Top Key West Activities for First-Time Visitors

The birthplace of the Key Lime Pie, a drag queen’s mecca, and a place where you’ll have one of the most unforgettable vacations in the USA – Key West, Florida. A destination that offers something thrilling for everyone, regardless of your age, gender, or interest. Whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with your family, Key West offers a full spectrum of activities to help you make the most of your visit.

Visit Hemingway’s home and museum

The first of many must-see spots in Key West is Ernest Hemingway’s home and museum. Thanks to his wife, who fell in love with the island, they made it a permanent home they built in 1851. Today, Hemingway’s former residence is a National Historic Landmark open for tourists year-round. Go on a tour and learn everything about the anecdotes from Hemingway’s life. Check out the famous author’s literary buffs, and study, to be even more fascinated with this incredible writer. Don’t be surprised to spot the descendants of the six-toed cat Hemingway looked after during his stay in Key West.

Head to the Key West aquarium

When you go to Key West, you must enjoy the sea creatures. While you’ll see plenty of underwater species during your snorkeling adventures, sharks are much safer to look at from dry land and at a safe distance like the one in an aquarium. Head to historic Mallory Square, in the middle of the tourist district of Key West, to visit an iconic aquarium that hosts a plethora of ocean creatures. Observe everything from sea cucumbers to conch, reel fish, sharks, and jellyfish. Are you bringing kids along? They’ll be amazed by horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, and sea stars. Learn all about sea turtles as you take the Sea Turtle Conservation Tour, which also tells you how the aquarium protects the species in the wild.

Go on a Key West Daily Tour

To get to know Key West at its best and learn everything you’re interested in, book a day trip around Key West. You can book exciting Key West tours that are available year-round, and make the most of your trip, by exploring the dramatic underwater vistas in a bottom glass boat. For adrenaline junkies, Key West also has day trips that include thrilling water activities like paddle boarding, snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, and jet skis. Book an eco stand-up paddleboard tour or go on trolley bus tours to tour the land once you’ve enjoyed the ocean.

Tour Harry S. Truman’s Little White House

Have you always wanted to see the White House? In Key West, you can go to the only presidential museum In Florida – the Harry S. Truman Little White House. Originally, the house was meant to be a place for naval officers to reside but was also former President Truman’s vacation stop. Having spent 175 days of his presidency there, the Little White House is named after him and is open daily for visitors’ tours.  

Enjoy the Key West butterfly and nature conservatory

Exploring the wonders of the Key West fauna will be every nature lover’s first activity on the list. Take a break from beach life and water sports in a soothing, tranquil ambiance of a nature conservatory. Spend time surrounded by the sounds of cascading fountains, chippering birds, and calming music. Did you know over 80 butterfly species live at the nature conservatory in Key West? The fascinating Blue Morpho will simply enchant you with its beauty. Get ready to witness between 1,200 and 2,000 butterflies, and maybe one of them lands on you – don’t worry, it’s a sign of good luck.

Snorkel on a Coral reef

Are you looking forward to snorkeling with sea turtles and dolphins? Key West’s coral reef is the best place to snorkel to spot those cute sea creatures. Deep blue waters are home to an abundance of fish and neon-colored coral that will take your breath away. Have you ever seen bottlenose dolphins in person? How about stingrays or parrotfish? All of them, as well as manatees, sea turtles, sandbar, lemon, and nurse sharks, live near the coral reef and wait to make their appearance in front of you.

Check out Key West’s fauna

After visiting the nature conservator for some of the most beautiful butterflies, you should continue exploring the fauna of Key West. It has some of the most fascinating birds including cormorants and herons. Head to Nancy Forester’s Secret Garden for unique looks at parrots, cockatoos, and macaws. Don’t be surprised to run into numerous cats and chickens casually strolling the land.

Final thoughts

If you’re planning a local vacation in the USA, head to Florida. Key West has some of the most thrilling but family-oriented activities too, allowing everyone to find their cup of tea. Explore the deep waters, enjoy the fauna and learn plenty on Key West daily tours. It will be a vacation to remember and repeat in the nearest future.