The best places to visit in Key West don’t necessarily come with a billboard. If true relaxation is your priority, a handful of sights and attractions offer bliss away from the crowds and opportunities to connect with rare tropical beauty you can’t find anywhere else in the country.
If you didn’t already know, Key West and the rest of the Florida Keys are gateways to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Stretching for more than 350 miles, the Florida Reef is home to tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, and vibrant coral formations.
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What Is The Most Beautiful Part Of Key West?
Of course, this is debatable. However, most people consider a spot like Dry Tortugas National Park 70 miles off Key West to be one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Florida Keys because it covers seven remote islands in the Gulf of Mexico surrounded by protected coral reefs that are home to beaches, a lighthouse, and a 19th-century fort.
If you’re staying on the island, nothing beats magical Mallory Square at sunset or the classic beach landscape of Smathers Beach. But here’s the best-kept secret: the shallow sandbars scattered across the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys offer some of the most stunning views you’ll find. Guests can cruise out there to enjoy swimming, wading, playing on inflatables, and sunbathing in clear waters.
What Is Key West Famous For?
Also known as the Conch Republic, Key West is the southernmost point in the contiguous United States. People who visit Key West fall in love with warm year-round weather, incredible beaches, and a friendly vibe. Key West is synonymous with things like Key Lime pie, Ernest Hemingway, and snorkeling excursions on the Florida Reef System.
How To Spend The Day In Key West?
There are no rules for how to spend your day here! However, the timing of your visit can determine how you should plan your itinerary. If you’re coming during hurricane season (June 1. through Nov. 30), have some indoor activities planned as backups in case the weather turns rainy or stormy. Places like the Key West Butterfly Museum, Key West Aquarium, and the Key West Shipwreck Museum are perfect.
When the weather’s beautiful (which is most of the year), here’s how to make the most of your day:
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Wake up early for snorkeling or jet skiing at the beach to enjoy the calm waters and vibrant marine life before the crowds arrive.
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Spend the afternoon exploring Bahama Village, a lively neighborhood full of colorful shops, local art, and tasty eateries.
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Take a leisurely stroll through Old Town Key West to visit iconic landmarks like the historic Key West Lighthouse and the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum.
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Experience the magical sunset celebration at Mallory Square, where street performers, food vendors, and locals gather to watch the sun dip below the horizon.
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Head to Duval Street for people watching, vibrant nightlife, great bars, and restaurants, plus plenty of spots to savor authentic Key lime pie.
“Peace and quiet” never means boring in Key West! Take a look at the five best places to visit in Key West if you want to actually escape and unwind.
1) Head To The Water After Dark For Night Kayaking In Key West
During a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Key West Paddle, you’ll cruise over moonlight-dusted waters in a glass-bottom LED-lit kayak to catch a glimpse of paradise after dark. Your experienced guide will lead you through the mangrove tunnels to spot nocturnal creatures thriving beneath the gentle waves. The hidden world beneath your kayak comes alive through the clear glass bottom!
Here’s a look at our excursions:
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Night Kayak Guided Tour – Don’t miss this magical adventure! This slow-paced, immersive experience lets you select from a single or double glass-bottom kayak. As you glide through narrow mangrove tunnels and crystal tides, your guide will help you notice all of the tropical marine life surrounding you. This is a great option for families, couples, or groups.
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Key West Sandbar Trip – Prefer to be on the water in the daylight? During this three-hour excursion, you’ll see the mangrove trails of Mud Keys, mingle with locals at Snipe Point, and wade in waist-deep waters at the Jewish Basin sandbars. Your captain provides an inflatable hangout dock, masks and snorkels, and water toys to ensure you can simply relax and play!
Since 2012, Key West Paddle has been helping our guests experience the magic of the Florida Keys. Our personalized tours and private itineraries ensure you’re never struggling for a spot on a crowded tourist cruise.
Come cruise the mangroves with us after dark on a nighttime Key West kayaking trip you’ll never forget! Get spots for your whole group with us today!
2) Experience The Island’s Serenity At Key West Cemetery
You probably didn’t expect to have a cemetery recommended to you as one of the best places to visit in Key West. However, Key West Cemetery is an important landmark that really lets you in on the heart of the island. Nestled in Old Town, this historic cemetery was built on high ground roughly 16 feet above sea level in 1847.
