You booked the trip. Now the list starts, and it is longer than the trip.
Key West is four miles by two. Most people show up with three days, twenty browser tabs and a plan that includes a sunset cruise, a snorkel trip, key lime pie and a full lap of Duval. Something gets cut. That is usually fine, because the thing you walk past on the way to the thing you booked tends to be the better story.
I live here and eat here year-round. These are the things to do in Key West I actually recommend when people ask, plus a few I would tell you to skip.
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Jump To What Sounds Fun
If This Is Your First Trip To Key West…
If I had three days here and wanted the classic version of the island, this is roughly how I would spend them.
Day 1: Welcome To Key West
✔️ Cuban coffee and breakfast
✔️ Southernmost Point Buoy photo
✔️ Explore Duval Street
✔️ Happy hour with food
✔️ Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
✔️ Live music at night
Day 2: Get On The Water
✔️ Beach or brunch
✔️ Snorkeling, jet ski, or sandbar trip
✔️ Seafood dinner
✔️ Sunset cruise
Day 3: Slow Down & Explore
✔️ Hemingway House
✔️ Historic Seaport wandering
✔️ Butterfly Conservatory
✔️ Rum tasting
✔️ One last slice of Key Lime Pie (strictly for research purposes)
My Take
You do not need to cram everything into one visit. Almost everyone I talk to leaves with a shortlist of things they ran out of time for, and that shortlist is why the repeat-visitor rate here is what it is.
Things to Do on the Water in Key West
🌅 Take A Sunset Cruise
There are good sunsets everywhere. Watching one from a boat with a drink in your hand is a different thing from watching it from a bar on land, and it is the one paid activity here I would tell almost anyone to spend money on.
The fleet runs from party catamarans with open bars to small classic schooners that carry a couple of dozen people. I lean toward the trips with food, drinks and a live band, but the boat you pick matters less than matching it to the evening you want.
Worth Knowing
- Book ahead in high season; the good boats sell out
- Bring sunglasses, even for an evening trip. The glare off the water before sunset is worse than midday
- Some cruises are adults-only
- Food and drink inclusions vary. Check what “open bar” covers before you book; on some boats it is beer and wine only
My Take
First visit. Commotion On The Ocean. Live band every night, easygoing crowd, and the drinks are unlimited: margaritas, champagne, draft Michelob ULTRA and Landshark, and three wines. Appetizers are included too. Check-in 5:45 pm, departs 6:30 pm from the Historic Seaport at Greene and Elizabeth, right next to Conch Republic Seafood Company. Two hours.
Social. A catamaran with an open bar and live music. No judgment.
There is not really a bad choice; it comes down to what kind of evening you want.
Booking options
- Live music sunset sail
- Wind, wine & cheese cruise (and beer)
More sunset cruises below if you want to compare times and prices.
🌊 Have Fun On The Water
Key West sits between the Atlantic and the Gulf, and getting out on either one is the thing most people underrate when they plan a trip. The beaches here are fine. The water is the reason people come back.
Sandbars are the move if you want the version of the Keys people picture. Shallow, clear, warm water with nothing around you but sky and sea, and no sargassum sitting on it. Most trips include a snorkeling stop and a cooler. It costs more than a sunset cruise and takes most of a day, and it is the one people talk about afterward.
Snorkeling is spectacular here. The Florida Reef is the third-largest coral reef system in the world, and it is right in our backyard. Half-day trips are easy to find, and the underwater visibility can be jaw-dropping.
Fishing is a serious business here: offshore, backcountry and reef, with snapper and mahi the usual targets. Most charters will clean your catch, and several restaurants in town will cook it for you that night.
Kayaking and paddleboarding through the mangroves is the one people skip and then wish they had not. Flat water, birds and small sharks in the shallows, and a completely different side of the island from anything you see on Duval.
Eco tours are the guided version: dolphin watches, bird tours, backcountry trips. Better for families than a boat where the plan is drinking.
Jet ski tours circle the island and take about ninety minutes, which is the fastest way to see Key West from the water.
Parasailing if you want the bird’s eye view and a story to tell.
My Take
The biggest mistake visitors make is spending the whole trip on Duval Street. This is an island. Half a day on the water changes the feel of the entire trip.
Worth Knowing
- Morning water is generally calmer
- Book ahead during busy seasons; trips fill up fast
- Many fishing charters clean your catch
- Several restaurants will cook what you catch
- Reef-safe sunscreen is your friend out there
- Snorkeling gear is typically included on reef trips
More water trips below if you want to compare times and prices.
