At the end of the Florida Keys, there’s the famous island of Key West. Known for its key lime pies, beaches, and location at the southernmost point in the continental US, this little isle is quite a popular US road trip destination.
Although it’s just over seven square miles, there’s loads of stuff to do in Key West alone. You’ll find something fun to do any time of year at this laid back island city (about 90 miles north of Cuba) and tropical paradise.
You can visit a rum distillery, take a kayaking tour, go bar hopping and shopping on Duval Street, and so much more!
In this article I’m sharing 12 of the best things to do in Key West Florida.
12 Fun Things to Do in Key West
1. Visit the Southernmost Point Continental US
One of Key West’s claims to fame is the fact that it’s home to the southernmost point in the continental United States.
So, one of the coolest things to do in Key West is visit the colorful buoy that marks this exact spot. Take a few pictures and then continue to one of the many other activities.
TIP: Get to the buoy early in the morning! If you go later in the day, you’ll have to wait in quite a long line to snap a picture.
2. Key Lime Pie in Key West – Yes Please!
Of course, you can’t visit Key West without getting a slice of famous key lime pie! Luckily for you, there are a few different spots on the island that serve up delicious slices of this tart treat.
My first pick is the key lime pie from El Meson de Pepe. Situated in the middle of Old Town, El Meson de Pepe is an adorable little Cuban restaurant.
And their key lime pie – on the menu as torta de limon – is absolutely fantastic. With a crunchy crust, a toasting topping, and a tart filling, it’s everything you could ever want in a key lime pie.
But El Meson de Pepe does have some competition.
The Stoned Crab is also known for its key lime pie. As a matter of fact, this restaurant makes it into just about every list of the best places to get key lime in Key West.
With its graham cracker crust, key lime filling, and whipped cream topping, it’s pretty traditional.
But you can add a side of chocolate sauce to change things up just a tad.
Last but certainly not least, there’s Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe.
In addition to serving up a fantastic key lime pie, Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe has everything key lime, including cookies, body wash, and even salsa.
3. Watch the Sunset from Mallory Square
Mallory Square is always a fun time. This thriving area is filled with fantastic music performers, tasty drinks spots, and lively street vendors. And be sure to visit the Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden at Mallory Square.
But the best time to visit Mallory Square is at sunset.
Thanks to its ideal positioning, Mallory Square offers one of the best views of the sunset on the entire island!
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4. Pop by Ernest Hemingway’s House
Ernest Hemingway is arguably the most famous person who ever lived on Key West.
Although, that’s often disputed, because Robert Frost, Shel Silverstein, Jimmy Buffet, and Harry S. Truman all had a stint on the island at one point or another.
You can visit the house that Ernest Hemingway lived in from 1931 to 1939.
Today, the home is filled with Hemingway’s old paintings, furniture, photographs and more.
While there, be sure to keep an eye out for the cats prowling the grounds. Many of these feline friends have six or seven toes!
5. Check Out the Views from Key West Lighthouse
There aren’t very many tall buildings in Key West. And at 73 feet high, the Key West Lighthouse is technically the 5th tallest structure on the island.
That means if you climb the 88 steps to the top, you’ll be able to see stunning views of this iconic island.
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6. Explore Duval Street
Duval Street is the hub of Key West.
During the day, you can watch the many street performers, buy a souvenir, take a Key West Old Town trolley tour, and grab a great bite to eat.
Some of the best restaurants in Key West have secured their spots on Duval Street, including Bagatelle, Hot Tin Roof, and Nine One Five.
At night, Duval Street turns into a bar hopping hotspot. Captain Tony’s Saloon, The Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn, and Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon are all popular bars.
You can even visit Ernest Hemingway’s favorite bar: Sloppy Joe’s Bar!
7. Visit a Rum Distillery
Southern Florida is quite well-known for its rum, and Key West is no exception.
This little island is home to more than its fair share of distilleries, including the popular Key West First Legal Rum Distillery.
Key West First Legal Rum Distillery creates several different types of rum, including aged Key West raw and unfiltered rum, Cuban coffee rum, and Duval Street spiced rum.
You can get an inside look on how the rum is created through the distillery’s free tours!
And if you sign up for a class in advance, you can learn how to make fantastic mojitos as well.
8. Enjoy a Kayaking Tour
One of the best outdoor things to do in Key West is enjoy the beautiful blue waters.
And while there are many ways to do this, for solo travelers one of the best ways is with a Key West kayaking tour.
There are a few different kayaking tours available in Key West. You can head out into the ocean, or you can wander through the thriving mangrove forests.
Lazy Dog Adventures, Blue Planet Kayak Eco-Tours, and the Kayak Kings of Key West are three great companies to choose from for your kayaking tour.
9. Explore the Beaches
Since Key West is a Floridian island, it should come as no surprise to find out that it has many beautiful beaches!
The most famous Key West beach is Smathers Beach.
With two miles of golden sand, Smathers Beach is also the largest beach on the island.
While there, you can swim, suntan, snorkel, and stand up paddle board to your heart’s content.
That said, Smathers Beach definitely isn’t the only beach on the island that’s worth your time.
Consider visiting Higgs Beach, Rest Beach and Fort Zachary Beach (see #10 for more info) as well.
10. Visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
The main highlight of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is Fort Taylor. Built in the mid-1800s, Fort Taylor was originally built to protect Key West Harbor.
But it was utilized during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War too.
Today, you can explore Fort Taylor on your own. If you time it right, you’ll even be able to watch a historical reenactment at the fort.
But history certainly isn’t all Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has to offer. It’s also home to one of the best beaches in Key West.
At this beach, you can do all of the usual activities, like swimming, snorkeling, and suntanning. But there are also a few fun additions, like taking a yoga class or going fishing.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a fun place to visit in Key West and it’s a great choice for a solo beach trip.
11. Key West Historic Seaport
One of the most relaxing things to do in Key West Florida is simply embrace the slow pace of island life.
And a great way to do that is by taking a leisurely stroll along the Key West Historic Seaport.
Grab a cup of coffee from Cuban Coffee Queen, admire the hundreds of docked yachts, and take in the view of the gorgeous blue water.
12. Take a Ghost Tour of Key West
Most people don’t realize that Key West is believed to be one of the most haunted spots in the United States.
If you’d like to learn about the spookier side of the island, you can book a Key West ghost tour.
These ghost tours will take you to all the most haunted spots on Key West.
Surprisingly, quite a few of these locations have already been featured on this list, including the Ernest Hemingway House and the Key West Lighthouse.
But there will likely be a few more haunted stops too, like Eaton Street, Key West Cemetery, and the Key West Firehouse Museum.
Are you ready for a spooky adventure?
Best Day Trips from Key West
- Take a 70 mile boat ride to Dry Tortugas National Park for amazing kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and wildlife watching experiences.
- Between Miami and Key West, you’ll drive by Islamorada and it’s worth a visit. Beautiful white sand beaches and the laid back atmosphere are inviting and relaxing.
- Key Largo is only 60 miles (96 km) from Miami and it’s the perfect place to go diving and snorkeling.
About the Author
Sarah is a Hawaii local and full-time travel writer. When she’s not writing, Sarah practices what she preaches by traveling to new destinations, hiking to beautiful waterfalls, and exploring around Hawaii.
More Fun Things to Do in Florida
Plan to take some time to explore other beautiful places in Florida. From historic sites to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Sunshine State is a great road trip location on the east coast.
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