Key West, Florida…..the southernmost city of the United States. Here, you can enjoy the Caribbean vibe without ever leaving the United States
Known for its eccentric and laid-back vibe, Key West is a great port of call for most cruise passengers. The island has provided seasonal homes to several notable figures such as the 33rd president and one of the world’s most prolific writers.
Rich in history, Key West combines 19th-century history with its vast tropical charms and creates a haven for adventurers and historians alike. Here you will find brightly colored picturesque colonial houses and lush tropical gardens.
The narrow streets of downtown are lined with vintage shops, restaurants and watering holes. The coastline is gorgeous and is graced by the azure waters of the Atlantic and Gulf stream that boarder the island on both sides.
It’s easy to see why Key West visits by both cruise passengers and vacationers are on the rise and why it is becoming an essential port of call for cruise ships. Here are some of our favorite things to do while in port.
Most ships will dock at Mallory Square or the Truman Annex.Both are within easy walking distance of Old Town. Duval Street is only 2 blocks from the pier. Click on the map for a printable link.
Transportation
Duval Loop
This bus service runs from the City’s Park and Ride on Grinnell Street, along Caroline Street, right on Simonton Street, around Front Street, up the length of Whitehead, through Truman Waterfront, then returns down the length of Simonton to Fleming. The Duval Loop is funded partly by parking meter rates and provides easy access to restaurants, galleries, gift shops, and theatres.
Times and Days
The Duval Loop runs year-round, seven days a week, with service paused only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. It makes 28 loops each day and stops at 18 designated locations along the route.
Fare
Fare information for the Duval Loop can be found on the Bus Fares page.
Hop On Hop Off Tour
The tour begins at Mallory Square, right by the famous Key West Aquarium – one of the main attractions in the city. The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is located just opposite the aquarium, so ensure to spend the morning exploring this area before hopping on the trolley!
Inclusions
- Professional live guide on board
- 13 stops across the city
- Entry to the Sails to Rails Museum
- Two free self-guided walking tours
- Free coupons with up to $50 in discounts
Schedule:
Start time: 9am – 4:30pm
Frequency: every 30 minutes
Duration: 1hr 30 minutes
Departure point: Stop #1: Mallory Square, in front of the Sponge Market, next to the Key West Aquarium
Closed on the last Saturday of October
Please note:
Vehicles are wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Big suitcases and big bags are not allowed on the vehicle. Hand luggage is permitted.
Animals are not permitted except for service animals.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before scheduled tour.
Cost: $65/day for adults, $26/child (Some days have discounts available. You can pre-purchase tickets online. Key West Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Duval Street
Duval Street is the heart of Key West. Filled with fantastic restaurants, lively bars, art galleries, and shops selling unique gifts, clothes, and hand-rolled cigars, this a great spot to experience the city’s culture and nightlife. In the evening, you sip on a margarita and enjoy an al fresco meal, or join a haunted pub crawl and ghost tour of the area. If you want to visit the most famous bar in Key West, be sure to stop into Sloppy Joe’s Bar. The official beginning of this infamous Key West Saloon, beloved by Ernest Hemingway, was smack in the middle of the Depression, December 5, 1933, the day Prohibition was repealed. The bar was destined to go through two name changes and a sudden change of location before it would become today’s Sloppy Joe’s Bar seen by millions of visitors to Florida’s southernmost outpost.
Rent Bikes
The best way to get around old town Key West is by bike. Explore Key West beaches, get your photos at Key West landmarks or just bar and restaurant hop! You can rent bikes directly on the pier with Island Bike Rental. Biking in Key West is very easy….the only elevation you need to climb in the cemetery….a total of 20 feet above sea level.
Visit the Southernmost Point
Be sure to visit the Southernmost Point Monument and take the iconic photo. How else are you going to show everyone you were actually there? This monument is a giant buoy built in the ’80s to represent the southernmost point of the United States and you are only 90 miles from Cuba.
This is a very popular tourist destination, so expect to queue if you want to snap a photo…or go very early in the morning for a picture-perfect piece.
