Key West is essentially the most vibrant of the Florida Keys, making it a well-liked place to go to to escape a northern winter. It’s right here, on the southernmost level of the continental U.S., that vacationers will discover pristine seashores, attention-grabbing points of interest, buzzing bars, and upscale outlets.
The Florida Keys are generally known as the dive capital of the world, which suggests guests can count on some fairly epic underwater motion throughout their seashore trip in Key West. Hoping to snorkel in crystal-clear water? That is the place to be. Need to dine al fresco at sundown. Examine!
Two days isn’t sufficient to discover all of the points of interest and thrilling things to do in Key West in winter, so it’s finest to e-book a minimum of three days on this luxurious, tropical locale. Fortunately, there are many high resorts to select from on this gorgeous, four-mile-long island.
Listed below are the highest issues to do in Key West in winter.
Winter is the perfect time to go to Key West. The climate is right, with highs within the higher 70s and lows within the excessive 60s. That is additionally the island’s busiest time for vacationers, so be ready for greater resort charges, extra pricey airfare, and extra crowded points of interest.
10 E-book A Tour
Having fun with a tour is among the finest issues to do in Key West in winter. Whether or not vacationers are hoping to identify sharks and dolphins from a catamaran, kayak by a Mangrove forest, or cycle round city, there are sufficient unique tours of Key West to maintain everybody entertained.
{Couples} who prefer to spend time on the water will love the Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music & Hors D’oeuvres. For a price starting at $79.95 per individual, vacationers can revel within the romance discovered aboard a 70-foot catamaran because it cruises within the pink- and orange-hued gentle. Appetizers, champagne, wine, beer, and stay music are included.
The Key West Conch Tour Train is one other must-do, particularly for these with children in tow. Beginning at $39.98 per individual, company discover the island aboard a practice, with educated guides offering commentary all through the experience.
9 Hit The Seashore
It’s no secret that the Florida Keys are residence to a few of America’s most stunning beaches, that are a welcome deal with for winter guests from the north. The crystalline water and powder-soft sand are sufficient to entice weary vacationers to spend a whole day lounging on the beautiful shore. Add facilities like seashore volleyball nets in addition to paddleboard and jet ski leases, and it’s further exhausting for vacationers to tear themselves away.
The biggest public seashore on Key West, Smathers Beach, received’t disappoint. In truth, this half-mile-long magnificence is among the prettiest beaches in the Florida Keys. Lined by tall, waving palm timber, this seashore is residence to a number of the cleanest and softest sand on the island.
It’s additionally frequented by meals vans, so there’s no must pack a picnic. Seashore chairs and water sports activities gear like catamarans and paddleboards can be found to lease.
Spring Break sees a dramatic uptick on this seashore’s recognition, so vacationers ought to arrive early to make sure a comfortable spot on the sand.
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Handle:
2601 S Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, Florida -
Hours:
Day by day from 7 am to 11 pm -
Value:
$5 per hour for parking on Monday by Saturday from 8 am to 12 am and Sunday from 12 pm to 12 am.
8 Snorkel At Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park
Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park is among the finest issues to do in Key West. Regardless of its recognition, this pure wonderland doesn’t feel overtly touristy. Sure, it’s some of the well-known points of interest within the space, however its 100 sq. miles of the gorgeous panorama by no means feels overcrowded. That is seemingly as a result of it’s so tough to achieve.
Including to the park’s attract is the truth that it is just accessible by way of boat or seaplane, which makes it an ideal place for a day trip. Whereas not positioned in Key West, this distinctive focal point is easily reached via ferry.
When within the park, vacationers flock to one of many solely precise dry spots—the Nineteenth-century Fort Jefferson. Then, most guests don their snorkel or scuba gear and soar into the crystalline waters to discover the park’s most fantastical characteristic—its outstanding underwater world.
The Windjammer (Avanti) Shipwreck is an enchanting place to go to. There’s little extra exhilarating than exploring a wreck, which is why this is among the hottest dive websites within the park. Preserve each eyes open as sunken treasure is rumored to be hidden within the neighborhood.
