3 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 and Duval Street, then Historic Seaport harbour walk in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

      Hemingway lived and wrote in this Spanish Colonial stone house on Whitehead Street during the 1930s.

   2. Late morning

      Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

      Arrive about 45 minutes before sunset to find a spot on the water's edge and see the performers set up.

   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 island's main street runs from the Gulf to the Atlantic, with long-running bars such as Sloppy Joe's and Captain Tony's, galleries, cigar shops and restaurants.

   5. Evening

      Historic Seaport harbour walk

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

2. Day 2: Southernmost Point buoy and Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

   Southernmost Point buoy, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and Key West Cemetery, then Sunset sail in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Southernmost Point buoy

      Queues for a photo can be long by mid-morning; come at sunrise or after dark.

   2. Late morning

      Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

      A glass-domed tropical garden at the southern end of Duval Street where hundreds of butterflies from around the world fly freely among the plants, along with a few small birds.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Conch fritters

      Seafood shacks at the Historic Seaport and along Duval Street.

   4. Afternoon

      Key West Cemetery

      Enter from the Margaret Street gate and pick up a map to find the famous headstones.

   5. Evening

      Sunset sail

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

3. Day 3: 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 and Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef, then Lower Duval Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

      A brick fort from the mid-19th century at the island's southwestern tip, with a state park beach next to it that has some of the best snorkelling from shore on Key West, picnic tables in pine shade and sunset views.

   2. Late morning

      Harry S. Truman Little White House

      The surrounding botanical grounds are free to walk; the house is by guided tour only.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Key West pink shrimp

      Raw bars at Key West Bight and dockside restaurants on Stock Island.

   4. Afternoon

      Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef

      Catamarans and dive boats leave Key West Bight for reef sites such as Sand Key, where shallow coral heads hold parrotfish, angelfish and sometimes turtles and nurse sharks.

   5. Evening

      Lower Duval Street

      The busiest stretch near the Gulf, with Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's Saloon and many live-music bars.

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 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

With 3 nights, Old Town and Duval Street keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Historic Seaport ($$$$) suits couples, food lovers and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–19 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.6 hours in June.

More or fewer days

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

Questions travellers ask