• Bucket List
  • About Jenn
  • Contact Me
  • Press
    • Disclosure
  • Homepage
  • Shop with The Rebel Chick

The Rebel Chick

Miami Lifestyle Blog - Miami Blog

  • Food
  • Lifestyle
    • Wellness
  • Travel
  • Entertainment
  • Shopping
    • Technology
  • Animals
  • Beauty
  • Singles Chronicles
  • Shop!
  • Parenting

5 Things to Do in Key West

March 20, 2014 by Jenn 25 Comments

426 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

After coming home from a wonderful weekend in Key West with Chris and my friends, I realized something…I have never written about Key West in any great detail on my blog! Considering how often we travel to Key West, that is just embarrassing!

I think that Key West has the reputation of being a party destination, and while it is definitely a city you can party in, there is so much more to Key West than the Duval Crawl!

Today I want to share with you 5 Things to do in Key West – and I am sure that once I start editing all of my photos from this past weekend, I will come back to share even more ideas, so be on the lookout for a follow up story!

5 Things to do in Key West

5 Things to do in Key West

Visit the Famous Key West Landmarks

US1 begins – or ends, depending on which way you’re going down the street – in Key West. Park on the street and take your photo with the famous Mile 0 Mile Marker right off US1 and Fleming street! Unlike the famous Southernmost point marker, this official sign doesn’t usually have anyone standing around it, so it’s a quick and easy photo to grab!

SONY DSC

Speaking of the Southernmost point, did you know that the most Southern point of the United States in Key West is just 90 miles away from Cuba? We’ve been visiting the buoy for years and taking our photo in front of this famous landmark.

While you used to be able to walk right up and snap a quick picture, for the past few years that we’ve been there, there is always a line down the street. I think we waited in line for half an hour last year!

Southernmost Point Key West FL

Take a Key West Sightseeing Tour on the Key West Trolley

While Key West is a small island, and people seem to gravitate towards Duval Street, there really is so much more to see! Taking a Key West Sightseeing tour is the perfect way to see all of the highlights, as well as learn about the history of the island.

Key West Old Town Trolley Tours is a hop on and off trolley, which means that as you arrive at a landmark that you would like to explore more closely – just get off the trolley and do just that! You can walk to the next trolley stop or just wait for the next trolley to come along to hop back on!

Adults are $30.45 and children 12+ are free! You can even get a special discount for purchasing online here.

SONY DSC

Sail, Snorkel and Kayak in Key West

With wildlife refuges and reefs around Key West in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, you just can’t NOT go out on a boat while you are visiting Key West! We have been taking sunset cruises for years, but this past weekend, we went out in the daytime for the first time ever.

We booked a Sail, Snorkel and Kayak Day Trip with Danger Charters this past weekend and loved every minute of it!  

Snorkeling in Key West

With Danger Charters, you will have an unforgettable day of sailing on a 65 foot schooner through the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, kayaking in the mangroves, snorkeling in sponge gardens and isolated boulder corals patch reefs. With knowledgeable boat hands and captains, you’ll not only have a lovely time, but actually learn about what you are seeing as you explore the waters off of Key West.

You’ll learn about the wildlife inhabiting the Wildlife Refuse, the history of the area, as well as see the animals close up while snorkeling and kayaking. After a day of kayaking adventure, safekeeping your personal gear is an important thing so you may find for better ways to store it like wall mount for kayaks.

Of course Danger Charters will keep you well-fed too! Once you begin sailing, you’ll be served a beautiful tray of fresh fruit, and they serve a lunch spread unlike any other! All of the food served aboard the Danger Charter day trips are purchased fresh each morning from Faustos Deli in town. You’ll also be served unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks (and water too!) after snorkeling is over!

Kayaking in Key West

With trips ranging in price from $80 for half day trips to $110 for full day trips, you can spend as little as 4.5 hours round trip, or 6.5 hours. There are also evening sunset cruises, with wine tastings and cheese platters served aboard, for $80. They truly have something for everyone!

