Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida! The name conjures iconic images of sunset parties at Mallory Square and a Margaritaville mindset. Tourists come from all corners of the globe to soak up the sun, fun, and party atmosphere of this tiny island at the far tip of the Florida Keys. The “Conch Republic,” as it was dubbed in 1982, is a favorite destination for vacationers. Conch, for the uninitiated, is pronounced “conk” and is the name of the meat from oversized sea snails. Conch fritters, conch chowder, and conch salad are staples in Key West. However, conch meat consumed in Key West comes from The Bahamas, because Key West conch are an endangered and protected species.

Located in the Straits of Florida, the Island of Key West is 4 miles long and a mile wide and comprises 4.2 square miles. Combined with Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and part of Stock Island, they form the city of Key West, which is 7.21 square miles total. Key West lies at Mile Marker Zero at the end of highway U.S. 1 and is 95 miles north of Cuba. There is probably no city that offers more charm and character per square mile than Key West. As America’s southernmost locale, this is your last stop in the continental U.S.

As you stroll around town, you’ll see all sorts of sights. Notice the unusual and colorful front doors, and watch for some friendly chickens pecking in yards. Enjoy the efforts of street artists and musicians. Mosey in and out of quaint stores and souvenir shops. And, to top it all off, you might even stumble upon Jimmy Buffett’s Key West recording studio, Shrimpboat Sound. JB has recorded lots of island music there down through the years, including his 2020 hit album, Life on the Flip Side.

Beaches, Bars, and Boats – What are the best things to do in Key West?

Key West may be known for its party atmosphere, and that reputation is well earned. However, Key West is also family friendly and even dog friendly. Adults and kids will never suffer from boredom here. Surrounded by water, popular activities include diving, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, parasailing, and boating for obvious reasons. And there is plenty to do within those seven square miles of dry land. Shopping and eating may be the most popular activities, but there are museums, marine centers, art galleries, music, and so much more. If you’re wondering what to do in Key West, wonder no more. Shop, rest, shop, eat, shop, drink.

Museums

Record numbers of visitors are mesmerized at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. Displays of recovered gold and other treasures from the Atocha shipwreck lure visitors to learn about the maritime history of Florida and the Caribbean. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum beckons literary fans, cat lovers, and anyone interested in Key West history. Hemingway was one of the city’s most famous residents. The house, built in 1851, stands in the heart of Old Town and is home to some 40 descendants of Hemingway’s famous six-toed cats. There are dozens of popular museums in Key West, including:

• Harry S. Truman Little White House
• Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
• Key West Firehouse Museum
• Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum
• Tennessee Williams Museum
• Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House
• Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum & National Historic Landmark

Shopping and Mingling

Whether you’re souvenir hunting, bar hopping, or people watching, Duval Street is the place to see and be seen. This walkable/drivable thoroughfare runs north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a little over 1.25 miles in length and offers dozens of stores, restaurants, bars, attractions, bed & breakfast cottages, and even Victorian mansions. When you get to the end of Duval on the southern end, travel one block west to one of the city’s most photographed landmarks: the buoy marker for the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S. Nearby is an 1896 Victorian mansion called the Southernmost House. At the northern end of Duval Street, you’ll find historic Mallory Square, the center of Key West’s waterfront where cruise ships arrive. Key West takes pride in its historic preservation, and six entire blocks of Duval St. are on the National Register of Historic Places.

History and Landmarks

Settled in the 1800s, Key West’s history is evident everywhere. Some of the popular landmarks include:

• The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea
• Curry Mansion
• Key West Cemetery
• Key West Historic Seaport
• Mile Marker Zero
• Strand Theater
• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
• The Oldest House

Appreciate Mother Nature

Key West is known for its amazing weather, so make it a point to get out and see the natural beauty. Whether you’re snorkeling the coral reefs or planning a day cruise for some sightseeing, you’ll appreciate the unique beauty that has inspired so many artists and writers. There are sunset cruises, dinner cruises, glass bottom boat tours, and whale watching trips. There are plenty of eco tours, and you can even kayak the Key West mangroves.

Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible only by boat or seaplane. It is located 70 miles west of Key West and the home of majestic Fort Jefferson. The park itself is 100 square miles of mostly open water and seven little islands. With an abundance of marine life and birds, you’ll appreciate the incredible photo opportunities. The boating, swimming, diving, and snorkeling here are superlative.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park also merges history with nature. Located at the southern edge, you can birdwatch, swim, or soak up some history. Fort Taylor was built before the Civil War and houses the world’s largest collection of Civil War armament. Snorkel gear, chair, and umbrella rentals are available to enjoy the beach.

