Plan your trip to Key West, Florida — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.
Top things to do in Key West
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration. Every evening the waterfront at Mallory Square transforms into Key West's most beloved ritual — a free, nightly festival of street performers, artists, and food vendors who gather to collectively applaud the setting sun over the Gulf. The tradition dates to the 1970s and is curated year-round by the Key West Cultural…
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. The Spanish Colonial house at 907 Whitfield Street is where Hemingway lived and wrote some of his most celebrated work during the 1930s; descendants of his famous six-toed cat Snow White still roam the lush grounds. Open daily 9 AM–5 PM, the museum pairs original furnishings with memorabilia from his fishing yacht,…
Dry Tortugas National Park. Seventy miles west of Key West lies Fort Jefferson — the largest masonry fort in the western hemisphere, rising from a remote archipelago ringed by some of the most pristine coral reefs in North America. Access is only by high-speed ferry (Yankee Freedom) or seaplane, and day-trippers can snorkel 5–15 feet of clear…
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. This 54-acre National Historic Landmark on Key West's southwestern tip houses a Civil War-era fort and the island's best beach — calm, clear water with good snorkeling and shade from Australian pines. Admission to the state park grants access to both the restored fort and the beach.
Duval Street & the Conch Republic. Key West's famous 1.25-mile spine runs from the Gulf to the Atlantic and packs more than 30 bars, historic saloons, galleries, and shops into a corridor that tells the full story of the Conch Republic — the tongue-in-cheek nation Key West declared in 1982 when the U.S. government blockaded the Keys. Sloppy Joe's Bar,…
Florida Keys Coral Reef Snorkeling. The Florida Keys protect the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States — a 350-mile underwater landscape starting just six miles offshore from Key West. Within a 30-minute boat ride, snorkelers can swim over staghorn coral gardens at Sand Key, drift through Eastern Dry Rocks, or hover over the…
Harry S. Truman Little White House. Florida's only presidential museum occupies the 1890 naval station headquarters at 111 Front Street, where President Truman spent 175 days of his presidency between 1946 and 1952 — hosting the Joint Chiefs of Staff and drafting both the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine. The fully restored interiors, original…
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. At 1316 Duval Street, a climate-controlled glass habitat houses 50–60 species of live butterflies from around the world alongside American flamingoes, canaries, and finches in a setting of cascading waterfalls and tropical plantings. It consistently ranks as one of Key West's top-rated family attractions.
Best time to visit Key West
Mid-November through mid-April, with the optimal window being late February through late March for the best balance of weather, fewer crowds than peak December–January, and pre-hurricane-season conditions. Daytime highs in the mid-to-upper 70s°F, low humidity, minimal rainfall (Key West is Florida's driest city at ~40 in/year), and clear sunny days. Outside this window, summer brings heat, humidity, and Atlantic hurricane season (June 1–November 30)
Key West weather by month
Month
High (°F)
Low (°F)
Notes
Jan
73
69
warm & mostly dry
Feb
74
70
warm & mostly dry
Mar
75
72
warm & sunny
Apr
77
75
warm & mostly dry
May
80
77
warm & changeable
Jun
83
80
warm & changeable
Jul
84
81
warm & changeable
Aug
85
82
hot & wet
Sep
84
81
warm & wet
Oct
82
79
warm & changeable
Nov
78
75
warm & mostly dry
Dec
75
72
warm & mostly dry
Getting to Key West
Key West's Old Town is compact and best explored on foot, bicycle, or rented scooter. Parking is scarce and expensive throughout the island; if your hotel is near Duval Street, leave the car behind. Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) is widely available as an alternative.
EYW Key West International Airport — 5 min drive
MIA Miami International Airport — 210 min drive
FLL Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport — 225 min drive
Where to stay in Key West
Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.
Historic Old Town. The heart of Key West travel, Old Town puts visitors within walking distance of Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Hemingway Home, and dozens of restaurants. Accommodation ranges from grand Victorian guest houses to boutique inns set in restored… Good for: First-time visitors who want to walk everywhere and soak up the full Key West experience.