You can find out more about Danger Charters in Key West, as well as make reservations and book online, on DangerCharters.com. We had such a wonderful experience with Danger Charters that they are now my favorite, but you can also check out Fury Watersports in Key West for similar excursions, sunset cruises, jetski rentals, and glass bottom boat tours. The difference between the two is that Danger Charters only takes out small groups (I think our captain said they max out at 30 people), while Fury might have 100 on board. You can also look into renting your own boat with Sunset Watersports in Key West!

Spend the Day at the Beach in Key West

Now, how silly would you feel if you went all the way down to Key West and you didn’t step foot in their white sand beaches? There are five public beaches in Key West, but I’ll share my favorite two with you!

Higg’s Beach – With wide, sandy beach, volleyball nets and a playground, chair rentals, picnic tables, restrooms and a full service restaurant right there on the beach, it’s the perfect place to spend a Saturday afternoon! You can even rent water sports and rafts! 

Beaches in Key West

Smathers Beach – Smathers Beach is located alongside the Eastern part of Key West and is the beach we’ve visited most often. Half a mile long, Smather’s Beach is man made and perfect for those times when you want to spend an entire day at the beach! There are public restrooms, lots of parking, concession stands, chair rentals, bike baths, picnic areas, volleyball nets, water sports rentals, as well as para-sailing and windsurfing!

February 2012 384

Explore the Culinary Side of Key West

While Key West is often thought of as a fun party town with drink specials galore, there is another side of Key West that many are surprised to find: all of those bars and restaurants? They are full of really, really good food! Sure, there’s the added benefit of live music in many of the bars, great drink specials day and night, and quirky decor like Willie T’s, which is wallpapered in the $1 bills of its patrons. As silly as this bar and restaurant might seem, it’s actually a fantastic place to grab lunch! 

Willie Ts

 

When we jumped into our cab on Saturday night, we asked the driver for a recommendation for dinner. He suggested we try Louie’s Backyard, which is a former home turned into a restaurant, with inside seating and patio seating right on the water.

Opened in 1971 and renovated in 1983, Louie’s Backyard is quite the restaurant, it’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places! The executive chef at Louie’s Backyard is Doug Shook, who’s been with the restaurant for almost 30 years. We had a wonderful dinner of rack of lamb and filet of beef – but unfortunately, there is no lighting on the patio, save for candles, and I was not able to take any decent photos!

1

There are so many different kinds of restaurants in Key West, whether you are looking for dinner on a budget, or a fine dining experience like we had at Louie’s Backyard.

There are hole in the wall pizza joints that will make your mouth water, bars with surprisingly good burgers and sandwiches, chain restaurants like Denny’s and Outback Steakhouse, seafood restaurants like the Key West Conch Republic Restaurant, and of course, places like Louie’s Backyard, which offer a fine dining experience.

 

Filed Under: Travel

About Jenn

Jenn, AKA "The Rebel Chick," is a single woman who strives to help her readers live their best lives possible. Whether it be through sharing new recipes, sharing her dating stories, or encouraging people to embrace adventure and travel, she aims to inspire people to live full, happy and authentic lives.

« Enter the SUDAFED REPLAY™ Sweepstakes & Relive Your Missed Moments!
A Weekend at the Caribe Royale Orlando Hotel »

Comments

  1. Amber Edwards says

    March 20, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Take me with you next time! Oh my goodness! What an amazing adventure! I would love to visit Key West! I want to kayak and dine and soak up all that sun!

    Reply
  2. diane says

    March 20, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    I am all for anything that lets me explore nature. The beach and boating sound amazing! I would have to pack a TON of sunscreen but it would be so worth it!

    Reply
  3. valmg says

    March 20, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    I went to key West once as a teen but have no real memories of it other then I was sick.
    I’d love to go, especially since it’s been so cold for what feels like forever here in the Northeast.

    Reply
  4. Kecia says

    March 20, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I didn’t realize there was so much to do in Key West! I haven’t been there but I’d like to travel there someday. Now I feel like I could better plan a trip there knowing what all the place offers.

    Reply
  5. Shannon Gosney says

    March 20, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    Awww – you 2 are so cute together! Looks like you had an amazing time!

    Reply
  6. Anne says

    March 20, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    My husband and I are trying to plan a 25th anniversary vacation, and I have been pushing Key West. He is worried it is too much a party scene, so I will have to show him this. That charter boat trip sounds amazing, he would love that!

