Looking for things to do when you visit Key West? With so many amazing options, it can be hard to choose where to start. Luckily, we have tips from the locals about the top 5 things to do in Key West – where to go, where to eat, where to chill – as well as some great hidden gems. Why spend time planning when you could be having fun?
A tour we think you'll love
Take An Unforgettable Sandbar Tour
Sandbar-hopping is a must-do when you visit beautiful Key West. Locals agree that Key West Boat Trips offers the best sandbar tours on the island. We’ll sail across postcard-perfect, turquoise waters to take you to sandbars where you can forget about your worries.
With a seasoned captain, you’ll slip through mangroves at Mud Keys. We’ll also take you to Jewfish Basin Sandbar and Snipe Point Sandbar where you can play in the water, snorkel or just enjoy the rays. Ready for the experience of a lifetime? Don’t miss out on the best sandbar experience Key West has to offer — reserve your spot today and create unforgettable memories!
Whether they’re popular places or hidden gems, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Key West, straight from locals. Beyond the incredible sandbar tours, here are the top 5 experiences that make Key West special:
1) Top Beaches For Sun And Fun
No one does beaches better than Key West, Florida. Glittering sand, turquoise waters and endless sunshine make it a tropical paradise. Here are some beaches locals love:
Higgs Beach
Higgs Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean near the Southernmost Point. A lesser-known beach, it’s the perfect spot for lazily floating on calm waters, relaxing under swaying palm trees or building sandcastles with the kids. The 17-acre beach also offers accessible snorkeling and a long pier perfect for sunset strolls.
Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is half a mile long, making it the largest public beach in Key West. About 150,000 Key West enthusiasts visit Smathers Beach annually, and it’s the focal point for Spring Break action. The rest of the year it’s family-friendly with shallow waters for kids and a calmer atmosphere. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, Smathers has everything from jet skiing to relaxing with a book on the palm-lined sand.
Fun Fact: Famous swimmer Diana Nyad finished her solo swim from Cuba to Key West at Smathers. It was a 110-mile journey – without a shark cage!
2) Top Restaurants To Tempt Your Taste Buds
When you visit Key West, bring your flip-flops, sunscreen, camera – and your appetite. Maybe it’s the fresh ocean air, maybe it’s the vacation vibe, but food just tastes better here. These are a few eateries where visitors and locals enjoy delicious fare:
Sloppy Joe Bar
Listed on the Register of Historic Places, Sloppy Joe opened on the last day of Prohibition in 1933. At the corner of Greene and Duval Street, it’s famously known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite watering hole. Their Key Lime Pie is very popular, and some call it the best in Key West.
Cuban Coffee Queen
With five Cuban Coffee Queen locations in Key West, Florida, you’re never too far from a java jumpstart. Honoring Cuban culture, the shop has hearty coffee options, including:
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Queen’s Roast – A dark roast blend
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Café con leche – Cuban espresso with steamed milk
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Cafecito – Classic Cuban espresso
While you’re there, try the Coffee Queen’s unique chocolate-covered, frozen Key Lime Pie on a stick. The original shop is at Key West Historic Seaport, where you can enjoy ocean views and refreshing breezes while eating this treat.
Blue Heaven
Blue Heaven has a long history: It’s been a gambling house, ice cream shop, playhouse and brothel. Ernest Hemingway even refereed boxing matches there! Two blocks from Duval Street, it’s now a lush courtyard restaurant that’s as famous for its roaming roosters as it is for its silky Key Lime Pie and Caribbean cuisine. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere and nightly live music.
3) Top Places To Learn About Key West Civil War History
Ever since Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in Key West in 1513 during his exploration of Florida, the island has been steeped in history. Key West played an important role in the Civil War as a strategic entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. Two forts remain that tourists, Key West history buffs and even locals enjoy visiting.
Fort Zachary Taylor
Fort Zachary Taylor is a Civil War era fort named after the 12th president of the United States. It’s a National Historic Monument containing the world’s largest collection of Civil War cannons and weapons. The fort’s history comes alive every month, when people re-enact scenes from its past.
Fort Jefferson
Located in Dry Tortugas National Park, historic Fort Jefferson was originally built to protect the Gulf of Mexico. During the Civil War, it served as a prison. One of its inmates was the doctor who treated John Wilkes Booth. A sprawling, 16-acre structure with a moat, Fort Jefferson is the largest brick building in the Western Hemisphere.
