Discover Key West: 10 Must-See Attractions and Activities

This list of the best things to see and do in Key West or Key West is perfect for getting to know the southernmost island of the Florida peninsula , just 150 kilometers from Cuba.
In addition to its privileged location, at the end of an impressive and panoramic road that runs above the Atlantic, the island of Key West offers all travelers who visit it beautiful wooden houses in the purest southern style, a relaxed atmosphere in which It combines American and Latin style, beaches with transparent waters, delicious cuisine and fantastic sunsets.

To see all its tourist attractions, we recommend that you dedicate a full day and spend the night in the city to enjoy its lively nightlife, especially if you come from Miami since the one-way trip will take you an average of 4 hours.

Based on the experience of the 2 days we spent on this key during our trip to Florida , we have made this list with the 10 essential things to see in Key West . Let’s start!

1. Overseas Highway

The best way to get to Key West (Key West), although it has a small airport, is to travel by car the more than 200 kilometers of the iconic US1 Overseas Highway, jumping from key to key and passing over long bridges over the ocean.
During this panoramic road route from Miami that will take you about 4 hours, you can make some stops such as Bahia Honda, which offers white sand beaches and turquoise waters, as well as views of an old abandoned railway bridge.
Other interesting stops are in Big Pine Key where you can observe the white-tailed deer, which is in danger of extinction and can only be seen in this part of the world or in more traditional restaurants such as Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House and Fish Tales Market and Eateryen where you can eat delicious stone crab.

2. Stroll along Duval Street, one of the things to do in Key West

Taking a leisurely stroll along Duval Street, the city’s main artery, observing the magnificent pastel-colored wooden houses with pretty southern-style porches and balconies, is one of the best things to do in Key West.
Among the most representative houses and buildings on this street are the old Strand cinema, the Hard Rock Café, the Key West Woman’s Club and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which is worth entering to see its beautiful interior. .
This street also has several of the best restaurants to eat in Key West such as DJ’s Clam Shack, Blackfin Bistro, Kaya Island Eats, Frita’s Cuban Burgers and Clemente’s Pizzeria. After eating you can have a drink at a bar with live music like Sloppy Joe’s, Irish Kevin’s or Capt Tony’s Saloon, the oldest and most famous in Key West.

3. Southernmost Point

At the end of Duval Street you will reach a small beach and South Street that will take you in a few minutes to Southernmost Point, the most photographed place and one of the essential things to see in Key West (Key West).
At Southernmost Point you will find a huge buoy with red, black and yellow stripes that marks the southernmost point of the United States, located just 90 miles from Cuba.

Don’t be scared if when you arrive there is a long line of people waiting to take a photo. It is one of the most famous spots in the town and as such, it deserves a photo!

4. Whitehead Street

Back in the center of Key West, we recommend that you walk along Whitehead Street, which also has southern-style mansions and several historic buildings to visit in Key West, such as the Ernest Hemingway House and the Lighthouse, which we will talk about in the following points.
Some of our favorite spots on these streets are the intersection with Truman Ave, which hides some beautiful pastel-colored one-story wooden houses, the picturesque 0 Mile point that marks the end of US1, and the Audubon House, built by the Captain John Huling Geiger in the 1840s and has a small botanical garden dedicated to the famous ornithologist James Audubon, who spent a long time in Key West.

5. Ernest Hemingway House

The famous American writer Ernest Hemingway and his wife Pauline bought one of the oldest houses in Key West in 1931 to spend a large part of the year since he was a great fan of the sea, fishing and the relaxed atmosphere of this island. similar to that of his beloved Cuba. He used this paradisiacal place as a source of inspiration to write some of his most famous works, such as the novel “A Farewell to Arms” and several of his best stories.
During a visit to this two-story colonial mansion, surrounded by beautiful gardens and with a large swimming pool, you will discover different rooms with original furniture (especially the desk) in which the couple lived with their two children, until Hemingway left in 1940. He moved to Cuba and Pauline stayed in this house with her 2 children until her death in 1951.
Although the entrance costs 18 dollars, it is worth visiting Ernest Hemingway’s house museum and its original souvenir shop, to learn about his history and its hobbies such as keeping many cats, which is still preserved.

Visiting hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

6. Lighthouse, one of the places to see in Key West

Another of the best things to do in Key West is to climb the 80 steps of the old Lighthouse, located in front of the Ernest Hemingway House, for the best views of the historic center.
Built in 1848 after the destruction of its two old lighthouses by the hurricane of 1846, this imposing white tower, 15 meters high and with 13 reflective lamps, had to be raised another 15 meters so as not to be covered by trees and new buildings.

7. Mallory Square

Mallory Square, located in front of the boardwalk and offering magnificent views of the Gulf of Mexico and the small island Sunset Key, full of luxury homes and resorts, is another of the essential places to see in Key West.
After taking a walk through an area of ​​craft and souvenir shops, you can go to the pier and the promenade to have a drink in one of the bars and wait for the fantastic sunset. Will not disappoint you!

8. Truman Little White House

Near Mallory Square and the beautiful building of the Key West Museum of Art and History, is the Truman Little White House, which was the residence used by President Harry S. Truman for more than 170 days to recover from health problems and rest.
Later, this house was used for official government events such as the summit between John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan or for relaxation, until it became a public museum.
During the guided tour you can see the rooms with original Truman furniture, as well as various items of the president such as the briefcase or the famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign.

9. Fuerte Zachary Taylor

Visiting the historic Fort Zachary Taylor, built in the late 18th century to defend the southeast coast and home to the largest collection of Civil War weaponry in the world, is another of the best things to do in Key West.
After visiting the fort you can go to its fantastic white sand beaches and turquoise waters, considered the most beautiful in Key West and one of the essential Florida beaches , to enjoy a relaxing swim and a fantastic sunset.

10. Excursions to do in Key West

If you have time, you can complete this list of places to see in Key West with some fun water activities like these:

• Dolphin sighting
• Jet ski tour
• Snorkel
• Boat ride at sunset
• Tourist trolleybus

Where to sleep in Key West

To stay in Key West we recommend the Key West Villas located in the historic center, 1 minute walk from Duval Street, and which also has a swimming pool and parking.
Other hotels located in the historic center of Key West and with an excellent quality/price ratio are the Douglas House , the Duval House and the Courtney’s Place Historic Cottages & Inns .

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