Accessible from Miami via the famous Overseas Highway, Key West Island is a must-see destination on any Florida getaway. Known for its vibrant nightlife, this island at the southernmost tip of the United States within the Florida Keys archipelago is also celebrated for its beaches and coral reefs, historic and cultural monuments. The island was even home to the renowned writer Ernest Hemingway. Discover everything there is to do and see in Key West.

A Closer Look at the Overseas Highway

Stretching 182 km from Miami to Key West Island, the Overseas Highway is renowned as one of the most iconic roads in the United States. Crossing all 44 islands of the Keys archipelago, this road creates the impression of driving above turquoise waters. It features 42 suspension bridges, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge. As you can imagine, this legendary route is an attraction in itself and ranks among the best road trip itineraries in Florida.

Stroll Along Duval Street

Located in the heart of the city, Duval Street is Key West's main thoroughfare, running through the historic district from north to south. It's undoubtedly the most touristy avenue on the island. 

You'll find stunning colorful Victorian mansions typical of the 1886 to 1912 period. Most are adorned with cornices, balusters, and decorative motifs, often surrounded by verandas or porches. Notably, you'll see Key West's oldest house, built in 1829: the Oldest House. Now converted into a museum, it features family portraits and original furnishings, along with other period pieces recounting Key West's history. 

Beyond its Victorian mansions, Duval Street is home to numerous art galleries and artisan shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as many inns. During your stroll, you'll likely encounter roosters. Having become one of the city's emblems, roosters roam freely throughout the neighborhood.

If Duval Street is considered the beating heart of Key West, it's also a gathering spot for revelers and music lovers. Each evening, music fills the air and the street becomes the liveliest on the island. 

Did You Know?

Duval Street is named after William Pope Duval, Florida's first governor, who served from 1822 to 1834.

Visit the Hemingway House

This is one of Key West's must-see attractions. As its name suggests, the Hemingway House was once the residence of Ernest Hemingway. Indeed, the renowned writer lived on Key West from 1927 to 1940. It's estimated he wrote nearly 70% of his works here, including A Farewell to Arms, Death in the Afternoon, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Green Hills of Africa, and For Whom the Bell Tolls.

In 1931, he moved into this house on Whitehead Street with his wife Pauline. Built in 1851 in Spanish colonial style, the house was in poor condition when they purchased it. The couple undertook a spectacular restoration and even had a swimming pool built at the exorbitant cost of $20,000. It was Key West's first in-ground pool.

Today transformed into a museum, the house still contains the writer's personal belongings. You can see antique furniture and objects the couple brought back from their European travels, animal trophies and hides from their African safaris and their journey through the American West, and much more... 

Focus on Hemingway's Famous Polydactyl Cats:

Ernest Hemingway was a devoted cat lover. He is known to have rescued a cat named Snow White who had the peculiarity of having 6 toes. These are called polydactyl cats. The story goes that a ship captain gave it to him before leaving the island. Later, he had several polydactyl cats, all named after famous celebrities and personalities.

Today, you can still see more than 60 polydactyl cats, descendants of Snow White, roaming around the estate. They are as much an attraction in Key West as the author's house itself!

Explore Fort Zachary Taylor

Located at the southern tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Park is a Florida state park that encompasses a fortress. 

Built in 1845 to monitor the port of Key West, the fort played an important role in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. It also served during World War I and II, as well as during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Today it houses the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the United States. 

Beyond visiting the fort, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers a wealth of activities for visitors. You can explore hiking trails: the Tropical Hammock Trail to learn about native plants or the Fort View natural trail to enjoy a vantage point of the fortification. Paved trails are also accessible to cyclists. 

Among the park's other attractions are: bird watching (the park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail), fishing, geocaching, kayaking... The park also boasts one of Key West's most beautiful beaches. It's particularly renowned as an excellent spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and freediving.

Discover the Truman Little White House

Inaugurated in 1890, the Truman Little White House is one of Key West's most important historic monuments. It's Florida's only presidential site. 