4) Top Sightseeing Attractions To Fill Your Day With Fun
Many of Key West’s most popular attractions are in a tourist area called Old Town. There’s no shortage of fun, interesting and educational things to do there. But where to begin? A local Key West resident shared these insider recommendations:
Hemingway House
Love American literature? Love hanging out with cats? You can do both at the Hemingway House. Ernest Hemingway lived in this house for 10 years and wrote most of his books there. Now it’s a museum where you can learn about the author through personal items and furnishings.
The Hemingway legend also includes the 60 cats that roam the museum’s grounds. They all have six toes and are descendants of a six-toed cat that a ship’s captain gave to Papa Hemingway.
Key West Butterfly And Nature Conservatory
There’s a legend that if a butterfly lands on you, you’ll have good luck. If that’s true, you’ll be extremely lucky at Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, where 60 species of butterflies soar in a glass-domed building. Located on Duval Street, the butterflies flutter around lush plants, tropical birds and cascading waterfalls.
Key West Lighthouse
The Key West Lighthouse was built in 1825 to help ships avoid the island’s dangerous reefs. Today, you can climb its 88-step spiral staircase for dramatic views of Old Town and the ocean. The lighthouse keeper’s quarters have been fully restored and contain maps, nautical items, antique furniture and vintage photos.
Key West Cemetery
The Key West Cemetery had macabre beginnings: It was founded in 1847 after a hurricane washed bodies and caskets out of their graves in 1846. Now it’s known as a quirky place with everything from simple grave markers to ornate monuments. As you wander around, you’ll probably be accompanied by the cemetery’s resident roosters and iguanas.
Southernmost Point
A colorful buoy marks the southernmost point in the continental United States. Only 90 miles from Cuba, it’s marked “Conch Republic,” which refers to a group in Key West that declared itself a separate nation in 1982. Next to the buoy is a plaque about the area’s Black history and a plaque honoring Cubans who died trying to reach America.
Little White House
The Little White House was President Harry S. Truman’s winter retreat. He visited this Florida Keys house 11 times for working vacations. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Taft, Clinton and Carter also used the Little White House. Tourists and history buffs will enjoy seeing Truman’s furnishings and memorabilia, including the famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign.
Pro Tip: If you want to pamper yourself after visiting Key West’s attractions, stay at one of the luxurious cottages on Sunset Key, a secluded island minutes from Mallory Square. If you’re flying in, simply land at Key West International Airport and take a quick ferry ride to Sunset Key.
5) Top Celebration – The Festive Sunset Celebration
No Key West, Florida visit is complete without the nightly Sunset Celebration at the end of Duval Street. This lively gathering kicks off two hours before the gorgeous Key West sunset, with street performers including acrobats, jugglers and fire eaters.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Sunset Celebration
The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is more than just watching the sun dip below the horizon—it’s an experience full of energy, culture, and community spirit. Here’s why it’s worth making time for during your visit:
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Lively Atmosphere – The square buzzes with excitement as locals and tourists come together to celebrate the end of the day in true Key West style.
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Street Performers – From fire dancers to magicians and musicians, the variety of entertainers keeps you captivated and amazed.
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Food Trucks & Vendors – Savor delicious local treats and refreshing beverages from a variety of food trucks and stalls offering everything from fresh seafood to tropical cocktails.
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Artisan Market – Browse unique handmade crafts, jewelry, and artwork that make perfect souvenirs or gifts.
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People Watching – Mallory Square is the perfect spot to soak in the diverse crowd, from friendly locals to curious travelers, all united by the stunning sunset.
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Photo Opportunities – The vibrant colors of the sky combined with the festive crowd make for unforgettable photos.
Pro Tip: Arrive at least an hour before sunset to grab a good spot—especially if you want to enjoy dinner at one of the nearby waterfront restaurants like Hot Tin Roof and Sunset Pier Restaurant. Reservations are highly recommended as these spots fill up quickly during sunset hours!
Who Gives The Best Sandbar Experience? We Do!
We’re proud to say that Key West locals have deemed Key West Boat Trips the best on the island. We go above and beyond to maintain that reputation, offering unrivaled sandbar tours.
You can look forward to enjoying sundrenched sandbars, fascinating mangroves and wildlife when you set sail with us. Book your tour now for a perfect day on the sandbars!