Truman Annex. A gated, tree-lined enclave adjacent to the Truman Little White House and a short stroll to Duval Street, Truman Annex offers an upscale, secluded feel rarely found this close to Old Town's energy. Historic mansions and manicured grounds attract travelers… Good for: Couples and luxury seekers who want Old Town proximity with calm surroundings.
Casa Marina / Higgs Beach Area. Located at the quieter, south-facing end of the island near Higgs Beach and a short walk to the Southernmost Point, this neighborhood is noticeably less touristy than the Duval corridor. The historic Casa Marina resort (Key West's largest private beachfront)… Good for: Travelers seeking a quieter base with beach access and easy walks to southern Old Town attractions.
Bahama Village. Key West's historically Afro-Bahamian neighborhood sits just west of central Old Town and delivers the island's most authentic, low-key atmosphere at generally lower nightly rates. Blue Heaven and Santiago's Bodega are within easy walking distance, and the… Good for: Budget-conscious travelers and repeat visitors looking for local character over tourist convenience.
New Town. The eastern, more residential end of Key West island offers the best hotel rates, easy access to Smathers Beach, and proximity to Key West International Airport. A short bike ride or rideshare connects guests to Old Town; the trade-off is fewer walkable… Good for: Families, budget travelers, and those arriving by air who want beach access without Old Town price tags.
Where to eat in Key West
A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.
Local favorites & classics
Santiago's Bodega. Bahama Village (Petronia Street) · Tapas / Spanish — Intimate neighborhood tapas bar at 207 Petronia St beloved for its white sangria, eclectic small plates, and candlelit atmosphere; daily happy…
El Siboney Restaurant. Old Town (Catherine Street) · Cuban — An unassuming Old Town institution at 900 Catherine St serving generous, home-style Cuban plates — ropa vieja, picadillo, and fried plantains — at honest…
Latitudes. Sunset Key (private island, accessible by ferry from 245 Front St) · Contemporary American / Coastal — Fine-dining restaurant on the private island of Sunset Key offering Gulf-view outdoor dining…
Hogfish Bar & Grill. Stock Island · Seafood — A beloved off-the-beaten-path waterfront shack at 6810 Front St on working Stock Island, famous for its hogfish sandwich — a local flats-caught fish rarely found elsewhere —…
Schooner Wharf Bar. Historic Seaport (William Street) · Seafood / American Bar — An open-air waterfront institution at 202 William St operating since 1984 and billed as 'the last little piece of Old Key West.' Daily…
Cuban Coffee Queen Waterfront. 284 Margaret St · 4.6★ (4,178 reviews)
Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shop - Elizabeth Street. 200 Elizabeth St · 4.6★ (3,220 reviews)
La Grignote. 1211 Duval St · 4.7★ (2,420 reviews)
Baby’s Coffee. 3180 US-1 MM 15 · 4.7★ (1,952 reviews)
Fine dining & Michelin
Blue Heaven. Bahama Village · Caribbean / New American — Key West's first Michelin-recognized restaurant (Recommended list, 2026 Michelin Florida Guide); celebrated for its open-air courtyard, roaming chickens,…
Moondog Cafe & Bakery. Old Town (Whitehead Street) · Elevated Comfort Food / Bakery — Key West's first-ever Michelin Bib Gourmand (2026), housed in a Victorian bungalow at 823 Whitehead St. Known for housemade pastries,…
Little Pearl. Old Town (Olivia Street) · Fresh Seafood / New American — A quiet neighborhood wine bar and fish house at 632 Olivia St offering a nightly chef's tasting menu (three seatings) focused on locally…
A&B Lobster House. 700 Front St · 4.4★ (2,148 reviews)
Hot Tin Roof Restaurant. 0 Duval St · 4.6★ (1,527 reviews)
The Flaming Buoy Filet Co.. 424 Eaton St · 4.7★ (1,005 reviews)
Tavern N Town. Marriott Beachside Hotel · 4.5★ (1,315 reviews)
Red Shoe Island Bistro. 411 Petronia St · 4.9★ (721 reviews)
A 7-Day Key West Plan
Day 1 — Arrival & Conch Republic Soul. Drive the legendary Overseas Highway (US-1) into Key West, stopping at pull-offs along the Seven Mile Bridge to photograph the turquoise water stretching to the horizon. Arrive and check in before the afternoon heat peaks. Stroll Duval Street end-to-end, ducking into Sloppy…
Day 2 — Hemingway, History & Literary Ghosts. Tour the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum on Whitehead Street, where six-toed cats still roam the Spanish Colonial estate and guides bring the Nobel laureate's Key West years vividly to life. Arrive at opening to beat the tour groups. Walk two blocks north to the Harry S.…
