In the event you’re planning a fast getaway, right here’s precisely easy methods to spend 48 hours in Key West whereas experiencing its historical past, meals, seashores, and well-known island environment.
48 Hours in Key West
The Florida Keys are in contrast to anyplace else in the US. Stretching over 100 miles into good blue water, this chain of tropical islands blends Caribbean appeal, colourful historical past, recent seafood, quirky points of interest, and spectacular sunsets.
On the very finish of the Abroad Freeway sits Key West, the southernmost metropolis within the continental United States. It’s a spot the place roosters wander the streets, pastel cottages line slender lanes, and flip-flops are thought-about acceptable nearly all over the place.
You’ll discover presidential historical past, literary landmarks, waterfront eating places, vigorous music, and a few of the finest sunsets you’ll ever see. Sure, there are many vacationer points of interest, however one way or the other they change into a part of Key West’s appeal. This island doesn’t take itself too critically, and neither must you.
Learn via my different Florida Journey Guides and Seaside trip packing listing. Highway Tripping? You’ll need these Highway Journey Snacks.
48 Hours in Key West: Day One
Begin with Breakfast at Blue Heaven
No journey to Key West is full with out breakfast at Blue Heaven, one of many island’s most iconic eating places.
Hidden behind colourful partitions in Bahama Village, this laid-back restaurant serves breakfast beneath shady timber whereas chickens and roosters wander via the courtyard. Reside music usually fills the air, creating the relaxed island vibe Key West is known for.
Well-liked dishes embody:
- Eggs Benedict with Key lime hollandaise
- Recent Florida shrimp and creamy cheese grits
- Banana pancakes
- Lobster Benedict
- Their well-known mile-high Key lime pie
Arrive early. There’s nearly all the time a wait, however it’s effectively price it.
Are you searching for extra locations to eat? I wrote a publish for simply that, The place to Eat in Key West. And, Tropical Cocktails are my favourite!
Tour the Ernest Hemingway House & Museum
Only a brief stroll away sits one among Key West’s most well-known landmarks.
Ernest Hemingway lived right here from 1931 to 1939, writing classics together with To Have and Have Not whereas calling this lovely Spanish Colonial house his residence.
Right now, guests can tour the fantastically preserved home, lush tropical gardens, and Hemingway’s writing studio.
The largest celebrities on the property, nonetheless, would be the well-known six-toed cats. Descendants of Hemingway’s authentic pets nonetheless roam the grounds immediately, and lots of have the additional toes that made them well-known.
Even when you’re not a literature fan, the house provides an interesting glimpse into one among America’s biggest writers and life in Key West through the Nineteen Thirties.
Climb the Key West Lighthouse
Throughout the road from Hemingway’s house stands the historic Key West Lighthouse, initially accomplished in 1825.
Climb the 88 steps to the highest for sweeping views of Previous City, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Contained in the museum, you’ll find out about Barbara Mabrity, one among America’s earliest feminine lighthouse keepers. She maintained the lighthouse via hurricanes, storms, and many years of change earlier than finally dropping her place through the Civil Struggle due to her Accomplice sympathies.
It’s one of many island’s most fascinating historic stops and provides a few of the finest picture alternatives on the town.
Stroll Alongside Duval Avenue
No go to is full with out strolling the well-known Duval Avenue.
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, this vigorous road is lined with boutiques, artwork galleries, bars, ice cream retailers, cigar shops, eating places, and colourful historic buildings.
Spend time exploring aspect streets, discovering hidden courtyards, and stopping wherever one thing catches your eye.
Don’t rush. Key West is finest loved at a gradual tempo.
Go to the Southernmost Level
One of many island’s most photographed landmarks is the colourful Southernmost Level Buoy.
Situated simply 90 miles from Cuba, this iconic marker has change into a must-see picture cease.
Curiously, it isn’t truly the true southernmost level of the continental United States. That location sits on close by U.S. Navy property, which isn’t open to the general public. After the unique marker stored disappearing, town put in immediately’s giant concrete buoy to maintain memento hunters from making off with it.
Go early within the morning if attainable to keep away from lengthy traces for images.
Sundown Celebration at Mallory Sq.
As night approaches, head to Mallory Sq., the place sundown isn’t simply one thing you watch—it’s a nightly celebration.
Avenue performers, musicians, artists, meals distributors, and native craftspeople collect each night earlier than sundown.
Seize a drink, discover a spot alongside the waterfront, and watch the solar sink into the Gulf of Mexico.
It’s one among Key West’s signature experiences and an ideal option to finish your first day.
Day Two
Tour Harry S. Truman’s Little White Home
Begin the second day of your 48 Hours in Key West tour by visiting one of many island’s most traditionally vital properties.
