Key West Florida Travel Guide

Key West Florida

Key West, Florida is one of the most iconic destinations in the Florida Keys, known for its colorful history, tropical scenery, lively nightlife, waterfront sunsets, and unique island atmosphere. Located at the southernmost point of the continental United States, Key West combines Caribbean charm with historic architecture, beautiful beaches, world-famous attractions, and unforgettable coastal experiences. From historic landmarks and museums to lively entertainment districts and waterfront dining, Key West offers something for every traveler seeking a true island escape.

Whether you are planning a romantic getaway, family vacation, boating adventure, or weekend escape, Key West delivers endless opportunities to explore the best of the Florida Keys. Visitors can spend their days snorkeling coral reefs, touring historic homes, watching breathtaking sunsets, and discovering the island’s rich maritime and literary history.

Mallory Square

Mallory Square is one of the most visited attractions in Key West and is famous worldwide for its nightly Sunset Celebration. Located along the historic waterfront overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Mallory Square comes alive every evening as locals and visitors gather to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Street performers, musicians, magicians, artists, and food vendors create a lively festival atmosphere that has become a Key West tradition.

In addition to the sunset festivities, Mallory Square offers waterfront shopping, local art galleries, seafood restaurants, bars, and island-inspired entertainment. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and stunning harbor views while exploring one of the most vibrant gathering places in the Florida Keys.

Duval Street

Duval Street is the heart of Key West’s entertainment and historic district, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Lined with colorful historic buildings, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, bars, and live music venues, Duval Street is one of the most famous streets in Florida. Visitors can spend hours exploring local shops, outdoor cafes, rooftop bars, and unique island attractions.

Known for its lively nightlife and relaxed atmosphere, Duval Street is home to legendary bars and entertainment venues including Sloppy Joe’s, a longtime favorite associated with author Ernest Hemingway. Along the street, visitors can sample fresh seafood, Key lime pie, Caribbean-inspired cuisine, and tropical drinks while enjoying the vibrant energy that makes Key West so unforgettable.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is one of Key West’s most historic and popular attractions. Located in Old Town Key West, the beautifully preserved Spanish Colonial-style home was once the residence of famed American author Ernest Hemingway. During his time in Key West, Hemingway wrote several of his most famous literary works while living in this tropical island retreat.

Today, visitors can tour the historic home, tropical gardens, writing studio, and museum exhibits while learning about Hemingway’s life and literary legacy. The property is also famous for its population of six-toed cats, descendants of Hemingway’s original pet cat, which continue to roam the grounds and delight visitors from around the world.

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory offers visitors a peaceful tropical environment filled with colorful butterflies, exotic birds, tropical plants, waterfalls, and lush gardens. Located in the heart of Key West, this glass-enclosed habitat is home to hundreds of butterfly species from around the world.

Visitors can walk through beautifully landscaped pathways while butterflies freely flutter throughout the conservatory. The attraction also features educational exhibits, tropical birds, and relaxing natural scenery that make it one of the most serene experiences in Key West.

Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum

The Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum provides visitors with a fascinating look into the maritime history of the Florida Keys. Originally built in 1825, the lighthouse guided ships through the dangerous waters surrounding Key West for generations.

Guests can climb the historic lighthouse tower for panoramic views of Key West and tour the Keeper’s Quarters Museum to learn about lighthouse keepers, ship navigation, and island history. Historic artifacts, photographs, and exhibits help preserve the important role the lighthouse played in the development of Key West.

Southernmost Point Buoy

The Southernmost Point Buoy is one of the most photographed landmarks in Key West and marks the southernmost point of the continental United States. Located just 90 miles from Cuba, the brightly painted buoy has become an iconic symbol of the Florida Keys.

Visitors from around the world stop here to take photos and experience one of Key West’s most recognizable attractions. The area also offers nearby ocean views, restaurants, and easy access to many of Old Town Key West’s top attractions.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park combines beautiful beaches, snorkeling, nature trails, and Civil War history into one of Key West’s top outdoor attractions. The historic fort played an important role in protecting the southern coastline during the Civil War and Spanish-American War.