🏝 Visit Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas is 70 miles west of Key West, and it is the trip people most often regret not booking sooner. Fort Jefferson is enormous, the water around it is clear, the snorkeling is the best you will do out of Key West, and it is quiet in a way the island itself never is once the roosters and leafblowers start.
You get there by ferry on the Yankee Freedom or by seaplane. I have done both.
Worth Knowing
- Book far in advance. Ferry and seaplane both sell out
- Bring sunscreen, water, and a hat or sarong for shade. There is almost none on the island
- Snorkeling gear is included
Ferry: Yankee Freedom
Seaplane: Key West Seaplane Charters
Food and Drink in Key West
🍋 Eat Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is on nearly every menu in town and the quality range is wide. Real key lime filling is pale yellow, not green, and it should be tart enough to make you pause. Anything bright green came out of a bottle.
For a mile-high meringue slice, Blue Heaven or its sister restaurant Salute! On The Beach. For something portable, Kermit’s does a tradiotional and the frozen chocolate-dipped slice on a stick. Frozen bars turn up all over and are better than they sound.
My Take
Ask ten locals for the best slice and you will get ten answers and possibly an argument. Try more than one.
Worth Knowing
- Meringue or whipped cream is a real dividing line here
- Frozen key lime pie bars are underrated
- Tartness varies a lot from kitchen to kitchen
🦞 Eat The Local Seafood
Start with conch fritters, which is close to mandatory on a first visit. From there: Key West pink shrimp, yellowtail snapper, grouper, oysters, stone crab when the season is open, and royal reds if you find them.
Do not skip hogfish. It is mild, slightly sweet, holds up blackened or fried, and it is the one people go home talking about. It is also the fish most likely to be genuinely local on the plate.
My Take
The best seafood meal here is often a pound of peel-and-eat shrimp or a fresh catch sandwich and a cold drink somewhere you can watch boats go by.
Worth Knowing
- Ask what came in fresh that day. You’d rather not have something off a truck
- Stone crab season runs mid-October to early May
- Several happy hours discount seafood, not just drinks
Related: my guide to Alonzo’s Oyster Bar.
🍻 Explore The Island Happy Hours
Happy hour is the best value on the island and it is not close. Most places run something between 4 and 6, some start earlier, and a handful discount food rather than just drinks. Two people can eat and drink well for what one entree costs at 7 pm.
I have spent more time on this than I care to admit. Appetizers turn into dinner, one happy hour turns into three, and nobody is mad about it.
My Key West Happy Hour Food Guide covers 70+ places with times, prices and which ones discount food. It has been the most-read thing on this site for years. There are also summer dining specials running right now, open to anyone.
Sports bars
Not what Key West is known for, but they exist and several are good. Specific bars here have specific team affiliations, which matters if you are trying to watch your own team rather than whatever is on. Best Sports Bars In Key West has the breakdown.
🍳 Enjoy A Memorable Breakfast Or Brunch
Breakfast is the meal Key West does better than people expect, and it is the one where you can still get a table without planning.
Harpoon Harry’s opens before most of the island is up and the portions do not mess around. Pepe’s Cafe, the oldest restaurant in Key West, does a plain good breakfast with no theater attached.
Blue Heaven is the one people picture: chickens wandering between the tables, everyone eating outside under the trees. The BLT Benedict, where the L is lobster, and the banana pancakes are what the line is for.
Banana Cafe and Moondog Cafe both run lines too. Moondog and Blue Heaven are the first Key West restaurants in the Michelin Guide, and Moondog took Best Brunch and Best Burger at the 2026 Bubba Awards.
For water views: Four Marlins at The Reach, Southernmost Beach Cafe, and Seaside Cafe at the Southernmost House.
My Take
Key West does Benedicts unusually well. I did not expect that on my first visit and now I order one every few outings, like this from La Te Da.
Worth Knowing
- Blue Heaven and Moondog both get lines. Go early or expect to wait
- Most breakfast seating here is outdoors, so the earlier you go the cooler it is
- Get a Cuban coffee at least once
- Bloodys and mimosas are widely available and priced accordingly
☕ Go Cuban
Key West is closer to Havana than it is to the nearest Walmart. That is not a figure of speech, and the Cuban influence here runs through everything, most obviously the food and coffee.
Start with a Cuban coffee. It has a way of convincing you that you can accomplish absolutely anything, which lasts about ninety minutes.
