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Key West

Key West travel guide

Island and city in Florida, United States

Things to do70 experiences
Best time to visitFebruary to May and November to December
Nearest airportEYW · 2 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−4
Population26,444

About Key West

Key West is a coral cay island in the Straits of Florida, at the southernmost end of the U.S. state of Florida and its outlying Florida Keys archipelago. Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Island, it constitutes the City of Key West.

Places to visit in Key West

  1. Mallory Square

    Mallory Square

    Landmark · 1 mi from centre

    A waterfront plaza famous for its nightly Sunset Celebration, when street performers, artists and food vendors gather as crowds watch the sun sink into the Gulf. A quintessential Key West experience.

  2. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

    Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

    Historic · 1 mi from centre

    The Spanish Colonial home where Hemingway lived and wrote during the 1930s. Guided tours cover his life and work, and the gardens are home to dozens of polydactyl cats.

  3. Duval Street

    Duval Street

    Neighborhood

    Key West's main street stretches from the Gulf to the Atlantic, lined with bars, galleries, shops and restaurants. Lively day and night, it is the center of the island's social life.

  4. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

    Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

    Beach · 2 mi from centre

    A park combining a Civil War-era brick fort with one of the island's best beaches. Visitors can tour the fort, snorkel off the rocky shore and picnic under shady trees.

  5. Southernmost Point Buoy

    Southernmost Point Buoy

    Landmark · 1 mi from centre

    A large painted concrete marker at the corner of Whitehead and South streets, marking a point near the southern end of the continental United States. A classic photo stop, so expect a queue.

  6. Harry S. Truman Little White House

    Harry S. Truman Little White House

    Historic · 1 mi from centre

    The house where President Truman spent many working vacations, preserved with original furnishings. Guided tours explain its role as a winter White House and its use by other presidents.

  7. Key West Lighthouse

    Key West Lighthouse

    Viewpoint · 1 mi from centre

    A historic lighthouse across from the Hemingway House. Climb the stairs to the top for panoramic views over the island's rooftops and the surrounding sea, then visit the keeper's quarters museum.

  8. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

    Nature

    A glass-domed tropical garden filled with free-flying butterflies and birds near the end of Duval Street. A calm, colorful stop that appeals to all ages.

Things to do in Key West by type

70 tours, tickets and experiences across 13 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 1-3 hours 18
  • Over 6 hours 7
  • Up to 1 hour 6
  • Flexible 6
  • 3-6 hours 5
Good for
  • Youth 14
  • Couples 13
  • Families 13
  • Senior 12
Ways to go
  • Shore excursions 18
  • Wheelchair accessible 2
  • Small group 1
  • Private 1
Browse all things to do in Key West

Top experiences in Key West

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 70 available.

See all things to do in Key West

Best time to visit Key West

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Key West is February to May and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 73–83°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 67° – 72° 8
Feb 69° – 73° 5
Mar 72° – 76° 4
Apr 74° – 78° 5
May 80° – 83° 4
Jun 80° – 84° 18
Jul 82° – 86° 16
Aug 82° – 86° 22
Sep 81° – 86° 21
Oct 78° – 83° 18
Nov 75° – 78° 5
Dec 71° – 74° 5

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Key West weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 82° 74° 25%
  • Thu 22 Oct 80° 78° 28%
  • Fri 23 Oct 80° 77° 48%
  • Sat 24 Oct 79° 76° 57%
  • Sun 25 Oct 80° 75° 54%
  • Mon 26 Oct 81° 79° 37%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/New_YorkUTC−4
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Key West

These are the airports closest to central Key West. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • EYW Key West International Airport2 mi (3 km) from the city centre
  • NQX Naval Air Station Key West6 mi (10 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Key West

With many narrow and one-way streets, driving Key West is difficult and parking is expensive. Many visitors choose to rent motor scooters, bicycles, golf carts, explore on foot or use public transportation. .mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link] When renting a golf cart keep in mind that you have to find parking for this vehicle as well. Scooters and bikes can normally be parked on the sidewalk right outside your destination.

Key West travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Key West?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Key West is February to May and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 73–83°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

What is the weather like in Key West?

August is usually the warmest month in Key West, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 67°F (20°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 213 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Key West?

Key West International Airport (EYW) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (3 km) from the centre of Key West. Other nearby airports include Naval Air Station Key West (NQX, 6 mi).

What time zone is Key West in?

Key West uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Key West?

With many narrow and one-way streets, driving Key West is difficult and parking is expensive. Many visitors choose to rent motor scooters, bicycles, golf carts, explore on foot or use public transportation.

What are the best places to visit in Key West?

Top sights in Key West include Mallory Square, Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Duval Street and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. A waterfront plaza famous for its nightly Sunset Celebration, when street performers, artists and food vendors gather as crowds watch the sun sink into the Gulf. A quintessential Key West experience.

What are the top things to do in Key West?

Popular experiences you can book in Key West include Key West Tour, Big Bus Miami Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and Miami Skyline Cruise and Double-Decker Bus Tour with Everglades Boat Trip. Destina Holidays offers 70 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Key West?

The most popular types of experiences in Key West are cruise & water tours (17), city tours (14), tickets & attraction passes (9) and day trips & excursions (8). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.