2 days in Key West

Day by day

1. Day 1: Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

   Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, Duval Street and Southernmost Point buoy, then Historic Seaport harbour walk in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

      Guided tours run through the rooms and the writing studio, and the gardens are home to dozens of cats, many of them six-toed descendants, according to the museum, of a cat given to the writer.

   2. Late morning

      Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

      It is free, crowded and very Key West, with sailboats crossing the horizon as the sun drops.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Key lime pie

      Bakeries and restaurants all over Old Town; frozen chocolate-dipped slices on a stick are a popular street snack.

   4. Afternoon

      Duval Street

      The Gulf end is busiest at night; the quieter southern end has galleries and the Atlantic waterfront.

   5. Late afternoon

      Southernmost Point buoy

      It is the island's most popular photo stop.

   6. Evening

      Historic Seaport harbour walk

      Look into the water near the fish-cleaning stations, where large tarpon often gather.

2. Day 2: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and Harry S. Truman Little White House

   Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Harry S. Truman Little White House, Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef and Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters, then Sunset sail in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

      The fort's casemates hold a collection of Civil War-era cannon.

   2. Late morning

      Harry S. Truman Little White House

      Guided tours show the original furnishings, Truman's poker table and the room where policy was made in shorts and Hawaiian shirts.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Conch fritters

      Seafood shacks at the Historic Seaport and along Duval Street.

   4. Afternoon

      Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef

      Trips are usually half a day, with gear included.

   5. Late afternoon

      Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters

      The keeper's quarters museum covers life at the light and the island's shipwreck history.

   6. Evening

      Sunset sail

      Choose a traditional schooner for a quieter sail, or a catamaran for more space and a party atmosphere.

Before you go

• Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef: Book a day or two ahead in winter and spring; trips can be cancelled for wind, so keep a backup day.
• Sunset sail: Reserve a day or more ahead in high season.

If it rains

• Swap in Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory (Old Town and Duval Street): Wear bright colours; butterflies are more likely to land on you.
• Swap in Mel Fisher Maritime Museum (Old Town and Duval Street): Try lifting the gold bar on display, a hands-on highlight for children.
• Swap in Fort East Martello Museum (Casa Marina and South Roosevelt): Combine it with a swim at Smathers Beach, a short walk east.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–18 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.6 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Cycling. Bicycles are the island's main transport; rental shops deliver to hotels, and many guest houses lend them free.

More or fewer days

• One day in Key West
• 3 days in Key West
• 5 days in Key West

Questions travellers ask