From there: Cuban sandwiches, café con leche, croquetas, ropa vieja. Cuban Coffee Queen, Ana’s Cuban Cafe, Frita’s, 5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop and Sandy’s Cafe all have their people.
For a sit-down Cuban meal, El Siboney or El Meson de Pepe.
My Take
The best Cuban sandwich argument runs on the same fuel as the key lime pie argument. Try several and pick your own side.
Worth Knowing
Breakfast and lunch are the strong meals; several close by mid-afternoon
Cuban coffee is far stronger than drip. A shot is small on purpose
Most of these places are counter service, casual and cheap
🥃 Experience Key West Rum Culture
Rum makes sense here given the maritime history and how close Cuba is, and the island leans into it. Mojitos, piña coladas and rum runners are on nearly every drink menu in town.
The rum runner is the signature: sweet, tropical, and stronger than it tastes. It was invented in Islamorada in the 1950s when a bar needed to clear out surplus rum and blackberry liqueur, which explains a lot about it.
For a slower version, the porch at the Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn is one of the better places on Duval to sit and watch the street go by.
Both local distilleries run free tastings, and you get some island history along with it.
My Take
Sitting on a porch here with a rum drink while nothing productive happens is one of the better uses of an afternoon on this island.
Worth Knowing
- Tastings at both distilleries are free
- Rum flights are the better way to actually taste the differences
- Pace yourself. These are stronger than they taste and it is hot out
Popular Rum Stops
- Key West First Legal Rum Distillery
- Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery
- Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn
Key West History and Culture
📚 Follow In Hemingway’s Footsteps
The Hemingway Home and Museum is where he lived and wrote through the 1930s, and the six-toed cats wandering the grounds are descendants of his. You will take more photos of them than you plan to.
You can keep the theme going afterward. Captain Tony’s was one of his bars, and Blue Heaven is where he is said to have refereed boxing matches, which tells you something about how long this island has been like this.
My Take
Worth doing even if you have never read him. The house, the cats and the stories carry it, and most people come out more interested than they went in.
Worth Knowing
- Tickets are sold at the gate only. There is no online booking
- Go early. Most of the visit is outdoors and there is little shade
- Easy walk from Duval
Nearby: pair it with breakfast at Moondog Cafe and make a morning of it.
🚂 Take A Scenic Ride On The Conch Train
The Conch Train is the fastest way to get your bearings on a first visit. Someone else drives, you get the history and the landmarks, and you hear stories you would not pick up walking around on your own. Some of the jokes are cheesy, which is the point.
Conch Train tickets. There is also a hop-on hop-off trolley if you would rather get off and back on.
My Take
First-timers skip this because it sounds touristy. Do it on day one and it tells you where you actually want to spend the rest of the trip.
Worth Knowing
- Book ahead in high season
- Bring water. The train is open-sided and the sun does not mess around
📍Have Your Picture Taken At The Southernmost Point
The obligatory photo. The original buoy at Whitehead and South has been boarded up since September 2025 for seawall repair and road work, so the replica in the pocket park at 1400 Duval, a block away, is where the picture happens now. It still reads 90 miles to Cuba.
There will be a line, and it is touristy, and people do it anyway.
My father says that if you take your picture with the buoy you will be lucky enough to come back to Key West someday.
Worth Knowing
- Early morning is the shortest line. Sunset and after breakfast are the longest
- Free
Nearby: Seaside Cafe at the Southernmost House and Southernmost Beach Cafe sit on either side of the buoy. Seaside opens at 7:30, Southernmost Beach Cafe at 8. Southernmost Sandy’s food truck is a short walk from both and also opens at 8.
🚶Stroll Down The Historic Seaport
Wandering the Historic Seaport is one of my favorite ways to kill an hour here. Fishing boats unload their catch next to mega yachts parked beside dinghies, sailboats head out for sunset, and live music carries across the water.
It manages to feel busy and slow at the same time. When you want to eat, you are surrounded by seafood, oysters and somewhere to sit with a view.
My Take
Best in the hour before sunset, when the boats start to glow and everyone decides productivity can wait until tomorrow.
Worth Knowing
- Several of these run happy hours, so late afternoon is the cheapest time to be here
- Live music most nights
- Walkable from Duval, and the boardwalk connects most of it
Popular Spots
- Half Shell Raw Bar
- Alonzo’s Oyster Bar
- White Tarpon
- Schooner Wharf Bar
- Boat House
- Conch Republic Seafood Company
🎨 Explore The Artsy Side Of Key West
Key West has pulled in creative people for as long as it has been a town, and a lot of them never left. Writers, painters, musicians, photographers, and a fair number of people whose job title is hard to pin down. I like the island better for it.