Initially constructed as naval officers’ quarters in 1890, the Harry S. Truman Little White Home turned President Truman’s favourite retreat. He spent almost 200 days of his presidency right here, conducting official enterprise whereas escaping Washington.
Guided excursions discover the fantastically preserved house and share tales in regards to the many notable guests who adopted, together with Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Invoice Clinton, and Thomas Edison.
It’s a wonderful cease for historical past lovers and anybody inquisitive about presidential life away from the White Home.
Discover Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Locals usually think about Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park one of the best seaside in Key West.
The Civil Struggle-era fort provides fascinating historical past, strolling trails, shady picnic areas, and crystal-clear water splendid for swimming and snorkeling.
Convey water footwear because the seaside is rocky, and plan to spend a few stress-free hours having fun with the surroundings.
The sunsets listed below are additionally spectacular when you determine to return later.
Uncover the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Step right into a tropical paradise full of tons of of butterflies from around the globe.
Contained in the climate-controlled conservatory, butterflies flutter freely amongst flowering vegetation, waterfalls, flamingos, colourful birds, and luxurious tropical gardens.
It’s peaceable, fantastically landscaped, and some of the stress-free points of interest in Key West.
Dive into Maritime Historical past
If shipwrecks, treasure searching, and ocean exploration curiosity you, don’t miss the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
Named after legendary treasure hunter Mel Fisher, the museum showcases artifacts recovered from Spanish galleons that sank centuries in the past, together with gold, silver, jewellery, navigational devices, and interesting tales of underwater archaeology.
Historical past really comes alive right here.
Go to the Audubon Home & Tropical Gardens
Constructed within the mid-1800s, the Audubon Home is one among Key West’s best historic properties.
The fantastically restored mansion shows interval furnishings, authentic paintings impressed by John James Audubon, and tropical gardens full of orchids, palms, and flowering vegetation.
It’s a wonderful cease for structure, images, and historical past fans.
Cease by the Key West Aquarium
One in all Florida’s oldest aquariums, the Key West Aquarium provides an up-close take a look at the marine life discovered all through the Florida Keys.
Interactive reveals function sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, colourful reef fish, and contact tanks that make the expertise satisfying for guests of all ages.
It’s a enjoyable option to study extra in regards to the waters surrounding the island earlier than heading house.
See It All on the Previous City Trolley
In the event you’d slightly skip driving and parking, hop aboard the Previous City Trolley.
The hop-on, hop-off route stops at 13 areas all through Key West and offers quick access to greater than 100 points of interest and factors of curiosity.
Pleasant conductors share entertaining tales in regards to the island’s historical past, structure, and well-known residents alongside the way in which.
It’s one of many best methods to discover when you’re solely on the town for a weekend.
The place to Keep in Key West
There are a number of motels I like for his or her lodging and site.
What to Eat in Key West
Whereas sightseeing, remember to pattern some island favorites.
Don’t miss:
In the event you like Key Lime Pie, strive my varied variations of it.
You possibly can see all these suggestions on the map under. Modify to make it bigger or smaller, then click on on the icon for the locations you’re searching for.
Finest Time to Go to Key West
The primary time I went to Key West, it was July. 🔥🥵I don’t suggest entering into July!! Until you prefer to dwell in a sauna.
Key West is a year-round vacation spot, however every season provides a unique expertise.
Winter (December via March) brings heat temperatures within the 70s and low 80s, making it the busiest and costliest season.
Spring provides lovely climate but in addition attracts spring break crowds.
Summer season is sizzling, humid, and infrequently wet, however you’ll often discover fewer guests and decrease resort charges.
Late summer season and early fall mark hurricane season, so vacationers ought to monitor climate forecasts and think about journey insurance coverage.
For a lot of guests, late April, early Could, October, and early November present the right steadiness of nice climate, manageable crowds, and cheap costs.
Ideas for Visiting Key West
- Put on comfy strolling footwear.
- Hire bikes if you wish to discover Previous City.
- Make restaurant reservations forward of time.
- Begin fashionable points of interest early within the morning.
- Convey reef-safe sunscreen.
- Pack light-weight clothes and a reusable water bottle.
- Watch no less than one sundown from the waterfront.
- Depart loads of time to easily wander. A number of the island’s finest discoveries occur between deliberate stops.
48 Hours in Key West Remaining Ideas
Key West has a character all its personal. It’s historic with out feeling formal, vigorous with out being rushed, and simply quirky sufficient to make each stroll round city memorable.
In simply 48 hours, you possibly can expertise literary historical past, presidential landmarks, tropical gardens, ocean views, unbelievable seafood, unforgettable sunsets, and the relaxed island way of life that retains guests coming again 12 months after 12 months.
The toughest a part of visiting Key West isn’t deciding what to do.
It’s deciding once you’ll come again.
