During my travels around Florida, I found myself spending most of my time in Key West, a quirky little island with a vibrant life that seems to be worlds apart from the rest of the state. Exploring the city and its local cuisine and watching the sunset across the turquoise waters were the highlights of my trip.
That said, there were many other things that I indulged in and enjoyed a lot. Come to think of it, I can proudly say that there isn’t a spot on this quaint little island that I haven’t missed. This makes me the right person to create the perfect itinerary for a day trip.
Whether you’re heading to this part of Florida with friends and family or as part of a cruise ship stop, make sure to read this guide to have the best time in Key West!
Make Sure to Plan Your Day Trip to Key West in Spring or Fall!
While you can plan your day trip to Key West any time of the year and have a blast, there are a few things to keep in mind, including the crowds and weather.
When I visited this gorgeous little island city in the Florida Keys, spring was nearing its end. It was cool and breezy during this time, with fewer tourists roaming around.
However, my friend was not so lucky. He went on a solo adventure to explore Key West in the summer, and his experience was slightly different than mine.
Although drinking cocktails on Smathers Beach or enjoying the sunset celebration on the beautiful island was all he talked about, he did mention that the toasty weather and high humidity affected his travels.
You can also plan your day trip to Key West in winter. While the weather is pleasant, the swarming crowds of tourists might make your view of the crystal clear waters of the Florida Keys less picturesque. I recommend visiting in the summer or fall to avoid foot traffic.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that hurricane season begins in June and ends in November. Although I was lucky to have just missed the natural disaster during my travels, I saw its impact on the little island city, leaving many properties in shambles.
That said, hurricanes don’t always pass through the Florida Keys every year, so make sure to plan accordingly. I also made a more in depth post about the best time to visit all Florida Keys.
What to Do in Key West for a Day: One-day Itinerary for the Best Experience
There are many things to do in Key West. From indulging in the infamous Key Lime pie on a stick to enjoying local culinary delights at some of the best restaurants in town, here’s how you should spend your day, afternoon, and evening in this vibrant island city:
Have a Relaxing Breakfast at Blue Heaven
Start your day munching on Floridian-Caribbean cuisine. If you want to properly explore Key West, you need to dive into what the locals eat. Blue Heaven is one of the best places to grab a quick bite or indulge in a full-course meal before heading into town.
Most people come here for the beautiful courtyard, which is perfect for taking pictures for your Instagram, but they stay for the food. Blue Heaven is one of my top recommendations for many reasons, including the fact that they offer breakfast until 2:00 PM. If you’re late, you don’t need to worry, as the staff will serve you warm meals to fill your belly.
Blue Heaven has a limited menu with very few items, so you’ll definitely be getting high-quality, freshly prepared food. I started my breakfast by ordering the “Richard’s Very Good Pancakes,” followed by its most popular dessert, the Key Lime pie. You can also try the Lobster Benedict, as I heard good things about it from the people sitting at the table next to me.
When the food arrived, I was taken aback. The pancakes were the largest I’ve ever seen in my life, and each spoonful contained bananas, pineapple, pecans, and blueberries. The bar was set high after I took the first bite.
Once I had completely devoured the pancakes, I quickly dug into the famous Key Lime pie that has the whole town talking. It was refreshing with the right amount of sweetness.
I’ll cherish my time spent at Blue Heaven. Not only was the food lip-smacking good but I was also greeted by the infamous Key West chickens roaming around the patio of this fine establishment. A local band was playing live music, which created a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
Snorkel at the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
After you’ve had your fill, head over to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. While there are many beaches in Key West, I highly recommend Fort Zach (that’s what the residents call it), as it’s the locals’ favorite spot and the only natural white sand beach on the island. The crowds are smaller here, and you can snorkel a few miles offshore if you’re feeling a bit adventurous.
Don’t have the gear? Don’t worry; you’ll find a few rental shops on Fort Zachary Taylor Beach that’ll equip you with the right equipment, whether you’re planning to sunbathe or snorkel. You can even wander around the exciting trails in the area or take a self-guided tour of a Civil War Era Fort. There’s a lot to do in this part of the town.
Before moving forward, I want to clear up a misconception that many travelers have about Key West. Most of the pristine white sandy beaches, including Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach, that draw tourists from all over America are largely manmade. Nevertheless, they are beautiful and worth a visit.
Explore the Old Town Area of Key West
While I’m always up for a good adventure, I found myself roaming around the old town area often. Something about this place attracts your attention and lures you in. The old-fashioned wooden homes surrounded by newly renovated bars, churches, and museums create a vibe like no other.
In this part of town, you’ll find a lot of things to do. Here are some of my recommendations:
- Rum Distillery Tour
- The Conch Tour Train
- Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Florida Keys Eco-discovery Center
Lunch at Cuban Coffee Queen
Walking the trails, snorkeling, or simply exploring this side of Key West would’ve built up a serious appetite, and that’s perfect, as your next stop should be Cuban Coffee Queen.
There are many outlets around town, but my favorite is the one on Margaret Street near the Key West Historic Seaport. This is the original Cuban Coffee Queen spot from where it all began, so you can expect that it serves some of the best Cuban sandwiches and drinks.