It clusters, and knowing where saves you walking the whole street. The 600 block has Art on Duval at 602, Guild Hall at 614, Zazoo at 622, and Wyland at 623 with the dolphin fountain out front. I have a Wyland triptych hanging in my living room, bought years before I ever thought about living down here, so I am not the person to ask for an impartial opinion on that one. That stretch is loud and busy, but the galleries stay open into the evening, so it works after dinner when everything else you want to see is shut.
Upper Duval is the better browse. Key West Pottery at 1203, Gingerbread Square at 1207, Archeo at 1208 and the Alan S. Maltz Gallery at 1210 sit within about a hundred feet of each other, well past the bar blocks, and you can do all four in an hour. Off both: 7 Artists & Friends at 213 Simonton started as a co-op run by seven island artists and is worth the detour, and several of the Mallory Square shops carry art if you are down there for sunset anyway.
White Street has its own gallery district a few blocks east, quieter and more local. Worth timing if you can: Walk on White takes over the stretch between Petronia and United on the third Thursday of the month, 6 to 9 PM, with 20-plus galleries and studios open late, artists in the room, and free drinks. It runs October through May and goes dark for the summer, so check before you plan around it.
My own version of this is a walk before nine, when the streets are quiet and the light is still low. You catch details you walked straight past the day before. There are sculptures near the waterfront, and poems stamped into the sidewalks around town, submitted by locals and installed by the city’s Art in Public Places board. Seventeen went in and not all of them survived; the one outside the Green Parrot is gone, because a poem set in a sidewalk lasts exactly as long as the sidewalk does. The ones still there include the lighthouse on the 900 block of Whitehead, another a few hundred feet along near the Southernmost Point, and one at 401 Duval for Shel Silverstein, who lived here and wrote Where the Sidewalk Ends.
The city still lists all 17 locations, so treat it as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
My Take
Get a Cuban coffee first and do this on foot with nowhere to be. Upper Duval in the morning, the 600 block after dinner. The gallery hopping is fine, but the walk between them is the actual thing.
Worth Knowing
- Two Duval clusters: the 600 block and upper Duval around 1200
- Most open around 9:30 or 10 am; the 600 block runs latest
- Free to browse, and several have the artist working on site
Best Beaches in Key West
🏖 Make It A Beach Day
Key West is not like the rest of Florida. You are not getting Miami Beach here, and that is fine; most people are not coming for that anyway. What you do get is a handful of small beaches that each work for a different kind of day, so it is worth knowing which one fits your trip before you haul a cooler across town.
Smathers Beach is the classic stretch: long, palm-lined, shallow water, and the one that actually looks like the postcard. Food trucks set up along Roosevelt some days. Best for a full lazy beach day when you have no other plans.
Higgs Beach has a local feel and the most going on around it. Free parking, showers, bathrooms, bocce, pickleball, volleyball, a playground, and Salute! On The Beach right there for lunch or a drink. If the shoreline is shallow or the sargassum is hanging around, walk out on the pier and climb down the ladder into better water.
South Beach at the Southernmost Beach Resort is small and sits at the very end of Duval. They work to keep the sargassum managed, but it still turns up, especially in summer.
Dog Beach is tiny but it has the view: palms, water, and the Louie’s sign right there. Good for lying out, swimming, or bringing your furry travel companion. Louie’s Backyard, as mentioned, is right there, and on the other side, The Reach Resort with Four Marlins restaurant and bar, happy hour, brunch, all the things.
Simonton Street Beach at Lagerheads is small, casual, and easy. Rent a chair, walk into the water, and have Lagerheads right there for food and drinks. Simple afternoon sorted.
The Best Beach In Key West
Fort Zachary Taylor is the best overall pick. Its position on the island means sargassum is rarely an issue. Clear water, a concession stand, BBQ pits, actual shade, the fort itself, and some of the best sunsets on the island. It is a state park, so there is a gate fee: $6 per vehicle for up to eight people plus a 50 cent Monroe County surcharge per person, $4.50 if you are alone in a car or on a motorcycle, $2.50 on foot or by bike. The park runs 8 AM to sundown; the fort closes at 5. The rocks are sharp, so water shoes are not a suggestion here.
