Key West
Key West is a small coral island at the southern tip of the Florida Keys, known for its old town, colorful wooden houses and long history as a wrecking and maritime port. The old town is compact, so a day here is mostly a walking day. Most visitors spend it on Duval Street, the historic sights and the waterfront, with a beach or a sunset thrown in.
The most reviewed first. Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
World Famous Conch Tour Train & Truman Little White House
World Famous Conch Tour Train & Key West Shipwreck Museum
Key West Perfume Making Create Your Own Fragrance
Old Town and Duval area
The Old Town and Duval area is the walkable heart of Key West, where historic homes, courtyards and gardens sit beside a busy strip of shops, bars and cafes.
Key West City Cemetery
Key West City Cemetery is an old burial ground in the middle of town, known for its above-ground tombs and playful gravestones. Visitors come to wander the paths and read the inscriptions.
Harry S. Truman Little White House
A small historic retreat on Front Street where President Harry S. Truman spent working vacations. Guided tours walk you through the house and grounds.
Ernest Hemingway House
Hemingway's former home on Whitehead Street, now a historic house museum. Visitors tour the rooms and walk the grounds where the famous six-toed cats roam.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a Civil War-era fort on the western end of Key West, set beside a pretty beach. People come to swim, snorkel, dive, walk the nature trails and watch the sunset.
Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is a 3,000-foot stretch of sand on Key West, one of the island's longest beaches. Visitors swim, snorkel and sunbathe here, with water sports rentals and volleyball nets along the shore.
South Beach
South Beach is a small strip of white sand on the south side of Key West, with blue water and a short walk from the town center. It is a quick beach stop close to town.
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Key West National Wildlife Refuge is a set of mangrove islands about 30 miles west of Key West, reached only by boat. Visitors go for snorkeling, fishing, and watching wildlife and birds in the mangroves.
Key West backcountry
The Key West backcountry is the shallow water, mangrove islands and sandbars that lie behind the island, reached by boat or kayak. It is a quiet side of Key West, away from Duval Street.
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
A free natural history museum at Truman Annex Waterfront, with a 2,500-gallon reef aquarium and a short film on the Keys.
Key West Aquarium
Visitors can touch sea anemones in a touch tank and join guided tours.
Key West Art & Historical Society
The Key West Art & Historical Society runs four museums across the island, each with its own focus on the Florida Keys. Visitors come for the history, the old fort, the lighthouse, and the playwright's home in town.
Key West Museum of Art & History
The Custom House museum sits on the harbor by Mallory Square. Two floors of exhibits cover two centuries of Key West history and art.
Key West Legal Rum distillery
Key West Legal Rum is a rum distillery in Key West, billed as the city's first legal rum distillery. Visitors can tour the still room, taste rums and spirits at two on-site bars, and shop for bottles.
Good to know
Old town and historic sights
The old town is compact enough to walk in a few hours. Highlights include the Ernest Hemingway House on Whitehead Street, the Harry S. Truman Little White House on Front Street and the Key West City Cemetery, where most burials are in above-ground tombs. The Old Town Trolley and the Conch Tour Train are another way to see the sights.
Sightseeing and scenic rides
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset, with sailboats passing the 1866 fort. The fort has a moat, nature trails and a snack stand. Sunset sails leave from the waterfront area for a view from the water.
Highlights and island tours
The Conch Tour Train and the Old Town Trolley run hop-on, hop-off loops that name the major sights. A 90-minute to two-hour tour gives a good overview of the island before you decide where to spend more time. The Island Adventure sandbar catamaran is a longer day out by boat.
When to go
Key West is mild all year. The dry season runs from November through April, with plenty of sunshine and little rain. May through October is the wet season, with showers on most days, often in the early morning.
Good to know
- Wear sun protection and bring water. Summer humidity makes the afternoons feel very hot.
- Bring cash or a card for the distillery, museums and taxis. Parking is limited, so plan to walk.
- The Dry Tortugas trip takes most of the day, so check the departure time before you plan the rest of your day.
Coming by ship
Ships usually stay about 9 hours in Key West, and most arrive between 7 and 9 am.
Getting ashore and around
Mallory Square sits beside the historic waterfront and the start of Duval Street.
Most of the old town is walkable from Mallory Square. Duval Street, the Truman house, the Hemingway House and the cemetery all sit within a short walk of Mallory Square. Taxis and ride share services are plentiful and affordable if you want to reach South Beach or Fort Zachary Taylor. Scooters, bikes and golf carts are another option, though parking is expensive and limited.
Questions people ask
Can I see the Dry Tortugas from Key West on a day visit?
Yes. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson can be visited on daily trips by ferry, and seaplanes also fly out. The trip is about 70 miles west of Key West and takes most of the day.
What is the best thing to do in Key West in one day?
Walk Duval Street and the old town, see the Hemingway House and the Truman Little White House, then finish at Fort Zachary Taylor for the sunset. A short hop-on tour gives a quick overview first.
These places share what it's known for.