Although Key West is not known for its beaches, despite being surrounded by water, Smathers Beach is popular as a safe, clean, and peaceful. Located on S. Roosevelt Blvd., amenities include a boat ramp, food trucks, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, and chair and umbrella rentals. There is a small parking fee. Other great natures spots include:

Also, be sure to visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy to walk among hundreds of living birds and butterflies. You’ll be enchanted by the 50+ butterfly species and 20+ exotic bird species as you stroll this tropical paradise.

Vibe and Imbibe

You won’t go hungry or thirsty in Key West. Some of the most popular places are Sloppy Joe’s, a favorite watering hole of Hemingway’s, and the original Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville where JB occasionally stops by to perform when he’s in town. Other hot spots include The Lobster Shack, Santiago’s Bodega, Firefly Key West, and Hog’s Breath Saloon, but this is just scratching the surface. Key West even has rum distilleries. You’ll also find outdoor dining, carry-out, and delivery featuring every possible type of cuisine. Best of all, many of the dining venues feature live music, a staple in Key West for decades. Food and drink are readily available, with plenty of fresh fish and seafood to remind you where you are. If you’re doing your own cooking, there’s a Publix grocery store, World Food Market, and other options available.

Getting Around in Key West

Key West is largely walkable, and you can stroll at your leisure. However, you’ll also see plenty of bikes, pedi cabs, trollies, mopeds, and cars. The Conch Train is also a fun way to get around, and lots of people rely on public bus service, which has five routes. The bus is affordable and reliable. You can even take a bike on the bus for free. As one of the cheapest forms of transportation, you’ll also appreciate that buses are air conditioned. The hop-on-hop-off trolley guides point out interesting and historic sites, give directions, and stop at all the popular spots. Of course, don’t rule out helicopter tours for a birds-eye view of paradise!

Where are the best places to stay in Key West?

There is no shortage of hotels, motels, resorts, and Airbnb rentals. Whether your trip is for a destination wedding, boys’ fishing trip, girls’ shopping trip, or a romantic getaway, you’ll find a wide variety of accommodations in Key West. Choosing a private rental or resort stay is simply a matter of preference. The best deals are typically during the off-season, and last-minute bookings are surprisingly affordable. Some of the most popular places to stay include:

• 24 North Hotel
• Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
• Eden House
• H2O Suites Hotel
• Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
• The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
• The Marquesa Hotel
• Oceans Edge Key West Resort Hotel & Marina
• Opal Key West Resort & Marina
• Orchid Key Inn
• Pier House Resort & Spa
• The Perry Hotel Key West
• Southernmost Beach Resort
• Sunset Key Cottages

This is just a very short list of the hundreds of beautiful accommodations in Key West. We know you’ll find the perfect place to meet your needs.

What’s the best way to travel to Key West?

Without a doubt, flying in is the best way to go, and Epic Airways takes you in first class style. Driving to Key West can be challenging as the traffic can really back up throughout the keys. Some people do travel by boat, but most prefer flying into Key West International Airport. From there you can grab a cab or rental car.

Why are flights to Key West so expensive?

People love Key West but complain about the cost to get there. Flights can be pricey, because one-way flights are not common. Most people fly into Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, or Miami on Southwest or Delta and then connect with a nonstop to Key West. Epic Airways flies direct to Key West from New Smyrna Beach, and our prices are competitive. When you travel to Key West, you need to price every leg of your trip to get the best bang for your buck.

What is the best time to go to Key West?

Key West welcomes visitors from all around the globe 365 days a year, so there is very little “off season” there. However, visitation tapers off a bit between March and May. Hotel rates dip, and the weather is still good. Many people avoid hurricane season, which runs from June through November. Snowbirds find their way to the keys in January and February. There is really no best or worst time to visit Key West, so you may want to plan around your own personal events or annual Key West events.

What is the cheapest time to go to Key West?

The off-season months are more affordable in terms of lodging, but flight costs may not vary all that much throughout the year. Of course, planning ahead and avoiding last minute changes can save you money.

What are some upcoming events in Key West?

There are all types of events in Key West, and the city maintains a detailed calendar. Of course, many seafood lovers plan their vacation around lobster season, which runs August 6 through March 31 each year.

A few well-known annual events include:

• Fantasy Fest
• Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s
• Key Lime Festival
• Key West Food and Wine Festival
• Mile Zero Fest
• Key West Half Marathon & 5K Run
• Key West Home Tours
• Old Island Days Art Festival
• Key West Lobsterfest
• Key West Pride
• Fringe Theater Season
• Key West Songwriters Festival

Key West Webcams

• The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor
• Duval Street
• Key West
• Duval Street at Irish Kevin’s Bar
• Duval Street at Sloppy Joe’s
• Live Crowd at Sloppy Joe’s
• Live Stage at Sloppy Joe’s
• Key West Harbor
• Mile Marker 0

Do you find yourself humming the tune to Margaritaville after reading this? Contact Epic Airways for your first-class flight to the one and only Key West, Florida. Your vacation starts now!

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