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county seat of Monroe County, Florida, United States
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North America > United States of America > Florida > Florida Keys > Key West

Key West, in the Florida Keys, is a city and an island of the same name. It is the county seat of Monroe County and is considered the southernmost city in the continental United States.

Key West panorama

Understand

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History

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In pre-Columbian times, Key West was inhabited by the Tequesta and Calusa peoples. The first European to visit was Juan Ponce de León in 1521. As Florida became a Spanish colony, a fishing and salvage village with a small garrison was established here.

The island was used by fishermen from Cuba and from the British Bahamas, who were later joined by others from the United States after the latter nation's independence. While claimed by Spain, no nation exercised de facto control over the community there for some time. The island was considered the "Gibraltar of the West" because of its strategic location on the 90-mile (140 km)–wide deep shipping lane, the Straits of Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. On March 25, 1822, Matthew C. Perry sailed the schooner Shark to Key West and planted the U.S. flag, physically claiming the Keys as United States property.

Key West was relatively isolated until 1912, when it was connected to the Florida mainland via the Overseas Railway extension of Henry M. Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 destroyed much of the railroad and killed hundreds of residents. The FEC could not afford to restore the railroad. The U.S. government then rebuilt the rail route as an automobile highway, completed in 1938, which became an extension of United States Highway 1. The portion of U.S. 1 through the Keys is called the Overseas Highway.

Modern Key West and the Florida Keys has a Tourist Development Council which collects a surtax on hotel bills to promote more and more tourism in the Keys in an uncontrolled positive feedback loop. Spending a million dollars a month on international travel promotion schemes, the island chain is crowded and expensive. Traffic is slow but the pace is frenetic.

Climate

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Key West
Climate chart (explanation)
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Key West claims to be the only city in the lower 48 states to have never had a frost or a snowfall. Because of the proximity of the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida, about 12 miles (19 km) south and southeast, and the tempering effects of the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north, Key West has a notably mild, tropical climate.

Precipitation is characterized by dry and wet seasons. The period of November through April receives abundant sunshine and slightly less than 25 percent of the annual rainfall. This rainfall usually occurs in advance of cold fronts in a few heavy or light showers. May through October is normally the wet season, receiving approximately 53 percent of the yearly total in numerous showers and thunderstorms. Rain falls on most days of the wet season. Early morning is the favored time for these showers, which is different from mainland Florida, where showers and thunderstorms usually occur in the afternoon. Easterly (tropical) waves during this season occasionally bring excessive rainfall, while infrequent hurricanes may be accompanied by unusually heavy amounts. At any rate, Key West is the driest city in Florida. Summer is generally a few degrees cooler than the interior due to the moderating effects of the water, and with tropical breezes is a welcome relief from the interior's scorching temperatures.

Get in

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Key West Lighthouse

By plane

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1 Key West International Airport (EYW  IATA) is the major airport on 3491 S Roosevelt Blvd (FL-A1A) serving Key West and the lower keys located 3.9 mi (6.3 km) southeast of downtown. The airport terminal is accessed from S Roosevelt Blvd along Faraldo Circle (its own access road). Major airlines serving the Key West are:

Fares tend to be higher than to and from the large metropolitan airports. A popular alternative is to fly into Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale International Airport, rent a vehicle and drive down the Overseas Highway (US Hwy 1) to Key West (See "By car" in the below). Likewise you may also catch a ride with Keys Shuttle from Miami International and Ft Lauderdale International Airports to your hotel or to any address in Key West and anywhere in the Keys. Call them to schedule pick-up for the return trip back to Miami or Ft Lauderdale (see "By bus" in the below).

Car rental, although unnecessary in small Key West, is available from Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty. Alamo, Enterprise, and National have offices off site, with a free shuttle from the Airport. Parking on Key West can be a challenge in terms of the number of available spaces, and the size of spaces, so smaller cars are popular selections.

