Key West, Florida: Unique Things to Do for Visitors
Key West, Florida is a unique travel destination for cruise visitors and out-of-state visitors. Whether you’re spending one day or an entire week in Key West, Florida, you’ll be sure to find the best things to do in Key West with this travel guide. From the best Florida Keys cruise excursions to the beautiful Key West beaches, this guide provides everything in between for you to maximize your experience!
Key West, Florida is a United States island, part of the Florida Keys archipelago, located at the southernmost point in Florida (and the United States!). Key West is broken into 3 sections: Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys. Throughout each section, Key West consists of a whole bunch of tiny beach style suburban homes. It’s actually super fun to drive around and look at all the pastel color beach style homes!
If you’re planning a trip to Key West, Florida, there are many ways to get to the island – by cruise, plane or car. If you’re taking a cruise to the island, the cruise director will dock right in downtown Key West, which is the perfect location to begin your Key West exploring! However, if you’re visiting via plane, I highly recommend flying into Key West International Airport where you’ll land in downtown Key West! But maybe you’re flying into Miami International Airport because it’s (definitely) cheaper, then you’re in luck, because you get the chance to drive over the Seven Mile Bridge taking in 360° views of the ocean! It’s a magical experience if you get the chance to drive over the infamous bridge to Key West!
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Below you’ll find Key West, Florida best things to in one day or one week!
Best Things to Do in Key West, Florida from One Day to One Week
Are you planning a vacation to Key West, Florida or planning a cruise port stop to Key West, Florida? I have you covered! Previously, I vacationed to Key West for a whole week a couple years ago and I also visited Key West during a cruise port stop! I can definitely help guide you to the best things to do in Key West, Florida!
Where are the best places to stay in Key West?
1. Kimpton Key West: Winslow’s Bungalow
This resort is just downright cool. The unique hipster retro-chic vibe makes you feel like you’re in a home rather than resort. It’s a boutique resort occupying several historic homes in the heart of Old Key West. So, if you don’t have a house in Key West, no problem! Book your stay with Kimpton Key West for the best home-style overnight stay,
2.Casa Marina Key West
Casa Marina Key West is located on the southern edge of the island with its own private beach, something very few Key West hotels have. It also has a rich history of hosting celebrities and politicians for decades. The resort is a luxury-style resort where you can get a massage or facial at the spa! Why not get even more relaxed at your resort with a spa day?
3. Sunset Key Cottages
Sunset Key Cottages is located on Sunset Key private island, just a short boat ride away from the mainland. The cottages consist of 360° ocean views from any location within your resort room. Every morning, fresh pastries and fruit are delivered, and you can get your kitchen stocked with anything you like (with a fee, of course)! This romantic luxury resort is the perfect place for a getaway with your significant other.
4. Parrot Key Hotel & Villas
This historic Keys property was recently renovated with four NEW pools, all with views of the Gulf of Mexico. This resort allows you to easily grab a lounge chair at any of the four pools. One of the luxury resorts with a reasonable price.
5. Pier House Resort & Spa
This beautiful resort is located right on the water with plenty of activities, an excellent spa, and various dining options (including the bar where Jimmy Buffet had his first gig). This classic-style resort consists of balconies or patios in every room! Allowing you to enjoy a beautiful sunset right from your hotel room!
What are the best things to do during a one day cruise port stop?
1. Go Parasailing
Parasail above the Atlantic Ocean where you can enjoy beautiful views of the entire Key West island! This 2-person adventure combines the thrills of an offshore powerboat ride, parachuting, ballooning and gliding. Feel the tropical breeze as the parasailing boat glides you past amazing scenery that can only be seen from the air and return back to the flight deck without even getting wet! The minimum age requirement is 6 years. Book your excursion through Key West Parasailing!
2. Try Jet Skiing
Take a 28+ mile jey ski along the Florida Keys waters with local expert tour guides. Throughout the tour, you can search for ocean wildlife and admire the natural beauty of Key West, Florida. See the town from the ocean waters – where you’re meant to see it! Book your experience through Key West Jet Ski!
