Key West, where the road ends
The southernmost island of the continental US: porch-fronted wooden houses, six-toed cats at Hemingway's home and a sunset people applaud every evening.
Find your Key West hotel
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Key West hotel deals
Live rates for 3 nights and 2 adults, from Duval Street to the south shore.
What to see in Key West
An island about 4 miles long you can cover by bike, plus a 19th-century fort far out in the Gulf.
- Dec–AprDry, mild season
- ≈ 90 miDistance to Cuba
- 42Bridges on the Overseas Highway
- ≈ 4 hrDrive from Miami
Key West, then and now
From the Keys' historical archives to today's dockside evenings, the island has always lived facing the sea.
- Lunch with a sea view · Watts (CC BY 2.0)
- A beach day from another era · Florida Keys--Public Libraries (CC BY 2.0)
- The island's shore in an archive photo · Florida Keys History Center-Monroe County Public L (CC BY 2.0)
- Sunset off Mallory Square · andrea.anzi (CC BY 3.0)
- Hemingway's house, a national landmark · Upstateherd (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Lining up at the Southernmost Point · C Watts (CC BY 2.0)
Key West FAQ
Getting there, when to go, where to stay and how to visit the Dry Tortugas.
When is the best time to visit Key West?
December through April, with dry days and highs around 75 to 82 °F. It is also the priciest season, so book ahead. May and June are a good alternative with fewer crowds. August to October is the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30); if you go then, watch the forecast and get travel insurance.
Should I fly in or drive from Miami?
Key West International (EYW) has connecting flights through hubs such as Miami, Atlanta and Charlotte and is about 10 minutes from downtown. Many travelers fly into Miami (MIA) and drive roughly 160 miles down the Overseas Highway, about four hours without stops; the bridges and turquoise water make the drive part of the trip.
How do I visit the Dry Tortugas?
Dry Tortugas National Park lies about 70 miles west and is reachable only by sea or air: by ferry, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes each way, or by seaplane, about 40 minutes. You get 19th-century Fort Jefferson and snorkeling in clear water. Seats sell out weeks or months ahead.
Which area should I stay in?
Old Town is the heart of the island: inns in Victorian houses, with Duval Street and Mallory Square on foot. Truman Annex, inside Old Town, is quieter. The south shore near Smathers Beach has larger resorts with pools and better rates. To save, look at neighboring Stock Island, about 10 minutes away.
How many days do I need?
Three or four nights covers Old Town, a snorkel or sailing trip and a day at the Dry Tortugas. If you drive from Miami, add a night in the Middle or Upper Keys, such as Islamorada or Marathon, so the trip down isn't rushed.
What should I not miss?
The Mallory Square Sunset Celebration with its street performers; Hemingway's house and its polydactyl cats; a photo at the Southernmost Point buoy; the Key West Lighthouse; Fort Zachary Taylor, with a beach good for snorkeling; and a boat trip to the Florida Keys reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US.
What should I eat?
Key lime pie, born here with small, tart Key limes; conch fritters; fresh fish like mahi-mahi or snapper; and Key West pink shrimp. The island's Cuban heritage shows in the café con leche and Cuban bread at neighborhood cafeterias.
Do I need a car on the island?
No. Key West is small and flat, so walking or renting a bike, scooter or electric cart works best. Parking in Old Town is scarce and expensive; if you drive down, choose a hotel that includes parking and leave the car there.
What documents do I need?
Visitors from Mexico need a valid passport and a US tourist visa. Driving down from Miami involves no extra checkpoints.
How will I receive my hotel confirmation?
Once payment is complete, your confirmation arrives by email. Change and cancellation conditions depend on each hotel and rate and are shown before you pay.
Your Key West hotel, your flight and your Dry Tortugas tour, all on your phone.
