🏖️ Key West, FL Travel Guide
Key West Vacation Guide
Florida’s southernmost island city — historic Old Town guesthouses, Duval Street nightlife, coral-reef snorkeling, and sunset celebrations, all mapped out by category so you can plan your trip around what you actually want to do.
🏆 59 Attractions
🍲 52 Restaurants
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Hotels
72 verified hotels and guesthouses across Duval Street, Truman Annex, beachfront resorts, and Key West’s famous historic inns.
Things to Do
59 verified attractions — historic sites, snorkeling and diving, sunset sails, and Dry Tortugas National Park day trips.
Restaurants
52 verified restaurants — Duval Street icons, waterfront seafood, fine dining, and Cuban favorites.
Getting to Know the Area
Duval Street
Truman Annex
Historic Seaport
Bahama Village
New Town
Key West is a tiny island, about four miles long and one mile wide, so nearly everything is walkable or a short bike ride from Old Town. Duval Street runs the length of the historic district and anchors most of the nightlife and shopping; Truman Annex and the Historic Seaport sit at its western end near Mallory Square, home to the nightly sunset celebration. Bahama Village, just off lower Duval, has a quieter, more local feel, while New Town toward the airport holds most of the beachfront resorts and chain hotels.
Planning Tips
- Fly into Key West or drive the Overseas Highway. Key West International Airport has direct flights from several major cities, or you can drive the scenic Overseas Highway (US-1) down from Miami, about 3.5-4 hours.
- Old Town’s historic guesthouses book up fast for events. Fantasy Fest (late October) and Pride (June) sell out small-room-count guesthouses months in advance.
- You mostly don’t need a car in Old Town. Bikes, scooters, and walking cover nearly everything — a car mainly matters for day trips or reaching Stock Island.
- Afternoon showers are common in summer. Key West’s rainy season runs roughly June through October — plan reef trips and outdoor activities for mornings when possible.
How many days should I plan for a Key West trip?
3-4 days covers the main sights comfortably — Old Town, a sunset sail, and a snorkeling trip — while 5+ days lets you add a full-day Dry Tortugas National Park excursion, which is worth building real time around.
Do I need a car in Key West?
Not for Old Town itself — most hotels, restaurants, and attractions are walkable or a short bike ride apart. A car (or the Overseas Highway drive down) is mainly useful for exploring beyond the island or reaching the airport.
What’s the best time of year to visit Key West?
Late spring (April-May) and fall (October-November, after hurricane season calms down) tend to have good weather with lower crowds and prices than the busy winter high season.
