Laid-back island at the end of the road
Key West is the southernmost of the Florida Keys, a colorful island of bars, sunsets and conch houses. Duval Street parties, Mallory Square celebrates sunset, and snorkeling trips reach the reef. Dry Tortugas is a famous boat or seaplane trip. It is relaxed but pricey.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
Every evening crowds gather on this waterfront square to watch the sunset with street performers. It is a Key West tradition.
The Spanish colonial house where Hemingway lived and wrote in the 1930s. Dozens of six toed cats live on the grounds.
2026: USD 19 adult; card payments add 3 percent.
A painted concrete buoy marking a southern point of the continental US. Expect a line for photos.
The main street of bars, shops and galleries, running across the island. It is busiest at night.
A Civil War era fort and state park with the best beach in Key West. Snorkeling is possible off the rocks.
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
A lighthouse from 1848 with a museum in the keeper's quarters. Climbing it gives views over the island.
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Boat trips visit the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US. Snorkel gear is provided.
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
A glass dome full of tropical butterflies and a few birds. It is a calm, colorful stop near the end of Duval Street.
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
President Truman's winter White House, now a museum. Guided tours show his rooms.
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
A remote national park with the huge 19th century Fort Jefferson and clear water for snorkeling. It is reached by ferry or seaplane.
2026: ferry fares from about USD 245, including the park entrance fee.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one Old Town, day two reef, day three Dry Tortugas.
Beach.
37 mi · Car, about 1 hour
Key deer.
31 mi · Car, about 45 minutes
Best: December to May. Dry and warm.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
Late October (16 to 25 October in 2026)
Costume festival with a big parade.
July
Literary festival and look alike contest.
As a US destination it has no State Department travel advisory level; low violent crime; hurricanes and sun are main risks.
Old Town is compact and flat.
Buses and bikes.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers
Center.
Best for: couples
Quiet.
Best for: budget
Cheaper.
| Main airport | Key West International Airport (EYW), 3 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi about 10 minutes. |
| Around town | Walk or bike. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
Tart pie.
Fried shellfish.
Local shrimp.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent in restaurants and a few dollars per drink. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere. |
| Etiquette | Be friendly and patient; smoking is banned in most indoor places. |
Key West was settled by Americans in the 1820s and grew rich on salvaging wrecked ships, sponge diving and cigar making. For a time it was one of the wealthiest cities per person in Florida. Ernest Hemingway lived here in the 1930s, and President Truman used it as a winter retreat. The Overseas Highway opened in 1938, linking the island to the mainland. Today it is known for its laid back culture and tolerance.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.