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Are you planning a family trip to Key West, Florida, this year? Well, you’ve come to the right place because we absolutely love Key West, and there are so many fun things for families to do in Key West.

While some people view Key West as an adult-oriented vacation destination because of its lively bar scene and nightlife, it is also an excellent place for families to visit.

So, is Key West kid-friendly? I 100% say yes!

We have visited several times, both with kids and as a couple. And I even went on a solo “momcation” to Key West in 2022. So, in this blog post, I am sharing 18 great family activities in Key West. We have done most of them, but a couple remain on our Key West bucket list!

There are many other family-friendly things to do in the Florida Keys, but this post focuses on activities in Key West. Before getting to the list, I want to share my recommendations on where to stay in Key West, Florida.

Where to Stay in Key West, Florida

Are you wondering where to stay in Key West with family in tow?

My best tip would be to stay somewhere walkable. Anywhere near Mallory Square or close to the marina or Duval Street will be walkable to many places.

We have stayed at the La Concha before, which is a great family option. I have also stayed at The Marker Key West and enjoyed my solo stay there.

And while I haven’t stayed there myself, I think the Hyatt Centric Key West would be one of the top hotels for families in Key West. It offers family rooms and is in the perfect central location. And also, consider the Hyatt Residence options nearly for even more space – Sunset Harbor, Winward Pointe, and Beach House. These are all located in a good part of Key West for families to enjoy!

18 Fun Things for Families to do in Key West

Our favorite thing to do as a family once arriving at a destination is to walk around and explore on foot. Key West is a very walkable (and bikeable) community. As long as you stay in a convenient location, you’ll likely do this multiple times daily.

From charming coffee shops to white picket fences adorned with bougainvillea, we love how there is a surprise around every corner in Key West!

But it’s essential to have one (or sometimes two) things planned each day when traveling with kids. It gives them something fun to look forward to and helps you structure the day and keep track of time.

But don’t plan too much in advance because a rigid schedule adds stress, especially when children are involved! The great thing about Key West is that you really don’t NEED to plan much in advance. We usually have a pretty easy time visiting the places we want and going with the flow.

So, for many of these, it’s not 100% necessary to pre-book. Still, I would pay attention to the ticketing and scheduling software, especially regarding the seaplane, ferries, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, and boating activities in Key West.

And to make it easy, I included links to purchase tickets for many Key West activities right here in this blog post, so make sure to bookmark it for later!

#1  Ride The Conch Train

I have a post about the Conch Train and the Key West Trolley Tour that has much more information than this quick paragraph, so make sure to read that!

But, in a nutshell, I highly recommend the iconic Key West Conch Train if you have kids! It is an easy-to-manage 75-minute tour showing Key West’s highlights, including the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Southernmost Point, Shipwreck Museum, and more. With 3 convenient stops, it is easy to hop on and off, although when it’s really busy, you may want to stay on board vs. risking finding a group of seats for your group later.

The Key West Trolley Tour covers much more ground and would be good for older kids or younger kids who need to get off their feet for a while. These tours are a MUST-DO for first-time Key West visitors. It helps you get a lay of the land on the first day of your vacation and hone in on which places you would like to return to! 

#2  Visit the Hemingway House Cats & Museum

Speaking of the Hemingway House, if you asked Abby and Matt where their favorite place in Key West is, they would tell you it’s the Hemingway House. Yes, we love touring Ernest’s Key West home, but we love the cats! 

The Hemingway House & Museum is home to many cats – some with 6 toes and descendants of Hemingway’s own 6-toed cat! You can read my Hemingway House Cats blog post for more information and many photos. And, it includes all the information you need to plan your visit. 

#3 Take a Seaplane (or Ferry)  to Dry Tortugas National Park

This is on my bucket list, and earlier last year, I recommended it to one of my friends, and she did it! You can see her Instagram post and photos here. And I have to tell you, I have major FOMO. I am going to tell you what I told her. If you are going all the way to Key West and have more than a few days down there, taking a seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park will be something you will never forget!

The outing involves a 40-minute seaplane right to and from Dry Tortugas National Park. Once there, you can snorkel and explore Fort Jefferson. While I haven’t done this myself yet, it’s a better activity for families with older children. Once you get out there, it’s primitive, and nobody wants to be trapped out there with an overtired toddler.

