Key West City
Florida city at the southernmost point
Narrow streets and conch houses cluster at Key West’s tip; visitors seek the Hemingway House, sunset crowds at Mallory Square, conch fritters and reef diving a short boat ride offshore.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Key West at a Glance#
Costs: $180-$350 per day - island prices for lodging and dining; can be very expensive in high season.
Safety: Generally safe - generally safe but watch for petty theft and weather hazards (storms).
Best Time: November-April - dry, cooler season with festivals and the best boating conditions.
Why Visit Key West?#
An island outpost with a laid-back, bohemian pulse, this town draws beach lovers, nightlife seekers and seafood fans to its colorful streets. Enjoy Duval Street’s lively bars, catch sunset rituals at Mallory Square, and sample conch fritters or Key lime pie at local cafés. The island’s maritime culture, historic homes and easygoing pace make it a distinct slice of the Florida Keys.
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in Key West#
Key West Bucket List#
Duval Street - Lively main street lined with bars, shops, restaurants, and nightly entertainment options.
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - Tour Hemingway’s residence and meet the famous six-toed cats roaming the gardens.
Mallory Square - Sunset gathering featuring street performers, local crafts, and nightly community celebrations.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park - Historic fort with shady picnic areas, excellent snorkeling, and rocky beach access.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory - Wander among tropical butterflies and lush indoor plantings in a tranquil conservatory setting.
The Little White House - Visit Harry Truman’s winter residence displaying presidential memorabilia and period furnishings.
Dry Tortugas National Park - Ferry or seaplane to remote Fort Jefferson with excellent snorkeling and history.
Marathon & Bahia Honda State Park - Drive to the Middle Keys for beaches, snorkeling, and the Old Seven Mile Bridge viewpoint.
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
Best Time to Visit Key West#
Key West is best in the dry season (November-April) for sunny, pleasant weather and outdoor activities. The wet and hurricane seasons bring heat, storms, and increased risk.
November - April
20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
Sunny, breezy, and popular - perfect for snorkeling, sunsets, and outdoor dining; expect higher prices and lively evenings, but excellent weather overall.
May - October
25-32 °C (77-90 °F)
Hot, humid, and afternoon-thunderstorm-prone - lush vegetation and warm seas reward visitors, but be ready for sudden downpours and more mosquitoes.
June - November
26-31 °C (79-88 °F)
Peak risk period - most visits fine, but keep travel plans flexible, monitor forecasts, and book refundable options between June and November.
Key West's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 18°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1016 mm/year), wettest in September.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.7h |
| February | Ideal | 18° - 24° | 21° | 42 mm | some cloud | 80% | 4.7 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.2h |
| March | Ideal | 20° - 26° | 23° | 49 mm | mostly sunny | 77% | 4.9 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 22° - 28° | 25° | 50 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 4.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Excellent | 24° - 29° | 27° | 89 mm | some cloud | 76% | 4.1 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.2h |
| June | Very Good | 25° - 31° | 32° | 135 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.5h |
| July | Very Good | 26° - 32° | 33° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.3 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.4h |
| August | Very Good | 26° - 32° | 33° | 135 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.9h |
| September | Very Good | 25° - 31° | 32° | 141 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 24° - 29° | 26° | 114 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.2 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Excellent | 21° - 27° | 24° | 54 mm | some cloud | 76% | 4.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| December | Excellent | 19° - 25° | 22° | 52 mm | some cloud | 79% | 4.5 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 10.5h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
How to Get to Key West#
Key West is served directly by Key West International Airport (EYW). For mainland arrivals use Miami (MIA) and continue by car, shuttle or bus down the Overseas Highway. On the island itself, walking and local buses work well for short trips.
Key West International Airport (EYW): The island’s airport is minutes from Old Town Key West (about 3-6 miles depending on destination). Taxis and rideshares run frequently from arrivals (typical fare to Duval Street area $10-$20, 5-15 minutes). Rental cars are available but parking downtown is limited and expensive.
