It’s time to trade in pumpkin pie for Key Lime Pie on a Key West Thanksgiving! November is an incredible time to visit Key West. While the rest of the country is being enveloped by chilly weather, Key West offers clear skies and calm waters just after threats of hurricane season have faded for the year.
Key West’s average daytime temperature in November is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit/26.6 degrees Celsius. While all of the popular landmarks and Key West restaurants that attract visitors during summer and spring break are open, visitors enjoy a calmer, laid-back vibe around the islands.
A tour we think you'll love
Of course, you may be worried that you’ll miss out on all of the Thanksgiving holiday traditions that you love if you come to the Florida Keys for Turkey Day. You can rest assured that this American tradition is as beloved here in Key West, Florida as it is in all other 49 states! Yes, that includes tucking into a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
While there’s no doubt you’ll be looking for a typical Thanksgiving feast with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and all the trimmings, it can also be fun to go a bit unconventional with a tropical buffet full of the island’s famous pink shrimp or a Thanksgiving dinner cruise where lobster is on the menu.
Here are some tips for how to enjoy Thanksgiving in Key West this year!
Book An Excursion For An Unforgettable Key West Thanksgiving
Here’s a great experience to try to sneak into your Thanksgiving weekend in paradise! When you book your spot with the #1 night kayaking company in Key West, you’ll get a Thanksgiving buffet of fun that includes:
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A fully guided adventure with an experienced local guide
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The choice to use a single or double glass-bottom kayak as you paddle along in moonlit waters
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An immersive experience with a slow pace that allows you to relax
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Opportunities to see Key West’s abundant marine life swimming around you in crystal-clear waters
If you prefer a daytime excursion, we also offer a sandbar trip that brings you through the mangrove trails of Mud Keys on the way to Snipe Point. You will have endless opportunities for photos as you explore sandbars and wade in warm, crystalline waters. Your friendly and experienced captain will provide a cooler with cold sodas and waters, an inflatable hangout dock, masks and snorkels, and water toys.
Make this a holiday season for the record books! Book night kayaking or daytime sandbar hopping with Key West’s top excursion provider!
Enjoy A Thanksgiving Meal At One Of Key West’s Top Restaurants
Many Key West restaurants offer traditional Thanksgiving dinner options that cater to tourists who are coming to the island for the holidays. Due to the popularity of spending Thanksgiving Day in Key West, it is highly recommended that you consider booking reservations ahead of time if you’re planning to enjoy your Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant.
Here’s a rundown of where you can find a Thanksgiving feast in Key West:
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Conch Republic Seafood Company – Conch Republic often hosts a “Thanksgiving in Paradise” feast that offers a traditional turkey meal overlooking the Key West Historic Seaport.
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Cafe Marquesa – If you’re craving an elegant New England style Thanksgiving dinner in Key West, Cafe Marquesa offers a classic menu featuring baked carved turkey breast and all the trimmings!
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Martin’s – This popular restaurant located right on Duval Street in the heart of Old Town goes above and beyond with a Thanksgiving feast that’s perfect for families. Fill up on oven roasted turkey breast with a mango glaze, pinks shrimp, mashed potatoes, and more. After your meal, head out to explore the rest of Duval Street for some live music and after-dinner cocktails.
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Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen – Yellowfin does an iconic Thanksgiving lunch with waterfront views.
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Casa Marina – Casa Marina at the Hilton offers an unforgettable Thanksgiving brunch by the water. Savor roasted turkey, slow-roasted short rib, fresh snapper, pumpkin pie, and more! This noontime Thanksgiving meal also comes with bottomless mimosas!
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Prime Steakhouse – Prime Steakhouse is open on Thanksgiving for those who prefer a choose-your-own Thanksgiving meal instead of a traditional turkey dinner. Choose from amazing cuts of meat, seafood, and sides.
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Dante’s – Dante’s hosts a traditional turkey buffet each year that is legendary among Key west restaurants! Fill up on a Thanksgiving dinner that includes roasted turkey, giblet gravy, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
Pro Tip: Thanksgiving in Key West is a beloved tradition that many families do year after year. Call restaurants ahead of time to book a table to ensure you’re not left without plans on the big day! It’s also important to note that menus and times can change each year. Confirm that any of the Key West restaurants above will be serving dinner on Thanksgiving before making plans.
Do Something Unconventional
Who says your Thanksgiving meal needs to happen around a table? The beauty of a Key West Thanksgiving is that it’s a chance to start new traditions! Here are some creative ways to spend Thanksgiving Day in Key West:
Plan A Thanksgiving Day Picnic On The Beach
Consider ordering a Thanksgiving meal to go or packing your own picnic feast! You can then relax on a blanket at Higgs Beach, South Beach, or Smathers Beach while putting a tropical spin on the traditional deliciousness of Thanksgiving dinner.
Book A Thanksgiving Sunset Dinner Cruise
What if you just sleep in on Thanksgiving instead? Take a well-deserved lazy morning for yourself this Thanksgiving before boarding a ship to enjoy a sunset dinner cruise. This is the perfect idea if you’re booking a romantic Thanksgiving getaway for two in the Florida Keys.
Order Thanksgiving Room Service
If you’re staying at a hotel or resort, inquire about options to have a feast delivered to your room. Pumpkin pie always tastes better in a robe!
Take Your Holiday Photo At Thanksgiving
This last one is just a practical tip that you can fit in before or after Thanksgiving dinner in Key West. Don’t miss an opportunity to use the beach as the perfect backdrop for this year’s holiday photo! You’ll thank yourself when you get back home if you remember to pose everyone for a great group shot. Consider packing special holiday outfits for the photo!
Write What You’re Thankful For In The Sand
Grab some driftwood sticks to carve the things you’re grateful for this year in the sand. You can also spell out what you’re thankful for in shells!
See A Thanksgiving Sunset
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to end when the last bite of turkey is eaten. Head to Mallory Square in Key West to see the famous Sunset Celebration that people have been enjoying for centuries!
Pro Tip: If you’re coming to Key West at the end of November, consider staying through at least Dec. 7 to enjoy the annual City of Key West’s Annual Holiday Parade. This celebration of live music passes through Truman Avenue to Duval Street.
Start Planning Your Perfect Key West Thanksgiving
It’s not the green bean casserole that makes the Thanksgiving holiday so special! It’s the time you spend with family! That’s why Key West Paddle is thrilled to help you make unforgettable memories to kick off the holiday season this year.
We promise a safe, exciting experience for the whole family with reasonable pricing with a fair cancellation policy. That makes our excursions perfect if you’re trying to find something for the whole family to do when traveling to Key West as a group for Thanksgiving.
We can’t wait to see you in Key West this Thanksgiving! Just be warned that many other visitors from around the country are also planning to make a night kayaking tour or sandbar cruise part of their Thanksgiving week.
