Key West, FL

Best time to visit Key West

• Spring (March to May): One of the best times to visit Key West, with warm but not sweltering weather and fewer visitors than in winter.
• Summer (June to August): Temperatures and humidity go up and prices go down. The perfect time for swimming and snorkeling at Key West beaches.
• Fall (September to November): Enjoy uncrowded attractions, October’s festivals, mild temperatures and gorgeous sunsets. Expect lower prices due to occasional rain and hurricanes and check the forecast before booking.
• Winter (December to February): When the northern states are freezing, the island’s balmy weather makes this the busiest time of the year in Key West. Also expect brightly lit holiday celebrations.

How many days to spend in Key West

Three days is typical for a Key West visit. This will allow enough time to explore Old Town, catch a few iconic sunsets and sample the many restaurants and bars. Consider additional days for a ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park or deep-sea fishing trips.

The vibe of Key West

When you listen to Jimmy Buffett’s songs, you’ll get a sense of the vibe in Key West. It’s a laid-back tropical lifestyle and the perfect combination of sunny days, good food, endless drinks and a bit of adventure. The party atmosphere is one kind of island escapism, but free spirits are everywhere, from zany street performers to folks celebrating Key West’s secession and formation of the Conch Republic in 1982. Even Harry S. Truman donned tropical shirts when he was at his Little White House. Likewise, Ernest Hemingway was inspired by marlin fishing, six-toed cats and day drinking to write To Have and Have Not at his island home.

What is Key West famous for?

Key West’s location in Florida is part of its fame; the town includes the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Stand at the red buoy marker on-shore for your Instagrammable selfie. The word “key” means island, and travelers have been drawn here to experience its tropical maritime climate, beaches and sunsets, not to mention the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S. Historical figures, including Ernest Hemingway and Harry S. Truman, built homes here that are now museums. The city is the jumping-off point for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing excursions and snorkeling trips to an island national park named for its turtles. Plus, it’s the home of key lime pie, Florida’s official state pie.

Events in Key West

Capitalizing on Florida’s warm weather, Key West has events year-round. July’s Hemingway Days include literary events and fishing contests honoring one of the town’s best-known former residents. Key West Key Lime Festival happens in July, with activities including everything from gravity-defying pie drops to pie-eating contests. August showcases a month of food and drink, starting with Lobsterfest and rolling into Rumfest and Brewfest. Every October, Key West Fantasy Fest displays riotous colors of costumes, masks and Key West fashion. December is aglow with lighted boat and bicycle parades and the harbor walk of lights, featuring a Christmas tree made of lobster traps.

Food in Key West

Two of Key West’s most famous dining spots are Margaritaville and Sloppy Joe’s Bar, known for their historical ties to Jimmy Buffett and Ernest Hemingway. Along with other restaurants along Duval Street, they feature good food, refreshing tropical drinks, a fun-loving atmosphere and live music. With Key West’s location in the North Atlantic Ocean, you can fish during the day and feast on your catch of snapper or grouper that night with a “Hook and Cook” service. If you haven’t had much luck fishing, that’s not a problem. Seafood is on every menu here, ranging from oysters to lobster and conch. Have a Cuban sandwich and key lime pie to round out the Key West foodie experience.

Nightlife in Key West

No question, Key West nightlife bursts with exuberant energy. Start with happy hour in a happy crowd at the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. Sip cocktails or mocktails while watching the sun sink into the ocean. Enjoy live music at the square or along Duval Street, generally considered the heart of Key West’s nightlife. Many bars, restaurants and dance spots stay open into the early morning. There’s more to Key West’s nightlife than bars, though. Consider a ghost tour or drag show. Key West Theater’s productions range from bands to burlesque, while Red Barn Theater and the Waterfront Playhouse present acclaimed plays.

Shopping in Key West

As you stroll along Duval and Whitehead and the side streets between, you’ll find Key West boutique shops galore. For beach protection with island style, buy a Panama hat or a colorful island coverup. Gift yourself a slice of key lime pie while you’re shopping in Key West. Gifts to take home include local specialties of artisan jewelry, handcrafted soaps, sea sponges and cigars. Art offerings here range from works by nationally known virtuosos in upscale galleries to one-of-a-kind pieces by local artists selling their wares at Mallory Square. A photo or painting of the green flash on the horizon at sunset will provide lasting memories of your Key West vacation.

Best beaches in Key West