Literary legend Ernest Hemingway was deeply in love with Key West. He spoke of it glisteningly, depicting Key West as a gem amongst gems; the island – a tropical oasis, he believed – enamored him with its lush greenery, delicious foods, grand fishing, and an unmatchable nightlife. This timeless appeal exists to this day, and Key West remains one of the country’s most unique towns. Teaming with allure, festiveness, and charm, this coastal community is a gift afloat the sea. (Even the beaches and ocean water seem glitzier on this island community). You’ll find something for everyone in the family, and to help you with your itinerary, here’s a list of the best things that you can do while visiting Key West, Florida.
A Historical Voyage Across the Island
Key West is home to many historical landmarks and spots of cultural significance. Ernest Hemingway made the island his home, where he wrote his novel “To Have and Have Not” and where he drew extensive inspiration for his Pulitzer-winning novel, “The Old Man and The Sea.” His Spanish villa is now a museum available to all, full of memorabilia of the famed writer. Just a few blocks from Hemingway’s you’ll find Truman’s Little White House, the winter home of the former president Harry S. Truman. Of course, no trip to Key West is complete without a visit to the Southernmost Point, the, well, southernmost point of the contiguous United States. You can explore these and other landmarks by foot, or we’d recommend booking a tour on the Hop-On, Hop-Off Old Town Trolley that will take you around the island via trolley, guiding you across these aforementioned sights and many others.
Welcome to Duval Street!
Duval Street is the epicenter for all things fun, tasty, and cultural. The street runs from north to south across the island, and it’s lined with many restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, boutiques, concerts, and the occasional festival. On this single street, you’ll find everything from crisp drinks in the famous Sloppy Joe’s Bar, to the gorgeous insects of the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, and the scrumptious meals of Caroline’s Cafe. You can even take a stroll down Duval and glance at the impeccable Caribbean architecture of the many shops and buildings. The choices on Duval Street are endless, and you cannot go wrong with this Key West staple.
Snorkelling
Key West’s waters are vibrantly beautiful. The turquoise waters are not only splendid and temperate, but they’re also home to the world’s third-largest coral reef on the planet. You could spend a day sunbathing on the white sandy beaches, but we recommend you take a dive into the depths of the Key West coast and take a wonderful swim with the oceanic life. To expedite the planning process, book a snorkeling adventure and cruise on a 65’ Catamaran that will take you across the beach and the waves into an underwater world. The colorful coral reefs and vivid schools of fishes will be waiting for you in this otherworldly experience.
Key West From the Sky
Do you think Key West is beautiful? Wait until you watch it from above. Parasailing is as common in Key West as fishing or swimming. The blue skies meet the ocean, creating a vast sunny canvas of blue – prime for a parasailing adventure. Observe playful dolphins skipping on the waters; perhaps you’ll find a group of docile nurse sharks sleeping on the seafloor; you might even get lucky and catch a whale from the clouds! The tropical birds will be your best travel buddies, as you experience the thrill of flying across this magical island.
Mallory Square & watching a sunset
The famous Mallory Square is located on the northern tip of the island. While it offers many excellent shops, hotels, and restaurants, the real star of the show is our very own. Every day, beginning two hours before the sun sets, there is an event known to locals and tourists as the Sunset Celebration; everyone gathers at the pier to watch a golden sun dip behind the pink clouds and into the darkening sea. The nightly festivity comes with nocturnal entertainers, including magicians, psychics, musicians, and artists from across Key West and even the world. A place known for its sunny weather treats sundowns just as momentously – and you should be there to watch one yourself.
Take a Catamaran Cruise
Sit back and relax with a drink in hand on a guided catamaran cruise during the afternoon. In the winter, you’ll start to see the sky fade from blue to faint purples and reds as the sunset approaches. On our day trip to Key West, you’ll have enough time to go out for a sail and be back in time to get in your provided transportation back to Miami. The Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico converge here, making for sparkling, clear water.
