First-time visitors should start with a hop-on, hop-off tour via the Old Town Trolley or Conch Tour Train to get an overview of the island. Essential stops include exploring the Ernest Hemingway Home, touring the Truman Little White House, taking a photo at the Southernmost Point Buoy, and attending the famous nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.
Discover famous sunset celebrations, historic landmarks, ocean adventures, and local food.
- Top Attractions and Tours
- Free Local Landmarks
- Best Key Lime Pie
- Day-by-Day Itineraries
WELCOME TO KEY WEST
Key West packs history, wildlife, and coastal entertainment into a compact 2-mile island. You can walk to most major sights without renting a car.
Tour presidential quarters, visit famous literary homes, watch world-class sunsets, and taste original Key lime pie. Use this guide to book top-rated tours and build your daily plan.
GETTING AROUND: TROLLEY & TRAIN TOURS
Explore the island quickly with these two classic open-air tours.
Old Town Trolley Tours
Enjoy hop-on, hop-off access across Key West all day long. Live tour guides cover 13 stops and more than 100 points of interest. Ride the full 90-minute loop or hop off at major sights.
- Highlights:13 stops, live narration, free walking tours included
- Departs From: Mallory Square
- Hours: First tour 9 a.m., last tour 4:30 p.m.
- Price: From $50.30
Conch Tour Train
Take a 60-minute historic tour through Old Town Key West. Running since 1958, this open-air train passes Duval Street, the Hemingway House, and Mallory Square.
- Highlights: 60-minute narrated loop, free Sails to Rails Museum entry
- Departs From: Mallory Square or Truval Village
- Frequency: Departs roughly every 30 minutes
- Price: From $41.95
MUST-SEE HISTORIC SITES
Key West features two exceptionally preserved historic homes.
Truman Little White House
Step inside Florida’s only presidential museum. President Harry S. Truman spent 175 days working here between 1946 and 1952. Guided tours display original furnishings and historic documents.
- Highlights:Original presidential rooms, historic “The Buck Stops Here” desk
- Location: 111 Front Street
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
- Price: From $24 (4.6★ rating)
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
Explore the 1851 Spanish Colonial home where Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote during the 1930s. Walk through lush gardens, see Key West’s first in-ground pool, and spot famous polydactyl (six-toed) cats.
- Highlights:Hemingway’s preserved writing studio, 40+ six-toed cats
- Location: 907 Whitehead Street
- Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
- Price: $19 (4.5★ rating)
UNIQUE EVENING EXPERIENCES
Make your evenings memorable with these distinct local activities.
Ghosts & Gravestones Tour
Board the “Trolley of the Doomed” for a dark journey into Key West’s haunted past. A Ghost Host leads you through spooky historical sites and dark alleyways.
- Highlights: USA Today Top 10 Ghost Tour
- Departs From: 501 Front Street
- Duration: ~60 minutes (Nightly)
- Price: From $39.85
Key West Cooking Show
Watch professional chefs prepare a multicourse local meal right in front of you. Enjoy live entertainment, learn regional recipes, and sample every dish.
- Highlights: Multicourse meal, live culinary performance
- Location: The Shops at Mallory Square (291 Front Street)
- Hours: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
- Price: $76.50 per person (4.8★ rating)
SAMPLE KEY LIME PIE
Sampling Key lime pie is a top priority for island visitors. Made with real Key limes, this tart dessert appears on menus across town.
Key Lime Pie Demo and Tasting
Learn how to craft authentic Key lime pie at Mallory Square. Watch a 30-minute live demonstration, grab the official recipe card, and sample a fresh slice.
- Location: The Shops at Mallory Square, Suite 207
- Schedule: On the hour, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
- Perks: Air-conditioned venue, fresh slice included
NATURE & MARINE LIFE
Key West Aquarium
Discover native marine life at Florida’s first open-air aquarium, founded in 1935. See sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish up close.
- Highlights: Touch tank, daily shark and sea turtle feedings
- Location: 1 Whitehead Street
- Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
- Price: From $19.94
ICONIC FREE SPOTS
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Gather at the waterfront two hours before sunset for live music, street performers, and food vendors.
Southernmost Point Buoy
Take a photo at the concrete buoy marking 90 miles to Cuba.
Duval Street
Stroll down Key West’s main drag for shopping, historic architecture, and energetic bars.
FAQs
Festivities at Mallory Square begin approximately two hours before sunset every evening, 365 days a year. Local street performers, musicians, food vendors, and artisans gather along the waterfront. Arrive early to secure a viewing spot and browse the local stalls before the sun goes down.
You do not need a rental car in Key West. Old Town is compact, flat, and walkable. Most major attractions, historic sites, and restaurants sit within walking distance of Duval Street and Mallory Square. Visitors easily navigate the island by walking, renting bicycles, riding golf carts, or using trolley tours.
Authentic Key lime pie is available at bakeries, cafes, and seafood spots across the island. You can sample original recipes at Kermit’s Key Lime Shop, Blue Heaven, and The Cafe at Mallory Square. Visitors can also attend live demonstrations at the Key West Cooking Show® to learn the history and preparation of Florida’s signature dessert.
A three-day stay allows enough time to visit top historic landmarks, join ocean water sports, sample local cuisine, and experience the nightlife. Day trips work well for viewing the main highlights, while extended stays permit side excursions to Dry Tortugas National Park or sunset cruises.
