How To Really Experience Key West In 2024
It’s the southernmost point in the USA, a utopian paradise surrounded by calm turquoise waters and crowned by powder blue skies. It’s where people from all over the globe flock to discover and experience its charms— graceful palm trees, pastel-hued tin-roof houses, intriguing history and an abundance of one-of-a-kind attractions. Key West, Florida has earned its place as one of the world’s most popular destinations. Listed as one of TripAdvisor’s top 10 vacation destinations and earning a Traveler’s Choice Award, this island oasis is where the world comes to get away.
#1 Way To Experience Key West Is From The Water
Grab your flip-flops, throw on your swimsuit and pack the sunblock–then head to the island’s most popular attraction when you visit Key West; the crystal blue waters.
READ MOREWhoever you are–from the adventurous, to the laid-back and everyone in between, your Key West visit begins and ends with the infinite possibilities to be experienced in, on and above the water. This tiny slice of heaven is surrounded by shimmering seas that beckon you to explore, whether snorkeling North America’s only living coral reef, making a splash on a Jet Ski, parasailing among the clouds with a bird’s eye view or sailing starry-eyed into our world-famous sunset.
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Family Fun
Digital detox starts here. For the most unforgettable family vacation, pack your bags, gather up the kids and head South to where sunscreen is the only screen you’ll need. Visit Key West and you’ll find all kinds of action-packed fun including exploring the wonders under the sea as you snorkel the reef, learning to fly on a parasail and making some waves on a jet ski.
READ MOREThere’s also six-toed cats to meet, key lime pie on a stick and ice cream to devour, marine life to see up-close and a 65-foot lookout tower to climb. End every perfect day with nature’s most dazzling light show as you experience the world-famous Key West sunset.
Here are the must-do’s for your Key West family vacation itinerary:
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The Marker Hotel
Conch Tour Train
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Mattheessens Ice Cream
Key West Aquarium
Key West Shipwreck
Tropic Cinema
Key West & Chill
The real world is world’s away when you visit Key West, where it’s always the perfect time to sip a frosty margarita or a cold beer, laze under a palm tree as the tide rolls in and become one with nature’s most beautiful scenery.
READ MOREGet away from the everyday to a place where you can come as you are, explore at your own pace and experience the carefree vibe that the island is famous for.
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Hampton Inn
Key West Butterfly
Southernmost Beach Resort
West Martello Tower
Audubon House
Key West Garden Club
Latitudes
Adventure
If it’s an adrenaline rush you seek, you’ve come to the right place. When you visit Key West, there’s opportunity for non-stop action and thrills, whether it’s a day-long adventure of sun and sea, hunting down the island’s most famous ghosts or discovering tiny cays and hidden gems as you tour the island on a jet ski.
24 North
Ghosts & Gravestones
Party Time
Kick off your flip-flops and kick up your heels–in Key West the party is always on! Eat, drink and dance the night away on a live music sunset sail, indulge in decadence at one of our world-famous restaurants or watering holes and release your inner party-animal on Duval Street. Day or night, the fun keeps flowing in the Southernmost City.
Sloppy Joe's Bar
Duval Street
Opal Key Resort & Marina
Green Parrot
Dante's Pool Bar
Irish Kevin's
Key West Pub Crawl
Better Than Sex
Unique Things You Can Only Do In Key West
Like no place else on earth, Key West offers one-of-a-kind experiences that will linger in your memory long after you’ve returned home.
READ MOREWhether you’re dreaming of exploring a remote island sanctuary miles from civilization, discovering the fascinating history of an American President that came for winter and ended up staying 175 days or seeing where famous artists, authors and musicians created their masterpieces, a visit to Key West is anything but ordinary.
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The one and only southernmost spot in the USA is only in Key West! This iconic spot is the ideal backdrop to your Key West vacation photos.
There’s something magical about floating above the shimmering sea on a parasail–including panoramic take-your-breath-away views of the island and the refreshing ocean breeze blowing through your hair. Fury’s Parasailing adventures offer the perfect way to explore the beauty of the Southernmost City and witness the serenity of paradise from up above. Make sure to cross off this unforgettable experience from your Key West bucket list.
Located 70 miles west of Key West, this tiny cluster of islands is more than just an extraordinary destination, it’s one of the only National Parks that you can only reach by ferry or seaplane. Take off on an adventure where you can spend the day on a sandy beach, snorkeling the reefs and exploring a centuries old Civil War fortress.
The legendary author was one of the many famous folks who came to Key West in search of solace and fell so in love that he stayed for more than ten years. See his typewriter and the room where he wrote several masterpieces, meet descendants of his beloved six-toed cat Snowball, tour the lush gardens and learn all about his life, his career and his love affair with Key West.
When American President Harry S. Truman visited Key West, he was in search of a quiet winter retreat. Soon after his arrival, he was so enamored with the island he was compelled to stay and run the government from the Little White House. A tour of this historic home treats you to an insider’s look at Truman’s life on the island, personal items belonging to he and Bess and period furnishings.
Key West is known for its interesting locals, and there’s none more colorful than those that make our island waters their home. Here, you can snorkel North America’s only living coral reef, a one-of-a-kind experience that snorkelers of every age and experience level will rank high on their list of vacation adventures.
Learn a little bit of history and sip a cold Microbrew at First Flight, a local restaurant and brewery that was the birthplace of Pan American Airlines. This historic building, now a favorite place to dine and enjoy cocktails, was home to the United States’ largest airline from the 1920s until 1991. It was here in Key West that the first international flight took off on October 28, 1927, bound for Havana, Cuba.
Top Places to Eat
With its Caribbean, Cuban and Spanish influences, the island of Key West offers a diverse selection of unique dining options.
READ MOREWhether you’re looking for a local hangout where your oysters are shucked right before your eyes, a walk-up cafe where you can grab a Cuban coffee and a sandwich, or an upscale dining experience complete with prime rib and truffled mac and cheese, your palette will be pleased with this list of the top places to eat.
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Fisherman’s Cafe
Conch Republic Seafood
Ramshead Southernmost
Hard Rock Cafe
Prime
El Meson De Pepe
Sunset Pier
Pepe's Cafe
A & B Lobster House
Harpoon Harry’s
Top Places to Stay
Accommodations in Key West are as varied as the taste of our visitors and because of this, you’ll find no matter what you’re looking for, it’s here.
READ MORETo make it easy, we’ve assembled the top places to stay, including our most-loved luxury resorts to beachfront retreats and much more.
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The Marker
Ocean Key House
Hyatt Centric
Southernmost Beach Resort
Hampton Inn Key West
Opal Key Resort & Marina
24 North
The Gates Hotel
Kimpton Properties
Helpful Tips & Resource Guides
From thrilling watersports to romantic sunset sails, family-fun and historic pursuits, there’s so much to do and see in Key West that it may seem daunting to try and experience it all.
To help you plan your perfect Southernmost vacation, here are some helpful tips and resources that will ensure you’ll make the most of every moment.
