landmark
Ernest Hemingway Home
Cat sanctuary and former home of writer Ernest Hemingway. Cash only at the door; ticket lines peak at 11:00.
Pregunta a ParleyEstados Unidos
Key West
A walkable coral island of tin roofs, key lime, and roosters.
introduction
Overview
Key West is four miles long and two miles wide, built on dead coral at the end of US Route 1. You move through it on foot, by bicycle, or on electric golf carts. The island rewards early mornings before midday tour buses arrive from Miami. Expect humid heat, feral roosters, expensive parking, and strong rum drinks.
Airport ride options
Key West International Airport sits four miles east of Duval Street. A taxi ride to Old Town costs around $20 and takes ten minutes.
Preservation district
Old Town holds one of the largest wooden architecture historic districts in the United States. Over 3,000 historic structures stand within two square miles.
Parking inside Old Town
Avoid driving in Old Town. Parking garages charge up to $5 per hour, while residential parking spaces trigger immediate municipal towing.
Key West
Marc Averette (Averette) · Public domain
Old Town South — Quieter residential streets lined with wooden Conch cottages, local bakeries, and shade trees.
Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided · Public domain
Historic Seaport — Active harbor area with fishing docks, wooden schooners, and open-air raw bars.
John Nathan Cobb · Public domain
New Town — Modern commercial district with strip malls, chain hotels, and wide roads.
Marc Averette · CC BY 3.0
Authentic Key lime pie uses native Key lime juice, egg yolks, and condensed milk.
Louiemantia · CC BY-SA 4.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Fort Zachary Taylor
Civil War masonry fort with the best natural coral beach on the island. Bring water shoes for the rocky shoreline.
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landmark
Key West Butterfly Conservatory
Glass-enclosed climate-controlled dome with 50 butterfly species and flamingos. Buy tickets online to bypass the main line.
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landmark
Key West Lighthouse
Climb 88 steps for panoramic island views. Admission includes access to the keeper's quarters museum.
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On the map
areas
Where life happens
Old Town South
Quieter residential streets lined with wooden Conch cottages, local bakeries, and shade trees.
Quiet streetsLocal foodArchitecture
A cambioFewer parking options and a ten-minute walk to northern Duval attractions.
CercaBahama Village and Southernmost Point
Pregunta a ParleyHistoric Seaport
Active harbor area with fishing docks, wooden schooners, and open-air raw bars.
SchoonersSeafoodWater tours
A cambioEngine exhaust and marina odors on hot, windless afternoons.
CercaHarbor Walk and boat charters
Pregunta a ParleyNew Town
Modern commercial district with strip malls, chain hotels, and wide roads.
ResortsParkingBudget stays
A cambioRequires a bike ride or taxi to reach historic sites.
CercaKey West International Airport
Pregunta a Parleyfood
Conch, Key Lime, and Caribbean Spices
Key West cuisine reflects its geographic proximity to Cuba and the Bahamas. Fresh local seafood centers on pink shrimp, spiny lobster, and hogfish, but because Queen conch cannot be legally harvested in Florida, all conch served in Key West is imported from the Caribbean. Key lime pie provides the primary culinary benchmark across the island.
Authentic Key lime pie uses native Key lime juice, egg yolks, and condensed milk.
Louiemantia · CC BY-SA 4.0- Conch fritters at Bahama Village
Order conch fritters at Blue Heaven or local roadside stands in Bahama Village where Bahamian recipes rely on scotch bonnet peppers.
- Key lime pie rules
Authentic Key lime pie is pale yellow, never green. Kermit's Key West Key Lime Pie Shop serves tart slices made with real Key lime juice.
- Pink shrimp daily specials
Key West pink shrimp are caught locally. Look for them listed on daily specials board menus along the Historic Seaport docks.
history
A short history
Key West grew wealthy through marine salvaging and cigar manufacturing before isolation forced economic declines. Transportation links redefined the island in the twentieth century.
- 1822
Wrecking and Navy Base
The US Navy established a base on Key West. Wreckers salvaged cargo from ships hitting reef formations, making Key West Florida's richest city per capita.
- 1912
Over-Sea Railroad
Henry Flagler completed the Florida East Coast Railway line to Key West, linking the island to mainland Miami by train for the first time.
- 1935
Labor Day Hurricane
A Category 5 hurricane destroyed sections of the railway. The state rebuilt the damaged infrastructure into the Overseas Highway in 1938.
- 1982
Conch Republic Declaration
In response to a US Border Patrol roadblock on US 1, Key West declared symbolic independence as the Conch Republic for one day.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your location based on walkability and noise tolerance. Old Town North keeps you close to nightlife, while Old Town South offers residential quiet.
- First-time visitorsImmediate access to sights, restaurants, and bars without needing transport.
- Couples & quiet seekersOld Town South — Tree-shaded streets offer historic bed and breakfasts away from late-night bar crowds.
- Boaters & foodiesHistoric Seaport — Harbor views, charter boat departures, and raw bars sit right outside your room.
- Resort travelersNew Town — Larger rooms, oceanfront pools, and hassle-free parking offset the commute into Old Town.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
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H2O Suites- Adults Only
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The Gardens Hotel
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Santa Maria Suites Resort
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The Capitana Key West
Pregunta a Parleytransport
Getting around
Key West International Airport sits four miles east of historic sites. Most visitors rely on bicycles, taxis, or foot travel once inside Old Town.
Desde Key West International Airport (EYW)
- Taxi10-15 min$18–25
Standard metered fares from airport curb to Old Town hotels.
- Rideshare10-15 min$15–30
Uber and Lyft pick up in the designated ground transportation area.
- Bus25-35 min$2
Key West Transit Lower Keys Shuttle links the airport to Old Town.
The Duval Loop is a free city bus running every 15 minutes between historic sights and public parking garages.
Bicycles are the fastest way across Old Town. Island bike shops charge roughly $15 to $22 per day.
Low-speed electric vehicles require driver licenses and standard parking spaces. Rental rates start around $100 daily.
Old Town spans roughly one square mile. High humidity makes walking long distances tiring between May and October.
cost
What things cost
Key West carries higher prices than mainland Florida due to island freight transport and high tourist demand.
- Key Lime Pie slice: $7–9
Expect to pay around $8 for a fresh slice in Old Town bakeries.
- Conch fritters (basket): $12–16
Standard portion price at Bahama Village stands and seafood bars.
- Bike rental per day: $15–22
Includes lock and basket; daily rates drop for multi-day rentals.
- High season hotel room: $350–650
Rates peak during winter months and special festival weekends.
seasonality
When to go
DEC – APR
Mild weather with temperatures around 75°F (24°C). High hotel rates and peak visitor numbers across the island.
Afluencia
Heat
MAY – JUN
Warm days and rising humidity. Shoulder season brings lower room rates before summer travel begins.
Afluencia
Heat
JUL – AUG
Hot and very humid with daily short afternoon showers. Ocean water temperatures reach 88°F (31°C).
Afluencia
Heat
SEP – NOV
Peak Atlantic hurricane season. Lowest lodging rates of the year, but some businesses close in September for maintenance.
Afluencia
Heat
practicalities
Good to know
- Rooster rules
Gypsy roosters roam freely under municipal protection. Feeding or harming them carries city fines.
- Alcohol laws
Open alcoholic container laws apply on Duval Street. Keep drinks inside licensed patio boundaries.
- Beach expectations
Key West beaches are narrow coral sand protected by offshore reefs. Water shoes prevent cuts from sharp coral rocks.
- Cash for small stops
Some street vendors, sunset performers, and traditional bars like Green Parrot accept cash only.