21 Fun Things to do in Key West Florida

Beautiful Key West in the Florida Keys is such a fun and vibrant place to visit. Whether you’re planning a visit for a bachelor or bachelorette party, family vacation, romantic getaway or even just a solo trip, there’s something in Key West for everyone. To help make your trip planning a little easier I’ve compiled this list of 21 fun things to do in Key West Florida.

By the way – if you’re visiting other parts of Florida during your trip you might want to check out these posts:

• Best Things to do in Miami – Miami Travel Guide
• Little Havana, Miami: The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary
• Best Restaurants in South Beach – Restaurant Guide
• Where to Stay in South Beach – Miami Hotel Guide
• Florida Packing Guide: What to pack for a trip to Florida
• Affordable & Flattering Swimsuits for any Beach Vacation
• Top Disney World Photo Spots: How to get the Perfect Photo at Disney

Now onto the list of fun things to do in Key West Florida!

Getting around Key West

Because Key West itself isn’t too large you don’t need a car in order to get around. Key West itself is very walkable, although you can expect 15-20 minute walks between certain attractions.

If this is your first time visiting Key West I highly recommend booking the hop on hop off Old Town Key West trolley tour. This is one of my favourite ways to get around Key West because you can take the tour at your own pace and get to learn about Key West along the way.

The hop on hop off trolley tour takes you to 12 destinations around Old Town Key West and you’ll get to discover over 100 points of interest along the way. It’s a great way to experience the island!

1. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Address: 907 Whitehead St.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum was the actual home of Ernest Hemingway in the 1930’s. You can now visit Hemingway’s home which has been turned into a museum and is one of the top things to do in Key West Florida.

Fun fact: Some of the cats roaming around the grounds at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum are actual descendants of the cat Ernest Hemingway owned during his time living here!

2. Catch a flick at the Tropic Cinema

Address: 416 Eaton St.

The Tropic Cinema is definitely one of my favourite places to visit and things to do in Key West Florida because of it’s incredibly colourful exterior!

Stop by to take photos with the Marilyn Monroe statue outside before heading in to enjoy a movie playing in one of the Tropic Cinema’s 4 theatres.

The Tropic Cinema is such an adorable retro cinema that’s become iconic to Key West. Make sure you don’t miss at least stopping by here for a photo before continuing to explore more of what Key West has to offer.

3. Indulge in a slice of Key Lime pie at the Original Key Lime Pie Bakery

Address: 412 Greene St.

You can’t visit Key West without having a slice of Key Lime pie, and there’s no better place to enjoy a slice of limey deliciousness than at the Original Key Lime Pie Bakery.

Stopping by the Original Key Lime Pie Bakery is a definite must on this list of fun things to do in Key West Florida. That is if you like Key Lime pie of course. But, who doesn’t like key lime pie?

4. Do a Tour of the Truman Little White House

No visit to Key West is complete without visiting the Harry S Truman Little White House! For the best experience you can book yourself a guided tour to see where the former President stayed and worked during his time in office.

During your guided tour of the Truman Little White House you’ll get to learn all about Truman’s time in office and the history of this important building.

If you’re a political history buff this is definitely something you won’t want to miss!

5. Go for a Stroll Along Duval Street

Duval street is Key West’s main tourist strip that extends from Mallory Square Market all the way to the Southernmost Point.

Along Duval Street you’ll find all sorts of restaurants, bars, and shops catering to the tourist crowds and cruise passengers alike.

Start at one end (I recommend starting at Mallory Square) and work your way down to the other to make sure you don’t miss anything along the way!

6. Visit the Mallory Square Market

Address: 400 Wall St.

No visit to Key West is complete without a visit to the Mallory Square Market in Old Town Key West.

At Mallory Square you’ll find some of Key West’s best shopping and it’s the perfect place to grab some fun souvenirs to bring home to your friends and family.

7. Spot some incoming cruise ships

Before (or after) your visit to Mallory Square make sure you stop by the dock to get a great view of the incoming and docked cruise ships.

From here you’ll not only get to enjoy how large and majestic the cruise ships are, but the water looks incredible here too.

Don’t forget to snap a pic while you’re here!

8. Pop by the Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden

Address: 401 Wall S

Open daily from 7:30am to 9:00pm, the Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden was created to celebrate the men and women who had the biggest impact in making Key West what it is today.

Here at the Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden you can learn all about some of Key West’s most prominent historical figures. Each figure has their own bust complete with their story and why they are important to Key West.

If you’re a history buff than this is definitely one of the things to do in Key West that you won’t want to miss!

9. Spot Butterflies at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

If you’re looking for a great family friendly activity to do in Key West than the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is for you!

Here you’ll get to stroll around the natural garden habitat and glass conservatory while admiring over 50 species of beautiful butterflies.

10. Go Swimming with Dolphins

Swimming and interacting with dolphins is such a magical once in a lifetime kind of experience, and Key West is the perfect place to have it!

With the Florida Keys Dolphin Connection Interactive Experience you’ll get to interact with and learn about bottlenose dolphins in all sorts of fun and family-friendly ways.