By bus

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  • Public buses: the Lower Keys Shuttle [dead link] operated by Key West Transit provides 9 daily trips between MM 0 in Key West and MM 53.5 (Sadowski & US Hwy 1) in Marathon Key. Cost is $4 for the Lower Keys Shuttle. At MM50 (at Sombrero Beach Rd), you transfer to Miami-Dade bus route 301 Dade/Monroe Express for onwarad service to Florida City (via MM 74 in Islamorada; MM 87 in Tavernier; and MM 98 in Key Largo). The Dade/Monroe bus operates 10 times daily between 7:30am and 11:00pm from Marathon and more frequent from Islamorada. In Florida City transfer to the #38 bus (Busway/Max)to the Dadeland South Metrorail Station where you catch the Metrorail train into Miami. The Dade/Monroe express costs $2.65 each way. Official Key West page on cross keys transit options
  • 2 Greyhound, (bus station) 3439 S Roosevelt Blvd (In front of airport), ☏ +1 305-296-9072, toll-free: 1 800 231-2222. Daily 7:30AM-9AM and 4:30PM-6PM. Buses serve Key West with two departures per day from Miami, stopping in Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo in the Keys en route. Journey time is around four and a half hours. Passengers transfer in Miami to continue to other destinations. OW fares to Miami starting from $30. (updated Sep 2017)
  • Miami Info Tours, (Company Office) 2401 Collins Ave Suite #C3; Miami Beach, ☏ +1 305-894-6409. Travel from Miami or Miami Beach to Key West. Hotel pick-up is available from select Miami Beach Hotels and Downtown Miami. Bus Service is available 365 days a year, and rates start from $69.00 for round-trip. (updated Sep 2017)
  • Miami to Key West Bus, (bus stop) 908 Caroline St (Across the street from Flagler Street Museum), ☏ +1 305-423-9045. Daily boarding 5PM to 5:15PM. Approx arrival at stop 11:45AM. Check schedules.. Motorcoach transportation services and escorted tours to Key West from Miami. (updated Sep 2017)
  • Keys Shuttle, ☏ +1 305-289-9997, toll-free: +1-888-765-9997. The company provides door-to-door service between to the Keys from the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airports (and vice versa). (updated Sep 2017)

By sea

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  • 3 Key West Express, (Terminal) 100 Grinnell St (Grinnell St & Mustin), ☏ +1 239 463-5733. Daily high-speed passenger ferries from Ft. Myers Beach and Marco Island. The ferries dock at the Key West Bight Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride takes approximately 3.5 hours and the Ft. Myers Beach vessels have a capacity exceeding 300 passengers and amenities aboard include; out-door sundecks, flat-screen TVs, galley service and a full bar. (updated Sep 2017)
  • Private Boaters Experienced boaters can navigate to Key West along the Atlantic side of the Keys or by traveling on the Gulf of Mexico side. The first part of the trip takes you through the specially-marked Intracoastal Waterway. After Long Key, however, international markers apply. Consult the appropriate Coast Pilot and Light List manuals. Numerous marinas are waiting to entertain you, but you should make reservations ahead. If sailing in from foreign ports in the Caribbean be sure to contact 4 US Customs & Border Protection to determine where to sail into prior to travel. Their Key West office is at 301 Simonton St, Simonton & Caroline St in downtown.
  • Cruise Ships In 1969 the Port of Key West received its first regularly scheduled cruise ship. The three docking facilities -- Mallory Square Dock, Pier B (privately owned by Westin), and the Navy Mole -- service over half a million passengers a year. A schedule indicating when a particular cruise ship will be calling on Key West is available at the Port Office and online. See the online docking calendar [dead link] or the respective website of a particular cruise line.

Since the re-establishment of US-Cuban relations at the end of 2014 and the easing of travel sanctions between the two countries there have not been any establishment of, or plans for regular ferry services between Key West and Cuba. Private mariners will still need a license from the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) to be able to sail their own vessels to Cuba. Please check with U.S. Customs & Border Protection as to where to sail into from foreign ports and regarding the rules for travel by private vessel or aircraft between the Florida Keys and Cuba.