Heading over to this fine establishment made me hungry, so I couldn’t help but quickly give my order to the friendly staff. After a quick glance at the menu, I chose the Havana Rice and Beans and a Café Con Leche to wash it all down. The food was exquisite, and it will give you enough energy for whatever you have planned next.
There are so many worthy eateries to dine at that it makes it incredibly difficult to explore the local cuisine in Key West in a day. If you’re here for longer, I highly recommend trying Garbo’s Grill, a husband-and-wife-run stand/trailer that’s been featured in many food magazines. The Korean beef short rib tacos and the Umami burger smothered in chipotle Gouda served at this establishment are to die for!
Head Over to the Iconic Key West Mural
Fortunately, you don’t have to do much walking for this activity. The iconic “Greetings from Key West” mural is right next to Cuban Coffee Queen and is the perfect spot to start exploring this stunning little island.
After you’ve taken a picture or two for your social media profiles, it’s time to head over to the Key West Historic Seaport.
Explore the Key West Historic Seaport
Nearby the iconic Key West mural is the old seaport with grand views. It’s an excellent place for a quiet, relaxing stroll, and what’s even more exciting is that you’ll be greeted by sailboats and yachts anchored at the harbor.
Here, you can take pictures, enjoy hearing the waves gently crash on the shores, or shop at the many little trinket stores to buy souvenirs for your loved ones.
I understand that you’re here to learn more about my Key West adventures and discover a few secret places or hidden gems. Luckily for you, I never let my readers down.
Since you’re already at the Key West Historic Seaport, I highly recommend searching for Lazy Way Lane. It’s a cute pedestrian-only road filled with colorful shops, palm trees, and a vibe that you won’t find anywhere in the United States. Strolling on this stretch of land feels like you’re walking in a Hollywood movie.
Indulge in Kermit’s Key Lime Pie
Whether you’re navigating Key West in a day or looking to spend some time there, make sure to try the internet-famous Key Lime pie from Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe. It’s a delicious, decadent pie dipped in chocolate and served on a stick; yes, you heard that right!
There are many outlets of Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe across town, but I recommend heading over to the Elizabeth Street location, as it’s near the Key West Historic Seaport. The super cute yellow and green building isn’t hard to miss.
Shop on Duval Street
It must be late in the afternoon by now, and the temperatures should have started to cool down, which makes it the perfect time to visit Duval Street. It’s filled with bars, restaurants, cafes, galleries, and tourist shops.
While you’ll find streets like this all across the country, what makes Duval Street unique is the architecture and colorful buildings, which give the place a unique vibe.
Here, you’ll find the fanciest Walgreens nestled in the vibrant, vintage Strand Theater. Remember to take pictures at the nearby rainbow crosswalk intersection.
When the sun sets, Duval Street comes to life. Live music creates a stunning atmosphere, and the crowded sidewalks are a sight to see.
If drinking is your thing, you may want to consider a pub crawl, trying unique alcoholic cocktails made by some of the best bartenders in Key West. Make sure to include Sloppy Joe’s during your bar adventures.
Take One Last Look at the Conch Republic
Although there are many things to do in Key West in a day, it’s important to prioritize certain experiences that you can cherish for the rest of your life. One of them is the Southernmost Point, a landmark on this small island city that’s 90 miles from Cuba.
Here, you’re much closer to a foreign country than you are to Miami. Don’t forget to whip out your camera for some stunning photos.
You can also visit the Mile Marker, another southernmost point in the United States that’s excellent for fun photography. It’s at the end of Highway US 1 and a great spot if you want to stand at the far end of the Florida Keys.
Enjoy the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Your day in Key West is about to come to an end. If you have time to stick around for the sunset celebration, Mallory Square is my favorite spot to be.
Two hours before the sun sets, this place comes alive with people, music, stunt performers, and vendors. It happens every night and provides a glimpse into how locals celebrate their evenings.
Since booze and parties may not be up everyone’s alley, you may want to hop aboard a small sailboat to enjoy the sunset with your friends or family. It’s a quiet and fun experience that I highly recommend. Plus, there are many excursion activities that you can enjoy.
Dine at Amigos Tortilla Bar
Having dinner at Amigos Tortilla Bar is the best way to end your Key West day trip on a good note. During my time here, I frequently visited this restaurant for meals, as it serves scrumptious food and offers the option to sit outside to enjoy the sights that unfold on Duval Street.
After the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, head over to Amigos Tortilla Bar for a yummy Mexican dinner in the heart of Key West. From tacos to burritos, veggies and meat bowls, and fish, there are many options to choose from. Regardless of what you order, the food is prepared fresh and worth the wait.
Final Thoughts on Spending One Day in Key West
A day in Key West is not enough to explore this quirky city. It has many public beaches, including Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach, each offering a distinct feel, making them worth a visit. Also, there are numerous restaurants to explore for tasty local eats, including the conch fritters at the Conch Republic Seafood Company.
However, if you’re looking to spend less than 24 hours on this island, this guide should provide you with a list of activities to make the most of your time at Key West!
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip.