Book this adventure with Key West Sea Plane Charters and plan to budget a full day (8 hours) or a half day (4 hours) and allocate a decent chunk of your budget. You can view the rates here, and this is absolutely something that you need to book in advance. As I write this in mid-February, they are booked through the first week in April.

#4  Go on a Snorkel Tour

I know the seaplane outing is a BIG one, but here are many other ways to get on the water. On my last trip to Key West, I did both a daytime snorkel and evening sunset Catamaran cruise with Sebago Watersports and really enjoyed both. 

Sebago Watersports has a great selection of snorkel tours. This is a great way to get out on the water, especially if you aren’t into fishing!

A few other companies also offer excursions. Here are a few options to consider for your trip to Key West, Florida. Just click on the links below to learn more about these activities in Key West.

#5 Eat Key Lime Pie

Key West, Florida, has all kinds of treats, but the Key Lime Pie reigns supreme. That could be because it was invented right here in Key West! Make a game out of it and try a different Key Lime Pie each day of your vacation. Rate them and let me know your favorite!

One morning, I was walking back to my hotel after breakfast and ran into Kermit. I told you that there is truly a surprise around every corner in Key West. That is why it’s so magical! Key West is full of magic if you keep your eyes open!

#6 Shop at Mallory Square

Mallory Square and the Sunset Pier are adjacent to one another, right at the northern end of Duval Street. There is always something happening here!

During the daytime, you can visit the shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. This is where the kids will want to grab souvenirs!

And this is the place to be when the sun sets. Gather with everyone at Sunset Celebration in hopes of catching one of the best sunsets in the world. Rarely will you be disappointed!

#7 Stop by the Key West Aquarium

The Key West Aquarium is open 365 days a year from 10 am to 6 pm. This is not a giant aquarium, but it is charming and provides a great escape from that hot Key West sun!

Fun fact: Opening its doors almost 100 years ago, back in 1034, the Key West Aquarium was the first “attraction” in Key West, Florida.

Visitors can experience the sea life hands-on and watch several animal feedings throughout the day — including sharks and sea turtles. The 50,000-gallon tank in the Atlantic Shores exhibit teaches children about the unique mangrove environment in the Florida Keys.

#8  Jet Ski Island Tour

If you have teenagers, they will want to do this! This 90-minute jet ski tour covers 28 miles and circles around the entire island of Key West. The second rider is free, which is always a bonus when traveling with older kids.

Because if your kids eat anything like mine, you are probably used to everything always costing double!

#9 Watch the Sunset (from Land or Sea)

Key West is known for its epic sunsets off the island’s northwest side! You can easily catch the sunset from Mallory Square Sunset Celebration or nearby bars and restaurants. But you’ll want to see it aboard a boat at least once. The way that the sun melts into the water is incredible!

Several sunset cruises include live music and appetizers, like the one I took with Sebago Watersports. And a number offer wine and spirits as well. It is generally couples on these sunset cruises, but it isn’t inappropriate to bring well-behaved children or teenagers. I would opt out with toddlers, though. 

#10  The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

Located right off Duval Street, the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is also something that remains on our Key West to-do list! But I have had people recommend it several times, and it’s no wonder it has won awards such as “Best Place to Take the Kids” and “Best Attraction in Key West.”

Here you will find 50-60 varieties of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, and even 2 pink flamingos named Rhett and Scarlett! Up to 6 people per day can enjoy a unique 75-minute, up-close-and-personal encounter with Rhett and Scarlett. The Flamingle is an add-on experience that you will want to book well in advance.

A gift shop and gallery inside offer another great way to escape the Key West heat. And if you would like to see what it’s like before visiting, you can check out their live Webcam.

Click here to buy Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory tickets in advance. 

#11 Book the Key West Ghost and Graveyard Tour

This is another fun option for families with teenagers! We are a big fan of Old Town Trolley Tours and have used them in multiple US cities. And, like in those other cities like St Augustine, they offer a special evening Ghost and Graveyard Tour. This is a great way to learn even more about a given city.

What should you expect? The guide will cover supernatural history on this one-hour tour while sharing lore and sinister stories about Key West. You will even head indie the haunted Shipwreck Treasure’s Museum to learn about Count Karl Von Cosel and his dearly departed bride Elena Mesa.

