What is There to do in Key West?

Are you thinking about taking a trip to Key West? Florida’s southernmost island offers a unique mix of Old Town charm and modern amenities. From snorkeling and swimming at the beach to dune buggy tours, Key West provides plenty of activities for tourists and locals alike. Our guide will help you discover the best things to do in Key West.

Soak up the Sun on the Beach

The island of Key West is surrounded by water on three sides with Florida’s Atlantic Ocean to the east, Florida Bay to the south, and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. As a result, visitors have plenty of options when it comes to tanning and swimming on the beach. This is one of the best and most popular things to do in Key West.

Some of the most popular places to soak up the sun in Key West are Smathers Beach, South Beach, and Higgs Beach. If you prefer a quieter spot, head to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. All the beaches offer stunning views of the ocean, plus amenities like rentable umbrellas and chair. Visitors can also enjoy activities like volleyball, kayaking, and surfing.

Explore Key West’s Historic Sites

Key West is home to a variety of historic sites and attractions dating back centuries. The island was originally inhabited by the Calusa and Tequesta Indians as early as 500 AD, but it later became a safe haven for freed slaves in 1821. It also served as a military outpost during the Spanish-American War and World War II.

When visiting Key West, spend some time exploring Ernest Hemingway’s Home and Museum. This lovely Spanish-Colonial house was the Nobel Prize-winning author’s home for 10 years and is now registered as a National Historic Landmark. It’s also home to nearly 50 cats, who are believed to be descendants of Hemingway’s own pets.

Check out Key West’s Little White House too. President Harry Truman used this as his winter White House while in office, which is why it has held on to its nickname. You can visit the property and take a tour of Truman’s family quarters and offices.

Stroll Along Duval Street

No trip to Key West is complete without strolling down Duval Street. This historic street runs for 1.5 miles through the center of Key West’s business district and features dozens of boutiques, galleries, bars, and restaurants. Visitors can easily spend an entire day here—there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained!

Duval Street also offers invaluable insight into local history and culture. This is where you can learn about Ernest Hemingway’s colorful past on a walking tour or visit galleries with works from local artists. It’s also one of the best places for people-watching thanks for its interesting characters!

For an extra special experience, book a Key West 25 hour Duval Street Pub Crawl tour with Get Your Guide. You’ll get to explore some of the bars on Duval Street while enjoying live music, great drinks, and exclusive VIP access along the way!

Ride a Conch Train Tour

For a quick tour of Key West sites from aboard a 1950s-style train, take a ride on the Conch Train Tour. This rail tour will take you through more than 70 landmarks across Key West including Hemingway’s Home, Southernmost Point Buoy, Flagler Station, Mallory Square, and Duval Street. Train rides last about 90 minutes, so it’s an easy way to cover a lot of ground in a short time!

Catch Some Fish

Key West is a great destination for fishing enthusiasts! Whether you prefer casting your rod in deeper waters or snorkeling around shallower ones, there are plenty of great spots available where you can cast your line.

Fishing charters such as Seahawk Deep Sea Fishing are popular for catching large fish like tuna, mackerel and even some marlin! If that sounds too adventurous for you, book one of their zero-excursion charters and enjoy some deep sea fishing from the comfort of your boat! Plus, they offer kayak and canoe charters, so no matter how you prefer to fish you’ll have plenty of options in Key West.

Take a Cruise Through the Waters

Key West boat cruises are a great way to relax and explore some of the island’s most beautiful sights. Hop on board a glass-bottom boat, party boat or catamaran for gorgeous views of the waters along Key West’s coastline or marvel at local wildlife while on a nature cruise.

You can also go on a sunset sailing cruise and sail across the Gulf of Mexico while watching a stunning sunset over the horizon! Or why not opt for a sunset cruise with drinks where you can enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails while catching the gorgeous colors at dusk?!

Visit Key West’s Beaches

As previously mentioned, there are plenty of beaches in Key West that offer great swimming opportunities! For example, Smathers Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Key West thanks to its close proximity to Duval Street as well as its plethora of amenities such as rentable umbrellas and chairs for your comfort.

Apart from that, Higgs Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park also offer superb beaches that you can visit in Key West. Higgs Beach offers plenty of activities such as volleyball and kayaking while Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is perfect for swimming and snorkeling with turtles!

Conclusion

From kayaking to fishing trips and everything in between, there are so many things to do in Key West that it would be impossible to list them all in one article! Of course, these aren’t all the activities available on Key West—the list goes on! But wherever your adventures take you in Key West, one thing is certain: it’s an amazing place with plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. So get booking your trip today—you won’t regret it! And don’t forget to add on activities like Key West’s 25 Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl, handcrafted just for the adventurous traveler looking to take their Key West adventures to the next level!