What to do in Key West, FL

Activities, attractions and tours

A beach with palm trees, people sunbathing, and a resort in the background.
A beach with palm trees, people sunbathing, and a clear blue sky.
Two sailboats on the ocean with a sunset in the background.
A beach with palm trees, a pathway, beach chairs, and a small building.
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Key West Tourist Attractions & Activities

If you’re searching for an exciting holiday, count on Expedia.com.au to help you find interesting attractions, enlightening experiences, and tons of other fun things to do in Key West AU$12. From first-rate tours to incredible deals on sightseeing trips – our extensive selection of local things to do and places to visit is just a few clicks away.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling alone, alongside your main squeeze, or with your favourite friends or family members, Expedia has the inside scoop on what to see and do while in this corner of the world. And our search tool makes it simple to score the best deals around. So regardless of if you are on a tight budget or prefer to spare no expense, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for by browsing over 242 activities in Key West, Florida.

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Activities


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Top places to visit

1. Duval Street

Coming to Florida’s Key West and not experiencing Duval Street is missing one of the area’s most important commercial roads. It’s the main street on the island. Visit at any time. At the end of the day, when the heat abates and beachgoers have packed up, the street truly comes into its own. Being bored on Duval Street is a rarity.
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A street with a pharmacy, a theater, and a yellow building.

2. Mallory Square

Mallory Square is the number one place in Key West to enjoy the sunset. As well as plenty of dining options and lively nightlife, the waterfront square is host to a nightly celebration of the stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Two hours before sunset the square is filled with performers, arts and crafts stalls, musicians and food vendors. Hundreds of spectators gather to enjoy the festive atmosphere and witness the intense colours of sunsets here.
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A sign reading "Welcome to Mallory Square" with an American flag, a red and white striped awning, and a statue of a man in a blue shirt and straw hat.

3. Southernmost Point

Visit the Southernmost Point of the United States for a unique photo opportunity and views toward Cuba. Pose in front of the huge structure emblazoned with the words, “Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.” and “90 miles to Cuba,” for a memorable photograph.
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A colorful monument with text indicating it is the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. in Key West, Florida.

4. Smathers Beach

Enjoy snorkelling, kayaking and a game of beach volleyball with the locals in the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of beautiful Smathers Beach. While many of Key West’s beaches are private, this lovely stretch of palm tree-lined white sand is a popular public space.
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A beach with white sand, palm trees, and a building in the background.

5. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a sublime natural setting that provides idyllic swimming and birdwatching conditions. At its core is the historic Fort Taylor and what is thought to be the world’s largest Civil War arms collection. Bring U.S. history to life by walking down the passageways of this well-preserved fortress.
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A brick corridor with arched ceilings and benches.

6. Dry Tortugas National Park

Wander along the high ramparts of Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park and look out across the sparkling blue ocean all around you. Sunbathe on the sand of this idyllic haven or snorkel with an array of tropical fish.
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Fort Jefferson, a brick fort with arched windows and a flagpole.

7. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to reveal the eccentricities of Ernest Hemingway’s life. For most of the 1930s, one of the most revered authors of the 20th century lived in a Spanish colonial house in the heart of tropical Key West. Meet six-toed cats and see the studio in which some of Hemingway’s most famous novels were written. Find a vast collection of art, hunting trophies and household items as you wander through the house and gardens.
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A two-story colonial-style building with a balcony, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.

8. South Beach

At the end of Key West’s main shopping and dining street, tiny South Beach provides sun, sand and waves just a short walk from the centre of town. The warm waters of this popular beach are perfect for swimming. Here you can say you’ve been to the southernmost beach of the continental United States. This beach is also where author and playwright Tennessee Williams swam daily.
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A beach with people sunbathing, palm trees, and a multi-story building in the background.

9. Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park

Higgs Beach and its park are one of Key West’s most visited waterfront areas. Apart from white sands, tropical plants and warm water, Higgs Beach Park is also the site of many important historic and cultural attractions. Pay your respects at what is believed to be the United States only African refugee cemetery or commemorate the victims of AIDS at another impressive memorial. A tour through the Civil War–era fort and the Key West Garden Club that surrounds it reveals yet another side of Higgs Beach.
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A beach with a bridge, palm trees, and a clear blue sky.

What to do in Key West


Stay near popular Key West attractions

Our guide on where to stay in Key West

Find the best Key West areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Key West
Learn more about Key West

Old Town Key West

While visiting Old Town Key West, you might make a stop by sights like Duval Street and Florida Keys Beaches.

New Town

While there might not be top attractions in New Town, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Smathers Beach and Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden.

Downtown Key West

While visiting Downtown Key West, you might make a stop by sights like Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Key West Historic District

Travellers to Key West Historic District praise its fantastic nightlife. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Duval Street and Florida Keys Beaches.

Uptown - Upper Duval

If you're spending some time in Uptown - Upper Duval, Duval Street and Florida Keys Beaches are top sights worth seeing.


 

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Day trip destinations from Key West

Frequently asked questions

Is Key West worth visiting?
Key West offers a unique mix of attractions, local charm and culture. Whether you're into outdoor activities, history or local cuisine, there's plenty you'll enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Key West?
Kick-start your day with a visit to Smathers Beach and South Beach. Then, explore other parts of Key West for tasty eats and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Key West?
Don't leave without visiting Smathers Beach, ranked the top tourist attraction in Key West.
Is three days enough to stay in Key West?
You can easily visit popular sights like Smathers Beach, South Beach and Harry S. Truman Little White House with a three-day escape to Key West. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Stock Island.
Is Key West a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Key West is a good place to experience on foot. Have fun wandering between Smathers Beach and South Beach. Then take a stroll through Key West Historic District, located 0.32 kilometres from the centre, and Old Town Key West, which is roughly 0.64 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Key West with kids?
What to do in Key West for adults?
There are loads of things to do in Key West, with experiences for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Key West Cemetery or Tennessee Williams Key West Exhibit.
Are there free things to do in Key West?
One of the best ways to find free things to do in Key West is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Smathers Beach is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.

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