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    March 20, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    I’ve been to Key West one time…and I flew into the tiniest airport I had ever seen. We spent most of our time on a boat fishing in the gulf so I missed out on all the town has to offer, which means I need to go back!

    Reply
  8. Emily says

    March 20, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    Looks like you guys really enjoy the area. I love finding small independent restaurants when we go on trips – they usually have hte best food. Sounds like you found a great one at Louie’s

    Reply
  9. Jen says

    March 21, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Yes! To all of this. My husband and I took a trip to Key West last summer. Unforgettable!

    Reply
  10. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:54 am

    I have always wanted to go to the Florida Keys. We go to Orlando with the kids every year, but haven’t really ventured to other parts of the state yet. Someday I would LOVE to get there and now I know what to do when I do 🙂

    Reply
  11. Lindsey says

    March 24, 2014 at 9:45 am

    My brother is in the Coast Guard down here. I’ll have to ask him if he’s hit everything on your list!

    Reply
  12. brett says

    March 24, 2014 at 10:36 am

    i would go right now, if someone wanted me to. just sayin’. i can pack quickly…

    Reply
  13. brett says

    March 24, 2014 at 10:36 am

    i would go right now, if someone wanted me to. just sayin’. i can pack quickly…

    Reply
  14. Melissa says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:08 am

    How fun! Now I really want to visit Key West! My husband did as a child and loved it. I’d love to go with him – love the pictures!

    Reply
  15. Liz Mays says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:20 am

    It’s fun to see your hubs with ya on the blog! Key West sounds like a fabulous place to go. It’s definitely on my list. 🙂

    Reply
  16. aimee says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:31 am

    I keep telling my husband that we need to plan a vacation for somewhere other than Disney… This place looks BE A U Ti Ful!

    Reply
  17. Shell says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:38 am

    I’ve never been to Key West. Right now, I’m dreaming of anywhere warm since spring is very late in showing up to NC this year.

    Reply
  18. Janel C. says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:51 am

    I love all of your pictures. Now I am motivated more than ever to visit Key West! Thanks for the info on the hottest spots to visit! Willie T’s looks like it has a great atmosphere!

    Reply
  19. Tiffany Cruz says

    March 24, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    If I ever get to The Keys I’m doing everything you suggested. I need to feel the sand between my toes and be in the ocean, badly!

    Reply
  20. Catherine Shaw says

    March 30, 2014 at 7:21 am

    Wow, it’s been years since I’ve been to Key West. It looks like it hasn’t changed much. I especially liked the Hemingway house.

    Reply
  21. Jolyse Barnett says

    October 5, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    I’ve been a Key West convert since the first of a dozen or so trips ago that my Honey and I took back in 2003. Your suggestions are spot on and I love all your beautiful photos. If I may, I’d add how fun it is to bike around the island and take advantage of Danger Charter’s Wine and Wind Sunset Sail. Incredible experience as their day adventure you took. We’ve gone at least 3-4 times and it’s always a highlight of our getaway.

    So happy to have found your blog! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jenn says

      October 5, 2014 at 3:17 pm

      I have wanted to do a Danger Charter wine sunset sail, but it never seems to work out. We always do their full day or half day snorkeling and kayaking trip. 🙂

      Reply
  22. mmm says

    November 26, 2014 at 8:26 pm

    you make it look easy

    Reply
  23. Kayla says

    February 12, 2017 at 2:44 am

    I used to live in KW. My parents actually live inside the gate to the right of the 90 mile bouey…visited last year with my 2 littles and again in May-ish. Love love love KW!!!

    Reply
  24. Joanne Novak says

    February 21, 2020 at 1:17 am

    We loved KeyWest! Had the best Sloppy Joe at
    Sloppy Joes! Best frozen Strawberry Key lime pie
    On a stick! Only had a day there. Loved Smathers
    Beach! We will go back!!!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Archives

The Rebel Chick is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share-a-Sale, Commission Junction, and LinkShare; affiliate advertising program designed to allow me to earn advertising fees by advertising these affiliate links. 

Copyright © 2022 · Jenn Pridemore Quillen · All Rights Reserved TheRebelChick.com

426 shares