This tour is not suitable for children under 4. Please reserve it for older grade-school children and teens, as it’s at night (past bedtime) and can be macabre. It’s not all scary, though. The guides work in humor, although sometimes sinister, to lighten the mood. The stories that Key West can tell are incredible!

#12  Spend the Day at the Beach

Yes, I said the beach because, in Key West, there is only one or two areas that is an actual sandy beach. Most of the shoreline is rocky or dotted with marinas. Do not expect to see the beautiful white sand that you would expect on 30A in northern Florida. 

Where are the best sandy beaches in Key West?

If you are looking for sand, you will want to visit Smather’s Beach, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Site Beach, or Higgs Beach in Old Town. The latter two are located closer to the action near Old Town Key West, with the Southernmost Point situated between the two.

#13 Go Fishing

Speaking of marinas, there is plenty of sailors in Key West, Florida. If you plan ahead, you should be able to get on an inshore or offshore fishing trip.

I don’t personally know much about fishing, let alone fishing in Key West, so if you are interested in this, I highly recommend browsing a site like TripAdvisor. You should be able to find all kinds of reviews and ratings and hone in on exactly what type of outing you are looking for.

#14 Explore the Key West Shipwreck Museum

I mentioned a stop at the Key West Shipwreck Museum back on #11, and this place does get “haunted” at night, but during the day, it’s an interactive museum dedicated to all of the shipwrecks in the Florida Keys.

This is not a large place, but this 2 story museum is indoors, and the tour is self-guided, allowing another break from the heat. I found this place very interesting when I stopped by on my last visit to Key West, and if Matt had been with me, I know he would have enjoyed it!

From there, you can climb up to the top of the 65 ft lookout and get the best views of Key West!

This museum is located at the center of it all, at Mallory Square. The Conch Train and Trolley Tour depot is here; there is much to see and do in this area. It’s also a place to hop on or off those tours, so consider the museum as your final stop on one of those before grabbing dinner and heading to catch the sunset. 

#15  Kayak in the Mangroves

An eco-kayaking adventure is something that I would like to do on our next trip to Key West! Several companies offer these, and the duration ranges from 2 to 5 hours. Some are coupled with catamaran outings that take you to a good jumping-off point for the kayak tour.

Don’t be surprised if you see turtles, dolphins, and manatees as you explore the beautiful mangroves of the Florida Keys!

These tours typically operate in smaller groups than the large snorkel trips, so I would plan this outing in advance to be safe. Get Your Guide, whose offers I will show below, offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour, allowing you to monitor the weather and adjust your schedule if needed.

#16 Tour the Truman Little White House

I visited here for the first time in May and wrote a blog post all about the Truman Little White House. It’s full of photos and my first-hand experience. Now, I, as a 41-year-old mom, really enjoyed it. Your kids might not. But it’s short and very educational. 

Our guide was both entertaining and knowledgeable. Kids would get a lot out of this, but older kids. The tour is not stroller friendly, and there are tighter spaces to navigate while touring President Truman’s former home.

#17 Eat a Cheeseburger in Paradise

Our favorite thing to do when we travel is eat! One thing about Key West is that there is no shortage of dining options, and unlike other popular vacation destinations, it’s pretty much kid-friendly. You’ll easily be able to find local seafood at any place, and make sure to try to Conch Fritters!

Most restaurants also offer live music, which is right up our alley. For our family, a casual dinner, live music, and letting the kids order dessert while we enjoy a cocktail make for a perfect evening. You’ll always have places in Key West.

And you’ve got to ask yourself… what would Jimmy Buffett do?

#18 Go Parasailing in Key West

Sebago Watersports offers a private parasailing outing. Head out on a speedboat with your family and take turns soaring 300 ft up in the air. This is as thrilling as it gets in Key West and will surely be something your kids get excited about!

This activity is unsuitable for young children, and children under 4 are prohibited. Before planning your parasailing trip, consider weight limits (a minimum combined weight of 150 pounds and a maximum combined weight of 450 pounds).

Since this is a small-group outing, purchase tickets in advance. I would hate for it to sell out, especially if it were something they were looking forward to.

Share Your Favorite Fun Things for Families to Do in Key West, Florida

Do you have any suggestions I missed? I would appreciate it if you could leave me a comment. And if you have done any of these family-friendly activities in Key West, please share your experience!

What did you like, and what did you love? Do you have any tips for first-time visitors to Key West?