25 Best Things to Do in Key West 2025
Key West packs more adventure per square mile than anywhere else in Florida. America's southernmost city blends Caribbean charm, world-class water sports, legendary nightlife, and that famous laid-back attitude into one unforgettable destination.
🌊 Water Adventures
1. Snorkel the Only Living Coral Reef in the Continental US
Crystal-clear water, colorful fish, sea turtles—the Florida Reef is unmissable and just minutes offshore.
Crystal-clear water, colorful fish, sea turtles—the Florida Reef is unmissable and just minutes offshore.
2. Visit a Secret Sandbar
Stand in waist-deep turquoise water miles from shore. Local captains know hidden sandbars where you'll feel like you discovered your own private island.
Stand in waist-deep turquoise water miles from shore. Local captains know hidden sandbars where you'll feel like you discovered your own private island.
3. Jet Ski the Backcountry
Blast through mangrove channels and open water. Most trips include sandbar stops and dolphin sightings.
Blast through mangrove channels and open water. Most trips include sandbar stops and dolphin sightings.
4. Kayak Through Mangrove Tunnels
Paddle through natural mangrove "tunnels" in the Key West Wildlife Refuge. Spot herons, rays, and baby sharks.
Paddle through natural mangrove "tunnels" in the Key West Wildlife Refuge. Spot herons, rays, and baby sharks.
5. Go Deep Sea Fishing
Chase mahi-mahi, sailfish, and tuna. Key West is one of the top sportfishing destinations in the world.
Chase mahi-mahi, sailfish, and tuna. Key West is one of the top sportfishing destinations in the world.
6. Parasail Over the Island
Soar 300-500 feet above Key West for bird's-eye views of the island, reefs, and endless blue water.
Soar 300-500 feet above Key West for bird's-eye views of the island, reefs, and endless blue water.
7. Rent a Boat for the Day
Captain your own vessel to sandbars, snorkel spots, and secret beaches. No license required for most rentals.
Captain your own vessel to sandbars, snorkel spots, and secret beaches. No license required for most rentals.
🌅 Sunset Experiences
8. Sunset Sail on a Catamaran
Champagne, live music, and Key West's legendary sunset from the water. The most popular evening activity.
Champagne, live music, and Key West's legendary sunset from the water. The most popular evening activity.
9. Watch Sunset at Mallory Square
Free nightly celebration with street performers, artists, and food vendors. The crowd cheers when the sun touches the horizon.
Free nightly celebration with street performers, artists, and food vendors. The crowd cheers when the sun touches the horizon.
10. Private Romantic Sunset Cruise
Just you and your person on a private charter. Perfect for proposals and anniversaries.
Just you and your person on a private charter. Perfect for proposals and anniversaries.
🐬 Nature & Wildlife
11. Dolphin Watching Tour
Wild bottlenose dolphins live here year-round. Morning tours have 90%+ sighting rates.
Wild bottlenose dolphins live here year-round. Morning tours have 90%+ sighting rates.
12. Day Trip to Dry Tortugas
70 miles west, this remote national park has pristine beaches, incredible snorkeling, and a massive Civil War fort.
70 miles west, this remote national park has pristine beaches, incredible snorkeling, and a massive Civil War fort.
13. Key West Butterfly Conservatory
Walk through a tropical garden with 50+ butterfly species and exotic birds.
Walk through a tropical garden with 50+ butterfly species and exotic birds.
🏛️ History & Culture
14. Tour the Ernest Hemingway Home
See where Hemingway wrote his greatest works. Pet the famous six-toed cats.
See where Hemingway wrote his greatest works. Pet the famous six-toed cats.
15. Visit Fort Zachary Taylor
Civil War-era fort with the best beach in Key West. Great snorkeling right off the shore.
Civil War-era fort with the best beach in Key West. Great snorkeling right off the shore.
16. Climb the Key West Lighthouse
88 steps to panoramic views of the island.
88 steps to panoramic views of the island.
17. Take a Ghost Tour
Key West has a dark history—pirates, shipwrecks, yellow fever. Evening walking tours reveal the haunted side.
Key West has a dark history—pirates, shipwrecks, yellow fever. Evening walking tours reveal the haunted side.
18. Photo at the Southernmost Point Buoy
The iconic marker 90 miles from Cuba. Arrive early morning to avoid lines.
The iconic marker 90 miles from Cuba. Arrive early morning to avoid lines.
🍹 Food & Nightlife
19. Bar Hop on Duval Street
Key West's famous main drag. Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's, The Bull—each bar has its own character.
Key West's famous main drag. Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's, The Bull—each bar has its own character.
20. Try Key Lime Pie
The official dessert of the Florida Keys. Kermit's and Blue Heaven are local favorites.
The official dessert of the Florida Keys. Kermit's and Blue Heaven are local favorites.
21. Tiki Bar Crawl by Boat
Visit waterfront tiki bars only accessible by boat. Bites, boats, and booze.
Visit waterfront tiki bars only accessible by boat. Bites, boats, and booze.
22. Breakfast at Blue Heaven
Outdoor restaurant where chickens roam free. Famous for pancakes and Key West vibes.
Outdoor restaurant where chickens roam free. Famous for pancakes and Key West vibes.
💰 Free Activities
23. Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Free nightly entertainment with incredible sunset views.
Free nightly entertainment with incredible sunset views.
24. Walk Through the Cemetery
Historic Key West Cemetery has quirky tombstones ("I Told You I Was Sick") and beautiful old trees.
Historic Key West Cemetery has quirky tombstones ("I Told You I Was Sick") and beautiful old trees.
25. Beach Day at Smathers Beach
Key West's largest beach. Free access, calm water, rentals available.
Key West's largest beach. Free access, calm water, rentals available.
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