Destination guide
Key West
United States
Key West, in the Florida Keys, is a city and an island of the same name. It is the county seat of Monroe County and is considered the southernmost city in the continental United States.
AI insights
AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page
Avoid the crowded Mallory Square sunset spectacle in favor of Fort Zachary Taylor; it is the superior, romantic spot to watch the sun go down in peace, and the beach area there is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. accessible to the general public.
Skip the tourist-heavy spots for authentic Cuban food by heading to El Siboney, which is tucked away in a residential neighborhood and offers a more genuine local dining experience than the main-strip restaurants.
Navigate the island by bicycle or on foot rather than a rental car; the narrow, one-way streets make driving and parking a significant logistical challenge that will consume your time and budget.
Visit the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center before heading out on any water excursions; understanding the local reef and mangrove habitats through their exhibits will make your snorkeling or diving experience significantly more meaningful.
Pack a light jacket for waterfront dining, even on warm days; restaurants located directly on the water often run high-powered fans to manage the heat, which can make outdoor seating unexpectedly chilly.
How we vet these picks
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Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
Inside the Real Key West - With a Local Legend 🇺🇸
THE FLORIDA KEYS TRAVEL GUIDE | Key West
Key West Florida Travel Guide: Best Things To Do in Key West
Ultimate KEY WEST Travel Guide 2026
Our Key West Vacation | BEST 10 THINGS to do on KEY WEST
13 Can’t Miss Things to Do in Key West | Ultimate Key West Travel Guide Attractions & Food Spots
Key West SURPRISED US | The 5 Best Things To See & Do
Best time to go
Best window: January–April
No month to avoid, though the shoulder seasons are the pick.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
Getting around
With many narrow and one-way streets, driving Key West is difficult and parking is expensive. Many visitors choose to rent motor scooters, bicycles, golf carts, explore on foot or use public transportation.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Hemingway Home and Museum
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
The writer's former residence, still home to descendants of his polydactyl cats.
Vetted sources
Fort Zachary Taylor
end of Southard Street on Truman Annex· Cheap
The perfect romantic place to cuddle up with someone special, unwind, and watch the sun set as sailboats glide by. all without the crazy circus of Mallory Square. It doesn't get any more romantic in this crowded city.
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Harry S. Truman Little White House
111 Front St· Moderate
A historic retreat used by President Harry S. Truman. Guided tours are available, as well as a gift shop. It's still used as a retreat and place of business by US government officials today.
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Ernest Hemingway House
907 Whitehead St· Moderate
Hemingway lived and wrote here for a decade. He also raised cats, the descendants of which still roam the grounds and have extra toes.
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Key West Art and Historical Society Museum
3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd· Cheap
Visitors can explore the preserved battlement’s collection of relics from the Civil War, learn about the wrecking and cigar-manufacturing industries which shaped the Florida Keys, view the unique folk art of Mario Sanchez and the…
Vetted sources
Key West AIDS Memorial
on the beach· Free
The City of Key West has lost more than a thousand of its citizens to the AIDS epidemic. Some of their names are inscribed on a memorial near the White Street Pier.
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Key West City Cemetery
In Key West, burial customs reflect combinations of African, Hispanic, Anglo and other mixed heritages. Due to the water table of the Keys, most burials are in above ground tombs.
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What to do
Mallory Square
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A nightly sunset gathering with street performers on the waterfront.
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Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
35 E Quay Rd
Truman Annex Waterfront. With its touch screens, stunning photos, and roomy theater showing a short high-definition film about the Keys ecosystems, this educational center has become a hit with families.
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Floridays
Hyatt Centric Resort and Spa, corner of Front and Simonton, one block E of lower Duval· Expensive
Luxury sailboat operating out of the Hyatt Centric Hotel offering daily snorkeling and evening Sunset Sailing adventures. A beautiful well maintained vessel taking much smaller groups that what you might find on some of the other…
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Fury Water Adventures
It offers snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, water trampoline, sunset sails and cruises, reef eco tours, and glass bottom boat tours.
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Sebago Watersports
Waterfront area
WReef snorkeling, sunset sails, parasailing, all-day adventures from the tame Island Ting to the active Power Adventure. The parasailing tends to be a bit brief (13 minutes), but the crew is friendly.
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Diving in Key West
Offering daily dive trips to the reefs near Key West.
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Key West Nature Preserve
Two entrances on Atlantic Blvd. Ocean front property that has been turned into an accessible natural area. Enjoy seeing local Key West wildlife such as lizards, butterflies and maybe even a snake.
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What to eat
El Meson de Pepe
Mallory Square
Authentic, delicious Cuban food and mojitos with a kick. Every night at sunset, they have a band playing and enough space for dancing and having a couple of drinks at the bar.
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Conch Republic
631 Greene St
Enjoy their spacious waterfront setting where the atmosphere is like a trip back in time to the way Key West used to be. Enjoy fresh fish and a raw bar.
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A & B Lobster House
700 Front St
The main dishes are mid-range in price, and paired with great tasting appetizers and salads. While Key West is warm and the porch may seem like a good idea, make sure you have a jacket.
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Schooner Wharf
Caroline Street
This rough and ready landmark has a three-egg seafood omelette that, coupled with a bloody mary or two, will shock you back to life from a throw down night on Duval.
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El Siboney
900 Catherine St
This Cuban restaurant, tucked into a quiet residential intersection, flies well below the tourist radar. Delicious food at very reasonable prices.
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The Half Shell Raw Bar
Margaret St
A Taste of Old Key West. Traditional raw bar & seafood restaurant. Oysters, clams, shrimp, etc. A low-key restaurant for casual lunch or dinner.
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Where to stay
At Home In Key West
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
905 Truman Ave
Villa and condo rentals in the historic Old Town.
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Casablanca Bed and Breakfast
900 - 904 Duval St
Family run bed and breakfast near the Old Town. Swimming pool and restaurant/bar located on the premises. Each room has its own private porch and private bathroom. Family friendly.
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Atlantis House
1 block from the White Street Pier· Expensive
40 yds from the Atlantic Ocean and Rest Beach. Beautiful landscaping with only 2 private Jacuzzi Suites. Complimentary Wi-Fi, off-street parking and bikes.
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Angelina Guesthouse
302 Angela St· Expensive
Clean rooms, shared and private baths, pool, complimentary breakfast, wi-fi. Friendly and helpful staff knowledgeable of the city.
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Curry Mansion Inn
511 Caroline St
A small hotel with plenty of free parking, open bar cocktail party with piano player every afternoon, breakfast buffet with cooked-to-order eggs.
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Crowne Plaza La Concha
430 Duval St
Built in 1926 and home of Key West's highest sunset celebration.
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.