Welcome
We hope to guide you in the right direction during your limited time in Key West. Use our itineraries as an outline and fill in the details as you explore the island! Key West is best explored on foot as much as possible. Food is such a personal thing that we will leave it off the itinerary schedules but we recommend Breakfast @ Pepe's Cafe or Croissants de France; Lunch @ Paradise Cafe or Sandy’s Cafe for a Cuban Mix sandwich and some coffee; Dinner @ Louie's Backyard, Alonzo's Oyster Bar, Blue Heaven or Seven Fish. Squeeze in some ice cream @ Flamingo Crossing. We also suggest walking by Sloppy Joe's, Rick's Bar, Capt Tony's Saloon & Hog's Breath to check out the music and let your ears guide you on your Duval Crawl. Finally catch a couple of sunsets, preferably one from Mallory Square and one at sea on a sunset cruise by The Fury or Sebago. Enjoy your vacation holiday!
First Timer
Day 1
- Ride the Conch Tour Train for an overview
- Photo at the Southernmost Point
- Visit Ernest Hemingway’s home
- Walk Duval St stopping at shops or bars of interest
- Watch the Sunset Celebration @ Mallory Square
- Walk Duval St for food & entertainment
The Historian
Day 1
- Ride the Old Town Trolley
- Consider stopping at: Ernest Hemingway’s home, Lighthouse, Audubon house, Southernmost Point, Mel Fishers Museum
- Watch the Sunset Celebration @ Mallory Square
- Walk Duval Street for food & entertainment
Day 2
- Take a Walking Tour or Rent Bicycles
- Take a sunset sail on The Fury
Upcoming Events
Fantasy Fest® 2023
Fantasy Fest is an annual 10-day celebration in Key West that began in 1979 to attract visitors to the beautiful, but typically quiet season. It has grown every year, becoming the wildest extravaganza around. It's a gathering of fun-loving people from around the globe who bring their creativity and imaginations to Key West every October. The events are a whirlwind of excitement, including costumin...
Offshore Powerboat Racing World Championships
The Race World Offshore (RWO) is bringing together teams and fans for an exciting Offshore World Championship experience in Key West from November 5th-12th, 2023. Recognized as the leading Offshore Racing Sanctioning authority in the US, RWO aims to present an unforgettable week featuring the world's top offshore race teams. The event will be held in the Race Village, situated at Truman Waterfront...
New Year's Eve: Conch Shell Drop at Sloppy Joe's
The arrival of 2024 is to be heralded on the island's Duval Street with the "drop" of a gigantic manmade conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, to the flat roof of Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval. Spectators gather on Duval for the annual gala, emceed by a rooftop host and featuring dancing in the street and a countdown to midnight recorded on a huge clock. Inside Live music on stage noon...
The 18th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival: A Seafood Lover's Delight
The Florida Keys Seafood Festival, a beloved tradition now in its 18th year, is more than just an event; it's a two-day celebration of the ocean's bounty. Taking place at Bayview Park in Key West, it welcomes seafood enthusiasts from all around to immerse themselves in the rich culinary culture of the Florida Keys. When is the Festival? The Festival will take place across two days: Saturday, ...
Key West Half Marathon & 5K
The 26th running of the Key West Half Marathon and 5K is on January 14th, 2024. The event expo & packet pick-up will take place outside of the Half Shell Raw Bar located at 231 Margaret Street on Friday and Saturday. Friday, January 12th from 3:00PM until 6:00PM. Saturday, January 13th from 12:00PM until 6:00PM. Limited packet pick-up (pre-registered participants only) available on rac...
Key West Food & Wine Festival
15th Annual Key West Food and Wine Festival is a series of wine and food themed events showcasing a diverse range of wines and inventive cuisine, hosted by their passionate creators at iconic island locations. Over 20 unique events including waterfront tastings, winemaker/chef collaborations and local funky events that present an authentic taste of Key West, Florida The place to be in January, ...
Upcoming Live Entertainment
Boondocks Grille
Hog's Breath Saloon
Latest News
Key West's Unforgettable Summer Festivities: Dirty Heads & Sublime with Rome Concert and the 26th Annual Key West Lobsterfest
Key West is preparing for a remarkable summer bash that promises to engage the senses and produce enduring memories. The city is gearing up to host two of the most anticipated events of the summer: the electrifying concert featuring Dirty Heads and Sublime with Rome, followed by the culinary carnival of the 26th Annual Key West Lobsterfest. Unleashing So Cal Vibes: Dirty Heads & Sublime with ...
Over 125 'Ernests' to Compete in Key West's Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest
Key West, Florida Keys, is preparing to host its 42nd annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest as part of the Hemingway Days festival. This year, more than 125 stout, bearded men are expected to emulate the world-renowned author's appearance and persona. Ernest Hemingway, a significant figure in American literature, had called Key West home for a significant part of the 1930s. The Competition The...
Ernest Hemingway Days Set to Celebrate the Literary Icon from July 18-23 in Key West, Florida
Fans of Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel laureate, are gearing up for a week-long celebration in honor of his life, work, and lifestyle. The annual Hemingway Days festival is scheduled for Tuesday through Sunday, July 18-23, and pays homage to Hemingway's illustrious legacy. He lived and penned many of his iconic works on the island during the 1930s. The highlights of the festival will include: The...
Key West Pride: A Colorful Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of 1.25-Mile-Long Rainbow Flag
The Key West Pride Parade in Florida celebrated the 20th anniversary of the unfurling of a 1.25-mile-long rainbow flag, which had been displayed along the city's Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean during Pride 2003. Marking this significant milestone, the pride festivities incorporated a three-night light show projected by a laser array, turning the sky above Duval Street i...
Key West Realtors Charity Fishing Tournament Slated for June 30-July 1
The Key West Association of Realtors has announced the upcoming Charity Fishing Tournament to be held on June 30 and July 1. This event will not only provide participants the thrill of competition, but it will also support a worthy cause, as tournament proceeds are earmarked to benefit Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM). Tournament Details The tournament is set in the waters surrounding t...
Key West's Quirky Regatta: Skippers Pilot Plywood-and-Duct-Tape Boats
The city of Key West, Florida, recently hosted the Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta, a peculiar boat race involving over 25 vessels. While some boats capsized along the course, a majority of them managed to stay afloat, maintaining the regatta's festive atmosphere. The Offbeat Regatta's Unique Rules The uniqueness of this regatta stems from its rules. Participants are tasked with building a boat f...