The southeastern U.S. state of Florida is known for its arts scene, nightlife, and lively atmosphere. While Orlando’s Disneyland and the Miami beaches are some of the more common spots, the southernmost island of Key West in the Florida Keys archipelago is a wonderful place to visit as well. Lying 90 miles (144.8 km) north of Cuba, it is home to vibrant areas such as Mallory Square and Duval Street and various attractions like the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens. Visit and take an iconic photo with the southernmost point landmark, or plan some thrilling water activities to enjoy the surrounding seas. Here is how you can decide upon the things to do in Key West, Florida.
1. Enjoy a day of water sports on this boat tour with a grilled lunch and beer (from USD 179.0)
If you are an avid fan of water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing, this one’s for you. When in Key West Bight, you can hop onto a boat and engage in a recreational day of water activities. The tour features 12 different water sports, so you’re guaranteed to have a splashing good time.
On your way back to the marina, you also get to enjoy a grilled lunch accompanied with a draft beer. If you want to sunbathe on the sundeck or lounge in the air-conditioned cabin, you can buy drinks from the bar to end your day.
Key West Half-Day Water Sport Adventure with Lunch
Duration: 6 hours
2. Travel in a catamaran and enjoy a view of sharks (from USD 89.0)
Travel in a catamaran that starts just a few miles off the coast of Key West and enjoy a view of sharks, stingrays, turtles, and birds up close. The eco-friendly catamaran cruises through beautiful mangrove islands while your pilot entertains you with exciting stories about marine life.
Experience a rush of excitement when the predators swarm to the boat’s edge after receiving bait from the pilot. Boarders can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and tasty bites while enjoying the view of the sharks. Polarised sunglasses are supplied on the cruise.
Key West Shark and Wildlife Catamaran Family-Friendly Tour
Duration: 2 hours
3. Sail aboard a catamaran and enjoy views of a spectacular sunset (from USD 79.0)
Sail along the coast of Key West in a huge catamaran and enjoy gorgeous views of the sun going down on the city while sipping wine. The captain takes you to the best spot to get a breathtaking view. Don’t forget to take pictures and freeze the moment in time!
You can enjoy champagne, wine, homemade sangria, and chilled beer from a full-liquor bar while the little ones can sip a soft drink. Guests can lounge on the huge deck and relish fresh hors d'oeuvres.
Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music and Hors D'oeuvres
Duration: 2 hours
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4. Go on a half-day snorkeling excursion with friends (from USD 64.0)
What better way to cool off than taking a dive into the ocean and swimming with the marine creatures? In this tour, you will hop on a catamaran with a spacious deck. Enjoy the ocean breeze and crystal-clear waters before going snorkeling on the coast of Key West. This tour allows you to check out some of the city’s top attractions along the way. Due to the shallow reef waters, snorkeling here is easy. You will also get to witness over 600 species of marine animals, vibrant corals, and more. Some of the common creatures you will see here include angelfish, porcupine fish, and lobsters.
Key West Afternoon Snorkel Sail with Live Music and Cocktails!
Duration: 3 hours
5. Explore the rich sea life without diving into the ocean (from USD 62.0)
If you are not into snorkeling or scuba diving, then take this tour instead. This cruise will take you to the only coral barrier reef in North America. Here, you will enjoy looking at sea creatures through the catamaran’s glass bottom. The captain will also introduce you to 600 tropical fish species, turtles, jellyfish, crabs, and more. There are two options for this cruise - either in the daytime or during sunset. If you pick the sunset cruise, you can have a glass of champagne as you witness the sunset.
Key West Glass-Bottom Boat, Coral Reef Tour with Sunset Option
Duration: 105 to 120 minutes
6. Experience the adrenaline rush of parasailing (from USD 79.0)
Key West offers plenty of adventure activities perfect for adrenaline junkies. If you’re a pro or a newbie and want to get a rush of adrenaline while getting a vantage view of Key West, this parasailing tour is perfect for you. You will be soaring high above the Atlantic Ocean while witnessing the quiet marine life and busy shore. While you’re 300 feet (91 meters) up in the air, expect to see fish, turtles, and dolphins frolicking in the ocean.
Parasailing in Key West with Professional Guide
Duration: 1 hour
7. Learn about the city's history through a train tour (from USD 45.0)
On this train tour, you will be taken to some of the popular attractions in Key West. Sign up for a guided tour and understand the history of the Conch Republic, along with its residents from the past and present. Check out Old Town Key West, Key West Aquarium, and Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. You will also discover Ernest Hemingway’s hangout place!
Key West Conch Train Tour: Explore Iconic Sights and History
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
8. Indulge in the city’s bar scene (from USD 93.0)
On this tour, you will understand why the people of Florida or Key West love cocktails. The tour will take you to five places, including a boutique hotel and a historic mansion, where your guide will tell you about the city’s culture and history. The best part of this excursion is you will get to taste five craft cocktails, gourmet food, and bar snacks.
