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Taking a trip through Florida on the road? At least one day should be spent in Key West. The most popular place to visit in the Florida Keys is Key West, which is the westernmost island.
During your first 24 hours in Key West, you’ll get a feel for the island’s unique vibe, which is influenced by the Caribbean. In its Bahama Village, you can walk past Caribbean homes with a colonial look. (One of them was even where the famous author Ernest Hemingway lived!) From the white-sand beaches, you’ll be amazed by the dramatic sea views and beautiful sunsets. And dishes like conch fritters and key lime pie will make you drool.
At Blue Heaven in Bahama Village, you can have breakfast.
At Key West’s Bahama Village, you can start your day. The historic neighbourhood of Bahama Village is known for its Caribbean-style vibes. Everything from its historic homes to its food and music has tropical touches.
Since you have a long day of sightseeing ahead of you, fill up at Blue Heaven with a hearty breakfast. The famous restaurant is one of the most famous places to eat in Key West. The food at Blue Heaven is somewhere between real Floridian food and food from the Caribbean.
Here, you can get breakfast sandwiches, eggs benedict, and tropical pancakes. If you want a rich way to start your day, try its famous key lime pie.
The views from the Key West Lighthouse will stun you.
You can find the Key West Lighthouse just a few blocks from Blue Heaven. The 65-foot-tall lighthouse has been around since 1825. Even though it is no longer in use, it is still one of the island’s most famous landmarks. It’s a must-see if you’re in Key West for the first 24 hours.
Make sure you have time to climb the tower’s 88 steps. From the top of the lighthouse, the views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico are breathtaking.
At the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, you can learn about the history of writing.
The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is on the block, right next to the lighthouse. The property, which is also known as Hemingway House, used to be where “Papa” lived in South Florida.
When the famous author lived at Hemingway House, he wrote the most. Hemingway wrote the last pages of his famous book, A Farewell to Arms, while he was in Key West. He also wrote The Green Hills of Africa, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and To Have and Have Not, which are all well-known books.
When you go to the Hemingway home, you can tour the museum and walk around the gardens. Keep an eye out for cats with six toes that are related to Hemingway’s own cats. Make sure to pick up a unique literary souvenir at the bookstore and gift shop. (Perhaps a copy of The Old Man and the Sea?)
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a sight to see.
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is less than 10 minutes away on foot via Duval Street from the Hemingway Home. One of the most popular things to do in Key West is to visit the family-friendly habitat.
At the conservatory, you can see more than 60 different kinds of butterflies with a wide range of colours and shapes. There are also more than 20 different kinds of exotic birds that chirp in the area.
The climate-controlled glass-domed conservatory is where most of the fun takes place. A learning centre, gift shop, and art gallery are also part of the attraction. Adults pay $12, and kids pay $8.50 to get in.
Check out the southernmost point of the US.
Key West is the city in the United States that is the farthest south. Walk one block southeast and you’ll find solid proof. The southernmost point of the continental US is at the south end of the island.
From early in the morning until late in the evening, tourists line up to take selfies with the bright buoy. Even if you don’t have the patience to wait for your photo opportunity, the area around the point is very nice. There are many places where you can eat and drink. (And why not?) You’re on vacation in Florida.
Sit down at the Seaside Cafe at the Mansion for a great view of the sea. It’s a great place to sip cocktails and eat pizza while the wind blows gently. At The Lobster Shack, you can get a lobster sandwich if you want to eat seafood. Or, go to Ana’s Cuban Cafe and get a cortadito and a Cuban sandwich for coffee and delicious Cuban food.
At Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, you can feel the sea breeze.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is a 10-minute walk from the southernmost point. The historic park is at the very end of the island, in the southwest.
History fans will find a lot to do at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The fortress that gives the state park its name was built during the Civil War. It is where most of the Civil War weapons in the world are kept. Fort Zachary Taylor was once one of the most important places to protect the coast of the Southeastern United States.
Even though the fort is interesting, the beach is the real reason to go to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Many people think it’s the best beach in Key West and one of the most beautiful in the Florida Keys. It’s a great place to have a picnic if you’ve got food to go. You can also go swimming, snorkelling, paddle-boating, or even fishing in the water.
Visit Mallory Square to see the sun go down.
Has the beach helped you get rid of some stress? It’s time to start moving forward again. Go back to the land. You’ll get to Mallory Square in 15 to 20 minutes. The square is in Key West’s northwest corner. It’s one of the most visited public places in the city.
Mallory Square is best known for the sunset festival that happens every night. Every night, before the sun sets in the Gulf of Mexico, the square is full of different kinds of street performers. During this popular event, you’ll see everything from people walking on tightropes to people swallowing swords. It’s a fun event that’s good for the whole family and sure to make you smile. (Even if it’s kind of cheesy.)
The entertainment is, of course, just a sideshow. The beautiful sunset is the real star. And Mallory Square is one of the best spots in the Keys to catch it. Relax on the pier and watch the sun slowly go down behind Sunset Key to the west.
