Top Things to Do in Key West: A Guide to the Best Attractions and Activities

Key west, Florida is unlike any other place in the United States. It has an unique fun vibe all it's own. And honestly, one of my favorite things about the place, is the people. Everyone is so laid back, friendly, and having fun.

We just got home from another Florida road trip and was only able to spend a day there this time. But that's okay, it was an unforgettable day filled with adventure and sunshine!

I wanted to share some of our favorite spots from our trips. I still have several places on my list to cross off, but maybe I'll get to them next time!

Duval Street

Duval Street is the main street in Key West that everything is centered around. It is lined with small shops, restaurants, and bars. It is a fun place to visit during the day, but gets a little wild at night.

Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower

Located at Higgs Beach in Key West, West Martello Tower is a historic tower built in 1862 during the Civil War.  It has been turned into a tropical paradise by the Key West Garden Club.

  Address:

1100 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040

Hours: 

9:30am - 5pm daily

Admission:

Free

Mallory Square

Located on the waterfront in Key West, Mallory Square is lined with upscale restaurants and shops. It is popular for its nightly festivals to watch the sunset. About two hours before sunset, the crowd begins gathering to watch street performers and browse through local made crafts.

If you can only do one thing in Key West, attend a sunset celebration! It's unfrogettable!

Watch a live webcam - https://www.mallorysquare.com/key-west-webcam/

Address:

400 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040

Hours:

Hours vary from business to business

Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach is the largest and prettiest public beach in Key West. It has about a half mile strip of white sand and tons of palm trees. It is absolutely beautiful! Parking is along the road and runs the length of the beach.


Address:

2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040

Hours:

7am – 11pm

Admission:

Free

Higgs Beach

Small beach with volleyball courts, play ground, and pier. It was once the site of an 1800s African slave cemetery. Nice family beach with palm trees, white sand, and clear water.

Address:

1000 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040

Hours:

7am – 11pm

Admission:

Free

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

The Butterfly Conservatory is a great place to take a break from the sun. Walk among 50+ species of  butterflies from around the world in a climate controlled environment. 

Flamingo Encounter - meet Rhett and Scarlett, two adorable flamingo. Spots are limited and fill up fast, so reserve early! Cost is an additional $37.63 per person. 

Address:

1316 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040

Hours:

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily

Admission:

 General Admission -              $12.00

  Children 4-12 years -             $8.50

  3 years and under -                Free

  Seniors 65+ and Military -   $9.00

Southernmost Point

The Southernmost Point in the continental United States is marked by a concrete buoy in Key West. It is in the open and can visited at any time. Be prepared to wait in a long line(in direct sunlight) for your chance at a photo.

Watch a live webcam - http://southernmostpointwebcam.com/

Address:

Whitehead St & South Street, Key West, FL 33040

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor, located in Key West, was built to guard the harbor. The fort was used in the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Spanish American War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Snorkeling along the rock at the beach area is a popular activity. Palms and pine type trees provide tons of shade. It is a nice place to spend the day.

Watch a live webcam -  https://fla-keys.com/webcams/fort-zachary-taylor-beach/

Address:

601 Howard England Way, Key West FL 33040

Hours:

8:00 a.m. until sundown, daily. Fort closes at 5 p.m.

Admission Fees:

$6.50 per vehicle





*Key West is about 160 mile drive (3 1/2 hours) from the Miami International Airport.

Have fun exploring Key West!!!

Sunset Celebration (Mallory Square) Key West, Florida

A nightly ritual to gather at Mallory Square Dock to celebrate the sunset has been a long standing tradition in Key West.

Mallory Square is located at 400 Wall Street.

It is situated on the waterfront in Key West's historic downtown area, adjacent to the cruise ship port.

About two hours before sunset, the crowd begins gathering at the water's edge to watch street performers

listen to musicians

and wandering along looking at crafts made by local artisans.

You can even find out what your future holds if so inclined.

Some of the performers entertain simply by just being there, while others are very talkative and quite the comedians.

I don't remember this guy's name, but he was so funny and pull the audience in on his act.

The Cat Man (Dominique LeFort) has been a part of the celebration for many years. It is amazing to see how much he cares for his cats and what he can get them to do!

In addition to all of the entertainment and beautiful surroundings, there are huge sailboats cursing around the area!

Unfortunately, it was cloudy the night we were there, but it was still a pretty sunset.

The Sunset Celebration is a big part of Key West and a definite must do! There is no fee to enter the celebration, but you will have to pay for parking if you are not staying near by.

Happy Travels!