Key West Craft Cocktail Crawl with Food Pairings
Duration: 3 hours
9. Visit the Southernmost Point
The southernmost point in the continental United States is marked by a colourful concrete buoy firmly anchored to the ground in Key West, Florida, that overlooks the sparkling sea. It has stood against the strength of several hurricanes, including Hurricane Irma in 2017. The landmark serves as the most famous photo spot in the area, so get ready your cameras and be prepared to wait in line for that must-have picture.
Southernmost Point
Address: Whitehead St & South Street, Key West, FL 33040, United States
Website: Southernmost Point
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12am - 12am
Price: Free
10. Wander along the Mallory Square
Mallory Square is beautiful, vibrant and full of life, especially in the evening. Each night, the square hosts its “Sunset Celebration” two hours before the sunset, where food vendors, street performers and art exhibitions will set up shop to entertain you as the sun descends in the distance. During the day, you can enjoy the rows of shops and restaurants and have an easy but fun time at the square.
Mallory Square
Address: 400 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Mallory Square
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 6:30am - 11pm
Price: 11-30 USD
11. Tour the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
The home of one of the most famous writers in the United States, Ernest Hemingway, has been transformed into a private museum attraction for visitors to explore and grab a glimpse into the author’s life. The home is the current residence of the descendants of his six-toed cats and contains a lush garden with flourishing plants, flowers and greenery. A must-see for literary buffs.
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
Address: 907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 9am - 5pm
Price: 14 USD
12. Stroll through the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Looking for something to do and you live in Key West? Bring your local id with a guest and tour the Audubon House for FREE beginning today, until September 30th! Tours are offered daily from 9:30am - 4:15pm.
Posted by Audubon House and Tropical Gardens on Thursday, 8 June 2017
A quaint, charming gem in Key West, the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens is rich with luxurious flowers, beautiful portraits and lush greenery. While it serves as a nice place to just stroll through, the attraction also holds an informative tour that describes the history, architecture and flora of the house. It is also a wonderful place to host weddings and events.
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Address: 205 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 9:30am - 4:15pm
Price: 14 USD
13. Go for a food tour at Duval Street (from USD 93.0)
If you are looking to grab some local delights and check out some of the most famous restaurants and bars in the Key West, take a food tour down Duval Street. An engaging experience where you can stroll along the historic district while visiting non-touristy food establishments to fill up your appetite!
Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours
Duration: 3 hours
14. Discover marine life at Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Posted by Patrice K. O'Malley Miller on Friday, 22 February 2019
Featuring “more than 6,000 square feet (557.4 square meters) of interactive and dynamic exhibits”, The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center educates you on the history and conservation efforts of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where you can learn more about the sea wildlife and marine plants of the Florida Keys. It will be an informative visit, and best of all - it’s free!
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Address: 35 E Quay Rd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4pm
Price: Free
15. Go for a paddle adventure with Lazy Dog Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Go on a two to four-hour kayaking tour with a knowledgeable guide through the shallow, calm waters and mangrove habitats between Key West and Stock Island. Observe the tranquillity of nature and enjoy a relaxing time on the mangroves. Perhaps a charming canine will join you on the tour - that’s why it’s called Lazy Dog!
Lazy Dog Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Address: 5114 Overseas Hwy, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Lazy Dog Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 9am - 5pm
Price: 50 USD
16. Explore the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Immerse yourself in the charm of nature in a colourful, peaceful conservatory surrounded by beautiful butterflies, pink flamingos and luscious flowers. Open 365 days a year, the compound will be a treat to visit. Wear bright clothes if you’re eager to catch the attention of those exotic flying butterflies.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Address: 1316 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 9am - 5:30pm
Price: 12 USD
17. Climb the Key West Lighthouse
Built in 1825 for ship navigating purposes, the Key West Lighthouse is one of the island’s oldest structures and is currently a popular tourist landmark. It is an 88-step climb to the top, during which you can educate yourself on the interesting historical bits told by the lighthouse keepers. Wear comfortable shoes for the climb, and be prepared to catch an incredible view of the vast horizon.
Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
Address: 938 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Price: 12 USD
18. Plan outdoor activities on the Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is a beautiful, local beach in the Key West that is perfect for watching the sunrise/sunset with your significant other, or simply relaxing by the blue, serene waters. Plan some activities to go along with the nice weather. Have a picnic, go parasailing with a tour group, or try your hand at paddle-boarding.
Smathers Beach
Address: 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Website: Smathers Beach
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 7am - 11pm
Price: 11-30 USD
Florida frenzy
There’s plenty to do, see and eat in the Key West, so take your time to plan your trip. The weather forecast will be your best friend, and if you’re looking for a fun, lively atmosphere, go during the holiday season!
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