Things to do in  Key West

Stretching from Key Largo all the way to Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary spans the entire coastline of the Florida Keys. Ranking as the third-largest barrier reef in the world—and the only one in the United States—the vast protected waters harbor more than 6,000 marine life species and more than 1,000 shipwrecks.

With a proud reputation for serving up some of the most memorable sunsets in Florida, Mallory Square is the only place to be as the sun sinks over Key West. Overflowing with Key West quirkiness, the nightly Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square always pulls in a crowd, and it’s packed with street performers, food carts, and arts and crafts stalls.

The Southernmost Point of the Continental USA monument is a quick but must-do photo op while vacationing in Key West. The iconic buoy-shaped concrete marker indicates that you’re in the southernmost point of the continental United States, just 90 miles (145 kilometers) to Cuba. Snap a pic and then get busy enjoying island life in this legendary Florida destination.

Azure water wraps seven small, reef-fringed islands in Dry Tortugas National Park, a 100-square-mile (25,900-hectare) coastal preserve accessible only by boat or air. While untouched natural beauty abounds amid the islands, there’s history here, too. On the shores of its Garden Key lies the sprawling Fort Jefferson, one of the largest 19th-century forts in the United States.

Famous for its white sand beaches, photo-worthy art deco architecture, and carnival-like atmosphere, South Beach is Miami’s most iconic stretch of coastline. The area blends beach relaxation with a buzzing café culture, exciting nightlife options, and endless people-watching. With 10 miles (16 kilometers) of shoreline and oceanfront views, it’s one of the most glamorous and energetic beach destinations in the United States and a must-visit for those coming to Miami.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park spans 54 acres (22 hectares), perched at the tip of Key West. It’s popular for both its military history and recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking nature trails, riding along bike paths, and sunbathing at one of Key West’s best beaches, Fort Zachary Taylor Beach. The coral beach features turquoise waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling.

Extending a quarter mile (1,300 feet) over the Atlantic Ocean, the Edward B. Knight Pier is perhaps the best place in Key West to see the sunrise. The concrete, Brutalist-style pier is also an excellent place to soak up ocean views at any time.

Palm trees line this prime stretch of Key West beachfront, where you can stake out the perfect stretch of white sand, lounge in the shade, or try one of many activities. Calm water makes Smathers Beach a favorite for snorkeling and swimming, and it’s great for families looking for a day by the shore.

Towering palm trees wrap the elegant Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where one of Key West’s most famous residents wrote some of his celebrated books. Walking its luscious gardens and carefully preserved rooms offers a fascinating glimpse into that literary history. There’s also the chance to spot some of the dozens of resident 6-toed cats, which are descended from Hemingway’s own pet, Snow White.

The Key West Lighthouse is one of the island's oldest structures. It was first built in 1825 to help ships navigate the dangerous reefs of the Lower Keys. The lighthouse that stands today dates back to 1847, and the 92-foot (28-meter) building offers some of the best views in town, as well as a maritime museum in the keeper’s house.

Once a Second World War transport ship, the Vandenberg now lies on the seafloor, south of Key West. Scuttled in 2009, the 522-foot (159-meter ship has become a home for sea life, and a popular destination for scuba divers. In addition to the ship itself, divers are likely to see barracuda, groupers, and a wide range of corals here.

Duval Street, running from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, is Old Town Key West’s main strip, offering a mix of restaurants, bars, boutiques, live music, kitschy souvenir shops, and theaters. Walk the street at your leisure, or plan to attend a Duval Crawl; the street hosts some of the wildest pub crawls in the United States.

Situated on Key West’s Mallory Square, the Key West Aquarium brings visitors up close to some of the Florida Keys’ aquatic wildlife. Exhibits feature guest favorites such as sharks, stingrays, American alligators, and jellyfish. The Atlantic Shores exhibit houses a living red mangrove ecosystem, a critical habitat in the Keys.

American President Harry S. Truman used this 1890 landmark as a winter White House, visiting 11 times over the course of his presidency. Now a presidential museum, the house preserves Truman’s legacy with original furnishings, personal items, and memorabilia. Guided tours of the museum uncover personal stories from Truman’s time here.

Treacherous waters off Key West have brought down ships carrying gold and silver for centuries. The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum puts those treasures on display, alongside cannons, swords, and other artifacts dredged from the bottom of the sea. Wrecks from the 1700s and 1800s are the heart of the museum's collection.