3. Ride a bike across the island with the Key Lime Bike Tour
The Key Lime Bike Tour is a popular excursion where you can leisurely hop on and off your bikes while exploring the Key West town. Some of the stops include: Mallory Square, Southern Most Point, Ernest Hemingway’s Home, and so much more! Even better, at the end of the tour, you can enjoy a delicious piece of Key Lime Pie!
4. Taste local drinks with the Key West Pub Crawl
Party in Key West, Florida with the locals on this walking tour of the famous and entertaining drinking establishments in town – Conch style! Throughout the tour, you begin in downtown and move through the historic seaport, where you’ll stop into 5 different pubs and receive a complimentary drink at each. And, you get a t-shirt! Try some local drinks with the Key West Pub Crawl!
5. Visit the 3rd largest coral reef with Catamaran Sail and Snorkel
Key West’s surrounding waters are teeming with dolphins, flying fish and America’s only living coral reef is the third largest in the world. During your Catamaran sail, you are escorted to one of many beautiful reefs in the area. Experience a coral reef with unlimited cocktails during your tour!
6. View ocean wildlife with Glassbottom Boat
Afraid of the ocean? No problem! This Glass Bottom Boat is exactly as it sounds – the bottom of the boat is glass! You can experience ocean wildlife through the glass, where you can see dolphins, flying fish and so many other wildlife creatures!
7. Tour Key West at your leisure with the World Famous Conch Tour Train
The World Famouse Conch Tour Train has been serving Key West visitors since the 1950s. During the tour, you can hop on and off at your leisure, and explore the surrounding areas of Key West, Florida. The train will stop at: Mallory Street, Southernmost Point, Lighthouse, Butterfly Conservatory, and so much more! You can see all of teh top-rated spots in Key West with this tour! The idea things to do in Key West, Florida for one day!
8. A Taste of Key West Walking Tour
This 3-hour walking tour of the old historic district in Key West will dazzle you with its Cuban and Caribbean-infused flavors, from the food to the ambience! Feast on fish tacos, enjoy rum cocktails in an old speakeasy and be sure to try the island’s famous Key Lime pie.
What are the best things to do during a week-long stay?
1. Re-live maritime history with the Schooner Eco Tour
Come aboard and re-live maritime history on a history 2-masted wooden schooner as you make your way to sponge garden for snorkeling and a mangrove island for a kayak adventure. Experience Key West, Florida is a new way!
2. Take a bike ride at sunset with Mallory Glow at Sunset by Hydrobikes
Watch the sunset as you pedal your way across the Atlantic, visit Mallory Square, and more on this scenic hydrobike tour in Key West. I highly recommend this tour with your significant other! A perfect romantic getaway.
3. Take a sunset boat ride with the Sunset and Champagne Sail experience
Sunset AND Champagne? Does anything sound better? Experience the views of Mallory Square from the ocean with your partner while sipping delicious champagne and watching the sunset.
4. Tour the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum
The Hemingway House, also known as the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum, is a historic residence located in Key West, Florida. It was home to the famous American author Ernest Hemingway from 1931 to 1939. The house is known for the Spanish Colonial architecture and lush gardens. It’s actually a popular place to see a six-toed cat that live on the property!
5. Climb to the top of the Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a popular destination for visitors in Key West. During your visit, you can climb the 88 steps to the top for panoramic views of the island and the surrounding ocean. Afterwards, you can stop into the museum where you’ll find the Lighthouse history.
6. See hundreds of butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory
The Butterfly Conservatory is a popular tourist attraction due to its tropical garden that is home to hundreds of live butterflies from around the world. During your visit, you can learn about the butterflies life cycle,s behaviors, and the importance of butterfly conservation. It’s one of the most unique experiences, but I definitely recommend it!
7. Touch a Sting Ray at the Key West Aquarium
Key West Aquarium is the oldest in Florida. The aquarium offers features tanks and exhibits showcasing the marine life found in the waters surrounding the Florida Keys. You can see various species such as sharks, sea turtles, and so much more! Get up close and personal with some marine animals such as sting rays and conch shells.
8. Visit the Shipwreck Treasures Museum
This popular museum geatures interactive exhibits that take you back in titme to the era of shipwrecks and pirates in the Florida Keys. You can learn about the challenges faces by early wreckers and salvagers, while viewing the recovered artifcats such as coins, jewelry and more. The museum also has a lookout tower so you can see panoramic views of Key West, Florida!
