as the house for President Harry S. Truman. If you are interested in history and would want to want to go back in time, you must visit this place.
The house now acts as a museum and here you would be able to understand the life of Harry S.Truman in an intimate manner. In order to have the best experience, we would recommend you to take a guided tour of the house.
Just like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, this place also serves as wedding venues. So if you are looking for a special place to tie the knot, this might be the right choice for you.
4.Key West Lighthouse And Keeper’s Quarters Museum
Around the year 1823, this place served as a lighthouse to the US Navy. After years of improvisation, today it is reputed for being one of the most unique museums in Key West, Florida.
If you are interested in marine life and want to understand its many facets, you must take out time to visit the Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum.
Visitors at the museum are allowed to climb up to the top where they can look at the photographs of the history of museums. Did we mention that the ocean looks absolutely amazing from the top of the lighthouse?
Enjoy The Beauty Of Nature With A Visit To These Places
Ditch the usual tourist destinations and take out time to experience nature at its finest with a visit to these places in Key West, Florida.
1.Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens was built by Captain John Huling and Geiger and his family in the year 1840. A visit to this place will enable you to take a glimpse into the life of this family and their ways of living.
The insides of the house are filled with artifacts that will take your breath away. One of the major attractions of this place is its well-maintained gardens.
This will prove to be an enriching experience for those who are interested in understanding the lives of people who lived in Key West in the 19th century.
2.Key West Garden Club
Lose yourself in the magical world of tropical gardening with a visit to Key West Garden Club. The garden is open to the public and is maintained and run by volunteers who are passionate about tropical gardening.
Here you will find bricked pathways and lush green orchids. Not to forget, the place also has a lily pond and a waterfall. The place makes for an ideal destination to host a private party.
3.Key West Butterfly And Nature Conservatory
There are few things as calming as the sight of a butterfly. At Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, you have the golden chance to surround yourself with over 50 to 60 butterfly species from all over the world.
Not just this, this place is home to more than 20 exotic bird species, all of which live in the habitat created for them. This place will have a calming effect on you owing to its greenery and calming aesthetics.
They also have a Gift Shop, where you can shop for butterfly-themed souvenirs for your friends and family.
4.Dry Tortugas National Park
Located seventy miles west of Key West stands the incredible Dry Tortugas National Park. The national park is built over an area of 100-square miles and one of the best places to visit in Key West.
One needs to travel by boat to reach this place as it is surrounded by water on all sides. Here you can indulge in outdoor activities like swimming and snorkeling. This is one of the best things to do in Key West with your group of friends and we highly recommend it.
Adventurous Things To Do In Key West, Florida
What good is a vacation if it doesn’t involve some adventure? Embark on a challenging journey in Key West, Florida with a visit to these places.
1.Lazy Dog Adventures
Key West, Florida is known for being a place filled with adventures. Embark on your adventurous journey with Lazy Dog Adventures which will be the highlight of your trip to Key West.
The Lazy Dog Adventures provides guided tours, rentals on paddleboarding, and kayaking. They have a range of programs from which you can choose the ones that suit you the best.
While all of them have their own charm, we would recommend you to try out the Kayak Eco Tour, which comes with a cost of just fifty dollars.
2.Wild About Dolphins
Are you wild about Dolphins and would like to know more about these mammals? This tour is just what you have been looking for. Moderated by Captain Sheri Sullenger, this tour will take you through warm waters, where you would find yourself at an intimate distance with dolphins.
The tour also includes a visit to a segment called, “Dolphin Playground”, which is the natural habitat of these creatures. This tour will enable you to understand these fantastic creatures in ways like never before. You shall also have the chance to swim and snorkel.
Restaurants And Bars In Key West, Florida
One of the highlights of Key West is its restaurants and bars. They are famous not just for their rich history but for their quality of food. Here is a list of bars and restaurants in Key West that you must visit:
1.Pepe’s
Enjoy Key West’s culinary history with a visit to Pepe’s. The place has been in operation since 1909 and has managed to touch the hearts of tourists and localities alike. You could eat your meal on the patio or can dine inside, it is entirely up to you.
The food is prepared from locally grown ingredients and the menu is regularly updated. A visit to Pepe’s will make you appreciate Key West’s food culture.
2.Sloppy Joe’s
Sloppy Joe’s is one of the most famous bars in the United States of America. This bar has been in operation since 1937 and is located at the corner of Duval and Greene street.
This bar is famous for being the favorite of cherished American writer, Ernest Hemingway. At the bar, you can not just sip your favorite drink but pair it with food off their menu.
Sloppy Joe’s is not just a bar, it is an experience and we promise you that you would want to come here again and again.
3.Blue Heaven
If you are looking for a combination of restaurant, bar, and live music, Blue Heaven is the place for you. The restaurant is open for all three meals, so you can visit them at your convenience.
This restaurant receives a huge footfall, so you might have to wait for your table. We recommend you visit them early in the morning for a brunch session.
4.Cuban Coffee Queen
Are you passionate about coffee? If yes, you must check out Cuban Coffee Queen. Here you can drink coffee which shall be customized as per your desire. You can also couple your coffee with other things on their menu.
5. Better Than Sex- A Dessert Restaurant
As the name says it all, this restaurant comes with the promise of satiating your sweet tooth like never before. If you like desserts, this is absolutely the place for you.
The restaurant is famous for its unique chocolate covered wines, beers, and house made cocktails. If you are looking a place for a date night, we would highly recommend you Better than Sex- A Dessert Restaurant.
Please also read about things to do in Savannah. If you visit Key West, don’t forget read things to do in Tallahassee.