One of the simplest ways to get to the park is by reserving a visit to Yankee Freedom. They provide a high-speed catamaran that covers practically 70 miles in about two and a half hours and boasts a snack and cocktail bar, showers, and an air-conditioned cabin.
Deliver all snacks, meals, and water into the park, as there are not any concessions on web site.
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Value:
$15 per individual, and the doorway charge is sweet for 7 consecutive days. Free for guests below 16. Plus transportation charge.
7 Take A Tour Of Harry S. Truman’s Little White Home
Florida boasts just one presidential museum, the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West. Whereas this will likely not look like an thrilling place to go to for some, this is among the island’s high points of interest for purpose.
The only presidential site in the state, this pretty property acted because the winter White Home whereas Harry Truman was in energy. At present, vacationers can discover the house and see many historic shows and artifacts on a guided tour.
These personable guides are the perfect a part of this landmark. They’re entertaining and extremely well-versed on all issues Truman. They make historical past attention-grabbing and go into element in regards to the residence’s different well-known company, which embody Thomas Edison, President Dwight Eisenhower, and President John F. Kennedy.
Plan your go to for later within the afternoon so it may be coupled with a visit to close by Mallory Sq.. It’s solely a seven-minute stroll and is the most well-liked place to observe the sundown.
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Handle:
111 Entrance Road, Key West, Florida -
Hours:
Excursions are provided each day and final one hour. -
Value:
$23.44 per individual
6 Fish, Bike, And Swim At Fort Zachary Taylor Park
Trying to construct a sandcastle, snorkel round a coral reef, bike alongside wooded trails, fish within the Gulf of Mexico, and go to a historic fort? All will be carried out on the outstanding Fort Zachary Taylor Park. A Nationwide Historic Landmark, that is actually a one-stop store for a family-friendly vacation.
Pack a cooler for lunch and charcoal to assist prepare dinner it. The park is peppered with grills and picnic tables, making it a straightforward place to take pleasure in an outside seashore picnic. Or seize a chunk on the onsite Cayo Hueso Café.
Masking 54 acres, this luscious park is a haven for outside lovers seeking to spend a winter day within the heat sunshine. When vacationers tire of the seashore, they will stroll on a shaded nature path, head out on a motorcycle experience, or take pleasure in a guided tour of the historic fort. There’s no likelihood of being bored.
The sand right here isn’t as tender as that discovered on different Key West seashores. It’s finest to put on water sneakers.
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Handle:
601 Howard England Means, Key West, Florida -
Hours:
Day by day from 8 am to sundown. The Fort closes at 5 pm. -
Value:
$6 per car, $4.50 per single-occupant car or motorbike, $2.50 for pedestrians, cyclists, and further passengers. There’s additionally a $0.50 Monroe County surcharge added to the value.
5 Take A Selfie At Southernmost Level
There’s not lots to see at Southernmost Point, however vacationers will acknowledge the colourful landmark buoy. The location of a gazillion Instagram images, this iconic spot is the Southernmost level of the continental U.S. From right here, company can look out to sea and gaze in direction of Cuba, which lies 90 miles away.
The large concrete buoy is unimaginable to overlook. Its shiny façade lies on the nook of South and Whitehead Streets and will be seen from a distance. Time a go to for dawn or sundown for essentially the most charming backdrop, and be ready to share the stage—this is among the most visited points of interest in Key West.
Can’t make it to the purpose? The Southernmost Webcam reveals company the motion happening 24/7. It’s wonderful to see how busy it’s always of the day.
As soon as completed taking images, head to the close by West Butterfly Conservatory, it’s a straightforward two-minute stroll away. Or settle into a luxurious room on the Southernmost Beach Resort. It has a personal seashore, an outside pool, and a stellar location.