By car

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The Overseas Highway terminates in Key West, and links all the towns in the Keys with mainland Florida and links into the US Interstate network. Driving to Key West is straightforward (3 1/2 hours from Miami) and scenic with ocean vistas but driving around town is difficult and parking is expensive.

From Miami International Airport: Take LeJeune Road south to 836 West. Follow the Florida Turnpike south toward Key West. The Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City. Follow U.S. 1 south as far as it goes and you will be in Key West.

From Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: Exit the airport and follow the signs for 595 West. Take 595 to the Florida Turnpike and follow the signs for the Florida Keys and Key WEST.

From the north: take the Florida Turnpike south and follow the signs for Homestead and Key West. The Florida Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City.Follow U.S. 1 south into the Florida Keys.

From Florida's West Coast: take 1-75 Alligator Alley east to the Miami exit, and south to the Turnpike Extension.

Get around

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With many narrow and one-way streets, driving Key West is difficult and parking is expensive. Many visitors choose to rent motor scooters, bicycles, golf carts, explore on foot or use public transportation. When renting a golf cart keep in mind that you have to find parking for this vehicle as well. Scooters and bikes can normally be parked on the sidewalk right outside your destination.

The tourist area in Key West is Duval Street.

Key West Conch tour trackless train

Key West Transit[dead link] offers a fairly comprehensive bus system for local travel in and around Key West and up to MM 53 on Marathon Key in the Lower Keys. For taxi you may contact One Key West at +1 305-295-5555 to arrange for a pick-up or a ride share service such as Uber or Lyft.

Taxis and ride share services are plentiful and affordable.

If you plan to rent a car be aware that the Enterprise and Alamo desks are not located at the airport. You have to call the shuttle bus and wait for 12 minutes to catch a ride to the Truman Ave location. Budget is the only car rental agency in Key West that does not charge additional fees (usually $10/day from anyone else) for a second driver. Renting a car is more necessary if you plan to travel extensively or point to point in different parts of the Florida Keys then if you're staying exclusively on Key West where you won't need a car at all. If your lodgings are in Old Town you can more easily walk or bike to all the attractions.

