Key West FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Key West, Florida.
1. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
LITERARY LEGEND'S RESIDENCE
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum was the residence of the famous American writer during the 1930s and is now the most popular tourist attraction in Key West. The historic house is located at 907 Whitehead Street, across from the Key West Lighthouse, and offers visitors a glimpse into the life of one of America's greatest literary figures. It is particularly famous for its large population of polydactyl cats, many of which are descendants of Hemingway's own pets.
2. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
HISTORIC COASTAL FORTRESS
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park offers visitors a combination of history and natural beauty on the southern edge of Key West. The fort, built in the mid-1800s, played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War and now provides fascinating tours of its brick fortress and armaments. Beyond the historic structures, visitors can enjoy one of Key West's best beaches for swimming and snorkeling, along with picnic areas and nature trails.
3. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
MAGICAL WINGED WONDERLAND
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory has been voted the #1 Key West attraction by People's Choice Awards and houses 50-60 different species of live butterflies from around the world. Visitors can walk through a magical, inviting environment filled with hundreds of beautiful winged creatures, flowering plants, and more than 20 exotic birds. The conservatory also features cascading waterfalls and lush trees, creating a truly enchanting experience for guests of all ages.
4. Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters
HISTORIC MARITIME BEACON
Standing 65 feet tall, the Key West Lighthouse was built in 1843 to ensure the safe arrival of vessels navigating the treacherous waters off the Florida Keys. The lighthouse features 15 lamps in 15-inch reflectors and requires visitors to climb 88 steps to reach the top, where they're rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the island. The accompanying Keeper's Quarters Museum offers fascinating insights into the lives of lighthouse keepers, including the first keeper who was remarkably a woman—highly unusual for the 19th century.
5. Southernmost Point Buoy
ICONIC GEOGRAPHIC MARKER
The Southernmost Point Buoy is a brightly painted concrete marker located at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets that marks one of the extreme points of the United States. This iconic Key West landmark, which claims to be just 90 miles from Cuba, is one of the most photographed attractions in the Florida Keys. Visitors can even view the buoy remotely through the Southernmost Webcam, which broadcasts live from Key West.
6. Mallory Square
SUNSET CELEBRATION DESTINATION
Mallory Square is the heart of Key West's famous Sunset Celebration, where visitors gather each evening to witness spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. The waterfront plaza comes alive with street performers, food vendors, artists, and musicians, creating a carnival-like atmosphere as the sun dips below the horizon. During the day, Mallory Square offers shopping, dining, and historical exhibits that showcase Key West's maritime heritage.
7. Duval Street
VIBRANT ENTERTAINMENT CORRIDOR
Duval Street runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and serves as Key West's main thoroughfare and entertainment district. The iconic mile-long street is lined with historic Victorian mansions, quirky shops, art galleries, bars, and restaurants that capture the island's unique blend of sophistication and laid-back charm. Visitors can experience the famous 'Duval Crawl' by exploring the diverse establishments that range from elegant seafood restaurants to legendary watering holes like Sloppy Joe's, where Ernest Hemingway was a regular patron.
8. Key West Aquarium
MARINE LIFE DISCOVERY
The Key West Aquarium, one of the island's oldest attractions having opened in 1935, showcases the diverse marine life of the Florida Keys in a series of tanks and touch pools. Visitors can observe sharks, stingrays, turtles, and tropical fish while learning about the delicate ecosystems of the surrounding coral reefs and mangrove forests. The aquarium offers interactive exhibits including a touch tank where guests can handle sea stars, conchs, and other marine invertebrates under the guidance of knowledgeable staff.
9. Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
NATIVE PLANT SANCTUARY
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is a unique arboretum and wildlife refuge that preserves the native flora and fauna of the Florida Keys and Caribbean Basin. Spread across several acres, the garden features winding paths through diverse habitats including freshwater wetlands, champion trees, and butterfly gardens that showcase plants found nowhere else in the continental United States. Visitors can observe migratory birds, native butterflies, and rare plant species while learning about conservation efforts to protect these fragile ecosystems.
10. Harry S. Truman Little White House
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIC SITE
The Harry S. Truman Little White House served as the winter White House for President Truman during his administration from 1945 to 1953 and remains Florida's only presidential museum. Originally built in 1890 as naval officers' quarters, this historic house has hosted several presidents and dignitaries and now operates as a museum filled with original furnishings and presidential memorabilia. Guided tours provide fascinating insights into Truman's presidency and the significant world events that were shaped during his stays in this modest Key West residence.
11. Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
SHIPWRECK TREASURE SHOWCASE
The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum celebrates the legendary treasure hunter who discovered the sunken Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha after a 16-year search. This fascinating museum displays an impressive collection of artifacts recovered from the 1622 shipwreck, including gold coins, silver bars, emeralds, and everyday items that provide a glimpse into colonial Spanish maritime life. Visitors can learn about the scientific techniques used in underwater archaeology and conservation while marveling at one of the richest treasure discoveries in modern history.
12. Smathers Beach
SCENIC SHORELINE RETREAT
Smathers Beach is Key West's largest public beach, stretching half a mile along the southern shore of the island with powdery white sand that's been imported from the Caribbean. The palm-lined beach offers excellent amenities including volleyball courts, water sports rentals, food vendors, and restroom facilities that make it perfect for a full day of relaxation. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the calm, shallow waters, rent jet skis or paddleboards, or simply lounge beneath the swaying palms while watching sailboats glide across the horizon.
13. Dry Tortugas National Park
REMOTE ISLAND FORTRESS
Dry Tortugas National Park lies 70 miles west of Key West and features the massive Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century coastal fortress surrounded by crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this remote park offers some of the best snorkeling and diving opportunities in North America, with abundant marine life and well-preserved shipwrecks to explore. Beyond the underwater attractions, visitors can tour the historic fort, birdwatch for migratory species, camp under the stars, and experience true isolation in one of America's least-visited but most spectacular national parks.
14. Key West Cemetery
HISTORIC BURIAL GROUND
The Key West Cemetery, established in 1847 after a hurricane washed away the previous burial ground, covers 19 acres in the heart of Old Town and contains the remains of approximately 100,000 people. This unique cemetery reflects the island's diverse cultural heritage with separate sections for Catholics, Jews, Cubans, and sailors, along with fascinating epitaphs like the famous 'I told you I was sick' that showcase Key West's irreverent humor. Self-guided or guided tours reveal the stories of notable residents, including Cuban independence fighters, victims of the USS Maine explosion, and prominent local families whose elaborate monuments provide insights into two centuries of Keys history.
15. Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
HISTORIC ART SHOWCASE
The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens celebrates the connection between renowned ornithologist John James Audubon and the tropical paradise of Key West, where he documented numerous bird species in the 1830s. The meticulously restored 19th-century house features a collection of 28 first-edition Audubon works, period furnishings, and artifacts that transport visitors back to Key West's maritime heyday. Surrounding the home are lush tropical gardens with orchids, bromeliads, and native plants that recreate the environment Audubon would have explored while painting his famous bird portraits.