Heading to Key West on a day trip or on a cruise? Here are 9 quick, must-see stops

So you’ve made it to Key West on your cruise or arrived for a day trip. You have a limited amount of time to explore this tiny tropical island before you pull out for your next stop.

What are you going to do?

You’ve got options.

See some history. Tour museums. Visit some landmarks.

You can always just grab a cocktail and wander Duval Street, soaking up the sun, sights and shops.

Here’s a Top 10 list of things to do in Key West:

1. Duval Street

World famous Duval Street is where the party starts, home of bars, live music, restaurants, art galleries, hotels and guesthouses and shops. The 1.25-mile-long Duval Street stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

2. The Southernmost Point buoy

This waterfront spot downtown is one of Key West’s most photographed attraction, claiming the southernmost point in the continental United States and a landmark “90 miles to Cuba.” You will likely have to wait in line for a turn to stand before the giant marker located where Whitehead and South streets meet and enjoy the view.

3. Conch Tour Train

The famous Conch Tour Train, which started in 1958, is an easy way to see the major sights in Key West and learn the island’s history. The ride starts at the “depot” on Front Street and ends right behind it in Mallory Square.

4. Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, named for one of the most famous treasure hunters, lets you step back into the maritime history of Florida and the Caribbean. The museum at 200 Greene St. features artifacts recovered from the Spanish galleons Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita of 1622. The museum’s staff also takes deep dives into maritime archaeology and has created exhibits on slave ships and the 1860 African Cemetery at Higgs Beach.

5. The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Looking for a peaceful spot? The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, 1316 Duval St., is just the place on the quieter, upper end of Duval. The attraction is centered around a lush, glass-enclosed space filled with butterflies and birds. Among the flowering plants, trees and waterfalls are 50 to 60 butterfly species from around the world plus more than 20 exotic bird species.

6. Key West Cemetery

The Key West Cemetery was created in 1847 after a disastrous hurricane unearthed the beachside cemetery, according to the city’s website. Between 80,000 to 100,000 souls rest inside the fenced 19 acres. From simple markers to elaborate mausoleums with statues, the centrally located cemetery displays the history and diversity of the island’s residents. There are also several well-known wry epitaphs. The grave of B.P. “Pearl” Roberts famously reads, “I Told You I Was Sick.” Another states, “If You’re Reading This, You Desperately Need A Hobby.” And one says, “I Always Dreamed Of Owning A Small Place In Key West.” The main entrance and sexton’s office are at the intersection of Angela and Margaret streets.

7. The Hemingway Home and Museum

Ernest Hemingway’s old estate, with luxurious grounds and dozens of six-toed cats, is at 907 Whitehead St. The National Historic Landmark offers guided tours of what was the legendary author’s home in the 1930s take about 20 to 30 minutes and also include his writing studio beside the house. Then there’s the tale of the in-ground pool, which the museum says was a first in Key West, costing $20,000 to build between 1937 to 1938. There is a penny lodged in the cement by the pool, memorializing the claim that Hemingway shouted to his wife Pauline that she had spent all but his last cent.

8. Key West Historic Seaport

Key West’s old seaport is a gem: a waterfront harborwalk with shopping and dining in the middle of a marina that features fishing charters, sunset-sailing catamarans and tall ships. The 20-acre complex is a place to mix with locals and visitors and take in exceptional dockside views.

9. Key West Lighthouse

This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.