Ernest Hemingway House
  • 1 Ernest Hemingway House, 907 Whitehead St. 9AM-5PM daily. Hemingway lived and wrote here for a decade. He also raised cats, the descendants of which still roam the grounds and have extra toes. $14. Ernest Hemingway House (Q280171) on Wikidata Ernest Hemingway House on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Fort Zachary Taylor, 601 Howard England Way (end of Southard Street on Truman Annex), ☏ +1 305-292-0037. 8AM - sundown. The perfect romantic place to cuddle up with someone special, unwind, and watch the sun set as sailboats glide by... all without the crazy circus of Mallory Square. It doesn't get any more romantic in this crowded city. Nature trails, 1866 fort with a real moat, beaches, snack stand. Before Ballast Key was deeded to the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2019, the beach area was the southernmost point in the continental US accessible to the general public, regardless of what the famous buoy at the corner of Whitehead and South Streets says. $2-4. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (Q1162281) on Wikidata Fort Zachary Taylor on Wikipedia 
  • 3 Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front St. A historic retreat used by President Harry S. Truman. Guided tours are available, as well as a gift shop. It's still used as a retreat and place of business by US government officials today. $15. Harry S. Truman Little White House (Q13576887) on Wikidata Harry S. Truman Little White House on Wikipedia 
  • 4 Key West AIDS Memorial, White Street and Atlantic Boulevard (on the beach). The City of Key West has lost more than a thousand of its citizens to the AIDS epidemic. Some of their names are inscribed on a memorial near the White Street Pier. The memorial is embedded in the sidewalk near the ocean, and made of flat smooth granite. The memorial was dedicated on World AIDS Day in 1997, and funded entirely through private sources. At the time of dedication, there were 730 names engraved on the memorial. There are spaces for 1,500 names, and each year more are added and dedicated in a ceremony, also on World AIDS Day in December. A group called Friends of the Key West AIDS Memorial takes care of the memorial. Free. 
  • 5 Key West Art and Historical Society Museum, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd, ☏ +1 305-296-3913. 9:30AM to 4:30PM. Visitors can explore the preserved battlement’s collection of relics from the Civil War, learn about the wrecking and cigar-manufacturing industries which shaped the Florida Keys, view the unique folk art of Mario Sanchez and the imaginative metal sculptures of Stanley Papio, as well as meet the Ghosts of East Martello, including the infamous Robert the Doll. The building, formerly the Fort East Martello, is on the National Register of Historic Places $9. (updated Feb 2015)
  • 6 Key West City Cemetery. In Key West, burial customs reflect combinations of African, Hispanic, Anglo and other mixed heritages. Due to the water table of the Keys, most burials are in above ground tombs. Grave markers with unusual inscriptions such as I told you I was sick, Devoted Fan of Julio Iglesias and At Least I know where he's sleeping tonight are not unusual. Cemetery maps are available at the front gate. 
  • 7 Key West Lighthouse, 938 Whitehead St. Daily from 9:30AM-4:30PM. With a panoramic view of the island. Adults $10, Students/Seniors $9, Children $5, under 6 free. Key West lighthouse (Q6398132) on Wikidata Key West lighthouse on Wikipedia 
  • 8 McCoy Indigenous Park. Free. (updated Feb 2015)
  • 9 Shipwreck Museum, 1 Whitehead St, ☏ +1 305-292-8990, fax: +1 305-292-1617. Offers a panoramic view of the island from its observation tower. 
"Southernmost point" in continental United States
  • 10 Southernmost Point (Corner of Whitehead and South Streets). A "buoy" (actually an old sewer junction painted to look like a buoy) placed at this point contains a claim that it is the southernmost point in the continental USA, but the claim is inaccurate. The true southernmost point of Florida is on Ballast Key, an island about 9 miles (14 km) from Key West which was off-limits to the public until 2019, when it was deeded to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and added to the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. (Today, it's open to boaters during daylight hours only for minimally invasive activities such as birdwatching and nature photography.) The marker is also not the southernmost point on Key West island—a private yard is immediately southeast of the buoy, and the island's true southernmost point is in the Truman Annex west of the buoy, which is U.S. Navy property and can be entered only by authorized Navy personnel. Even before Ballast Key was opened to public access, the buoy wasn't even the southernmost point that could be accessed by the public—that would be the beach area of Fort Zachary Taylor (see above). Nonetheless, it's one of the city's most visited and photographed spots. Expect large crowds on the weekends, and waiting for your turn to take a picture is the norm. Free. Southernmost point buoy (Q2304747) on Wikidata Southernmost point buoy on Wikipedia 
  • 11 Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys, Atlantic Boulevard and White Streets. This rescue operation has released more than 2,000 healed animals into the wild since 1993. They take care of any animal that needs attention, from sea birds to raccoons, and at any given time you might see up to 100 creatures healing at the center. They come from all over, from the Seven Mile bridge to the Dry Tortugas. You can visit the patients any day from 9AM to 5PM, and the park is open sunup to sundown. It's free, but they like donations and volunteers. (updated Feb 2015)
  • Key West Aquarium, 1 Whitehead St, ☏ +1 305-296-2051. 9:30AM-5:30PM. Aquarium featuring a touch tank for hands-on experiences with sea anemones, plus guided tours. (updated May 2022)

Key West is not the greatest place to bring a family. There are beaches and a few small parks during the day... for those that are awake. Enjoy an early night and prepare for the next day's adventure. However, if you are traveling with young ones, stay in a hotel off the main streets. For those who stay out all night you may not get to do these things but you should try. Because many locals get around by scooters, bikes, and/or electric cars, you may want to consider renting them at one of the many rental shops throughout the island.