Worth Knowing
- Summer is sargassum season and it can be heavy; check conditions before you go
- Water shoes are strongly recommended, especially at Fort Zach
- Higgs has the best amenities of any beach on the island, and free parking
- Fort Zach is $2.50 on foot or by bike, $6 per vehicle
- Park closes at sundown, so it is a sunset spot but not a night one
When beach conditions are not cooperating, a sandbar trip fixes everything.
Key West Nightlife
🌴 Take Part In The Sunset Celebration
There are sunsets… and then there are Key West sunsets.
Every evening, crowds gather at Mallory Square to watch the sun slowly disappear into the Gulf while street performers, musicians, artists, and vendors create a festive atmosphere around them.
And the best part?
It is completely free.
You will see everything from talented performers balancing impossible things to musicians playing island tunes while people wander around with drinks in hand, trying to decide which food stand smells best.
Even if you plan to do a sunset cruise during your trip, I still think everyone should experience the Sunset Celebration at least once.
Quick Local Tip
Don’t make the mistake of showing up five minutes before sunset and expecting a prime viewing spot. Key West sunsets are serious business.
Good To Know
- Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset
- Bring cash for local artists and vendors
- Great place for photos
- Parking nearby can be limited
➡️ Nearby: Dinner and drinks around the square or at Front Street locations
🍹 Duval Street
Love it or hate it, you are probably spending time on Duval Street.
This famous stretch runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf and acts as the unofficial heartbeat of Key West.
Restaurants, bars, live music, quirky shops, drag shows, people-watching, art galleries, and occasional chaos. You will find all of it here.
Some people spend all day hopping between bars.
Others stroll with an iced coffee and window shop.
Personally?
I think the best approach is somewhere in the middle.
A Quick Thought
Duval is fun, but pace yourself. It has a sneaky way of turning “one quick drink” into accidentally wondering why it is suddenly midnight.
Also, watch out for the gravity vortex. You do not want to end up featured on certain local Facebook pages.
Good To Know
- Most lively at night
- Great for bar hopping
- Easy to walk end-to-end
- Prime people-watching territory
➡️ Perfect Combo: Duval crawl + live music + late-night food stop
🎶 Catch Some Live Music On The Island
If your idea of a good vacation includes live music and a cold drink, Key West has you covered.
We are known for our bars, and many of them feature live music every single day.
Seriously.
Walk down Duval Street, wander through the Historic Seaport, or simply follow whatever sounds good drifting through the air.
You will find everything from acoustic island tunes and classic rock to blues, country, reggae, and talented musicians playing requests deep into the night.
The best part?
Most venues do not charge a cover fee.
You can simply wander in, grab a drink, and enjoy yourself. You’ll soon discover that hearing music from somewhere random and deciding, “Well… I guess we’re going in,” is how it’s done.
My Take
Let your ears guide you. Some of my favorite Key West nights happened because I randomly heard music coming from a bar and wandered inside. Also, and I cannot stress this enough, tip your musicians and bartenders. Especially if they humor your song requests.
Good To Know
- Most bars offer free live music
- Happy hour + live music = ideal combo
- Music starts earlier than you might expect
- Duval Street and the Seaport are great starting points
Popular Music Spots
- Schooner Wharf Bar
- Smokin’ Tuna
- Hog’s Breath Saloon
- Willy T’s
- Green Parrot Bar
- Halo at The Saint
- Two Friends
💃 See A Risqué Show
Only in Key West can someone casually say:
“Want to go watch drag races?”
…and nobody expects cars.
During Conch Republic Days in April, drag queens race down Duval Street in heels, tackle obstacle courses, and stop for shots along the way. It is exactly as entertaining as it sounds and should not be missed!
For something completely unexpected, keep an eye out for the famous Vibrator Races at Mary Ellen’s Bar. Equal parts hilarious and wonderfully weird, these charity races perfectly capture that “only in Key West” energy.
Key West nightlife has personality, and one of the most entertaining nights out can be catching a drag show, cabaret, or performance.
Expect big personalities, incredible makeup, impressive costumes, and plenty of laughs.
Venues like 801 Bourbon Bar and La Te Da know how to put on a drag show.
Even if this is not normally “your thing,” many first-time visitors end up saying:
“Okay… that was way more fun than I expected.”
What To Expect
Do not be surprised if their makeup looks better than yours. Also, audience participation sometimes finds you, whether you volunteered or not.
