Key West is by no means a cheap place to visit, but for those looking to save some money, there are plenty of free and fun things to do on the island. Here are some of our favorites!
Booth at a Key West Street Fair 
Eco Discovery Center, Key West, Florida 
The Oldest House in Key West is located on Duval Street. 
Key West Historical Markers 
Higgs Beach, the African Cemetery, and the Martello Tower, home to the Key West Garden Club.
- For those of you 21 and older, Key West’s First Legal Rum Distillery offers free rum tastings and free Mojito class with samples! If you sample something that you like, buy a bottle to take home with you as a souvenir of your time here or as a gift for a friend.
- Visit the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center for a greater understanding of the native plants and animals of the Florida Keys, both on land and underwater. This is a great place for families to spend part of a day.
- Visit the Key West Cemetery, 19-acres located at the foot of Solares Hill, the highest point of the island. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 people are buried here.
- Enjoy the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. Each night, you can enjoy watching street performers as the sun goes down over the harbor. And you will also find some yummy snacks to munch on while you are there browsing some of the unique art work people are peddling.
- Visit the Southernmost Point buoy and take your picture!
- Walk down Duval Street and explore all of the shops and galleries, along the way.
- Spend the day at Smathers Beach or Higgs Beach and soak up the sun’s rays.
- Take the Pelican Path self guided walking tour of Key West. This tour focuses on the many historic buildings in Key West and will take about two hours to complete.
- Enjoy the Key West Historic Marker self guided tour which consists of over 120 Historic Markers in the Largest Historic District of Frame Buildings in the United States. Maps are available at all Key West Art & Historical Society-stewarded properties: Custom House Museum, Fort East Martello Museum, Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters, and the Tennessee Williams Museum, as well as City Hall on White Street. You can also download the free Key West Historic Marker Tour phone app at keywest.oncell.com, or call 305-507-0300 for a free Key West “Voices of History” phone tour.
- Walk on the White Street Pier and enjoy the awesome view!
- Visit the African Cemetery and learn a little bit about Key West’s history.
- Visit the Key West Wildlife Center, open to the public every day except Wednesday. Visiting hours are 9am to 5pm but injured wildlife is accepted 24/7. The nature trail which includes a freshwater pond and two aviaries is great spot for observing migratory birds, especially in spring and autumn.
- Kids can enjoy the splash park at Truman Annex Waterfront Park. A great way to cool off on our hot tropical days!
- Kids will enjoy playing on the playground equipment at Bill Butler Park on Poorhouse Lane or at Cozumel Park on 19th Street and Donald Ave. Bring along lunch and have a family picnic!
- Visit the Key West Veterans Memorial Garden at Bayview Park.
- Visit Little Hamaca Park on Government Road and walk the nature trails through native habitats. Meander over boardwalks and mulched trails through mangrove, transitional, and hardwood hammock communities. See flora and fauna indigenous and endemic to Key West. Bring your binoculars and sunscreen.
- Walk along South Roosevelt Blvd. and enjoy Atlantic Ocean views while you get in some exercise. Make sure to check out Riggs Wildlife Refuge/Bridle Path observation deck that overlooks the historical Salt Ponds.
- Visit the Lofton B Sands African Bahamian Museum. This 1920s house covers the history of the island’s African American population. Open daily 10am – 6pm.
- Check out the Oldest House and Gardens. This is not only the oldest house in Key West; it is the oldest house in all of South Florida! Docents are available to answer questions about the property and the family that built it. The house itself is full of the original furnishings, old documents, and family portraits. Behind the house if am amazing garden and the only surviving Cook House is South Florida. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am – 4pm.
- Visit the San Carlos Institute. This museum houses a research library that documents Key West’s Cuban population. There is also an art gallery, and much more in this magnificent building. Open Friday – Sunday from noon – 6pm.
- If you are traveling with your dog, make sure to check out both the Dog Park across the street from Higg’s Beach and Dog Beach next door to Louie’s Backyard.
To see what is happening on the island of Key West during your visit, check out our Key West Events Calendar and see other upcoming special events.
There are so many places to eat in Key West. Before you decide where to go, be sure to read my Key West restaurant reviews; check out our restaurant review section of this blog.
For more information about the fun side of Key West… things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site.
Feel free to Email Me if you have any questions about Key West!!
