In 2 trips to Key West, we still haven’t even scratched the surface of cool things to do, but I will tell you about the things we have done. Nothing has disappointed us yet!
Mallory Square: When writing about things to do in Key West, I have to start with Mallory Square. A small waterfront square near the cruise ship docks, it hosts restaurants, bars, shopping, water adventure sports, and more. You can easily waste a portion of your day exploring this area, but the best part? The sunset celebration! Every night, starting 2 hours before sunset, people start gathering to watch the street performers and grab their front row seats to one of the most magical sunsets you’ve ever seen. It’s such a simple pleasure to witness a beautiful sunset and I love that the people of Key West make it a nightly ritual to celebrate the day. Sunset celebration should go on your to-do list at least once but you might keep coming back! “See you at Sunset!”
400 Wall Street, Key West, FL
Mel Fisher’s Maritime Heritage Museum: Florida has a great deal of coastline filled with ancient history in the form of shipwrecks dating back to the 1500s. Mel Fisher and his diving crew have made incredible discoveries including the wreckages of the “Henrietta Marie” from the summer of 1700, “The Tierra Firme” fleet of 28 ships from 1622, the “St. John’s Mystery Ship” from the 1500s, and most notably “The Nuestra Senora de Atocha”, a Spanish ship that sunk in a hurricane off the coast of Key West in 1622. Mel Fisher spent 16 years searching for the “Nuestra Senora de Atocha” wreck, which was rumored to hold over $400 million worth of gold and treasure. He finally hit the mother lode in 1985. He spent 7 years fighting the Florida Government over rightful ownership of the newly found treasure but he ultimately won. Treasure and artifacts from these shipwrecks are now housed here in Key West. Exhibits include gold and silver bars, coins, precious gemstones (a 78 carat Emerald!), china, weapons, cannons, and so much more. It’s fun and fascinating to take a step back into history as you walk through The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum.
200 Greene Street, Key West, FL
Southern Most Point: Although this may appear as just a grounded concrete buoy, people gather here daily to snap themselves standing at The Southern Most Point of the United States! Come get your Instagram selfie at the most photographed landmark in the Conch Republic!
At the Corner of South Street and Whitehead Street
Scooter Rental: You will see scooters all over Key West and you will quickly learn that this is because they are one of the fastest and easiest ways to navigate the island. Plus, they are super fun! I would recommend renting them early in the morning if you are simply using it to cruise around the island, as traffic can get a little heavy later in the day!
Catamaran Day Sail/Dolphin Watching: Being from the Northeast, the most contact we have with dolphins is maybe seeing them swim across the horizon a half mile from the beach early in the morning, or of course at an aquarium. AND let’s face it, the Atlantic Ocean does not quite offer the same serene beauty as the Florida Gulf Coast! So we decided to book a day trip with Catamaran Echo out of the Historic Seaport Harbor Walk to catch some dolphins in action. This ended up being my favorite activity of the trip!
If you are looking for a day of fun and relaxation, this is it. Setting sail for the day with Catamaran Echo captivates the island spirit. We were lucky enough to have a most perfect Florida Keys day with bright sun and smooth waters. Echo has a Bimini to protect you from the hot sun or you can hang out on the front of the boat as you sail through the crystal blue waters and search for wildlife. The crew is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They were able to pinpoint exactly where the dolphins would be showing up, a little spot several miles out that they call the “Dolphin’s Playground”. Sure enough, within a few minutes we were surrounded by dolphins!! They were very interactive, waving their tails and swimming along the boat. Along the way we also caught glimpses of Eagle Rays and Sea Turtles. The crew had a background in marine biology so they were excellent at not only spotting the wildlife, but then providing in depth information about the species.
Later in the sail, we anchored and snorkeled for about 45 minutes. We saw coral, sea plants and fish. Snacks and drinks were provided on the boat but bring your own towel and sunblock! Don’t forget to tip the crew, they deserve it!
231 Margaret Street, Key West, FL
Next Up:
We have only had the pleasure of staying a few days each time we went to Key West, but we love it there and I am sure we will be back! On our agenda for the next trip: Taking a seaplane to the Dry Tortugas, visiting Hemingway’s House, a Fishing excursion, Fort Jefferson, and dinner at Latitudes.
We hope you enjoyed Key West through our eyes! We will see you next month for another adventure!