Good To Know
- Shows can sell out during busy seasons
- Arrive early for better seats
- Drinks beforehand are strongly encouraged
- Bring cash to tip performers
➡️ Perfect Pre-Game Spot: 22&Co for a fun cocktail beforehand (yes, the glitter espresso martini deserves consideration)
Wildlife and Nature in Key West
🐓 Meet The Locals
No, not just the humans.
One of the first things visitors notice in Key West is that we have a lot of free-range roosters and chickens wandering around.
And when I say wandering around, I mean everywhere.
Sidewalks. Parking lots. Restaurant patios. Random intersections where they somehow look like they have somewhere important to be.
These unofficial island mascots and ambassadors are protected, so admire them, photograph them, but please leave them alone.
You will also spot iguanas sunning themselves, geckos darting around, and giant tarpon waiting patiently near the docks for someone to toss them a snack.
And then there are the mosquitoes and no-see-ums…
They are excited for your arrival too.
David’s Take
The baby chicks, which I affectionately call “nuggets”, are somehow adorable and chaotic at the same time. Personally, I find it impossible not to smile when I spot them running around.
Also, if a rooster wakes you up at sunrise, congratulations: you are getting the authentic Key West alarm clock experience. Take note: Sometimes the rooster is drunk and will wake you at 3 am.
Good To Know
- Please do not feed, chase, or harass the chickens
- Tarpon feeding can be fun to watch at the waterfront
- Bring bug spray, especially after rain
- Iguanas mostly mind their own business; many are at the cemetery
➡️ Best Spot To See Tarpon: Around the Historic Seaport and marina areas.
🦋 Spend Time With Our Winged Friends
Need a little break from bars, beaches, and sunshine?
The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory feels like stepping into a completely different world.
Inside, hundreds of butterflies float through a lush tropical habitat filled with flowers, waterfalls, and quiet corners to slow down for a bit.
You will also meet the resident flamingos, Rhett and Scarlett, who somehow manage to completely steal the show.
Even people who think:
“I do not know if butterflies are my thing…”
usually end up loving it.
David’s Take
This is without a doubt, one of my favorite peaceful spots on the island. There is something oddly calming about slowing down and watching butterflies casually ignore your personal space.
Good To Know
- Nice break from midday heat
- Great rainy-day activity
- Family friendly
- The gift shop is dangerous if you like souvenirs
➡️ Perfect Pairing: Combine with breakfast or lunch nearby on the southern end of the island.
Key West Festivals and Events
🎉 Come For A Festival Or Event
One thing Key West does exceptionally well?
Finding reasons to celebrate.
There is always something happening here.
Seriously, there is almost always something happening.
Music festivals, quirky local traditions, food events, boating races, costume parties, island celebrations; you could visit multiple times and have a completely different experience depending on the season.
A few favorites include:
- Fantasy Fest
- Key West Lobsterfest, August 5 through 9
- Key West Songwriters Festival
- Mile 0 Fest
- Just A Few Friends
- Goombay
Then you have Rum Fest, Key Lime Pie Festival, Boat Races, Pride, Conch Republic Independence celebrations, weddings, random themed parties, and enough live entertainment to accidentally lose track of time.
David’s Take
If you are visiting during Fantasy Fest and somehow did not realize it beforehand… surprise. You are about to have a very memorable trip.
Good To Know
- Hotels book early during festivals
- Prices rise around major events
- Check event calendars before booking
- Some weekends feel dramatically busier
➡️ Planning Tip: If traveling during major festivals, book accommodations early.
One Last Thought
However you decide to spend your time, Key West has a funny way of turning “just one trip” into “when are we coming back?”
Full stomachs, sunsets, chickens, and stories tend to have that effect.
🧳 Still Planning Your Trip?
Still planning your visit?
If happy hour sounds like your kind of vacation activity, you are definitely in the right place and on the right page!
🍹 Key West Happy Hours With Food
One of my favorite ways to enjoy Key West, and apparently many of yours too.
Waterfront views, food specials, drinks, and plenty of places worth making time for.
→ Key West Happy Hour Food Guide
Planning Where to Stay in Key West
If you are still figuring out where to stay, I recommend booking earlier rather than later, especially during busy seasons and events.
Old Town is usually best if you want to walk to restaurants, bars, sunsets, and most of the fun. If beaches are more your thing, you may prefer staying closer to Smathers or Higgs Beaches.
Find places to stay in Key West below:
More Key West food, drinks, happy hours, travel ideas, and adventures are coming soon. 🌴☀️🐓