Today, visitors can explore the fort, relax on one of Key West’s best beaches, snorkel near offshore reefs, enjoy shaded picnic areas, and experience some of the clearest waters in the Florida Keys. The park is especially popular for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and sunset viewing.

Key West Cemetery

The Key West Cemetery is one of the island’s most unique historic sites. Established in 1847, the cemetery contains elaborate monuments, historic gravesites, and colorful epitaphs reflecting the island’s distinctive personality and history.

Visitors can take self-guided tours through the cemetery while learning about Key West’s early settlers, shipwreck survivors, military figures, and local legends. One of the most famous gravestones features the humorous epitaph, “I Told You I Was Sick,” which has become a well-known Key West attraction.

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum highlights the fascinating history of shipwrecks, treasure hunting, piracy, and underwater archaeology in the Florida Keys. Named after famous treasure hunter Mel Fisher, the museum showcases artifacts recovered from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha.

Visitors can explore exhibits featuring gold coins, treasure artifacts, pirate history, navigation tools, and shipwreck discoveries while learning about the maritime heritage that shaped Key West and the Caribbean.

Truman Little White House

The Truman Little White House is a historic presidential retreat that served as President Harry S. Truman’s winter White House during his presidency. Located in Key West’s historic naval district, the property offers a unique glimpse into American political history.

Guided tours allow visitors to explore the preserved home, original furnishings, gardens, and museum exhibits detailing Truman’s time in Key West. The property remains one of the most significant historic landmarks in the Florida Keys and continues to attract visitors interested in presidential history and American heritage.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Located about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most unique and remote national parks in the United States. Accessible only by ferry, seaplane, or private boat, the park is famous for its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, snorkeling, birdwatching, and the massive 19th-century Fort Jefferson. Surrounded by turquoise Gulf waters, Dry Tortugas offers incredible opportunities for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and exploring untouched marine ecosystems.

Visitors can tour historic Fort Jefferson, relax on secluded beaches, and snorkel among tropical fish, coral reefs, sea turtles, and shipwreck remnants. The park’s remote location and natural beauty make it one of the most unforgettable experiences in the Florida Keys.

Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach is the largest public beach in Key West and one of the island’s most popular places to relax along the Atlantic Ocean. Lined with palm trees and soft sand, the beach offers calm waters ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and jet skiing. Beach chair rentals, volleyball courts, and nearby food vendors make it a favorite destination for both visitors and locals.

The beach is especially popular for sunrise walks, tropical scenery, and water sports activities. Its convenient location near hotels, restaurants, and downtown Key West makes Smathers Beach a perfect stop during any Key West vacation.

Higgs Beach

Higgs Beach offers a quieter and more relaxed beach experience in Key West while still providing beautiful ocean views and easy beach access. Located near the White Street Pier, the beach features picnic areas, walking paths, shaded palm trees, volleyball courts, and calm waters perfect for swimming.

Visitors can also explore nearby historic attractions including the African Cemetery Memorial and West Martello Tower botanical gardens. Higgs Beach is a popular location for watching the sunrise and enjoying peaceful oceanfront scenery away from larger crowds.

Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum brings the island’s maritime history to life through interactive exhibits, live performances, and authentic shipwreck artifacts. The museum tells the story of Key West’s early economy, which was heavily influenced by shipwreck salvaging during the 1800s.

Visitors can climb the museum’s lookout tower for panoramic harbor views while exploring exhibits featuring recovered treasures, historical reenactments, and stories about the wreckers who once made Key West one of the wealthiest cities in the United States.

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center offers educational exhibits focused on the unique ecosystems, coral reefs, marine wildlife, and conservation efforts throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Interactive displays help visitors learn about coral reef preservation, mangrove habitats, sea turtles, fisheries, and ocean conservation.

This family-friendly attraction provides an excellent introduction to the natural beauty and environmental importance of the Florida Keys while helping visitors better understand the region’s fragile marine ecosystems.

Harry S. Truman Waterfront

The Truman Waterfront is one of Key West’s newest public gathering spaces and waterfront recreation areas. Overlooking the harbor and cruise ship docks, the area features scenic walking paths, waterfront parks, open green spaces, public art, and beautiful sunset views.