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Handle:
Nook of Whitehead Road and South Road, Key West, Florida
4 Loosen up At The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
There’s little as enjoyable as wandering by a butterfly conservatory. When that conservatory is the idyllic Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, vacationers are in for a tranquil deal with. Right here, company are serenaded by the fluttering of wings and the candy scent of blooming buds. No marvel that is dubbed the most effective locations to go to with the household.
A whole bunch of butterflies flitter their manner by the glass conservatory, resting on shiny flowers or verdant leaves. Over 50 varieties are represented right here. As if that wasn’t fairly sufficient, waterfalls, flamingos, and a wide range of birds name this sanctuary residence.
Hen lovers ought to join Flamingle, an intimate expertise with the conservatory’s resident flamingos, Rhett and Scarlett. One flamingo encounter prices $53.75 and takes place between 4:30 pm and 5:45 pm each day.
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Handle:
1316 Duval Road, Key West, Florida -
Hours:
Day by day from 9 am to five pm. The final admission is at 4:30 pm. -
Value:
$13.98 for adults, $$11.83 for kids aged 4 to 12, 12.90 for seniors and army
3 Store For Kitsch At Duval Road
Duval Road is the hub of Key West, and it’s further busy through the winter months. The island’s most well-known road, that is the place vacationers come to take in the world’s distinctive tradition and get a drink (or three) whereas they’re at it.
Households with younger kids would possibly benefit from the road extra through the day as pub crawls are some of the common issues to do in winter alongside this buzzy strip.
Just about every thing guests might think about is on supply alongside this strip—from drag reveals to festivals to tacky vacationer points of interest. Anticipate finding outlets promoting touristy kitsch, just a few upscale boutiques, and loads of neon lights, in addition to rowdy company if visiting at evening.
Whereas not technically in winter, the annual, 10-day Fantasy Fest is a must-attend social gathering (a.okay.a. competition) held in October. It’s crammed with enjoyable costumes, vigorous parades, thrilling leisure, and nice meals and drinks. That is an adult-only occasion.
2 Watch The Sundown At Mallory Sq.
There’s nothing boring about Mallory Square, particularly when visiting throughout sundown, which is the perfect time to tour this outstanding spot. About two hours earlier than sunset, this historic sq. involves life. A nightly competition celebrates this particular time of day when the sky is painted with a kaleidoscope of pink, purple, yellow, and orange hues.
Reside music serenades guests, who may even take pleasure in leisure from proficient native jugglers, clowns, psychics, and artists, amongst others. These keen on partaking in a bit retail remedy are in luck. Mallory Sq. boasts loads of outlets to discover, in addition to meals distributors.
Make sure you seize a slice of Key Lime pie when you’re right here. It’s the island’s most well-known dish, and one chunk reveals why it’s so common!
Examine a climate app to find out the evening’s sundown time and arrive early (as much as two hours earlier than) to attain parking spot.
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Handle:
400 Wall Road, Key West, Florida -
Hours:
The true enjoyable begins two hours earlier than sundown each day.
1 Tour The Ernest Hemingway Dwelling & Museum
Celebrated creator (and womanizer) Ernest Hemingway is probably essentially the most well-known of Key West’s former residents, and his house is the island’s hottest vacationer attraction. Hemingway lived on this two-story home within the Nineteen Thirties together with his second spouse, and also you’ll see the descendants of his many cats wandering the property.
Make sure you carve out further time to discover the superbly manicured gardens.
Excursions of the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, which has been listed as a U.S. Nationwide Historic Landmark, final between 20 and half-hour and reveal the outstanding outside pool (a rarity on the time), a wide range of memorabilia, and furnishings relationship to Hemingway’s keep there. There’s additionally a present store on-site that sells books, after all.
Attempt to rise up near one of many cats and rely its toes. About 60 of them are generally known as polydactyls, which suggests they’ve six toes.
Make sure you have money available, as that is the one accepted cost technique for tickets.
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Handle:
907 Whitehead Road, Key West, Florida -
Hours:
Day by day from 9 am to five pm. -
Value:
$18 for adults, $7 for kids aged 6 to 12, children below 5 are free.
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