Destination guide

Things to do in Key West

Key West has enough to fill a trip without trying to cover every corner. Start with the places that fit the way you want to spend the day, then keep nearby choices together.

Places to put on the list in Key West

Build around a few anchors, then choose nearby additions that match your pace. The main Key West guide has itinerary ideas if you want help putting those pieces in order.

Old Town, Duval, and Historic Core

Photoreal view of Duval Street in Old Town Key West

Duval Street Walk

The main social spine of town and the quickest way to feel the destination.

Best for: Walk, Nightlife, Iconic

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

Afternoon$
Photoreal exterior of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

A real Key West cultural stop for literary history, gardens, and one of the island's most recognizable house museums.

Best for: Museum, History, Historic home

Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.

Half dayMorning$$$Plan ahead
Visit official site
Photoreal historic conch houses along a shaded Key West street

Historic House Circuit

Historic House Circuit is a daytime counterweight to the nightlife side of the island.

Best for: History, Culture, Walkable

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

Morning$$
Photoreal shaded historic street scene in Key West with tropical island architecture

Historic Streets and Leisure

Let the day breathe around architecture, galleries, and shaded streets.

Best for: Historic, Streets, Leisure

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

Morning$$
Photoreal Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip

A strong outdoors counterpoint that broadens the destination beyond its existing urban and ticketed anchors. Build it into the day when this is the part of Key West visitors would otherwise miss.

Best for: Outdoors, Local favorite

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

Morning$
Visit official site

Southernmost, Casa Marina, and Beaches

Photoreal Fort Zachary Taylor beach and historic fort scene in Key West daylight

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach Day

A headline Key West daytime attraction built around the island's most distinctive fort-and-beach combination, with historic masonry, tropical shoreline, and a calmer outdoor counterpoint to Duval and the harbor.

Best for: Fort, Zachary, Taylor

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

Morning$$

Historic Seaport, Mallory, and Harbor

Photoreal Key West Historic Seaport with classic boats and colorful harborfront in daylight

Key West Historic Seaport

A headline Key West harborfront attraction built around the Historic Seaport's working docks, classic boats, and colorful island-port atmosphere, making it distinct from Duval Street and the island's sunset-focused experiences.

Best for: West, Historic, Seaport

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

Sunset$$
Photoreal sunset gathering at Mallory Square in Key West

Mallory Square Sunset

A tourist ritual, yes, but still worth doing once because Key West is built around end-of-day atmosphere.

Best for: Sunset, Harbor, Classic

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

EveningSunset$

Stock Island and Lower Keys

Photoreal Lower Keys scenic drive with turquoise water, bridges, and tropical island views

Lower Keys Drive

A headline Key West day trip built around the Overseas Highway's water-lined drive, island-hopping scenery, and the unmistakable road-trip side of the Florida Keys beyond Old Town itself.

Best for: Lower, Keys, Drive

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

Morning$$

Offshore Excursion Corridor

Photoreal Key West sunset sail with catamaran, glowing sky, and calm harbor water

Sunset Sail Day

A headline Key West water experience centered on warm harbor light, a classic sailboat setting, and the island's signature sunset atmosphere, making it distinct from daytime snorkeling trips and Duval nightlife.

Best for: Sunset, Sail, Headline

Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.

Sunset$$$Plan ahead
Photoreal snorkel boat excursion in the waters off Key West

Boat or Snorkel Excursion

One water day goes a long way here and usually improves the whole trip.

Best for: Boat, Water, Adventure

Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.

Half dayMorning$$$Plan ahead

Highlights

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

A lush indoor butterfly habitat that works beautifully for families and solo travelers when a beach morning turns wet.

Best for: wildlife, indoor, rainy-day

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

1–2 hoursMorning$$
Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

Maritime stories, salvaged artifacts, and a compact museum stop that gives the island a weather-proof history option.

Best for: history, museum, rainy-day

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

1–2 hoursMorning$$

Plan the rest of your Key West trip

See neighborhoods, trip ideas, and the full destination planner in one place.

Go to Key West guide

Hours, tickets, seasonal access, and reservation policies can change. Check the official source before you go. Last destination review: 2026-06-19.