Key West Attractions
Key West Attractions & Things to Do
Key West offers a vibrant mix of attractions, landmarks, and activities that make the island unforgettable. From sunsets at Mallory Square and sandy beaches like Smathers and Higgs, to historic treasures such as the Hemingway Home, Lighthouse, and Truman’s Little White House, there’s something for every traveler. Visitors can tour museums, stroll through tropical gardens, or journey to Dry Tortugas National Park for an island adventure. Whether enjoying art, history, or outdoor fun, Key West attractions bring the island’s culture and charm to life.
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
400 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040
Experience the Key West Sunset Celebration
The Key West Sunset Celebration transforms Mallory Square into a vibrant hub of art, live performances, and culinary delights each evening. Visitors gather along the waterfront to admire the breathtaking key west sunset while enjoying a diverse mix of street performers, local artisans, and food vendors. This free event invites locals and tourists alike t...
Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach, 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
Experience Smathers Beach in Paradise
Smathers Beach stands as Key West's largest public beach, offering a half-mile stretch of palm-lined, white sand along the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, this Key West Florida beach attracts visitors with crystal-clear waters, thrilling water sports, and endless relaxation. On September 2, 2013, long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad made history...
Southernmost Point
Southernmost Point, Whitehead St & South St, Key West, FL 33040
Visit the Southern Most Point Key West
Discover the storied charm of Key West at the Southernmost Point Buoy, a 12-foot-tall, 7-foot-wide concrete beacon heralded as the southernmost spot in the contiguous United States. Installed on September 10, 1983, this 20-ton landmark proudly displays vibrant colors and the famous “90 Miles to Cuba” inscription, highlighting Key West’s proximity to internat...
Hemingway Home & Museum
907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 294-1136
The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West stands as one of Florida’s most treasured cultural landmarks. Built in 1851 in Spanish Colonial style, the residence was restored in the 1930s by Ernest and Pauline Hemingway and later designated a National Historic Landmark. Visitors are welcomed into a world that reflects Hemingway’s literary legacy, featuring European antiques, African safari t...
Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters
938 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 294-0012
Discover the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters
Experience the rich maritime heritage at Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters, a historic landmark that originated with the U.S. Navy's establishment in 1823. Originally constructed to guide military and commercial vessels safely through the shallow, reef-laden waters of the Florida Keys, the lighthouse first opened its beacon in 184...
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
200 Greene St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 294-2633
The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West is a premier destination for those fascinated by maritime history and treasure hunting. Renowned for its exhibits featuring the sunken Spanish galleons Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita, along with the slave ship Henrietta Marie, the museum offers visitors an immersive journey into the past. Open daily from 10 a.m. with last admission at 4 p.m....
Aquarium
1 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
(888) 544-5927
The Key West Aquarium, celebrating 90 years, is a historic landmark and the island’s very first attraction. Constructed between 1932 and 1934 and opened in 1935, it became the first open-air aquarium in the United States. Today, this Mallory Square treasure is home to more than 250 species of marine life, including sharks, tropical fish, and four of the five species of sea turtles found in the Flo...
Audubon House & Tropical Garden
205 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 294-2116
Discover Key West’s Historic Audubon House & Tropical Garden
The Audubon House & Tropical Garden in Key West offers a captivating journey into the mid-19th century when maritime prosperity and elegant living defined the island. Built between 1846 and 1849 by Captain John Huling Geiger after a devastating hurricane in October 1846, the grand mansion once served as the residence of one of K...
Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
1316 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-2988
The Butterfly & Nature Conservatory in Key West offers an enchanting escape into a tropical paradise filled with hundreds of free flying butterflies, exotic birds, and striking flamingos. Visitors experience a soaring glass-domed habitat that houses a lush, rainforest-like setting where over 50 species of butterflies flutter among vibrant flowering plants and cascading waterfalls. Recognized a...
Custom House Museum
281 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 295-6616
Experience a true piece of island history at the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, a national landmark dating back to 1891. Located at 281 Front Street in the heart of Old Town and adjacent to Mallory Square, this striking red-brick structure was once the epicenter for federal customs operations and court proceedings. Today, it showcases two floors of engaging exhibits span...