Conch Train Ride
The Conch Train is one of Key West’s most popular attractions and for good reason. Since 1958, the Conch Tour Train has treated guests to a close-up view of the Southernmost City’s most popular places including Mallory Square, Sails to Rails Museum, the Key West Aquarium and more.
Key West Cemetery
To learn the interesting part of the town’s former times, visit Key West Cemetery. The gravestones of fallen soldiers and townsfolk go into depth about the life and death of the individual. Epitaphs like “I told you I was sick” among others can be traced in this location, making it a twisted but interesting fun thing to explore.
The cemetery is centrally located in Old Town. The gates open at 7am and close at 7pm during the summer months. During the winter, the hours for the cemetery are 7am to 6pm. You can pick up a self-guided map that highlights some of the more historic sites and gravestones.
If you are lucky enough to be in town overnight, book a haunted tours walk, where you will learn about the most outrageous stories of Key West, Florida.
Take a Rum Tour
There are several rum distillers in Key West. Key West Legal Rum Distiller has free tours daily every 30 minutes from 12pm to 5pm. They last 15-20…kids are welcome with adults.
The most famous drink in Key West is the rum runner drink. It can be found in many bars around town. The legend is that it was invented by John Ebert or “Tiki John” at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada (now the Postcard Inn) over 40 years ago. Supposedly, the bar had an excess of rum and certain liqueurs that needed to be used before the arrival of more inventory, so the rum runner was born.
Climb to the top of Key West’s lighthouse
For a beautiful bird’s view of the entire island and great turquoise waters, climb up the 88 steps of Key West’s Lighthouse. Along the way, learn the island’s history on your way to the top and enjoy the stunning views.
The Bahama Village
You can take a walking tour of the Bahama Village and experience different cultural histories. The village used to be a landing area for Bahamian workers and has a high concentration of 19th-century structures. Explore the narrow streets and find history at every corner. Enjoy the local cuisine and shopping available along the streets.
The Hemmingway Home
The Hemmingway Home is an 1851 Spanish colonial building that hosted one of the world’s greatest writers of all time. The most intriguing thing about this home is that the famous writer lived here for almost a decade.
The house is located in a picturesque, lush, peaceful environment. It is easy to see why Ernest Hemmingway was inspired to write some of his masterpieces here.
Along with touring the well-preserved decor and furnishings of the house that make up the museum’s exhibit, you can also meet cats from Snow White’s lineage (Hemmingway’s beloved six-toed cat) who was owned by the family. This home is now considered the heart of downtown Key West.
Truman’s Little White House
Another home worth visiting is the Little White House. This home was originally a naval station’s command headquarters during both World War 1 and World War 2. Harry Truman, the 33rd US president, visited Florida 11 times and used to reside in this little white house. The home is currently owned by the state of Florida and is managed by non-profit institutions as a museum with rich historical artifacts.
Key West Lime Pie
A signature dessert for Key West, Florida, key lime pie is a taste you don’t want to miss! Your sweet tooth is in for a treat with this pie made with key limes, a graham cracker crust, and other secret ingredients. Best of all, the pie is available in restaurants all around the Keys.
You will be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in Key West that does not have this on their menu. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shoppe is one of the very popular restaurant destinations and has been for over 27 years. You can indulge in a traditional pie or enjoy frozen chocolate-covered Key lime pie conveniently served on a stick! Another popular location for a Key lime pie fix is Old Town Bakery
Watersports
There are many healthy coral reefs in Key West you can visit. After exploring the tow, water sports are the most popular activities on the island.
Charter a boat to sail the coastline or go snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding or even parasailing. Visit North America’s only living coral reef on a snorkeling excursion. Or, enjoy a Key West cruise aboard a catamaran and enjoy the beautiful Key West coastline and azure blue water. You will definitely have a lot of fun no matter what you choose to do.
Hope you got some good ideas for what to do in Key West. Please let us know if you have other great suggestions!
Enjoy your visit…..Happy Cruising!!
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