Key West is full of attractions that simply need to be seen in real life to be fully appreciated. Luckily, getting to them is often fairly easy and inexpensive. From a sunset sail among mangroves to lively street performers, America’s southernmost city will take your breath away.
There’s no need to stress over mapping out exciting places to see in Key West once you land at Key West International Airport or drive in via the Overseas Highway. Simply follow this guide to the best places to see in Key West for a satisfying adventure in a tropical oasis! Let’s explore the top attractions that make Key West unforgettable:
A tour we think you'll love
1) The Mangrove Tunnels At Night
Nothing is as magical as gliding through moonlit mangrove tunnels on your way to open waters to see nocturnal marine life in waters off of Key West. At Night Kayak Key West, we specialize in after-dark excursions. You’ll paddle on calm, crystal-clear waters that border the island.
In fact, our glass-bottom kayak tour has been considered a top Key West adventure since 2012! Choose from one of our highly rated itineraries:
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Night Kayak Guided Tour – Learn about nocturnal marine life in Key West while gliding along on a single or double glass-bottom kayak illuminated with LED lights. This magical, slow-paced, and immersive experience is one you’ll never forget! Many tropical fish and other critters are sure to pop into view!
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Key West Sandbar Trip – We also offer a highly rated Key West sandbar excursion that brings you through the mangrove trails of Mud Keys to explore Snipe Point and the Jewish Basin sandbars. Experience the beauty of crystal-clear water that’s pool temperature beside glistening, remote sandbars!
We make planning a once-in-lifetime adventure easy by supplying all of the equipment and guidance you need! Our experienced local guides will let you see a side of Key West most tourists never experience. We also provide easy scheduling and affordable rates.
Book your chance to explore the waters of Key West with friends or family with us today!
2) The Key West Aquarium
Don’t miss one of Key West’s most interesting and beautiful attractions! The local aquarium is a hub for learning, exploration, and conservation. Visitors have chances to encounter more than 250 fish, sharks, sea turtles, and other inhabitants. A highlight of the aquarium is the 50,000-gallon Atlantic Shores exhibit, which showcases Florida Keys marine life including nurse sharks, tarpon, grouper, and jacks.
There’s also an incredible stingray tour, sea turtle conservation tour, invasive species tour, and touch-tank tour. Presentations typically run one to three times daily. Be sure to arrange your visit around any specialty experiences you wish to book while at the aquarium. Guided tours generally last 20 minutes.
Good To Know: The Key West Aquarium is open seven days a week and 365 days a year. While operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, no visitors will be admitted past 5:30 p.m.
3) The Famous Restaurants And Bars Of Duval Street
Duval Street is considered “party central” in Key West due to its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and clubs. It’s also the place where you can get the most famous Key lime pie in Key West. Here are our top picks for the best Key Lime Pie in town:
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Kermit’s (335F Duval) – This eclectic pie shop offers slices and pie bars. You can usually get a sample before committing.
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Limes and Pies (802 Duval) – Serves up unforgettable homemade pies and ice cream.
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Southernmost Key Lime Pie Shop (910 Duval) – Known for mile-high meringue topping and sweeter, less tart pies.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a more adult treat on Duval, head to bars like Blue Heaven, 801 Bourbon Bar, and Little Room Jazz Club to order a signature Key West drink called a rum runner that’s made with rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine, and splash of lime juice.
4) Mallory Square For A Sunset
The nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square has been taking place for decades!
There’s not much planning to do in order to experience what is widely considered one of the best places to see in Key West Florida. Just head to the square about an hour before sunset to enjoy the diverse collection of street performers and food vendors offering entertainment and treats. Mallory Square’s viewpoint over the Gulf of Mexico creates one of the clearest views of an ocean sunset in the Florida Keys.
Finding It: Mallory Square is a large plaza located west of Duval’s northern end near the historic seaport in Old Town. It’s actually adjacent to the cruise port.
5) The Southernmost Point Buoy
Here’s a quick, fun, and 100% free way to snap a photo in front of an iconic site in the Florida Keys. In fact, you’ve probably seen a photo of the Southernmost Point Buoy in photo albums of friends or family members who have visited Key West in the past. It’s been a major attraction since being erected in 1983 by city officials.
Getting Here: The buoy is located at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street. You can type in 1400 Whitehead Street for directions. When you stand at the buoy and look out over the water, you’ll be just 90 miles from Cuba!
6) The Ernest Hemingway Home
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is one of the quintessential historic sites whenever you visit Key West. Located across from the Key West Lighthouse at 907 Whitehead Street near the island’s southern coast, the estate was Hemingway’s home during the 1930s. In fact, descendants of the author’s famed polydactyl cats still roam the grounds for visitors to enjoy!
Planning Your Visit: The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for walk-in visits. It doesn’t close for holidays. If you prefer a guided tour, tickets are available at the main gate for 30-minute tours.
7) The Truman Little White House
The property is famous because President Truman spent 11 working vacations here during his presidency, starting with his first visit in 1946. He also returned five times after his presidency. The Harry S. Truman Little White House stands today as the only presidential museum in Florida.
However, its history actually goes deeper. Here’s why this historic home is so important to Key West:
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1890 – The building was first constructed for naval use.
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1911 – The building was transformed into a single-family dwelling.
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1912 – President Taft makes a stop at the home on his way to inspect the progress of the Panama Canal.
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1912-1915 – Scientist Edward Hayden stays at home to conduct hurricane research.
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1918 – Thomas Edison lives in the house while working on weapons of war.
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1948 – During World War II, the property plays a role in protecting allied ships in the Straits of Florida.
Fun Fact: President Truman spent 175 days of his presidency here!
8) Higgs Beach
Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park is home to what many people consider to be the best beach of Key West. Higgs Beach offers nearly 17 acres of oceanfront land overlooking the glistening Atlantic Ocean. In addition, visitors can enjoy the 400-foot Reynolds Street Pier.
This beach features an accessible underwater marine park, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and marine exploration. The beach is also located at the conclusion of the Florida Overseas Heritage Trail.
Pro Tip: This beach features beach volleyball, tennis, pickleball, and a children’s playground. In addition, the Key West Garden Club offers free self-guided tours of a fort called Fort West Martello that occupies several acres of beach gardens.
9) The Key West Lighthouse
Climb 88 steps for the most magical views imaginable from atop this 86-foot tower. With a history dating back to 1825, the island’s famous lighthouse offers a perfect blend of history, architectural beauty, and surreal views.
Fun Fact: After decades of safety guiding mariners, the Key West Lighthouse was deactivated in 1969. It is managed today by the Key West Art and Historical Society
Come Experience The Ocean In Key West With A Local Guide
Key West offers so much natural beauty and excitement! While there’s something to be said about browsing cute souvenir shops or lounging by your resort’s pool, the real magic happens once you seize the day with an excursion in this place we call the Conch Republic.
At Night Kayak Key West, we offer the once-in-a-lifetime experience of paddling on the warm, gentle tides after dark in a glass-bottom kayak that gives you amazing views of the busy marine life all around you. Let us help you remember your island getaway forever! Book your excursion with us!