Nature

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  • Key West Nature Preserve. Two entrances on Atlantic Blvd. Ocean front property that has been turned into an accessible natural area. Enjoy seeing local Key West wildlife such as lizards, butterflies and maybe even a snake. 
  • 1 Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 35 E Quay Rd, ☏ +1-305-809-4750, . Truman Annex Waterfront. With its touch screens, stunning photos, and roomy theater showing a short high-definition film about the Keys ecosystems, this educational center has become a hit with families. It's a fun way to learn about reef and mangrove habitats before or after an excursion. The newest addition is the Living Reef exhibit, which features a 2,500-gallon reef aquarium. Free admission and parking on-site. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center (Q16948742) on Wikidata Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center on Wikipedia 
  • Dry Tortugas National Park, . Details daily trips to Fort Jefferson. By ferry with Yankee Freedom II

Watersports

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  • Sebago Watersports (Waterfront area). WReef snorkeling, sunset sails, parasailing, all-day adventures from the tame Island Ting to the active Power Adventure. The parasailing tends to be a bit brief (13 minutes), but the crew is friendly. 
  • Fury Water Adventures. It offers snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, water trampoline, sunset sails and cruises, reef eco tours, and glass bottom boat tours. Fury also offers combo packages such as the Ultimate Adventure, the Rum & Reggae, and the Commotion on the Ocean. 
  • Diving in Key West. Offering daily dive trips to the reefs near Key West. 
  • 2 Floridays, 601 Front Street (Hyatt Centric Resort and Spa, corner of Front and Simonton, one block E of lower Duval), ☏ +1 305-744-8335, . Luxury sailboat operating out of the Hyatt Centric Hotel offering daily snorkeling and evening Sunset Sailing adventures. A beautiful well maintained vessel taking much smaller groups that what you might find on some of the other commercial vessels in and around Key West. A very popular choice for weddings and private charters. $55 - $65. (updated Mar 2018)

Other

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  • Astro City, Atlantic Blvd. A popular stop for families on their way to and from the beach. Located directly across the street from Higgs beach. 
  • Swim With Dolphins, for ages 5 and older. , .
  • Key West Fishing. Offers charters, guides, and fishing information for Key West. Includes private and group fishing charters. 
  • Sunset Celebration, Mallory Square (where Duval Street meets the Gulf of Mexico). This event begins every evening a few hours before sunset and is much like a street carnival, with vendors, performers, food, and fun. Also a great photo op for some of the most beautiful sunsets. 
  • Keywest Scavenger Hunt, ☏ +1 305-292-9994, . Since winning the prestigious "Venture Award" from the Key West Chamber of Commerce, The Southernmost Scavenger Hunt has expanded to offer a wider variety of custom designed features to their ever-popular scavenger hunts. 
  • Restless Native Charters (KeyWest bight marina at historic waterfront seaport), ☏ +1 305-394-0600. Luxury sailing catamaran for sail/dive, sunset sails, private partys, weddings/proposals. Upscale food and drink and a great adventure on the water. 
  • Honest Works Island Pottery co, 929 Truman Ave (mile marker 1), ☏ +1 419 308-9221. 9 - 6. Honest Works Island Pottery Co. is a vibrant art gallery and active studio space in Old town Key West. Stop on by and watch the pottery in the making or make it yourself. Honest Works offers pottery classes, as well as, paint your own pottery for locals and tourist alike. In this dynamic studio space artists, Adam Russell and Kelly Lever, create and display their own colorful island pottery. Come on in and fell the artist energy flowing! 

Festivals

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  • Fantasy Fest. Annual event. (updated Aug 2023)
  • Gay Spring Break. Annual event held in February, March, and April targeting college-age LGBT students. 
  • Womenfest. Annual event. One of the largest lesbian-oriented parties on earth! 
  • Tropical Heat. Adult-themed event for gay men held every year. 
  • Lobsterfest. Held every year around the first week in August. 

Key West is not like Miami. There aren't many high end shops or big name brands. While there are a few, Key West is not the place for this type of shopping. Fly into or out of the Miami airport and spend a day in South Beach if this is what you are looking for. There are a lot of shops in Key West, especially along Duval Street, which goes from coast to coast. You can find something to wear at night which in Key West isn't much (price or material). Lose your sunglasses...they have them. Need suntan lotion..check. Want a tattoo? You could get probably get 20 or so if you went to every tattoo place in Key West. This is not a good idea if you have been drinking. You may regret it the next sober morning when you realize you have one or more.