If you want more room to watch the sunset, you can sit down at one of the restaurants around the square. El Méson De Pepe’s Restaurant & Bar has food and drinks that are inspired by Cuba. Another great choice is the Sunset Pier on the north side of the square.
Take a walk around the Key West Historic Seaport after you eat to burn off the calories. Walk along the boardwalk by the harbour and take in the beautiful views of the Gulf. If you have a sweet tooth, stop by Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe or Key West Key Lime Pie Co. on Greene Street for a slice of key lime pie.
Have dinner and drinks on Duval Street or Whitehead Street.
When the sun has gone down, walk back into the city center. Duval Street and Whitehead Street are where the evening beat of Key West can be felt. Many of the best restaurants and bars in the city are on these two streets. It’s a great way to end your one-day tour of Key West.
Along these two strips, there are a lot of great places to go. At Sloppy Joe’s, you can get traditional pub food and drinks that are easy to drink. Since 1933, this well-known restaurant has been around. Another historic place close by is the Green Parrot Bar. Since 1890, travellers and people who live in the area have been able to get drinks at the Green Parrot Bar.
First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery is also a good place for people who like beer. The popular brewpub had a shady courtyard where they served local craft beer and pub food.
Where to stay in Key West if you only have 24 hours
Finding a place to stay in Key West is harder because of availability than because of where it is. Many of the best places to stay on the island are close enough to the best places to visit that you can walk to them. Focus on the centre of the city, especially Bahama Village and the Historic District.
More ideas for trips to Key West
Higgs Beach
Want a quiet sunrise on the beach to be part of your Key West plans? Get out and go to Higgs Beach. The beach is on the southern side of the island.
Higgs Beach is known for its white sands, but it also has a couple of important historical sites. The park contains the country’s only African refugee graveyard.You can also find the largest AIDS memorial in the United States and an old fortress tower in other places.
The beach at Smathers
Most people come to Key West for its history and culture, but Smathers Beach shows that this popular Florida Key is also a great place to go to the beach. It’s possible that Smathers Beach is the most beautiful beach on the island. It goes along the southern Atlantic coast of Key West for two miles.
Even though it’s most popular during spring break, Smathers Beach is a great place to visit any time of year. If you have the time, you can go to the beach and do things like jet skiing and paragliding. One of the best places in Key West to see the sun come up is on the public beach.
Aquarium in Key West
Taking kids to Key West? Try to find time on your trip to visit the Key West Aquarium. Even though it’s not the biggest aquarium in South Florida, it’s a fun place for families to stop on their way through the Florida Keys.
At the Key West Aquarium, you can see jellyfish, sea turtles, stingrays, and sharks, among other colourful sea creatures. The aquarium is in Mallory Square, which is in the centre of downtown Key West.
The Little White House of Truman
The Truman Little White House is one of the most interesting historical sites in downtown Key West. It is in the Truman Annex neighbourhood. The house was built for naval officers during the Spanish-American War in the 1800s. It became well known as the summer home of former U.S. President Harry S. Truman.
The Truman Little White House is no longer used as the president’s home. Instead, it is now home to a small museum. Stop in to see the famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign from President Truman.
National Park of Dry Tortugas
Looking for one of Key West’s best day trips? Head out to Dry Tortugas National Park by boat. About 70 miles west of the Florida Keys is a small group of islands.
Every year, only about 60,000 people visit Dry Tortugas National Park. Most people only go to Garden Key, which is the only island that can be reached by public ferry.
Fort Jefferson is on this beautiful island. The big, round fortress was built in 1845. It was never finished, but it is the third-largest fort in the US.
Visitors can learn about the fort’s long history and try out different water sports. Bring a snorkel and mask to see the park’s coral reefs and many kinds of sea life. Or, you could take a kayak around the fort and look at it from the water.
Bahia Honda State Park
Only have one day to spend in Key West? Bahia Honda State Park should be your goal. There are beautiful white-sand beaches in the state park, which is less than an hour’s drive from the city. They are some of the best beaches in Key West for tourists to visit.
Walking along one of Bahia Honda State Park’s hiking trails is the best way to see the park. On the trails, you’ll see more than 150 different kinds of plants. Bird watching is also popular within the park.
How often should I go to Key West?
March and May are the best months to go to Key West. Winter is a busy time for tourism, but the crowds start to thin out in March. During these months, you can find cheaper places to stay, and more of them will be open.
Still, the weather is great from March to May. The average temperature is 85 oF.be20 oCn 20o30 oCd 30oC, whi70 oFs 70oF and 85oF. These spring months also have the least amount of rain.
South Florida has a hurricane season from June to November. During this time, you won’t want to go to the Florida Keys. If you have to, make sure to keep an eye on the weather. (There’s nothing like a hurricane in the Atlantic to bring down the mood, right?)
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