Location: Key West
Top Things to do in Key West
The 10 Best Things to Do in Key West, United States
Does time ever pass in the Florida Keys? Everyone and everything in Key West seems to go at its own pace, right down to the ice melting slooooowly in your margarita glass. Of course, it’s not all limes and leisure – Key West is known as the “Winter White House” because of its appeal to visiting U.S. presidents, and the island has been home to literary greats like Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. The diving here is phenomenal, as is the kid-friendly Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.
Restaurants in Key West
1. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By FlashBack351 - Hudson, IA
Okay...I have to admit that I felt "dragged" to the Butterfly Conservatory by the Mrs as we headed in but it was a pretty amazing facility. The amount of work and dedication that these folks put into what they do is phenomenal....very colorful and wide variety of species to observe and walk amongst (and be very cognizant of where you are stepping as it is very likely that you'll see some butterflies on the same pathway that you are on!
Very cool facility and people!
2. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in this for ten years. During that time he wrote seventy percent of his life-time works. Today we operate as a museum providing guided tours every fifteen minutes from nine to five. The Museum is available for weddings and corporate events. Visit this National Historic Landmark, Literary Landmark and recognized by the Library of Congress for it's importance in U.S. History. Grand Architecture, Lush Gardens, Educational Tours, Book Store/Gift Shop and the world famous Poly dactyl (six-toed cats).
Reviewed By Lori W - Cambridge, Massachusetts
Hemingway’s house is a beautiful old southern mansion. The tour was excellent and having been to his house in Cuba this was especially interesting. His cats are still prowling about with their six toes and one can envision his life in Key West which he loved even though he had a sad life and ended up taking his own life.
3. Mallory Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Welcome to Mallory Square where the fun starts and the sun sets. Everything Key West is famous for comes together in this one special place set on historic waterfront. Mallory Square is home to shops, restaurants, and many of the islands most popular attractions. Come for the day and stay into the night. There's always something happening in Mallory Square.
Reviewed By reindroped - Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
We had a great time heading down to Mallory Square in the evening and checking out the performances, they change daily and are all free (although tipping is appreciated). There is all different kinds of talent and you can stay and watch a whole performance or stop for a minute and move onto the next.
4. Duval Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Popular, busy street offers plenty of shops, restaurants and bars.
Reviewed By JazCan - Guelph, Canada
Very disappointed. Dirty streets, buildings and sleazy presence everywhere. Streets haven’t been cleaned in years, nothing to do with Irma. Noisy, crowded whole place is in shabby disrepair. Junky souvenir stores with no customers.
5. Dry Tortugas National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Sheila D - Saint Louis, Missouri
Take the boat out here if you have a whole day. It's a very long day in the hot sun. There are no bathrooms over there, just a changing station for the campers. It's interesting, but if you've seen one fort, you've seen them all.
6. Alan S. Maltz Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 134 reviews
Alan S. Maltz, designated the Official Wildlife and Fine Art Photographer for the State of Florida, presents his fine art photography, limited edition prints on aluminum and canvas, and award winning books at his Key West gallery, daily. Step out of the bustle of busy Duval Street and into an uplifting sanctuary of color and light, established in 1999.
Reviewed By BlueRidgeBeauty - Virginia
Nice selection of Key West originals, prints and cards. The gallery features famous places in Key West as well as other places in Florida. Several paintings incorporate wildlife, especially South Florida's birds. The manager of the shop was very friendly. He even took the time...MoreThank you so much for visiting our gallery and for your kind words! We do our best to provide excellent customer service for our clients. We hope to see you back in soon!
7. 7 Artists & Friends
Overall Ratings
5 based on 100 reviews
7 Artists & Friends located at 213 Simonton Street, Key West, FL. represents many of Key West's favorite artists. Martha de Poo, Pam Hobbs, David Scott Meier, Tony Scullin, Elizabeth Chamberlian, Michelle Mardis, Maggie Ruley, Noelle Rose, Karen Beauprie, The Sinking World of Andreas Franke and local jewelry designer Jennifer Badry of Mango Season Jewelry Designs. Come in and check out the fresh caught local art. Photo realism, jewelry, abstract, watercolor, photography, & whimsy; this gallery has it all. Available during business hours or by private appointment.
Reviewed By jtfranco - New Bern, North Carolina
Martha dePoo is one of the artists in this gallery, love her work. Bright colors, impressionistic watercolor paintings of Key West.Thank you for visiting the gallery! We too love Martha's artistic wonder! Please come back soon as she brings fresh originals to the gallery with regularity!
8. Key West Firehouse Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 229 reviews
A museum dedicated to the history of fire fighting in the Florida Keys
Reviewed By Doc A - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This small museum, off the "Duval patch", is a simple delight. Retired fireman John walked us through the museum, and his guidance (and great storytelling) was superb. We learned the history of the first firehouse in Key West, established after the "great Key West fire" of the late 19th century. The museum has artifacts from the earliest period of firefighting in Key West, to modern day memories- including a memorial piece from the 9/11 nightmare given by visiting NYC firemen. The 2nd floor of the museum is preserved as the living quarters of firemen, complete with a fire pole for sliding to the equipment on the first floor. Overall the visit provided a fascinating window into the history of Key West. Visitors are appropriately asked for a donation to support Key West firemen.
9. Saint Mary Star of the Sea
Overall Ratings
5 based on 831 reviews
Reviewed By patty f - ocean city
This church is amazing! Absolutely beautiful! We r here for two months and have loved going to mass here. We live in a resort town ourselves and know how important it is to make visitors feel welcome and they do an outstanding job! We have looked forward to mass every week. Thanks to them for making us feel welcome. By the way our Parish at home is also St. Mary’s by the sea!
10. Waterfront Playhouse
Overall Ratings
5 based on 224 reviews
Named "The Best Professional Theater in Florida" (Florida Monthly Magazine), The Waterfront Playhouse is a not-for-profit, professional theater located on historic Mallory Square in Old Town Key West that attracts locals and tourists alike with a wide range of comedies, dramas, musicals, concerts, and world premieres. Recent hit productions at the Playhouse include "The Drowsy Chaperone," "The 39 Steps," "August: Osage County," Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "Glengarry Glen Ross," "Lend Me a Tenor," "Doubt," "Twelve Angry Men," "The Full Monty," "Reefer Madness," "Urinetown," "Equus" and the world premiere of Hy Conrad's "Home Exchange." Join us for an exciting evening of theater in Paradise. When the sun sets, the curtain rises at The Waterfront Playhouse.
Reviewed By Kevin C - Freehold, New Jersey
Having attended several performances at the Waterfront Theatre, most recently "Good People," I would definitely say that there is a fairly high, consistent production standard. Ticket prices are moderate and it appears that all seats have good sight lines. Ordering online was easy and the...MoreThank you for supporting the Waterfront Playhouse with your kind words. We look forward to seeing you at the next show!
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