The 26 Best Things To Do In Key West

Head down to the Conch Republic for a breezy good time.

Key West is calling. When nothing else will do but days filled with sand and sea, set your sights on the southernmost vacation destination in the continental U.S. With its picturesque streets, restaurants galore, and countless adventures on the shoreline, Key West, Florida has it all. There's plenty to do, see, and experience in its relatively small island footprint, and to prove it, we've put together a round-up of some of our favorite activities in this storied ocean-lapped town.

From exploring the historic sites and meandering the shopping districts to kayaking the blue waters and nibbling the island delicacies (Key lime pie on a stick, anyone?), there's something for everyone to enjoy in this sun-soaked South Florida spot.

Go On A Paddling Adventure

Launch a kayak or stand-up paddleboard through mangroves and float out to crystal clear water where you can jump in and go for a swim with sea turtles, tropical fish, and maybe even a dolphin or two. Lazy Dog Kayaking and Paddleboarding offers group tours and private charters, plus fun classes like PaddleYoga.

lazydog.com, 5114 Overseas Hwy, Key West, FL 33040

Climb The Key West Lighthouse

Pay homage to Key West's maritime heritage with a trip to the Key West Lighthouse & Museum. It's run by the Key West Art & Historical Society and dates to the 19th century. Climb the 88 steps to the top and learn about Barbara Mabrity, the first lighthouse keeper and one of the only women in history to hold the position during that period.

kwahs.org, 938 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040

Visit The Southernmost Point

Get ready for the ultimate selfie. The brightly colored buoy of the Southernmost Point (at Whitehead and South streets) marks the spot at which there are a mere 90 miles between the United States and Cuba. The City of Key West constructed the oversized concrete buoy in 1983 and the landmark has been one of the most photographed places on the island ever since.

Whitehead Street and South Street, Key West, FL 33040

Tour The Hemingway House

With so much history and folklore on such a small island, you'll find plenty of museums to explore. Start with the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in the heart of Old Town Key West. Wander through the Nobel Prize winner's lushly landscaped abode and make friends with one of the famous six-toed cats.

hemingwayhome.com, 907 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040

Stroll Duval Street

There's no doubt that Duval Street is the heart of all the activity in Key West. Stretching from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point, this main drag is lined with outdoor cafes, funky boutiques, art galleries, and some of the most famous bars and saloons in the country.

Spend A Day On The Beach

You've explored the city, now lounge on the shore. Play a game of beach volleyball; splash in the aquamarine water; take out a mini sailboat; or just find a perch, lay a beach towel, and take in the view. Seek out Smathers Beach, Higgs Memorial Beach Park, and Rest Beach for sun and sand.

Related: The 6 Best Beaches In Key West, Florida

Set Sail At Sunset

Key West is famous for its dazzling sunsets, so set sail for an evening steeped in equal parts tradition and natural beauty. Fury Key West offers a variety of sunset cruise options from romantic champagne-style trips to lively rum and reggae parties. Head to Mallory Square to see the sunset from dry land.

furycat.com, multiple locations

Shop Local Art

Inspired by the tropical landscape and eccentric local culture, artists have long called Key West home. Browse the many art galleries that line Duval Street, including Gallery Uno, home to works of art by long-term island resident Alberto DeAndrea. Stop into Gallery on Greene (located on Greene Street) too.

Taste A Slice Of Key Lime Pie

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice (or three) of delicious Key lime pie. Kermit's Key Lime Shoppe has been a Key West mainstay for decades and offers everything from Key lime pie and homemade taffy to Key lime mango chutney and citrus salsa. You can also find it at the Key West Key Lime Pie Company and the Southernmost Key Lime Shop.

Bike Around Town

Cruise around the island via bicycle and revel in the warm tropical breeze and Key West sunshine. There are lots of bike rental services, and many of the hotels around town also offer bicycle rentals to guests. It's the perfect way to see the sights, as well as ditch the headache of trying to find parking on the island.

Dine Al Fresco At Caroline's

Ready to eat your way around Key West? Start at Caroline's Café located at the historic Dr. Joseph Y. Porter House on Duval Street. Dine on classic Key West conch fritters or Caroline's Famous Fish Sandwich. Then cool off with a handcrafted cocktail at Caroline's Other Side, a speakeasy style bar connected to the cafe.

carolinescafe.com, 310 Duval St., Key West, FL 33040

Walk Among The Butterflies

Home to hundreds of vibrant butterflies, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is truly a sight to behold. You'll find lush gardens, cascading waterfalls, and more than 50 species of the winged beauties. Keep an eye out, because you may happen upon the resident flamingos too.

