Key West, the “Conch Republic”, is only four miles long and two miles wide, but offers all manner of adventures and diversions to its visitors. There are live music and theater, art galleries, iconic dining and drinking spots. It also has unique shops and in particular a rich, historical legacy to explore making a Key West vacation rentals a fantastic experience.
It’s a place of legends, culture, and hidden natural gems. Visitors can also experience literary history, strolling the palm-lined streets as Ernest Hemingway, Robert Frost and Tennessee Williams once did. They can enjoy waters-edge dining and legendary pubs, like Sloppy Joe’s, the Green Parrot, Schooner Wharf, Hogs Breath Saloon, Smokin’ Tuna and Captain Tony’s, made famous by Jimmy Buffet (who also has a Margaritaville outpost here) among others.
The backdrop of clear, usually sparkling turquoise waters, palm trees, and blue skies, however, leads many visitors to spend their days exploring at the sea’s edge and beyond. The city offers beautiful beaches, scuba diving and snorkeling coral reefs and wrecks. You can also find activities like fishing, sunset sailing trips, water sports, and more.
Key West also offers popular outdoor attractions in a natural setting, such as the botanical gardens at West Martello Tower and on Stock Island, and tours of the historical Old Town architectural district. In addition, there’s an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts with an ocean view, and even bocce.
All this combined with the wonderful climate make Key West a global meeting place. The community is also known for a tolerant vibe and creative spirit, and a good-time attitude pervades every corner of the island. Therefore, Key West vacation rentals allow you to experience all the city has to offer and capture the heart of this wondrous location.
Travel Times
Key West to Marathon: 80 minutes
Key West to Big Pine Key: 40 minutes
Key West to Marathon: 80 minutes
Key West to Islamorada: 1.75 hours
Key West to Key Largo: about 2.5 hours
Key West to Miami International Airport: 3.75 hours
Key West to Ft. Lauderdale International Airport: 4 hours
Weather
Key West and the Florida Keys have fabulous weather year-round. The average water temperatures range between a high of 87°F/31°C in July and August to a low of 69°F/21°C in January. The average air temperatures generally range between a high point of 80-89°F/27-32° in July to a low of 65-75°F/18-24°C in January.
Do you want to enjoy this experience? Find the best Key West vacation rentals for your next trip.
Book Key West Vacation Rentals To Enjoy These Activities:
Use our handy Yelp! feed to see all the restaurants, shopping, diving, fishing, arts & entertainment, beaches, bike rentals, boating, parks, rafting/kayaking, coffee/tea, tours, and nightlife in the area.
Key West
BEACHES
Ft. Zachary Taylor (see attractions)
Smathers Beach – Key West’s largest beach. South Roosevelt Blvd., from the Key West airport to Bertha Street.
Higgs Beach
Dog Beach
Boca Chica Beach – Boca Chica beach is adjacent to the U.S. Navy’s base on Boca Chica Key. It is off the tourist grid and used extensively by locals for bird watching, nature hikes and exercising dogs. There is an area beyond the first break in land sometimes used by nude sun bathers.
FISHING
- See additional fishing resources at the Florida Keys’ official tourism website
- For charter suggestions, check Yelp
- Good introductory information at Florida-Keys-Fishing. org
- Florida Keys news and forums at FloridaSportsman.com
DIVING AND SNORKELING
- A list of Key West’s dive and snorkel spots can be found on the Florida Key’s official tourism website
- See Yelp for dive charter reviews
BOATING
- For boat rentals, see our Directory
- For information about mooring buoys, marinas, boat ramps, paddling trails, safety and courtesy see the site maintained by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- See additional boating resources at the Florida Keys’ official tourism website.
- For kayak rentals and eco-touring, see our Directory
- For up-to-date weather forecasts visit NOAA’s official marine forecast site
- For tide information, visit TidesChart.com.
Key West Attractions Association is an online travel guide and directory of Key West’s main attractions, events, tours, accommodations, restaurants, and shops – the things you love to do best in Key West can be found here.
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square features arts and crafts exhibitors, street performers, food carts, psychics and of course the thousands of tourists from around the world. Each night, around two hours before sunset, locals and tourists alike flock to the water’s edge to experience a multicultural happening and to watch the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Additionally, it is Florida’s southernmost state park, popular for recreation, as well as U.S. military history. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nation’s southeastern coastline. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. A beautiful beach at the southern end of the park provides opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy a short nature trail and bicycling within the park. A refreshment stand at the beach offers snacks, cold beverages, beach sundries, and souvenirs. Guided tours of the fort are available daily. 601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL 33040, Phone (305)292-6713.
Dry Tortugas National Park & Fort Jefferson. Almost 70 miles (112.9 km) west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, its legends of pirates and sunken gold, and its military past. Accessible only by boat or seaplane.
Key West Botanical Garden, 5210 College Rd., Key West, FL 33040, Phone (305)296-1504.
The Key West Garden Club Visitors to the Key West Garden Club and the Joe Allen Garden Center, the club’s meeting and educational facility, are invited to stroll the brick pathways through graceful arched courtyards and lush, colorful foliage of the West Martello Tower, a Civil War fort and a National Historic Site. 1100 Atlantic Blvd., Key West, FL (305) 294-3210.
The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, 907 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040, Phone (305)294-1136.
The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens 205 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040, Phone (305)294-2116.
Museum of Art & History at The Custom House 281 Front St., Key West, FL 33040, Phone (305) 295-6616.
The Key West Light House and Keeper’s Quarters Museum 938 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040, Phone (305) 294-0012.
The Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum 111 Front St., Key West, FL 33040, Phone (305) 294-9911.
FOR CHILDREN:
Key West is very family-friendly, contrary to some reports, and there are plenty of activities to interest visitors of all ages.
- See activities for children at the official tourism site.
- Kids In The Keys guide
- Top 10 Key West activities for children from Family Travel Network.
- Key West for the children from Key West Attractions Association.
FOR YOUR DOG:
- Key West Dog Park and its Facebook page
- Dog-friendly attractions.
GOLF
- Key West Golf Club 6450 E. College Road Key West, FL 33040 Phone 305.294.5232
Located in the heart of Key West, Florida the Key West Golf Club is the only Caribbean golf course in the United States. At the entrance to the island of Key West, the unique Key West Golf Club’s 18 holes encompass over 200 acres of beautiful Florida Keys foliage and wildlife. Key West Golf Club Golf legend REES JONES masterfully designed the Key West Golf Course, an 18 hole, 6,500 yard course to be a challenge to players of all abilities. In addition, meet all the exciting challenges of the Key West Golf Course, including the infamous “Mangrove Hole” (143 yards, par 3 that is played completely over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves).
TENNIS
- There is a lighted public tennis court with five courts at Bayview Park.
- There are public tennis and pickleball courts at the park across from Higgs Beach.
- For restaurant reviews and suggestions, see Yelp
- For a collection of restaurant menus, see the Key West Citizen’s Menu Guide
- A directory of restaurants and bars from the Key West Attractions Assoc.
- KeysScene.com has a good list of Key West shopping options
- See Yelp
- Tropic Cinema 416 Eaton St., Key West, FL Phone (877)761-FILM
- Regal Cinema 3338 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040 (305) 296-7211
- The Waterfront Playhouse 310 Wall St., Key West, FL Phone (305)294-5015
- The Red Barn Theatre 319 Duval St., Key West, FL Phone (305)296-9911
- KeysTix Online ticket source for many Florida Keys events
- For a list of live music venues, visit KeysScene.com
- The Key West Citizen’s Paradise entertainment supplement