5 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

      Go first thing in the morning before the tour groups and the heat; tours start frequently and are included in admission. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   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. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   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

      Walk the full length once by day, then come back after dark when live music spills out of the bars. (1–2 hours, free).

   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. (15–30 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

      Wear bright colours; butterflies are more likely to land on you. (45 minutes, mid-priced).

   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. (45 minutes, free).

   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

      Wear water shoes; the beach is rocky and coral rubble underfoot, and fish gather around the rock groynes. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Harry S. Truman Little White House

      The surrounding botanical grounds are free to walk; the house is by guided tour only. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   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

      Book a morning trip, when seas are usually calmer, and use reef-safe sunscreen. (Half a day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Lower Duval Street

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park

   About 2 hours 15 minutes by ferry, 40 minutes by seaplane each way. Getting there: Official ferry or seaplane from Key West.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Dry Tortugas National Park

      About 2 hours 15 minutes by ferry, 40 minutes by seaplane (Official ferry or seaplane from Key West); about 110 km.

   2. Day

      Dry Tortugas National Park

      Seven remote islands in turquoise water, dominated by Fort Jefferson, a vast unfinished 19th-century brick fort on Garden Key. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Key West

      Dinner: try Cuban sandwich.

5. Day 5: Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters and Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

   Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and Fort East Martello Museum, then Upper Duval Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters

      It is opposite the Hemingway Home, so climb it straight after your tour. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

      Try lifting the gold bar on display, a hands-on highlight for children. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cuban sandwich

      Cuban cafés and takeaway windows around Old Town and New Town.

   4. Afternoon

      Fort East Martello Museum

      Combine it with a swim at Smathers Beach, a short walk east. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Upper Duval Street

      The heart of the island's LGBTQ+ nightlife, with cabaret and drag shows.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef and Sunset sail before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 18–21 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Key West

Questions travellers ask