Ride the Old Town Trolley
Pack in more sightseeing from the comfort of the hop-on, hop-off Old Town Trolley with audio narration. You’ll have the day to get on and off at the stops you want to see in areas like Mallory Square and Duval Street. Find more time to enjoy famous attractions such as the Ernest Hemingway House Museum, the Harry S. Truman Little White House, Key West Lighthouse & Museum, Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, Smathers Beach, the Key West Aquarium, and the Southernmost House Mansion and Museum, among many other attractions. You can combine our Key West Day Trip with a ticket to the Old Town Trolley for extra convenience.
Buy Kino Sandals
Ask any local and they will tell you this is the best island shoe out there. You can find them in a number of shops along Duval Street. If you’re feeling generous, it’s a great gift to give friends and family back home. (Local tip: The Lilly is the most popular style for most people.)
Join The Key West Miami Day Trip
There is a Key West day trip from Miami for anyone who wants to explore the Florida Keys area, particularly the Southernmost Point. It is one of the best options, as you can explore the island and some of its most beautiful places.
The trip includes hotel pickup and drop off in an air-conditioned coach bus from wherever you lodge in Key West. You only have to indicate your pickup location while purchasing the ticket.
After the Key West pickup, the bus will move you around some fascinating places you should visit. The famous Ernest Hemingway house, Southernmost Point, and the landmark US 1 Mile Marker 0 are some places to stop by.
There is an option for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours during your afternoon break. You can also sunbathe in Miami Beach after your 6-hour journey before taking the return trip back to your hotel.
Join The Key West Historic District Small-Group Walking Tour
Key West tour undoubtedly offers a destination with a good deal of historical architecture for sightseeing. If you love history, there are quite a number of historical landmarks you would like to see. This opportunity is available when you join the small group walking tour of the historic district. It allowed a minimal number of participants with a tour guide, making it a crowd-free experience with more fun.
This tour will take you through some of the most fascinating destinations, such as the south beach. You can explore the scenic area and learn about the historical facts attached. Other landmarks are Ernest Hemingway’s House and Museum, the San Carlos Institute, Bahamas Village, and Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum. Your tour guide will give you historical facts and stories about each destination.
Take The Private Key West Walking Tour
Perhaps you are not always impressed by a crowded tour and the Key West bus ride. You may just book a private narrated tour around Key West. It is a customized experience with a professional tour guide for you or your group.
This is usually the best option for families or a group of colleagues on vacation in Miami. You can also integrate the Key West Old Town food tour into your private trip.
One advantage of this private tour is that you can customize the preferred places you want to see. And depending on the time, you can explore as many landmarks as possible. We think you should consider exploring the old town of Key West, the Butterfly, and Nature Conservatory, the Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum, Duval Street, and Historic Mallory Square.
Enjoy The Premium 7-Day Tour
Aside from the Key West Miami day trip, you can engage in the exquisite 7-day Miami to Key West island city. It is a premium service with a lot of features and perks attached. Throughout the 7 days, you will move across different cities surrounding the Southernmost Point. The cities involved are Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Sarasota, Clearwater Bay, Tampa, and Orlando.
At each destination, you will have the opportunity to explore scenic places and engage in extra activities. Some of which are airboat riding, sunbathing, snorkeling, and partying.
You will stop by some fascinating places at different locations, such as Wynwood Walls in Miami, Southernmost Point in Key West, Palm Beach in Lauderdale, the Gulf of Mexico in Naples, Disney Spring in Tampa, and SeaWorld in Orlando.
Visit The Seven Mile Bridge And Explore The Glass-Bottom Boat Tour
If you are just visiting Miami Key West on your own without a guide or paid tour, there are two things you don’t want to miss. People who visit the Southernmost Point are known to explore the Seven Mile Bridge.
Visiting the Keys without seeing this iconic bridge means you didn’t complete your excursion. You will use a shuttle bus with big windows, which gives you beautiful scenery as you walk over the bridge.
Another significant thing to do is to take the glass-bottom boat ride. If you are wondering what beneath the ocean looks like, this is an experience you need to have. You will be taking a tour on a boat with a transparent glass bottom. This allows you to view the bottom of the water and have an aquarium view of the lake and the marine bodies.
As you take time to plan your Key West vacation, enjoy these and many other activities that the island paradise has prepared for you. Safe travels!