Initially, the building served as a base camp for American naval officers during the Spanish-American War before welcoming presidents. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to stay at the Little White House in 1932. 

It wasn't until 1946 that it became the winter residence of President Harry S. Truman, the 33rd United States President. He spent 175 days here during his two terms, between 1946 and 1952. 

Other presidents also stayed here, including: Dwight Eisenhower in 1955-56, John Kennedy in 1961 and 1962, Jimmy Carter in 1996 and 2007, and Bill Clinton in 2005. 

Today, the Truman Little White House is a museum that allows you to relive certain parts of United States political history and discover fascinating anecdotes about the different presidents who stayed here. Note that the museum primarily focuses on President Truman. You can even take a ride in the 1950 Cosmopolitan Lincoln limousine, the famous vehicle from the presidential fleet. 

Good to Know:

The Truman Little White House welcomed not only politicians throughout its history. It also hosted important visitors such as inventor Thomas Edison and scientist Edward Hayden, who stayed for extended periods.

Admire the View from the Top of Key West Lighthouse

The Key West Lighthouse is a white lighthouse located on Whitehead Street, just across from Hemingway's house. The current lighthouse was built in 1848 to ensure the safe arrival of military and commercial ships in the shallow waters of the Keys. From its inauguration, it was staffed by a woman as keeper, an almost unprecedented fact for the time. 

Subsequently, it underwent modifications and renovations before becoming a museum: the Keeper's Quarters Museum. It's dedicated to Key West's maritime heritage and the women and men who maintained it despite wars and storms until its automation in 1915. At the foot of the lighthouse, you'll find the former keepers' quarters and many of their personal belongings.

In addition to exploring the museum, visitors are invited to climb 88 steps to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy a breathtaking view of Key West Island. 

Expand Your Knowledge in Key West's Museums

Key West has numerous museums, each as interesting as the next. Among the must-see museums in Key West, we recommend: 

• Key West Museum of Art & History: this museum chronicles two centuries of history, art, personalities, and events related to Key West Island; 

• Key West Shipwreck Museum: the museum of shipwreck treasures lets you learn more about the numerous shipwrecks that occurred off Key West throughout history and that contributed to making the city one of the wealthiest in the United States during the 19th century thanks to the discovery of many treasures buried in the water; 

• Melfisher Maritime Museum: this museum is also dedicated to Key West's maritime history. It's particularly renowned for housing treasures recovered from Spanish galleons by Mel Fisher and his team; 

• Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: this park allows you to stroll among hundreds of butterflies from around the world. Set in a greenhouse with tropical vegetation, you'll also find birds and beautiful flowers, trees, and waterfalls. It ranks among the best museums for a Key West trip with children.

Relax on the Beaches

Looking to unwind and enjoy some beach time? Head to Key West's beaches! 

Among Key West's most beautiful beaches, we recommend Fort Zachary Taylor Beach: it's one of the most scenic, but not necessarily the most convenient for swimming due to rocky sea bottoms. However, it's an excellent snorkeling spot. Note that there is a fee to access the beach since it's located within Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Park.

Among other Key West beaches worth visiting, you can also mention Higg's Beach and Simonton Street Beach, where the sand is finer and more pleasant than at Fort Zachary Taylor Beach.

Snorkel and Scuba Dive

The Keys are among Florida's best scuba diving spots. Among the best diving and snorkeling sites to discover off Key West, you can find: 

• Rock Key: the site is known for the remains of two ships that wrecked over 200 years ago; 

• Sand Key Reef: a popular spot for coral diversity; 

• Joe's Tug: an artificial reef with the wreck of a tugboat at its bottom, submerged since 1986; 

• Cayman Salvager: an atypical diving site situated around an old Navy cable ship that was once used by Cuban refugees; 

• Ten-Fathom Bar: a spot characterized by an impressive dive wall filled with corals and sponges...

Want more? You can head to Bahia Honda State Park. Located 45 minutes by car from Key West, it's an island surrounded by an exceptional coral reef. Key Largo Island, the gateway to the Keys, is also a premier diving destination, as it's home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the United States' first underwater park.