Day 3 — Coral Reefs & Caribbean Waters. Board a snorkel excursion departing from the Historic Seaport to the Florida Keys Coral Reef — part of the only living barrier reef in the continental US. Spend two hours floating over brain coral, parrotfish, and sea turtles in crystal-clear water. Return to shore and recover…
Day 4 — Remote Fortress & Open Sea. Catch the Yankee Freedom III ferry or a seaplane at dawn for the 70-mile journey to Dry Tortugas National Park. Arrive at Garden Key and spend the morning snorkeling the pristine moat and surrounding reefs teeming with nurse sharks, rays, and vibrant reef fish. Explore the massive…
Day 5 — Wings, Gardens & Island Quiet. Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory on Duval Street, wandering through a glass-enclosed paradise where hundreds of tropical butterflies and rare birds flutter freely around flowering plants and waterfalls. Explore the Key West City Cemetery, a 19-acre historic…
Day 6 — Backcountry, Flats & Fishing Legends. Meet a backcountry guide at the Historic Seaport before sunrise for a Backcountry Flats Fishing charter into the shallow grass flats and mangrove creeks of the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. Pursue bonefish, tarpon, and permit in some of the world's most…
Day 7 — Final Sunsets & Conch Farewell. Pick up coffee and a Cuban pastry from Sandy's Cafe on White Street, a beloved local institution, and spend a slow final morning revisiting your favorite block of Old Town or discovering a quiet neighborhood you missed. Shop for gifts along Duval and the surrounding side…
Events & festivals in Key West
Conch Republic Independence Celebration (Annually, week of April 23). Week-long festival commemorating the April 23, 1982 symbolic secession of Key West. Includes mock naval battles, costume parties, and events celebrating Key West's distinctive culture and identity.
Hemingway Days (Annually in late July (coinciding with July 21, Hemingway's birthday); 2026 dates: July 22–26). Annual festival founded in 1981 by Michael Walton at Sloppy Joe's Bar, honoring Ernest Hemingway's 12-year residency in Key West. Features the internationally known Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, Running of the Bulls,…
Key West Lobsterfest (Annually in August (first or second week); 2026 dates: August 5–9). Annual four-to-five day festival celebrating the opening of Florida Spiny Lobster season. Features a Duval Street fair, live music, chef dinners, lobster cook-offs, and a pub crawl. Proceeds benefit the Key West High…
Fantasy Fest (Annually in October (mid-to-late); 2026 dates: October 16–25). Ten-day adult costume festival held annually since 1979, centered on Duval Street. Key events include the Zombie Bike Ride, Headdress Ball, and the Grand Parade. The 2026 theme is 'Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals.'…
Goombay Festival (Annually in October (within Fantasy Fest period); 2026 dates: October 17–18). Two-day celebration in Bahama Village honoring Key West's Bahamian heritage. Features live music, Junkanoo parade, traditional Bahamian cuisine, and colorful costumed dancers.
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square (Nightly, year-round). Nightly arts festival held every evening at Mallory Square Dock, dating to informal gatherings in the late 1960s and formally organized by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society in 1984. Features street performers,…
Key West travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Key West?
Mid-November through mid-April, with the optimal window being late February through late March for the best balance of weather, fewer crowds than peak December–January, and pre-hurricane-season conditions.
What are the top things to do in Key West?
Top experiences include Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Dry Tortugas National Park, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Duval Street & the Conch Republic.
Which airport is closest to Key West?
Key West International Airport (EYW) is the nearest, about 5 minutes away.
Where should I stay in Key West?
Popular areas to base yourself include Historic Old Town, Truman Annex, Casa Marina / Higgs Beach Area, Bahama Village.
How do I get around Key West?
Key West's Old Town is compact and best explored on foot, bicycle, or rented scooter.