  • Blue, 718 Caroline St. A boutique specializing in women's clothing. Everything from fun tees, to comfy linen pants they have everything for a casual day of drinking. 
  • [formerly dead link] Bare Bones Beach Shop, inc., 2770 N. Roosevelt Blvd (Overseas Market next to Winn-Dixie), ☏ +1 305-296-5970. M-Sa 9AM-6PM. Swimwear and beach products for men, women and children, in addition to stylish dog clothing and accessories. mid. 

Budget

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  • Conch Republic, 631 Greene St. Enjoy their spacious waterfront setting where the atmosphere is like a trip back in time to the way Key West used to be. Enjoy fresh fish and a raw bar. Feel like you are dining outside with the large windows that remain open during the day. A great place for a drink & some snacks, especially during football season. 
  • El Siboney, 900 Catherine St, ☏ +1 305-296-4184. This Cuban restaurant, tucked into a quiet residential intersection, flies well below the tourist radar. Delicious food at very reasonable prices. 
  • 1 Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, 500 Duval St, ☏ +1 305-292-1435. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Cheeseburgers. (updated May 2023)
  • Schooner Wharf, Caroline Street. This rough and ready landmark has a three-egg seafood omelette that, coupled with a bloody mary or two, will shock you back to life from a throw down night on Duval. 

Mid-range

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  • A & B Lobster House, 700 Front St. The main dishes are mid-range in price, and paired with great tasting appetizers and salads. While Key West is warm and the porch may seem like a good idea, make sure you have a jacket. It is right on the water, and with the fans on high blast, it can get a little chilly. 
  • Mangia-Mangia Pasta, 900 Southard St, ☏ +1 305-294-2469. Every day 5:30-10PM. 
  • El Meson de Pepe, 410 Wallstreet (Mallory Square), ☏ +1 305-295-2620. Authentic, delicious Cuban food and mojitos with a kick. Every night at sunset, they have a band playing and enough space for dancing and having a couple of drinks at the bar. The walls of both the restaurant and the hallway connecting it to the gift shop are covered in colorful murals depicting early, Cuban-influenced life in Key West. History and folk art aficionados can easily spend 30-45 minutes just wallgazing. 
  • The Half Shell Raw Bar, Margaret St, ☏ +1 305-294-7496 231. A Taste of Old Key West. Traditional raw bar & seafood restaurant. Oysters, clams, shrimp, etc. A low-key restaurant for casual lunch or dinner. 
  • Upper Crust restaurant. A local favorite right on Duval Street next door to Antonia's. Unlike other pizzerias, this place serves very thin crust pizza that can be made with or without tomato sauce. Also serves salads and even a few types of seafood. 

Splurge

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  • Nine One Five, 915 Duval St. Dinner served from 6PM-11PM. You can dine on the porch of this dignified Victorian home. Similar to tapas dining, everything is intended to be shared and mixed and matched. 
  • Seven Fish, Truman Avenue at Packer Street, ☏ +1 305-296-2777. This mod-style restaurant has good seafood and a large colorful aquarium. The staff is intelligent and polite. The fish dishes are usually fresh and innovative. Reservations a must. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Square One, 1075 Duval St # C12, ☏ +1 305-296-4300. They serve breakfast lunch dinner and even Sunday brunch. The menu is very similar to many other restaurants: a lot of fish and seafood. A lot of tropical flavors and many fruits are included in the ingredients of their dishes. 
  • Louie's Backyard, 700 Waddell Ave. This high-end establishment sells "dining with a view," and this is what you get because food is unremarkable. 

Drink

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There are a large number of drinking establishments of various types. The main tourist strip on Duval Street has numerous watering holes.