Note:

If diving and snorkeling aren't really your cup of tea, know that you can discover the beauty of Key West's underwater world on a glass-bottom boat tour. It's also possible to rent a transparent-bottom kayak for independent adventures.

Finally, there are many dolphin-spotting excursions available from Key West. Some even combine the activity with snorkeling stops. Don't hesitate to contact us to organize your excursion!

Have Fun Trying Water Sports

Craving some adrenaline? A stay on Key West Island is the perfect chance to try numerous water sports. You'll be spoiled for choice: from jet skiing to e-foiling and wing foiling through kayaking, paddleboarding and kitesurfing, not forgetting parasailing... Get ready for adventure in Key West's turquoise waters! 

Take a Photo at Southernmost Point, the Southernmost Point of the USA

In Key West, you'll find the southernmost point of the United States, located just 145 km from Cuba (closer than Miami). Located at the corner of Whitehead Street and South Street, Southernmost Point is marked by a large red, yellow, and black concrete buoy. It's the most photographed spot in Key West. For this reason, we recommend going very early in the morning if you want to take a photo. There's always a long queue of people waiting their turn.

Note:

It's also in this area that you'll find the Mile Marker 0 of the Overseas Highway route. Since the famous road can be traveled in both directions, there are actually not one but two signs on each side of the street. The first reads "End" and the other "Begin".

Taste the Famous Key Lime Pie

Attention all food lovers: if there's one specialty of American cuisine not to miss during a stay in the Keys archipelago, it's the famous Key Lime Pie. It's a lime tart made with eggs and condensed milk, topped with a layer of meringue (or sometimes whipped cream). While its name is linked to the archipelago, it's because it uses limes grown in the Keys. Somewhere between a traditional lemon meringue pie and a cheesecake, this sweet treat is truly delicious.

Where to find the best Key Lime Pies in Key West? Among the most sought-after addresses, we recommend Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe, Old Town Bakery or Key Lime Pie Co.

Watch the Sunset at Mallory Square or from a Boat

Mallory Square is an unmissable location in Key West. It's a gathering place for many tourists and locals alike. It's also one of the best places to watch the sunset in Key West. So much so that there's even a name for it: the "sunset celebration". Every evening, many people gather to enjoy the spectacle in a festive and friendly atmosphere. You'll see street performances: dancers, acrobats, musicians... 

What About Sunset Cruises?

If you're a sunset enthusiast, know that it's also possible to take a boat excursion (sailboat, catamaran, motorboat...) to watch the sunset from the sea. Some excursions offer animated evenings or more intimate and romantic outings. Feel free to tell us what you prefer so we can organize your outing!

Practical Information

What is the Best Time to Visit Key West? 

With temperatures ranging between 25 and 35°C throughout the year, Key West Island enjoys mild weather year-round. However, Florida experiences a rainy season from June to November (with July, August, September, and October being the wettest months). This is also when Florida is most exposed to hurricanes, with peak activity between mid-August and mid-October. For this reason, we recommend visiting Key West during the dry season, between November and May. 

How to Get to Key West from Miami?

By Car

As mentioned previously, the Overseas Highway allows you to traverse the Keys archipelago from Miami. The route itself is worth the trip. Plan approximately 3.5 to 4 hours of driving time without stops.

By Bus

Several bus companies offer trips from Miami to Key West. Again, expect between 3.5 and 4.5 hours of travel. 

By Plane

It's possible to reach Key West by plane. Key West International Airport is served by numerous airlines (Iberia, British Airways, American Airlines...). Plan approximately 1 hour of flight time from Miami. 

By Boat

There's no direct ferry from Miami to Key West. However, you can take a boat from Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island. Key West Express operates regular service between the mainland and the archipelago. The crossing takes approximately 3.5 hours.

How Long Should You Plan to Visit Key West?

Given the many attractions on the island, we recommend planning at least 2 days and 1 night on the ground. A 3 to 4-day stay will allow you to take your time and fully enjoy the island and its unique atmosphere...

Also discover all the things to do and see around Miami as well as our itinerary to discover Florida's highlights.