What to do in Key West, FL

Activities, attractions and tours
Higgs Beach which includes a sandy beach and tropical scenes as well as a large group of people

Places to Visit in Key West

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Key West, Florida while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Key West attractions from NZ$13, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Key West tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 232 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Key West. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Duval Street

Coming to Florida’s Key West and not experiencing Duval Street is missing one of the area’s most important commercial roads. It’s the main street on the island. Visit at any time. At the end of the day, when the heat abates and beachgoers have packed up, the street truly comes into its own. Being bored on Duval Street is a rarity.
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Along one of the southernmost streets in the continental U.S., enjoy a lively area filled with shops, pubs, restaurants and lots of sidewalk acts and vendors.

2. Dry Tortugas National Park

Wander along the high ramparts of Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park and look out across the sparkling blue ocean all around you. Sunbathe on the sand of this idyllic haven or snorkel with an array of tropical fish.
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Dry Tortugas National Park showing heritage architecture and general coastal views

3. Mallory Square

Visit Mallory Square to experience the city’s best dining and drinking with a view. The lively town square is located by the Gulf of Mexico. Every evening of the year it becomes an exhibition of colour, light and sound, when crowds converge for the Key West Sunset Celebration. Take in the excitement of street performers and musicians while you enjoy a meal at a restaurant, drink at a bar or browse for a gift in shops around the square.
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Enjoy the lively crowds, energetic performers and stunning sunset that make this city square the most popular meeting place in the evenings.

4. Smathers Beach

Though Key West is known to have many private beaches, this stretch of sand provides a welcoming base for visitors looking to swim or sunbathe. Smathers Beach covers around 800 metres (2,640 feet) of the island’s pristine coastline. Spend balmy days exploring the seafloor with a snorkel, skimming the surface of the water in a kayak or working up a sweat with some volleyball.
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Smathers Beach showing a luxury hotel or resort, a beach and tropical scenes

5. Southernmost Point

Visit the Southernmost Point of the United States for a unique photo opportunity and views toward Cuba. Pose in front of the huge structure emblazoned with the words, “Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.” and “90 miles to Cuba,” for a memorable photograph.
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Snap a memorable photograph from the edge of North America at this monumental landmark.

6. South Beach

South Beach is the southernmost beach in the United States. Located just outside the town centre and serviced by one of Key West’s main avenues, Duval Street, this tiny beach has a lively atmosphere year-round. Come to swim in temperate waters, admire picturesque views and enjoy the novelty of being on the southernmost beach in the country. Stop by for a quick swim in the early morning or bring a towel and choose a spot on the sand where you can spend the day surrounded by other beach-goers.
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The southernmost beach in the continental United States is a picturesque bay and a relaxing spot to spend the day for sun-loving visitors.

7. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to reveal the eccentricities of Ernest Hemingway’s life. For most of the 1930s, one of the most revered authors of the 20th century lived in a Spanish colonial house in the heart of tropical Key West. Meet six-toed cats and see the studio in which some of Hemingway’s most famous novels were written. Find a vast collection of art, hunting trophies and household items as you wander through the house and gardens.
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Meet six-toed cats and watch as the life of one America’s great writers unfolds before your eyes at his former home.

8. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a sublime natural setting that provides idyllic swimming and birdwatching conditions. At its core is the historic Fort Taylor and what is thought to be the world’s largest Civil War arms collection. Bring U.S. history to life by walking down the passageways of this well-preserved fortress.
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The displays of old weapons and interpretive panels in a fort at the heart of the southernmost state park in the continental U.S. provide information about the Civil War.

9. Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park

Higgs Beach and its park are one of Key West’s most visited waterfront areas. Apart from white sands, tropical plants and warm water, Higgs Beach Park is also the site of many important historic and cultural attractions. Pay your respects at what is believed to be the United States only African refugee cemetery or commemorate the victims of AIDS at another impressive memorial. A tour through the Civil War–era fort and the Key West Garden Club that surrounds it reveals yet another side of Higgs Beach.
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Higgs Beach which includes tropical scenes and a beach as well as a large group of people

Recommended things to do in Key West

Number of things to do
232
Things to do from
NZ$13
Cheapest thing to do
Key West's Self Guided Ghost Walking Tours Smartphone Navigated on WalknTou...
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

Discover the most popular places to visit in Key West

Image for Duval Street

Duval Street

5/5(5 reviews)

Along one of the southernmost streets in the continental U.S., enjoy a lively area filled with shops, pubs, restaurants and lots of sidewalk acts and vendors.

Duval Street
Image for Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park

Separated from the mainland and encased by golden beaches and colorful coral reefs, this is a national park of fascinating ocean scenery.

Dry Tortugas National Park
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Mallory Square

4/5(3 reviews)

Enjoy the lively crowds, energetic performers and stunning sunset that make this city square the most popular meeting place in the evenings.

Mallory Square
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Smathers Beach

4/5(3 reviews)

Palm trees line the pristine white sands of this popular Key West beach where locals and visitors come to swim, sunbathe and play water sports.

Smathers Beach
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Southernmost Point

4/5(5 reviews)

Snap a memorable photograph from the edge of North America at this monumental landmark.

Southernmost Point
Image for South Beach

South Beach

4.5/5(2 reviews)

The southernmost beach in the continental United States is a picturesque bay and a relaxing spot to spend the day for sun-loving visitors.

South Beach
Image for Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

3.5/5(2 reviews)

The displays of old weapons and interpretive panels in a fort at the heart of the southernmost state park in the continental U.S. provide information about the Civil War.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Image for Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

4/5(5 reviews)

Meet six-toed cats and watch as the life of one America’s great writers unfolds before your eyes at his former home.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Image for Key West Golf Club

Key West Golf Club

Play a round of golf in Key West at Key West Golf Club, and enjoy other activities such as boating. Amble around the area's seaside or seek out the cycling trails.

Key West Golf Club

Explore areas of Key West

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Key West Historic District

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Travellers to Key West Historic District praise its fantastic nightlife. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Key West Historic District
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Old Town Key West

While visiting Old Town Key West, you might make a stop by sights like Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Old Town Key West
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New Town

5/5(1 area review)

While there might not be top attractions in New Town, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Smathers Beach and Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden.

New Town
Key West showing a marina, a coastal town and general coastal views

Downtown Key West

While visiting Downtown Key West, you might make a stop by sights like Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Downtown Key West
Harry S. Truman Little White House showing a house, a park and heritage elements

Truman Annex

If you're spending some time in Truman Annex, Harry S. Truman Little White House and Mel Fisher Maritime Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Truman Annex
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Historic Seaport

If you're spending some time in Historic Seaport, Duval Street and Audubon House and Tropical Gardens are top sights worth seeing.

Historic Seaport