The area where the cemetery stands today is actually a former beach that was disrupted during a major hurricane in the fall of 1846. Around 100,000 people are buried within the cemetery’s 19 acres, making it a peaceful testament to the island’s rich history. Among them are Bahamian mariners, Catholic missionaries, Spanish-American War veterans, and more. You’re invited to take a self-guided tour using the comprehensive map available at the entrance.
Interesting Fact: While this is a historic cemetery and landmark, it’s still an active burial ground with up to 100 new internments each year.
3) Enjoy A Lovely Meal In Key West
You don’t need to head to a remote beach to unwind in Key West—sometimes the best escape is a great meal. The island offers some fantastic restaurants where you can relax and enjoy incredible food in a beautiful setting. Here are some favorite picks:
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First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery – This restaurant and historic landmark is known for being the birthplace of Pan American World Airways. The first tickets were sold out of this building in 1927. Today, the menu here includes snapper, fish tacos, conch fritters, burgers, flatbreads, and cocktails.
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Blue Heaven Restaurant – Blue Heaven is beloved for its Floridian-Caribbean cuisine and vibrant ambiance. It’s also home to what many consider to be the best Key Lime pie in the Florida Keys.
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Louie’s Backyard – A cozy spot with Caribbean-American cuisine and ocean views. Perfect for a relaxed meal after a day of exploring.
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El Siboney Restaurant – A local favorite serving authentic Cuban dishes with a warm, welcoming vibe. Great for a casual, tasty meal.
Fun Fact: When dining in Key West, you’re sure to see Key West pink shrimp listed on menus. This sweet, tender delicacy gets its vibrant pink coloring from the pink coral sands of the Keys.
4) Get A Taste Of The Island On A Conch Tour Train
The famous Conch Tour Train offers a fascinating 60-minute loop through the Conch Republic, covering all the must-see spots. Guests have been hopping on since the tour was founded back in 1958! Along the way, you’ll pass popular attractions like:
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Hemingway House and Museum – This Hemingway House is the estate where Hemingway lived from 1931 to 1939. He famously wrote works like “To Have and Have Not” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” while living in Key West.
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Mallory Square – Home to the most famous sunset in Key West, Mallory Square comes alive each evening when food vendors and street performers gather about an hour before sunset for the nightly celebration.
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Sails to Rails Museum – Fun for all ages, this museum details the building of the railroads into Key West. Enjoy models and exhibits that bring you back in time to when the landscape here was still very raw.
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Key West Aquarium – Key West’s only public aquarium is home to sharks, rays, sea turtles, and much more. It offers loads of interactive opportunities for kids.
Pro Tip: To make the most of your Conch Tour Train experience, arrive early to secure the best seats near the front for unobstructed views and engaging commentary from the tour guide. Booking your tickets in advance can also save you money and guarantee your spot on this popular attraction.
5) Enjoy Snorkeling And Beachcombing At Bahia Honda State Park
Found at mile marker 37 in the Florida Keys on Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda State Park is a 500-acre park and offshore island offering natural beauty and seclusion. It is widely considered the best spot in all of Florida for snorkeling and beachcombing.
Here’s a look at favorite things to do at Bahia Honda:
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Snorkeling – Hop on a snorkeling tour. The shallow coral reef is teeming with parrotfish, sharks, and turtles.
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Cycling – If you’re not in the mood to get wet, you can take in the gorgeous ecosystem by cycling the park’s lush, palm-lined roads with glistening views of Bahia Honda’s famous gin-clear waters.
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Calusa Beach – Famed for its white sand and calm waters, Calusa Beach is the perfect spot for a family swim.
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Sandspur Beach – This idyllic beach offers a long, peaceful stretch perfect for relaxing walks and soaking up the sun away from the crowds.
Fun Fact: While this park feels wild and remote, you’re never fully disconnected because guests can take advantage of free 24-hour Wi-Fi at the concession building.
Let Us Make You Love Key West – Come Night Kayaking
What are the top places to visit in the Florida Keys? We like to think it’s the places you can’t go with just your feet! At Key West Paddle, we design unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime excursions that bring you past the mangrove tunnels to crystal-clear, life-filled waters few tourists ever get to touch.
Our after-dark kayaking tours offer the magical experience of watching tropical fish and marine life swimming right beneath you through a glass bottom.
Key West is a great place to visit if you want to feel like you’re worlds away without actually leaving the United States. Come experience the secret side of Key West with us!