The waterfront also hosts concerts, festivals, outdoor events, and seasonal celebrations throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy relaxing ocean views while exploring nearby museums, restaurants, and marina areas in historic Key West.

Key West Aquarium

The Key West Aquarium is one of Florida’s oldest aquariums and remains a popular family-friendly attraction in the heart of downtown Key West. The aquarium features sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish, jellyfish, stingrays, and interactive touch tanks where visitors can learn about local marine life found throughout the Florida Keys.

Educational programs and feeding demonstrations provide fun experiences for children and adults while highlighting the importance of protecting Florida’s coastal ecosystems and coral reefs.

Sunset Sailing and Catamaran Cruises

One of the most popular experiences in Key West is taking a sunset sailing cruise across the Gulf of Mexico. Catamarans, schooners, and private charter boats depart daily from Key West marinas offering breathtaking sunset views, tropical drinks, live music, and unforgettable evenings on the water.

Many cruises also include snorkeling stops, dolphin watching, reef excursions, and dining experiences. Watching the sunset from the open water is considered one of the signature experiences of visiting Key West and the Florida Keys.

Historic Seaport

The Key West Historic Seaport is a lively waterfront district filled with marinas, seafood restaurants, bars, boutiques, fishing charters, and excursion boats. The harbor area reflects the island’s rich maritime history while serving as a center for boating, fishing, snorkeling, and sunset cruises.

Visitors can stroll along the waterfront boardwalk, enjoy dockside dining, watch charter boats return with fresh catches, and experience the authentic island atmosphere that defines Key West living.

Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower

Located inside a historic Civil War-era fort, the Key West Garden Club offers visitors a peaceful tropical oasis filled with native plants, orchids, flowering gardens, and oceanfront scenery. The gardens provide a quiet escape from the busy streets of downtown Key West.

Walking paths wind through lush tropical landscapes featuring fountains, shaded seating areas, and beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the hidden gems of Key West for nature lovers and photographers.

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The Annual Fantasy Fest

The first Fantasy Fest was held in 1979 when two local businessmen, Tony Falcone and the late Bill Conkle, organized a party to stimulate business. The event has escalated to a ten day celebration that includes balls, a parade, costume competitions, AIDS fundraisers, body painting, drag queen contests, costume parties, alcohol, and pet and neighborhood parades for the whole family. Fantasy Fest has grown to rival New Orleans' Mardi Gras as an event drawing out-of-towners.

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Experience the Best of Key West

From waterfront sunsets and historic landmarks to snorkeling adventures, tropical beaches, lively nightlife, and world-famous attractions, Key West offers one of the most unique vacation experiences in the Florida Keys. Whether exploring Duval Street, visiting historic museums, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying fresh seafood by the water, Key West delivers unforgettable island memories for travelers of all ages.

 

History of Key West

In Pre-Columbian times Key West was inhabited by the Calusa people. The first European to visit was Juan Ponce de León in 1521. As Florida became a Spanish territory, a fishing and salvage village with a small garrison was established here. In 1856, Key West was given it's original name, Cayo Hueso. Spanish-speakers still use the term when referring to Key West. It literally means "bone key". It is said that the island was littered with the remains bones of native inhabitants from before, who used the isle as a communal graveyard.

In 1815, Spain granted the island to a loyal subject and St. Augustine native, Juan Pablo Salas. In 1819, all of Florida was property to the United States. Salas had made no improvements to the island of Key West and sold it to John Simonton, an American businessman, for $2,000. Simonton understood the potential of Cayo Hueso's natural deep-water harbor and divided the island into four parts, selling three of them to fellow businessmen and keeping one for himself. By this time, the island had been renamed Key West, probably as a result of an English language distortion of the original Spanish name.

In 1763, the year that Great Britain took control of Florida, the Spaniards and Native Americans still residing in this area were moved to Havana. Twenty years later, Florida returned to Spanish control but there was no official resettlement of the island. The island was commonly used by fishermen from Cuba and from the British Bahamas, who later wer grouped togethor by others from the United States after the United States' independence day.

Map of Key West Florida

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