What to do in Key West, FL

Activities, attractions and tours

Key West
Higgs Beach which includes a sandy beach and tropical scenes as well as a large group of people
Key West
Higgs Beach which includes a beach, a beach bar and tropical scenes
Key West

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$14, 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 231 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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Duval Street featuring signage

2. 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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Mallory Square featuring outdoor art, a square or plaza and signage

3. 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

4. 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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Southernmost Point featuring signage

5. 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 featuring a river or creek, a bridge and heritage elements

6. 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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Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum featuring heritage elements and a house

7. 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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Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park showing military items, heritage elements and interior views

8. 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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South Beach featuring a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a small group of people

9. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Experience the flight and colour of the “flowers of the sky” in the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. This tropical glasshouse is crisscrossed by paths that grant access to an authentic natural habitat for around 60 different species of butterfly. Bring the family and learn about the lifecycle of these insects while you explore a natural landscape of trees and waterfalls.
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Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory featuring animals, flowers and zoo animals

Recommended things to do in Key West

Number of things to do
231
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Hemingway's Key West Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: NZ$14
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Key West

Discover the most popular places to visit in Key West

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
Mallory Square

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
Smathers Beach showing a luxury hotel or resort, a beach and tropical scenes

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
Southernmost Point

Southernmost Point

4/5(5 reviews)

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

Southernmost Point
Dry Tortugas National Park showing heritage architecture and general coastal views

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
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
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
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
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory showing food, animals and zoo animals

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

4/5(1 review)

This conservatory houses a flower-filled forest and a colourful butterfly population that attracts visitors from around the globe.

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Explore areas of Key West

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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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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 Key West Cemetery.

Key West Historic District
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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
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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
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Historic Seaport

If you're spending some time in Historic Seaport, Duval Street and Key West Historic Seaport are top sights worth seeing.

Historic Seaport
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory featuring animals, flowers and zoo animals

Uptown - Upper Duval

If you're spending some time in Uptown - Upper Duval, Duval Street and Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory are top sights worth seeing.

Uptown - Upper Duval

 

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Frequently asked questions

Is Key West worth visiting?
Key West offers a unique mix of attractions, local charm and culture. Whether you're into outdoor activities, history or local cuisine, there's plenty you'll enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Key West?
Kick-start your day with a visit to Smathers Beach and South Beach. Then, explore other parts of Key West for tasty eats and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Key West?
Don't leave without visiting Smathers Beach, ranked the top tourist attraction in Key West.
Is three days enough to stay in Key West?
You can easily visit popular sights like Smathers Beach, South Beach and Harry S. Truman Little White House with a three-day escape to Key West. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Stock Island.
Is Key West a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Key West is a good place to experience on foot. Have fun wandering between Smathers Beach and South Beach. Then take a stroll through Key West Historic District, located 0.32 kilometres from the centre, and Old Town Key West, which is roughly 0.64 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Key West with kids?
If you are after sights and activities for all of your group, here are some fabulous ideas for what to do in Key West with kids.

What to do in Key West for adults?
There are loads of things to do in Key West, with experiences for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Key West Cemetery or Tennessee Williams Key West Exhibit.
Are there free things to do in Key West?
One of the best ways to find free things to do in Key West is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Smathers Beach is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.

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