  • Bourbon Street Pub, 724 Duval St, ☏ +1 305-294-9354. Part of the gay-oriented Bourbon St. Complex on the 700 block of Duval. 
  • Captain Tony's Saloon, 428 Greene St. Ernest Hemingway's old stomping grounds. Pirate's Punch in a 22-oz cup. 
  • Hog's Breath Saloon, 400 Front St, ☏ +1 305-292-2032, . Take a peek at the "hog cam" on their website. 
  • Irish Kevin's Pub, 211-C Duval St, ☏ +1 305-292-1262. Webcams here, too. Can be a lively place at times. 
  • Rick's/Durty Harry's Entertainment, 202 Duval St, . Club with 6 venues & 10 bars. Live entertainment, VIP bar overlooking the action, juice & premium spirits bar, dance club, adult entertainment, & live rock & roll. 
  • Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St, ☏ +1 305-294-8759. Ernest Hemingway's "new" stomping grounds. Sloppy Joe's used to sit at the current location of Captain Tony's, but the landlord raised the rent on the owner back in 1937. Legend has it that upon hearing the news, the bar owner and his customers (including Hemingway) moved the bar, bar stools, alcohol, etc. across Duval Street to a former restaurant - its current location. 

There are also plenty of places to wet your whistle that aren't necessarily right on Duval Street.

  • Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead St, ☏ +1 305-294-6133. The last (or first, depending on your direction of travel) bar on US 1. Not your typical trop-rock bar, the Green Parrot leans more toward blues. Great bands, and an unbelievable selection of blues on the jukebox. 
  • Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St, ☏ +1 305-294-3302. A piece of Old Key West, Schooner Wharf is an open air bar that sits on the Key West Bight. You can grab a brew and watch the yachts. 
  • Finnegans Wake, 320 Grinnell St. Irish style. 
  • Bogarts Irish Pub, 900 - 904 Duval St, ☏ +1 305-296-0815. An Irish pub and restaurant attached to a bed and breakfast located right on Duval Street. Daily happy hour specials offered as well as great Irish food. 