9. Explore President Truman’s Little White House
This historic residence served as the winter White House for President Harry S. Truman during his presidency. It was primarily used for vacations and working vacations, but it is now a museum that showcases the history of Truman’s time there. The museum provides guided tours and beautiful gardens surrounding the property. It is a fun experience for history lovers!
10. Experience treasure hunting at Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum
Mel Fisher was a famous treasure hunter during his lifetime and this museum is dedicated to his work and artiicat findings. The museum features wide range of artificats recovered from various shipwrecks such as gold and silver bars, coins, jewelry and other treasures. It is an interactive exhibit for visitors to experience the excitement of treasure hunting!
11. Learn about Key West history at the Audubon House Museum
If you’re interested in learning about the history of Key West, the Audubon House provides educational exhibits about Key West’s history, nature, and conservatory efforts, making it a great place to learn about the islands unique environment.
12. Visit the Oldest House in Key West
The Oldest Home in Key West, Florida, also known as the Cushing Home, is a historic house dating back to the early 19th century and is considered one of the oldest houses in the Florida Keys. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Oldest house, exploring the interior, ardens, and learning about the history of the house and the people who lived there.
What are the best restaurants to try in Key West, Florida?
1. Try the traditional Sloppy Joe sandwich at Sloppy Joe’s
The Sloppy Joe’s Bar is famous for it’s delicious Sloppy Joe sandwich, it’s what made the restaurant and Key West famous! During your dining experience, you can expect various events and parties throughout the year, and live music and entertainment most nights throughout the week. The Bar and Grill is popular for it’s signature drink “Sloppy Rita” consisting of a tropical twist on the classic margarita.
2. Try the famous Key West’s Key Lime Pie at Blue Heaven
The Blue Heaven restaurant is famous for it’s vibrant and eclectic atmosphere. The restaurant is set in a lush, tropical garden with outdoor seating and colorful setting. The most popular dishes is the restaurants Key Lime Pie and Lobster Benedict, both of which are highly recommended.
3. Enjoy a delicious dessert at Better than Sex
Better than Sex is a dessert focused restaurant known for it’s intimate and romantic atmosphere. The restaurant’s menu focuses on cakes, brownies, and other sweet treats, often with playful and sensual names too. In addition to desserts, the restaurant offers a variety of themed cocktails and drinks to complement the sweet offerings. A fun and unique place to take your significant other!
4. Experience a romantic waterfront seafood dinner at Latitudes
Latitudes is located on Sunset Key, a private island located just off the coast of Key West, Florida. The restaurant is upscale and widely known for it’s waterfront location and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, making it a perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner. The restaurants menu offers a caribbean and seafood cuisine specializing in fresh and locally sourced seafood.
5. Enjoy a sunset dinner on the rooftop at Louie’s Backyard
Louie’s Backyard provides an Atlantic Ocean waterfront view specializing in seafood and contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant offers a beautiful outdoor seating area with lush gardens and a rooftop deck. The restaurant offers sunset dining, where guests can choose to visit Louie’s during sunset for breathing views.
6. Taste fresh lobster at A&B Lobster House
This long-established seafood restaurant is known for it’s fresh lobster, stone crab, shrimp, and various other fish dishes. The restaurant offers a unique and extensive wine list, allowing you to pair your meal with a suitable wine. This is the perfect option if you’re looking a seafood enthusiast looking for elegant dining.
7. Try fresh stone crab claws at The Stoned Crab
The Stoned Crab is particularly famous for it’s fresh stone crab claws, which are caught locally and served with a tangy mustard sauce. These claws are a Florida delicacy and a highlight of the menu. Although, the restaurant does serve other seafood options too, such as fresh fish, shrimp, oysters, and so much more. This restaurant is a casual dining experience, making it suitable for families and kids!
Final Thoughts
Key West is such a beautiful small town with things to do for all ages! Key West gives you the opportunity to try something outside of your comfort zone, that you might not be able to try in your hometown! Which of these fun things to do in Key West, Florida is at the top of your vacation list? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
If you’re interested in exploring other Florida vacation destinations, be sure to check out my Disney travel guide, where you’ll find all the fun things to do from a former cast member!
