Free things to do · Key West · United States
5 free things to do in Key West
Key West without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Radomianin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Key West without paying an entry fee: Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, Duval Street, Southernmost Point buoy and Key West Cemetery are all free. Visit between June and early December, outside holiday weeks, for much lower room rates.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Old Town and Duval Street
1.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.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
Street · Old Town and Duval Street
2.Duval Street
Walk the full length once by day, then come back after dark when live music spills out of the bars.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Shopping
- Food
Landmark · Old Town and Duval Street
3.Southernmost Point buoy
Queues for a photo can be long by mid-morning; come at sunrise or after dark.
- Time needed
- 15–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Historic site · Old Town and Duval Street
4.Key West Cemetery
Enter from the Margaret Street gate and pick up a map to find the famous headstones.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Historic Seaport
5.Historic Seaport harbour walk
Look into the water near the fish-cleaning stations, where large tarpon often gather.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town and Duval Street | Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, Duval Street, Southernmost Point buoy and Key West Cemetery | 1–1.5 hours + 1–2 hours + 15–30 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Historic Seaport | Historic Seaport harbour walk | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Beach · Truman Annex
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Wear water shoes; the beach is rocky and coral rubble underfoot, and fish gather around the rock groynes.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- History
- Nature
Landmark · Bahama Village
Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters
It is opposite the Hemingway Home, so climb it straight after your tour.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- History
Museum · Casa Marina and South Roosevelt
Fort East Martello Museum
Combine it with a swim at Smathers Beach, a short walk east.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Garden · Stock Island
Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
Visit in spring or autumn migration for the best birdwatching around the ponds.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
More ways to save
- Visit between June and early December, outside holiday weeks, for much lower room rates.
- Stay in New Town or on Stock Island to save on accommodation, then bike or bus into Old Town.
- Mallory Square at sunset, Duval Street, the cemetery and the Southernmost Point are free.
- Choose a guest house with free bikes and breakfast to cut daily costs.
- Check resort and parking fees, which can add significantly to quoted rates.
- Buy Cuban sandwiches and coffee from walk-up windows instead of sit-down cafés.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Key West expensive to visit?
Key West is very expensive for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Key West?
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.