keywestbutterfly.com, 1316 Duval St., Key West, FL 33040

Take A Ferry To Dry Tortugas

Comprised of seven islands located about 70 minutes by ferry boat off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is home to Fort Jefferson, one of the nation's largest 19th century fortresses. Charter your own boat or hop aboard the Yankee Freedom ferry for a ride out to paradise and one of Florida's most remote national parks.

drytortugas.com, 100 Grinnell St., Key West, FL 33040

Sip A Cup of Joe

There's lots of great coffee to be found on Key West, and ordering up a cup is a great way to start a day of exploring. There are several locations of Cuban Coffee Queen around town, including on the waterfront and downtown, so you're never far from a freshly roasted cup. Try Key West Sunrise for a medium to dark roast or Smooth Sailing for decaf.

cubancoffeequeen.com, multiple locations

Book A Southernmost Stay

During your visit, make your home base The Mansion on the Sea, an adults-only boutique hotel on the waterfront. Built as a mansion in 1897, legend has it that Thomas Edison installed all the electricity in the house himself, and he left his personal phonograph as a present when he departed.

themansiononthesea.com, 1400 Duval St., Key West FL, 33040

Related: 15 of the Best Hotels in Key West

Enjoy Key Lime Pie On A Stick

One of the most memorable cool treats on Key West is Key Lime Pie on a Stick, a delicacy that comes about when a slice of tart key lime pie is dipped in a chocolate shell. You can order yours at Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe.

keylimeshop.com, 200 Elizabeth St., Key West, FL 33040

Have A Lobster Roll

Order up fresh seafood at Eaton Street Seafood Market on Eaton Street, where you'll find crab cakes, fresh seafood salads, and chowders. They also have the best lobster rolls in town. You can find kits there that will help you make your own fresh Key West lobster rolls too. On the menu at the restaurant are seafood baskets, grilled lobster tails, and crab cake sandwiches, so come hungry.

kwseafood.com, 801 Eaton St., Key West, FL 33040

Go Barhopping

It's no secret that Key West is home to an impressive share of eclectic watering holes. There's no better place to start your bar hop than Captain Tony's Saloon. Originally opened in 1851 as an icehouse that doubled as a morgue, this old-school pub has attracted the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Jimmy Buffett, and, of course, the legendary Captain Tony himself. Sloppy Joe's was another watering hole often frequented by Hemingway, and Buffett used to play for free drinks at Chart Room.

Catch A Show During Sunset

Key West is all about great entertainment. Head to Mallory Square for the nightly sunset celebration featuring local artisans or the Key West Amphitheater for big shows. When you're in town, also try to catch one of the live concerts from COAST or their annual music and arts festival.

Take A Trolley Ride

To see the island on a swift spin through town, hop aboard a sightseeing tour. Book your spot on the Old Town Trolley Tours or the Conch Tour Trains for a fun train ride and a quick introduction to the island and its sights.

Book A Storied Stay

There are plenty of places to rest your head in Key West, but one of the most elegant and storied is the Marquesa Hotel, which can be found on Fleming Street. An island favorite for decades, the property's blue clapboard sides greet you with a cheery hue, and its interiors evoke a distinct sense of coastal sophistication.

marquesa.com, 600 Fleming St., Key West, FL 33040

Visit Key Lime Square

Tucked along Duval and Southard Street is a small square that some visitors overlook. Though Key Lime Square is in the center of it all, it feels hidden away in the heart of the island. It's a great spot to rest your legs, take a breather, order up a coffee at Cuban Coffee Queen, or settle in for dinner. Several restaurants encircle the square, including Antonia's, Onlywood Pizzeria Trattoria, and others.

Say Hello To The Roosters

When you visit Key West, you may be surprised to encounter a different sort of two-legged inhabitant. The island's streets are home to wandering roosters, who are usually ready for a photo op (from a distance), and who also provide inspiration for local art found throughout the island.

Visit A Museum

There is a bevy of great museums in Key West, including the Key West Shipwreck Museum, Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Sails To Rails Museum, and Harry S. Truman Little White House, among many others.

Pop Into A Bookstore

Pop into one of Key West's bookstores for something to read by the pool or on the beach. Key West Island Books is located on Fleming Street and has a big selection of works by local authors as well as new and rare books, while Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West is an island outpost of the popular shop with every new release you could want.

Pick Up Souvenirs In Mallory Square

You couldn't leave the island without picking up something to remember it by, right? Mallory Square has everything you could want in its kiosks and storefronts, from neon hats and emblazoned T-shirts to seashell necklaces and flip-flops, i.e. something for everyone back home.

mallorysquare.com, 400 Wall St., Key West, FL 33040

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