Sleep

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  • 1 Angelina Guesthouse, 302 Angela St, ☏ +1 305-294-4480. Check-out: 11AM. Clean rooms, shared and private baths, pool, complimentary breakfast, wi-fi. Friendly and helpful staff knowledgeable of the city. From $77. 
  • 2 At Home In Key West, 905 Truman Ave, ☏ +1 305-296-7975, toll-free: +1-888-374-7975. Villa and condo rentals in the historic Old Town. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 3 Atlantis House, 1401 Atlantic Blvd (1 block from the White Street Pier), ☏ +1 305-292-1532. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. 40 yds from the Atlantic Ocean and Rest Beach. Beautiful landscaping with only 2 private Jacuzzi Suites. Complimentary Wi-Fi, off-street parking and bikes. $149-275. 
  • 4 Casablanca Bed and Breakfast (Bogarts Irish Pub), 900 - 904 Duval St, ☏ +1 305-296-0815. Family run bed and breakfast near the Old Town. Swimming pool and restaurant/bar located on the premises. Each room has its own private porch and private bathroom. Family friendly. 
  • Crowne Plaza La Concha, 430 Duval St, ☏ +1 305-296-2991. Built in 1926 and home of Key West's highest sunset celebration. 
  • Curry Mansion Inn, 511 Caroline St, toll-free: +1-800-253-3466. A small hotel with plenty of free parking, open bar cocktail party with piano player every afternoon, breakfast buffet with cooked-to-order eggs. 
  • Doubletree Grand Key Resort, 3990 South Roosevelt Blvd, toll-free: +1-888-844-0454, . A resort-style property with a good rooftop view of the water. Book early, as the place is popular and there is limited space available. 
  • Douglas House, 419 Amelia St, ☏ +1 305-294-5269, . This hotel offers a pool-side setting with swimming pool and heated Jacuzzi, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. 
  • Eden House, 1015 Fleming St (In Old Town), ☏ +1 305-296-6868. Fully renovated guesthouse with lush grounds. 
  • 5 Garden House Inn, 329 Elizabeth St (parking across st. at church for $10/day), toll-free: +1-800-695-6453. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A fun and relaxed B&B, with 10 rooms, all with private baths. Amenities include a heated lagoon-style pool with spa jets and a cascading waterfall, surrounded by tropical gardens that weave throughout the inn grounds. Along with a nightly happy hour, a continental breakfast is available each morning. $149 - 299. 
  • Heron House Bed & Breakfast, 512 Simonton St, ☏ +1 305-294-9227, toll-free: +1-888-861-9066. In the heart of the historic district, 23-room bed and breakfast. Complimentary breakfast is served in the mornings and a wine and cheese tasting each night. 
  • Historic Key West Inns, 725 Truman Ave, ☏ +1 305-294-5229, toll-free: +1-800-549-4430, . Offers 6 different boutique hotel options in the Old Town. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 6 Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, 601 Front St (one block from Duval Street), ☏ +1 305-809-1234. Intimate resort with sumptuous, rich fabrics and stunning ocean views. Private marina to fish, scuba, snorkel, parasail, waverunners, or sail on the “Floridays,” the resort's 60-foot Irwin sailboat which offers daily sunset cruises and private charter trips. Exercise studio, private beach, pool with oversized whirlpool. Indoor and outdoor dining is available at two restaurants, where guests can watch the sunset. 
  • The Inn at Key West, 3420 N. Roosevelt Blvd (US 1). Accommodations feature a king or double queen-size beds some with oversized bathrooms. Freshwater pool, tiki bar and poolside restaurant. 
  • Island City House Hotel, 411 William St, ☏ +1 305-294-5702. Charming and historical hotel offering 24 suites for lodging outside of Old Town. 
  • Key West Bed and Breakfast, 415 William St, toll-free: +1-800-438-6155. This three-story Victorian in the heart of old town is full of color and art. 
  • The Marker Resort Key West, 200 William St (On the seaport), toll-free: +1-855-969-3206. Waterfront resort offering spacious accommodations, complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary parking and three tree-lined pools. 
  • Ocean's Edge Key West, 5950 Peninsular Avenue (Stock Island neighborhood), ☏ +1 305-809-8204, toll-free: +1-877-935-0862, . Deep-water access, an onsite marina, onsite access to fishing charters and six oceanfront pools. Oceanfront rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows with full ocean view and a private balcony. Also features seafood dining at the onsite Yellowfin Bar & Grill. (updated Mar 2017)
  • Pelican Landing of Key West, 915 Eishenhower Dr, ☏ +1 305-296-0500, . Complete with rooms, suites, retreats and penthouses, this lovely building has an enjoyable pool, a free boat slip when you check in (subject to availability), friendly staff, and beautiful decor. The boat slip is a manatee area: feel free to search and see the beautiful animals, but be careful not to harm them. There is free parking and free bike racks. Elegant flowers grow in the gardens along with the palm trees. Prices range from $150-$550/per night. 
  • Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa, One Duval St (on the corner of Duval and the Gulf of Mexico), ☏ +1 305-296-4600, toll-free: +1-800-327-8340. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Elegant accommodations, lush gardens, a private beach, a selection of restaurants and bars, a full-service spa. 
  • Reach Resort, 1435 Simonton St (in Old Town), ☏ +1 305-296-5000, toll-free: +1-888-318-4316. With the only natural beach on the island as a backyard, this hotel is a block away from Duval Street. 
  • Key West Bayside Inn & Suites, 3444 N. Roosevelt Blvd, ☏ +1 305-296-7593. (updated Sep 2016)

Camping

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There is no camping in Key West, but you can find expensive campgrounds outside the city limits on Stock Island. Within Key West, parking is very limited and RVs are generally discouraged, so your best shot is to stay somewhere outside the city and drive a smaller vehicle into town.

There are a few more a little ways up the Keys that cater to RVs. The number of campsites are limited, so try not to be too shocked by the prices. Make your reservations well in advance six months to a year so you are sure to get your spot. You will notice the use of "MM" or "Mile Marker" in the addresses. This is how US 1 is marked. MM 0 is in Old town Key West and the beginning of US 1. The numbers go up, so you can tell just how far an address is from Key West.

Go next

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Routes through Key West
Miami ← Big Pine Key ←  N  S  → END


This city travel guide to Key West is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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