Top Things To Do in Key West
- Top Activities
- Florida Keys
- Sunset Key Cottages
- The Laureate Key West
- The Capitana Key West
- Opal Key Resort & Marina
A few swimsuits, a bottle of SPF, a new pair of flip-flops, and Opal’s comprehensive travel guide are all you need for your trip to the Florida Keys. Browse our top picks for your next tropical vacation to the Southernmost Point in the country.
A Key West vacation is an immersive, sensory-heightening experience at the country’s southernmost spot, where pastel, conch-style houses line the streets and fishermen bring in all the fresh seafood you could possibly eat. From Ernest “Papa” Hemingway’s home to coral reefs and sunlit restaurants, these Opal-curated spots ensure you get the maximum from your Key West vacation.
An American treasure hunter who most famously found the wreck of Nuestra Señora de Atocha, Mel Fisher founded this marvelous museum to showcase thousands of treasures, artifacts, and vessels. Plan to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Conservation Lab. 200 Greene St, Nearly as famous for its collection of rare, six-toed cats as for its former owner, this 1851-built Spanish colonial mansion captivates visitors of all ages with its swimming pool (the first in the city), gorgeous garden grounds and fishing photos inside, among other mementos of the writer. 907 Whitehead St, It might be the most Instagrammed shot in the Florida Keys: a large buoy emblazoned with the words “90 miles to Cuba” and marking, yes, the southernmost point in the continental U.S. Busiest at sunrise and sunset, it’s best visited by taking a historic trolley tour. Whitehead St &, South St, On this 90-minute tour, adventurous guests cover a whopping 28 miles, spotting sea turtles, dolphins, and tropical birds. Stop at a sandbar for a swim, and plan to go up to 45 miles an hour on the jet ski, which can fit three people. 631 Greene St, Watching the sun set becomes even more wondrous when you’re sailing the Caribbean waters on a classic 65-foot schooner, tasting 8 premium wines from around the world, sampling 5 different types of beer, and enjoying gourmet hors d’oeuvres as tropical music plays. Watch the Danger Charters crew hoist the sails as you kick back, socialize, and become mesmerized. Book your cruise now – this vessel is only in Key West through June! 255 Front St, Danger Charters and Fury Cat also offer snorkeling tours of the crystal clear waters of the Florida Keys, home to living corals, exotic sponges, midnight parrotfish, and a rainbow of other tropical fish. Obviously, no trip here is complete without eating your way through the signature restaurants of each Key West Opal resort. Whether you’re dining on or off-property, we’ve got you covered. With handsome, mahogany and leather furniture set against the brilliant blue ocean (and tiki-torch-lighted tables for al fresco dining) Latitudes creates the ideal atmosphere for the treasures of the Florida Keys seafood. Chilled poached shrimp, pan-roasted cobia, and Key lime pie are just a few of the favorites on the dinner menu. 245 Front St., Hidden in an intimate space on Fleming Street in Old Town, The Roost is a blue-walled gem of a boutique bar that, in addition to slinging classic cocktails, also sells the spirits that go in them (that’s right, it doubles as your neighborhood liquor store!). Try the Maria-Rita, a delicious blend of sweet and spicy featuring Milagro Reposado, fresh lemon and line, and habanero-hibiscus syrup. 508 Fleming St., Located on Petronia Street, just steps away from buzzy Duval, this cozy, unpretentious restaurant is an unexpected gem full of surprises. Take, for example, its atmosphere boasting bright lime green walls adorned in original artwork depicting David Bowie. Still, nothing is as eclectic as the menu, itself: Favorites include the deviled eggs topped in seared scallops; the signature yellow tail snapper; and beef stroganoff, a family recipe from the restaurants original Polish chef. 411 Petronia St., This dog-friendly bar and live music venue is also home to Garbo’s food truck, where you can order burritos, burgers and poke bowls to go with such craft drinks as the Watermelon Cucumber Crush, Old Chocolate Lab and (naturally) Hair of the Dog. 409 Caroline St., Located on the corner of Petronia and Thomas Streets in the Bahama Village, this iconic landmark for Floridan-Caribbean cuisine hinges around an outdoor paved courtyard dining area roamed by roosters, chicks, and cats and shrouded by a giant almond tree, sails, and canopies. Most popular dishes include benedicts for breakfast, jerk chicken sandwiches and shrimp melts for lunch, and snapper in citrus for dinner. That said, the most eye-popping dish to come sailing out of the kitchen is the key lime pie, topped in five pillowy, delicate inches of meringue. 729 Thomas St., Plan to spend a daylong excursion to the dynamic Dry Tortugas National Park, which is 100 square miles of mostly aquamarine open water and seven small islands. It’s 70 miles from Key West, and you can get there by boat or seaplane. Explore the 19th century Fort Jefferson before birdwatching, snorkeling among the coral reefs, and relaxing in this little piece of paradise. Experience one of the liveliest spots for live music in the Keys at Smokin’ Tuna, which has a sprawling, charming setting in an historic Florida home and adjacent patio and decks. Entertainment is guaranteed for every day of the week, and the tuna nachos are a house specialty. 4 Charles Street, Every July, “Papa” comes back to life as dozens of Ernest Hemingway look-alikes compete in an annual contest, part of a multi-day celebration of the incomparable author. In honor of Hemingway’s books and interests, there’s also a “Running of the Bulls” on Duval Street, a three-day marlin tournament, and a short-story competition. Flowers seem to be falling from the sky at this sensational spot, where 50 to 60 species of butterflies take hold in the tropical setting. Be sure to spend time in the shop, where artist Sam Trophia has created a kaleidoscope of colorful replicas. 1316 Duval St, Whether you’re riding a jetski along a coastal paradise, tucking into tuna nachos while listening to the latest local acts, or sailing into the sunset, Key West unlocks some of the most treasured spots in Florida. Where to Stay: | The Laureate Key West | Sunset Key Cottages | The Capitana | Opal Key Resort & MarinaSee a Key West Activity That Strikes Your Fancy?
KEY WEST LANDMARKS
Mel Fisher’s Museum
Key West, FL 33040Ernest Hemingway House
Key West, FL 33040Southernmost Point
Key West, FL 33040TOP THINGS TO DO IN KEY WEST
Jet Ski Tour with Fury
Key West, FL 33040Sunset Wind & Wine Cruise with Danger Charters
Key West, FL 33040Snorkeling on the Reefs
BEST RESTAURANTS IN KEY WEST
Latitudes
Key West, FL 33040The Roost
Key West, FL 33040Red Shoe Island Bistro
Key West, FL 33040Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon
Key West, FL 33040Blue Heaven
Key West, FL 33040Related Reading: The Best Key Lime Pies in Key West
LOCALS’ FAVORITES IN KEY WEST
Dry Tortugas
Smokin’ Tuna
Key West, FL 33040Hemingway Days
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy
Key West, FL 33040
