Booking a spot for two in paradise? There’s no shortage of things to do in Key West for couples. The good news about planning a romantic vacation here is that the warm air, soft sunsets, and magical breezes will do most of the work for you. However, there’s still the work of picking out some romantic things to put on your Key West itinerary that will bring you to the Atlantic Ocean, tropical gardens, habitats of marine life, lively bars on Duval Street, and beyond.
If you’re coming to Key West for the first time, be prepared to feel like you’ve entered a tropical paradise that’s isolated from everything you know! Key West is connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. It’s actually closer geographically to Cuba than it is to the United States. It’s also the place where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean embrace!
A tour we think you'll love
With Key West only stretching for 8 square miles, you’re going to be able to cover a lot of terrain in your pursuit of incredible things to do in Key West Florida for couples. Take a look at 9 things to do during your romantic trip to Key West Florida.
1) Play On The Sandbars During A Key West Boat Tour
A boat tour is the ultimate way to see marine life, catch a beautiful sunset from the water, and relax during a romantic getaway. If you’re looking for unforgettable things to do in Key West for couples, look no further than the excursions offered by Key West Boat Trips. Options include:
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Four hours of sandbar hopping
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Two-hour sunset cruise
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Two-hour cruise down Mud Key Sanctuary
Key West Boat Trips makes dreams come true for couples looking for romantic things to do in Key West Florida. Once you board with us, our experienced captains will take you on a smooth ride to places few have ever visited in Key West. See the sandbars of the Florida Keys by booking your spot on the ultimate tour in Key West for couples!
2) Feel Your Heart Flutter At The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Located right on Duval Street in the heart of Old Town Key West, this magical Key West butterfly sanctuary is home to 60 different species of butterflies from around the globe. You’ll also see some tropical birds and flamingoes mulling about in this glass-enclosed, climate-controlled sanctuary.
Don’t miss this wholesome attraction that many people consider to be their favorite spot in Key West Florida!
3) Take A Couples Photo At The Southernmost Point Buoy
The Southernmost Point Buoy is an anchored concrete buoy that denotes the lowest latitude land of the contiguous North American states. The buoy marking the southernmost point has become a popular tourist attraction since being placed in 1983!
Pro Tip: Save your couple’s photo at the buoy for this year’s holiday card!
4) Visit The Key West Lighthouse
A visit to the Key West Lighthouse is one of the top things to do in Key West Florida for couples! Built in 1825, this 65-foot tower invites modern-day visitors to climb 88 steps to enter a past world where lightkeepers kept watch over the shores of Key West.
As you tour the grounds, picture the way the treacherous water surrounding Key West battered ships as they tried to navigate around the chain of islands.
Good to Know: The top of the lighthouse is a perfect spot for a romantic proposal!
5) Fall In Love With Ocean Life At The Key West Aquarium
As Key West’s only public aquarium, the Key West Aquarium is one of the island’s biggest attractions. The institution has been a premier spot to learn about marine life in the Florida Keys since opening in 1935. The major exhibits here include:
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Sea Turtle Conservation Tour
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Moon Jellyfish exhibit
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Shark exhibit
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Touch tanks
If you want close encounters with Key West’s sea life, you’ll love the live animal feedings that take place daily.
6) Take A Break For Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is a way of life in Key West even though limes are no longer grown in Key West. That hasn’t stopped the local Key West food scene from hosting a variety of great pie shops and bakeries that focus on this tangy dessert! Here’s a look at the best spots around the island to get your fix at a Key lime pie bakery:
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Kermit’s Key Lime Shop on Elizabeth Street
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Key Lime Pie Co. on Greene Street
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Moondog Cafe on Whitehead Street
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Southernmost Key Lime Shop on Duval Street
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Blue Heaven on Thomas Street
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Old Town Bakery on Eaton Street
Key lime pie is also found on dessert menus at most of the restaurants around Old Town.
7) Walk Through Paradise At The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
An arm-in-arm stroll through the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is one of the loveliest Key West things to do for couples. Established in 1936, this 15-acre attraction is the only frost-free subtropical forest and botanical garden in the continental United States. Due to the tropical setting here, the gorgeous trees are mostly able to retain their lush leaves during the dry season that takes place from December through May. This enchanted spot is also home to a variety of different threatened and endangered species of flora and fauna.
As you enjoy one of the most romantic things to do in Key West for couples with your sweetie, you’re likely to encounter tropical birds touching down on their migratory journeys at various points during the year. These tropical gardens are also home to many colorful flowers and ornate butterflies.
8) Enjoy A Little Live Music At Mallory Square
If you’re visiting Key West, the locals would probably tell you about Mallory Square even if you didn’t read about it here first. Each night, Mallory Square is the setting of a world-famous sunset celebration.
Mallory Square has actually been the hub of the social scene in Key West since 1820. While the days of local foragers dragging in their finds from nearby shipwrecks are long gone, the area is now home to many of the best shops, restaurants, and museums in Key West. Some of the places to know about for Key West food and shopping include:
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Key West Conch Fritters Stand
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Lagerheads Beach Bar and Watersports
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Fisherman’s Cafe
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Duetto
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A&B Lobster House
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The Shops at Mallory Square
If you’re coming specifically for the nightly Key West Sunset Celebration, it’s helpful to know that vendors and performers show up around two hours before sunset. Once you arrive, you can grab snacks and fresh juice from food trucks before settling in to enjoy live music, magicians, jugglers, and more!
9) Try Jet Skiing In Key West
If you want to truly feel like you’ve soaked up the essence of the Florida Keys when you visit Key West, one of the best things you can do is rent some jet skis to tour around the island!
Traveling over shallow waters that touch the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, takes just minutes to circle the entire island! Jet skiing with a guide is recommended if you don’t have experience.
Experience The Best Of Key West For Couples
There’s nothing like botanical gardens, sparkling beaches, and a slice of Key lime pie with two forks when you’re in love. Of course, the highlight of any romantic getaway to Key West is always the time you spend on the water!
After you touch down at Key West International Airport to explore the nation’s southernmost point, you’ll find that Key West Florida has a way of making you feel like you and your sweetheart are the only two people on the planet. At Key West Boat Trips, we show couples a rare side of Key West!
Book the ultimate excursion in Key West for couples with us today!
