Things to do in Key West
Key West is the kind of place where history, water, and nightlife all overlap.
Neighborhoods
Key West is the kind of place where history, water, and nightlife all overlap. You can spend the morning at a Civil War fort, the afternoon with Hemingway's cats, and the evening watching the sunset at Mallory Square. It's compact, walkable, and packed with things to do.
Start outdoors: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach has a pre-Civil War fortress plus snorkel rentals and trails, while Smathers Beach has volleyball and jet skis. For a quirky break, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory lets you walk among butterflies and birds. History buffs shouldn't miss the Hemingway Home and Museum, the Truman Little White House, or the Key West Lighthouse. When the sun drops, Mallory Square's Sunset Celebration draws street performers, and bars like Sloppy Joe's and Irish Kevin's keep the music going late. For a quieter bite, Blue Heaven serves Floridian-Caribbean dishes and key lime pie in a garden setting.
Frequently asked questions about Key West
What are the best outdoor things to do in Key West?▾
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach is a top pick—it has a beach, nature trails, and a historic fort. Smathers Beach is another option with volleyball and jet ski rentals. For something more relaxed, the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden has shaded paths and a freshwater pond.
What can families do in Key West?▾
The Key West Aquarium has a touch tank with horseshoe crabs and sea stars, and the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a hit with kids. The Key West Room Escape provides a family-friendly challenge. Many of the museums, like the Shipwreck Museum, are also good for children.
Where can I learn about Key West history?▾
Start at the Hemingway Home and Museum, where you can see his studio and the famous six-toed cats. The Truman Little White House gives guided tours of the former presidential retreat. For maritime history, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum displays artifacts from a 17th-century shipwreck.
What are the best spots for nightlife in Key West?▾
Duval Street is the center of it. Sloppy Joe's has live music and dancing, while Irish Kevin's is known for nightly tunes and a big stout list. For something more theatrical, Aqua Bar and Nightclub puts on drag shows, and Virgilio's is a tucked-away lounge with outdoor dancing.
Where can I get good food in Key West?▾
Blue Heaven is a landmark for Floridian-Caribbean food and key lime pie, served in a funky garden. For a casual outdoor meal, Schooner Wharf Bar has seafood and dockside views. If you have a sweet tooth, the dessert restaurant on Duval Street is a dim, intimate spot for decadent treats.
Things to do in Key West
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Irish Kevin's
Lively Irish pub with nightly music, an expansive stout list & an eclectic pub-grub menu.
Better Than Sex - A Dessert Restaurant
Dessert bar offering an extensive menu of decadent treats in a dimly lit, intimate space.
Caroline's Cafe
American cafe serving po' boys, conch fritters & the like in a circa-1838 house with outdoor seats.
Banana Cafe
French bistro, popular for breakfast, serving crêpes & other easygoing fare in a low-key setting.
Green Parrot Bar
An institution since 1890, this watering hole features a jukebox & frequent live music.
Sloppy Joe's Bar
Open since 1933, this bar offers live music & dancing plus a separate tap room for sports-watching.
Clarence S.Higgs Memorial Beach
Small beach with a pier, plus monuments documenting the site of an 1800s African slave cemetery.
Margaritaville - Key West
Lively joint offers island-inspired fare & margaritas plus a gift shop & live music most nights.
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Glass-enclosed, plant-filled habitat for interactive walks among species of butterflies & birds.
Sunset Watersports Key West
Smathers Beach
Public beach & a spring break destination with showers & volleyball, plus jet ski rentals.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach
State park features beach & water sport rentals, nature trails, a cafe & a pre-Civil War fortress.
Blue Heaven
Iconic landmark for Floridian-Caribbean cuisine & key lime pie, with a funky setting.
Conch Republic Seafood Company
Conch & Caribbean-style eats star at this laid-back eatery overlooking the seaport & marina.
Sebago Watersports
Popular boat tour agency featuring snorkeling trips, sunset sails & parasailing adventures.
The Hemingway Home and Museum
Visitors come to see Hemingway's studio, garden & 6-toed felines that may be descendants of his cat.
Hog's Breath Saloon
Popular pub providing bar food on a covered outdoor patio plus live music & dancing.
Two Friends Patio Restaurant
Long-standing mostly outdoor cafe with an old-school American menu plus lively karaoke.
Schooner Wharf Bar
Longtime open-air hangout for seafood complemented by live music & dockside views.
Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.
Simple monument located at the southernmost tip of the continental U.S. & 90 miles north of Cuba.