Miami International Airport (MIA): If you fly into Miami, expect a drive of roughly 3.5-4.5 hours to Key West via US‑1 (the Overseas Highway). Shuttle services and private transfers operate (prices commonly $50-$100+ per person depending on operator and season); driving yourself gives maximum flexibility but can be slow in high season.
Train: There is no passenger rail service to Key West.
Bus: Greyhound and private shuttle operators run Miami-Key West services; travel times are ~4-5 hours and fares vary (often $35-$60). Local Key West Transit buses and the Duval Loop circulator operate within the island for short hops (fares are low; some routes free).
How to Get Around Key West#
If possible fly into Key West (EYW) for the shortest transfers. For mainland arrivals the drive down US‑1 is scenic; on the island, walking, bikes and local buses cover most needs.
- Key West International Airport (EYW) taxi ($10-$20) - Quick taxi or rideshare from the airport to Old Town; journey is short (5-15 minutes). Taxis are plentiful and fares to Duval Street area are typically in the $10-$20 range.
- Shuttle / Bus from Miami ($35-$100) - Shuttle and private coach services connect Miami and other mainland points to Key West; travel time ~3.5-5 hours depending on stops and traffic. Good budget option if you don’t want to drive.
- Rental car / Driving the Overseas Highway ($40-$120/day) - Scenic route down US‑1 with many points of interest. Driving gives full flexibility but expect traffic at peak times and limited parking in Key West. Rental costs vary by season.
- Local bus / Duval Loop ($1-$2 (local)) - Key West’s bus network and free Duval Loop circulator make getting around the island easy for short trips. Buses are cheap and convenient for beach and airport routes.
- Bicycle / Scooter ($10-$30/day) - Popular for short hops around Old Town. Rentals are widely available; be mindful of narrow streets and pedestrian traffic. Use secure parking and follow local rules.
- Walking - Old Town Key West is very walkable; many attractions, shops and restaurants are concentrated on and around Duval Street. Walking is often the fastest way to get around downtown.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Key West#
Old Town Key West - $70-180/night
Key West has hostel-style and modest guesthouse options in and near Old Town. Budget rooms are compact and popular in high season.
Budget guesthouses & hostels - Several low-cost options in Old Town
Small inns & guesthouses - Affordable seasonal deals sometimes available
Old Town / Duval Street - $200-350/night
Mid-range hotels offer pools, easy beach access and lively nearby dining. Expect higher peak-season rates and limited last-minute availability.
La Concha Hotel & Spa - Historic mid-range beachfront hotel
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort - Comfortable resort close to attractions
Harbourfront / Duval - $400+/night
Key West luxury properties provide waterfront locations, high-end dining and concierge services. Book well in advance for holidays and festival weekends.
Ocean Key Resort & Spa - Upscale harborfront rooms and spa
Southernmost Beach Resort - Luxury beachfront suites and amenities
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Where to Eat in Key West#
Key West dining centers on fresh seafood, Cuban comfort food and laid-back cafés; outdoor dining, conch fritters and sunset cocktails are the island’s staples.
- Blue Heaven - Lively courtyard with Caribbean-influenced dishes.
- Sloppy Joe’s - Historic bar with casual island fare.
- Hogfish Bar & Grill - Island-style seafood on Stock Island.
- El Siboney - Homestyle Cuban plates-local favorite.
From casual sandwich shops to lively bars on Duval Street, Key West has informal, late-night options alongside varieties of local seafood and tropical desserts.
- Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe - Key lime pies and citrus treats.
- Duval Street bars and eateries - Pub grub and late-night bites.
- Captain Tony’s Saloon - Historic bar, island character preserved.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Key West’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Key West#
Key West has a famously lively nightlife focused on Duval Street: bars, live‑music venues and late‑night patios draw crowds year‑round. The scene is informal and friendly, with a mix of historic bars and modern music venues. If you prefer quieter evenings, head to smaller bars or waterfront restaurants away from the main strip.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
Shopping in Key West#
Key West’s shopping is centered on Duval Street and Mallory Square, where galleries, local craft stalls, clothing boutiques and souvenir shops cluster. Look for local art, nautical-themed items, rum and island specialty foods. For specialty bookstores, art galleries and handicrafts, wander the side streets off Duval to find independent vendors.