May is a fantastic month to visit Key West. Not quite spring and not quite summer, it offers the best of both seasons with balmy temperatures, outdoor festivities and endless beach and water fun.
It’s called a Shoulder Season – the sweet spot between Key West’s peak tourist season (High Season) and its quietest time (Low Season). It’s also a month when you don’t have to worry about tropical storms – hurricane season doesn’t start whipping up until June 1.
A tour we think you'll love
Make Your May Visit Extra-Special With A Night Kayak Trip
Imagine you’re on a glass-bottom kayak. Now imagine that the kayak is outfitted with lights, and you’re watching in wonderment as sea creatures drift by below. No need to imagine – you can have this real-life experience with Night Kayak Key West.
It’s one of the most exciting things to do in Key West in May! One of the highlights of the trip is a magical glide through otherworldly mangrove tunnels. Make the most of your May, and book your adventure today!
What Exactly Is Key West?
With waters displaying the entire blue spectrum and limitless things to do and see, Key West is the crown jewel of the Florida Keys. It’s an island-city that’s the Southernmost Point of the contiguous United States (marked by a colorful, concrete Southernmost Point buoy). A mere 90 miles from Cuba, Key West’s food, culture and architecture robustly reflect that nation’s influences.
Ready to find out about the excitement that lies ahead in Key West in May? Here are five reasons to visit during the fifth month:
1) Sightseeing Adventures
You’ll never have to worry about downtime when you visit Key West – there are countless fascinating attractions to fill your day. Here are a few of the best:
Hemingway House
Located in Old Town Key West, Hemingway Home and Museum was the Key West home of literary giant, Ernest Hemingway. At his beautiful, Spanish Colonial residence, Papa penned legendary works including A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Now one of Key West’s most beloved historic sites, it’s also where the charismatic author lived with his cherished, six-toed (polydactyl) cats. Sixty multi-toed mousers, all descendants of his first cat, reign there today.
Key West Shipwreck Museum
At the Key West Shipwreck Museum near Mallory Square, set sail with Key West’s 19th Century shipwreck salvagers. Called “wreckers,” these were people who salvaged and sold cargo from ships that crashed against the island’s treacherous shores.
Through films, actors and genuine artifacts, you’ll learn about how this grew into a commercial enterprise that made Key West the wealthiest city per capita in 1850s America.
Art Galleries
A vibrant spot for art lovers, the Florida Keys boast a diverse assortment of impressive galleries featuring emerging and world-famous figures. Here are some of the more than 30 Key West galleries worth a visit:
-
Gallery On Greene (606 Greene Street) – Gallery On Greene showcases contemporary and modern fine art with a Southern Florida and Cuban flair. Among its collections are stellar works by master artisans and Pulitzer Prize winners.
-
Key West Gallery (601 Duval Street) – Featuring fine art spanning old masters, modern works, sculptures, abstracts and more, Key West Gallery represents over 70 artists from around the world.
-
Alan S. Maltz Gallery (1210 Duval Street) – Alan S. Maltz, dubbed Official Wildlife and Fine Art Photographer for the State of Florida, creates exquisite imagery inspired by what he calls “the ethereal nature of light.” He also describes his photos as “a medium that honors the beauty and mystique of my subjects by transforming fleeting moments into lasting works of art.”
Key West Butterfly And Nature Conservatory
Like winged gemstones, hundreds of dazzling butterflies freely soar at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy. At this magical atrium, 50 species of butterflies glide amidst a wonderland of lush tropical plants, waterfalls, exotic birds and a fluorescent flamingo pair named Rhett and Scarlett. The Conservatory also has a gift shop, learning center and art gallery.
Key West Lighthouse
The Key West Lighthouse, near the Southernmost Point of Key West and close to Mallory Square, was erected in 1825 to safely guide ships around the precarious reefs that claimed at least one vessel per week, particularly during hurricane season.
The restored Keeper’s Quarters are now a museum featuring artifacts, furniture and vintage photos related to the lighthouse. Climb its 88 spiral stairs, and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular ocean and inland views.
