Are you spending just a day in Key West? If this is a stop on your South Florida getaway, there’s a lot you can do in 24 hours in Key West. As the southernmost point in the continental United States, this gem in the Florida Keys is a hub for art, culture, history, and ecology.
There’s always time to fit in a trip to a state park, lunch at Blue Heaven, a little boat trip out to the sandbars, or a drink on Duval Street. Want the scoop on how to make the most of Key West in a day?
This guide to what to do in Key West for a day will help you fit a week’s worth of fun into just a few hours:
1) Hop Sandbars In Paradise
How do I plan a day in Key West I’ll never forget? You need to take a boat tour that brings you to idyllic sandbars, Snipe Point, the mangrove trails of Mud Keys, and beyond. Most visitors don’t know that Key West’s waters aren’t strictly meant to be enjoyed from the shore.
There’s a world of beauty waiting when you cross into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico for snorkeling among sea life, swimming in ultra-clear waters, relaxing with a sunset dinner cruise, or simply hopping from one sandbar to another for views and wildlife sightings!
With the Florida Keys being home to a rare living coral reef, the opportunities for seeing wildlife are essentially unmatched in the United States.
Key West Boat Trips is the #1 provider of group and private Key West boating excursions. Our guests can choose from:
- Hopping sandbars in Key West to experience Mud Keys and Snipe Point
- Key West sunset cruises in backcountry waters that anchor over the sandbar to allow guests to wade in waist-high waters. The picture opportunities are unbelievable!
- Key West dinner cruises that allow you to enjoy incredible scenery and warm turquoise waters while your captain cooks a feast
- Lunch cruises that allow you to swim and snorkel while waiting for your freshly made lunch on the sandbar
- Snorkeling at Boca Grande
- Enjoying a Mud Keys safari through the mangroves
Our guests can also experience surfing’s newest frontier using electric hydrofoil surfboards during our boat tours!
With every experience you book, our team will work with you to create a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that accommodates all of your needs. Don’t miss your chance to spend a day in Key West you won’t forget. Book your spot with us today!
2) Taste Some Authentic Key Lime Pie
You probably knew this one was coming! Yes, the Key Lime Pie here really is the best in the world. Top spots for this tart-and-sweet treat around the island include:
- Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe
- Sloppy Joe’s
- Blue Heaven
- Conch Republic Seafood Company
Ask for your Key Lime Pie slice to be topped with raspberry sauce and whipped cream if you want to experience the sweetest way to enjoy this dessert. Of course, the best part about getting a slice is that you can enjoy a full meal first.
Pro Tip: Need coffee to really hit the spot? Consider following up your pie visit with a trip to Cuban Coffee Queen in Southard Street. Cuban Coffee Queen is the island’s premier roaster and coffee shop.
3) Experience The Sunset Celebration At Mallory Square
Don’t leave before the sun sets when you visit Key West. If you do, you’ll miss the chance to partake in the nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square that both locals and visitors have enjoyed for decades.
Featuring food and live music, this nightly event is a core part of the island’s unique culture. Vendors, street performers, and food trucks show up at Mallory Square about an hour before sunset.
It’s a totally relaxed atmosphere – just come as you are and get ready to enjoy the stunning colors lighting up the sky!
4) Get A Feel For The Art Scene At The Key West Murals
Local artists inspired by the wild, edge-of-the-world vibe of the Florida Keys help to make the Key West art scene vibrant. You can see plenty of free art just by walking around! Keep an eye out for the Key West murals scattered all around the island as you explore.
If you’re flying in, look for the giant Key West mural above the entrance to the Key West International Airport. There’s also a giant mural at the corner of Petronia Street and Thomas Street.
Pro Tip: If you’re making the small hop over to Stock Island, you can check out the official mural map here.
5) Get To The Beach
Don’t skip the beach to save time! Key West is noted for having some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. Here’s a look at the Key West beaches that will put you in a Conch Republic state of mind for a few hours:
- Smathers Beach – Considered the most popular beach in Key West, this piece of paradise is free to the public. Guests enjoy a beautiful coast peppered with palm trees, showers, and many amenities.