You’ll never forget this chance to hug, kiss, splash, swim and play with some of the ocean’s most majestic creatures. This is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Key West Florida!

11. Head for a cocktail or two at one of Key West’s many cocktail bars

There’s no surprise that Key West is a bit of a party town, and there’s no shortage of great places to get your booze fix. But beyond roadside margaritas and bottomless mimosa joints there are actually lots of great quality cocktail bars too!

12. Visit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Address: 401 Duval St.

Visiting churches is something you likely think of doing when visiting Europe, but who would have thought Florida would have a church you’d want to admire?

I had no idea Key West did until we stumbled upon St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on our way to the Tropic Cinema, and I’m so glad we found it!

St.Paul’s Episcopal Church is a stunning historic church in the heart of Key West that’s definitely worth a quick visit while you’re in the area. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the church was!

13. Head to the Southernmost Point

You absolutely can’t visit Key West without stopping at the Southernmost Point!

The Southernmost Point in Key West is one of the most popular things to do in Key West. At the Southernmost Point you’ll find the Southernmost Point Buoy which is an anchored concrete buoy that marks the southernmost point in the continental USA.

The Southernmost Point was established as a tourist attraction in 1983 and has been wildly popular since. Expect to wait in a small (to long!) line in order to get a picture with the buoy.

14. Go on a Snorkeling Adventure

What better way to enjoy the true Florida Keys’ experience than to spend the day snorkeling and exploring the reefs and incredibly sea life around the island?

With the Key West Double Dip 2-Stop Reef Snorkeling Trip you’ll get to spend the day out on the water on a high-speed state-of-the-art catamaran that will take you to two incredible snorkeling destinations.

There’s no surprise why this excursion is rated so highly – it’s definitely one of the most fun and family friendly things to do in Key West.

On an adults only trip? Try out the Key West Sunset Snorkel Sail Trip with Open Bar!

15. Go for a stroll to admire all the adorable houses

I absolutely fell in love with the vibrant and colorful architecture and homes in Key West. Expect to see a variation in architectural styles – and quite literally the cutest homes you’ll ever see!

From colourful gingerbread conch style homes with wrap around verandas, shuttered windows and white picket fences to Victorian homes, cottages, and even homes with Cuban influence.

There’s so much architectural variety in Key West and it’s so much fun to just walk around and admire all the pretty, colourful homes.

16. Visit the Southernmost House Hotel

The Southernmost house hotel is absolutely gorgeous and looks just like a barbie dream house! Seriously, you’ll know exactly what I mean when you visit it.

This stunning adults only beachfront hotel features a gorgeous pool and is the perfect place to relax your cares away.

17. While you’re there dine at the Seaside Cafe

If you’re looking for the perfect place for a seaside lunch (or even midday cocktails) you have to stop by the Seaside Cafe at the Mansion.

The Seaside cafe offers great food, quick service, and a perfect seaside view that will have you feeling like you’re in paradise.

18. Go on a Guided Ghost Tour

I don’t know about you but I love learning about all the haunted spots and ghost stories whenever I’m in a new city, and Key West just happens to be none of the top 10 most haunted cities in America!

If you’re like me and love learning about all things haunted then the Ghosts & Gravestones tour of Key West is for you.

On this 90-minute ghost tour, you will hear all the haunted ghost stories and creepy history of Old Town Key West. You’ll soon see why Key West was named one of the top 10 most haunted cities in America.

19. Visit the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters Museum

The Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters was built in 1825 to help ships entering the port avoid the reefs. Today, you can visit the Key West Lighthouse and climb the 88 steps to the top of the tower for an incredible view of Key West and the ocean.

While you’re there visit the museum, tour the Keeper’s Quarters which have been restored, and check out the displays of vintage artifacts and photos that make up an important part of Key West history.

20. Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of 7 small islands and is an absolute must-see when visiting Key West.

You can access the park by ferry, boat or seaplane and even the ride over is incredibly note-worthy as you get to see some of the bluest waters you’ll ever see.

One of the most notable sights you’ll see here is the historic Fort Jefferson which was once used as a prison during the Civil War.

Beyond Fort Jefferson there’s all sorts of activities to be had here. Enjoy snorkeling, bird watching, secluded beaches, and even camping.

21. Spend the Day at Higgs Beach

There’s no surprise that Key West, or basically anywhere in the Florida Keys would have amazing beaches. When I think of the Florida Keys I think of turquoise waters, white sand and palm trees galore!

One of the best and most beautiful beaches to visit in Key West is Higgs Beach (Clarence Higgs Beach Park).

At Higgs Beach you’ll find the most incredible shore-accessible marine park in the entire country, making it a favourite of snorkelers.

Final Thoughts

Key West is such a fun and colorful place to visit with so much to see and do. If you’re like me you’ll easily fall in love with how colorful and vibrant it is, the amazing weather, friendly people, and over all joyful atmosphere of Key West.

I hope you enjoyed this guide on fun things to do in Key West Florida. What are you most excited to do when you’re in Key West?

Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook if you aren’t already!

Feel free to subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get my blog posts, updates, and special offers delivered right to your inbox 🙂