2) Infinite Exciting Events
When you visit Key West during May, there will be no shortage of entertainment. This includes:
Key West Songwriters Festival
The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest country music festival of its kind in the world. Held annually in May, this year’s bash features more than 200 of Nashville’s established and up-and-coming artist-songwriters. Music lovers will relish more than 60 acoustic and full-band shows spanning five days and nights. Players include:
-
Rebecca Lynn Howard
-
Chuck Cannon
-
Raul Malo
During the festival, music will overflow from myriad locations throughout Key West including:
-
Southernmost Resort – beach bash
-
Key West Amphitheater
-
Sloppy Joe’s
Many of the shows are free, and proceeds from ticketed events benefit the BMI Foundation and the Michelle Foundation, a non-profit benefiting needy children and families.
Cinco de Mayo
Bring on the Mexican food and margaritas – it’s Cinco de Mayo in Key West! During this lively celebration of Mexican culture, join parties that spill onto the streets, enjoy spirited parades and savor authentic Molé Molé Poblano (official dish of the holiday).
Contests are also popular, including taco eating competitions and best sombrero contests. Where there’s a red, white and green flag, there’s bound to be holiday fun!
3) To-Die-For Food
Savor the flavors that make Key West a world-class palate-pleaser. Your visit won’t be complete without culinary classics including:
Mouthwatering Key Lime Pie
Invented in Key West (the name is sort of a giveaway), no trip to the island would be complete without sampling this tangy and tantalizing pie. The velvety confection, named Florida’s official pie in 2006, is a deceptively simple mixture of condensed milk, egg yolks and lime juice in a graham cracker crust.
Not too tart, not too sweet….key lime pie is just right!
Delectably Fresh Seafood
Key West has one of the best food pantries – the ocean! With catches that travel from the docks to your plate in a matter of hours, restaurants can serve astonishingly fresh seafood. Whether you’re feasting on seafood from a five-star restaurant or a food truck, the area’s fresh bounty is unmatched. Some of the area’s indigenous seafood includes:
-
Mahi Mahi
-
Key West pink shrimp
-
Spiny lobster
Cuban Coffee Queen
If you need a java jumpstart, there’s no better place to get a zap of energy than Cuban Coffee Queen. With three Key West locations – Historic Seaport, Clinton Square and Downtown – the cuppa shop offers a mind-boggling array of Cuban coffees, as well as smoothies and breakfast and lunch items.
Craving the bold, invigorating taste of authentic Cuban bucci? How about a morning Café Con Leche with a Cuban Breakfast Burrito? Then look no farther than this coffee hotspot.
4) Epic Sunsets
Anyone familiar with Key West sunsets will tell you that they’re nothing short of legendary. Watching the sun dip toward the horizon as it bathes the sky in dramatic golds, reds and purples will make you adore Key West.
And one of the best places to watch this spectacle is at the nightly Mallory Square Sunset Celebration. This circus-like nightly event is filled with street performers, food vendors and live music that ensure you won’t get bored before nature’s main event.
5) Incomparable Beaches
Key West’s beaches are world-renowned for a reason: They’re amazing. Here are two worth checking out:
Laid-Back Rest Beach
They say good things come in small packages, and Rest Beach definitely fits that description. A compact 300 yards, this quiet, picturesque beach has soft sand and shallow waters ideal for leisurely Key West outdoor activities such as beachcombing and wading.
This uncrowded beach offers a relaxing picnic area, walking path and free-roaming chickens, if you want a unique souvenir photo.
Historic Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is part of seven islands bordered by amazing coral reefs. Accessible only by seaplane, boat or private charters, its famed for its 16-acre, Civil War-era Fort Jefferson.
Although its main claim to fame is the fort, the park features several serene, untainted beaches. It’s also a snorkeler’s dream, boasting reefs teeming with showy tropical fish, including:
-
Parrotfish
-
Sergeant majors
-
Angelfish
If you’re a bird enthusiast, bring your binoculars. The park is home to 300 avian species, and you may discover hidden gems such as the golden warbler, red-footed booby or Caribbean short-eared owl.
Don’t Say You May….Say You Will!
Say you will join us on a night kayaking adventure in Key West in May, that is! Night Kayak Key West provides a unique kayaking journey unlike anything you’ve ever encountered. Our clear-bottomed boats are equipped with LED lights that shine on fascinating marine life below.
The effect is especially striking when we slip through tunnels of mangroves. Our highly knowledgeable guides will also help you discover unusual sea creatures that you wouldn’t see on a typical kayaking tour. Call us today and experience the magic of Key West’s nighttime waters!