- Higgs Beach – This county-owned beach covers nearly 17 miles of oceanfront land that includes the Reynolds Street Pier.
- Boca Chica Beach – Enjoy this secluded beach if you’re looking for an afternoon away from the crowds.
- Simonton Street Beach – This small beach is perfect if you’d like to spend a day watching boats come in with your feet in soft sand. There’s also a spot for grabbing food.
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach – If you make the trek to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on Key West’s southern edge to check out a pre-Civil War structure, you can actually make a beach day of it. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is known for its incredible snorkeling. You’re also pretty likely to see some sea turtles off the shore here!
Pro Tip: Amenities at public beaches in Key West typically stay open from sunrise to sunset. However, visitors can stay at the beach until 11 p.m. Don’t miss the opportunity to have a Key West beach day!
6) Visit The Southernmost Point Marker
You can’t spend a day in Key West without taking a photo at the official marker of the southernmost point! In 1983, Key West officials erected a buoy marking the lowest latitude of land in the contiguous North American states.
You can walk up to it today at its anchored position at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street.
7) Let Your Sense Of Wonder Soar At The Key West Butterfly And Nature Conservatory
If you’re wondering what to do in Key West for a day with kids, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory on Duval Street is a great indoor activity. This magical butterfly park houses around 60 species of butterflies from around the globe.
An enclosed temperature-controlled climate allows visitors to walk among the butterflies!
8) Tour Old Town Key West
If you’re in a rush because you’re cramming everything into a day in Key West, consider hopping on the Old Town Trolley for the quickest way to see everything this historic district has to offer.
Old Town encompasses just under 5,500 acres within the boundaries of Emma Street, Whitehead Street, South Street, Mallory Square, and the Atlantic Ocean.
While you may not have time to visit all of the nearly 2,500 historic homes and buildings within the district, you should try to make time for these iconic spots:
- The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum – While living in the estate from 1931 to 1939, Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his most iconic novels. The famed polydactyl cats that descend from the author’s own pets still inhabit the home today.
- The Oldest House in South Florida – Located at 322 Duval Street, the former home of Captain Watlington is full of original furnishings and portraits. Visitors can tour the home and gardens for a $5 admission fee.
- Key West Cemetery – Located in the heart of Old Town, this resting place sits in a 19-acre park that’s open for self-guided tours. Echoing Key West’s diverse history, the gravestones here belong to Bahamian mariners, Cuban cigar makers, Catholics, war veterans, and people of all races and backgrounds. Self-guided tour maps are available at the entrance.
Exploring Old Town Key West is inevitable because the district takes up roughly half the island! This is where the majority of Key West’s businesses and tourist attractions are located.
9) Visit The Key West Lighthouse And Keeper’s Quarters
Located on Whitehead Street, this landmark dates back to 1825. Visitors can climb 88 steps for incredible views of Key West and the surrounding waters spanning 15 miles from the top of the lighthouse.
This is the highest viewpoint on Key West. In addition, visitors can tour the Keeper’s Quarters Museum to step into the life of the people who kept this lighthouse functioning for decades.
Short On Time Doesn’t Have To Mean Short On Fun – Plan A Day To Remember In Key West
The motto of Key West is “One Human Family” because there’s something about being at the southernmost point that reminds you of the importance of being interconnected with those around you.
That’s exactly how you’ll feel as you bond with friends or family during an unforgettable boat tour. Let Key West Boat Trips bring you on a guided tour of the waters surrounding the Conch Republic.
We offer top-notch service, reasonable rates, and the ability to customize your trip to fit in the things you love. With each voyage lasting just a few hours, you can feel like you visited a different world without worrying about getting back too late!
The post What To Do In Key West For A Day? Enjoy The Island Vibes first appeared on Key West Boat Trips.
