10 FREE Things to Do in Key West, Florida!
Are you planning a trip to the Florida Keys and wondering if there are any free things to do in Key West?
It’s no surprise that the Florida Keys, and Key West especially, can be pricey! Nestled at the southernmost tip of the U.S., this vibrant island boasts an extensive amount of awesome activities, some with a hefty price tag. But are there options for budget travelers? Surprisingly, yes!
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my top 10 free things to do in Key West. From exploring historic sites to lounging on beautiful beaches, I’ve got plenty of wallet-friendly options to make the most of your island getaway!
So keep reading if you are interested in visiting Key West on a budget and need a list of all the activities that won’t break the bank!
Key West Trip Planning at a Glance
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Key West to help plan your epic adventure!
Where to Stay:
Havana Cabana at Key West (Budget/Moderate)
Margaritaville Beach House (Moderate)
Casa Marina Key West (Luxury)
When to Visit:
– April and May for great weather and few crowds; Winter is high season and summer is low season
Things to Do:
Smathers Beach
Ernest Hemingway Home
Duval Street
Snorkeling or jet skiing
Sunset cruise
1. Grab a Picture with the Southernmost Point Buoy
Did you know the Southernmost Point Buoy is the most photographed landmark in the Florida Keys?!
Of course, visiting the buoy is a must-do when visiting Key West, and it’s completely free!
The buoy is located on the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street, at the lowest latitude of the contiguous United States. Previously, the spot was marked with just a sign. However, in 1983, the City of Key West erected the buoy, and now it is a hot spot for tourists to visit!
The Southernmost Point also holds a special place in local’s hearts. The buoy has withstood many hurricanes, most notably Hurricane Irma in 2017, after which, it was repainted by local artists.
If you plan to visit the Southernmost Point buoy on your trip, I recommend arriving early if you want to avoid waiting in line!
Last time we visited around 9am, there was already a long line to snap a photo. The line does move quickly, but if you don’t care about getting yourself in the photo, you can always just grab a quick picture in between groups!
2. Wander through the Gardens at West Martello Tower
Located on just down the road from the Southernmost Point buoy is the West Martello Tower! The Tower is a Civil War-era fortress that hosts the Key West Garden Club.
Here, you can spend a morning wandering through the lush gardens and observing local plant species. Visitors can also explore the tower’s historic ramparts and enjoy panoramic ocean views.
The Tower and Garden Club are both completely free to visit, making it one of the best free things to do in Key West! Of course, donations are very much appreciated!
If you are interested, paid guided tours of the garden are offered every Monday between 9:30 am – 11:30 am. The price of the tour is $25 per person, and reservations must be made in advance.
Whether you’re interested in history or just looking for a peaceful spot to relax, the West Martello Tower is definitely worth a visit during your time in Key West.
3. Relax on Smathers Beach
Right outside the West Martello Tower is Higgs Beach, another free spot to visit in Key West!
However, I recommend heading a bit further up the road to Smathers Beach, which is much more impressive!
There aren’t many white sand beaches in the Florida Keys, but Smathers Beach is the exception! Located across from the Key West International Airport, Smathers Beach stretches half a mile along the southern end of Key West. Plus, it’s completely free to visit!
Although Smathers Beach is man-made, that doesn’t take away from its beauty. The sand on Smathers Beach was actually imported from the Bahamas, so you can guarantee it’s powdery white and soft.
This beach is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Key West, swimming in the sea, playing beach volleyball, or just relaxing!
And the best part about Key West? Even if you are visiting in December or January, a beach day is still a possibility!
4. Watch the Sunset at Mallory Square
If you’ve been to the Florida Keys, you know epic sunsets are the norm! Key West is no exception. For this reason, watching the sunset in Key West is one of the most popular things to do!
Although going on a sunset cruise in Key West isn’t free, there are still plenty of spots to watch the sunset for free on land!
The most famous place is Mallory Square! In fact, it’s so popular they have a nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square.
Every evening, this historic square in downtown Key West comes alive as the sun dips into the sea. Here, you will find live music, street performers, food stands, and more!
If you want to secure a front-row seat on the dock to watch nature’s show, make sure to arrive early! However, you will be able to see the sunset from all angles around the square no matter what, so don’t stress if you can’t beat the crowds.
My husband and I made a point to watch the sunset every night on our last trip to the Keys when we were celebrating our anniversary. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Key West for couples!
5. Stroll Through Truman Waterfront Park
Nestled between the Truman Little White House and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is Truman Waterfront Park! The park is more of a local’s spot, and entry to the park is completely free!
As the name suggests, Truman Waterfront Park is located right on the water’s edge and offers stunning views of the sea, especially at sunset.
This park is a great place to spend the day, especially if you have young children who will enjoy the splash pad area! There are also picnic tables and biking trails to enjoy, plus a local farmer’s market on Thursdays!
In addition, the historic U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham is docked in front of the park. This 327-foot ship was used from 1936 to 1988, most notably in World War II and Vietnam.
Inside the ship, you’ll find a Maritime Museum, where you can learn about the long history of this decorated war ship! Unfortunately, the Maritime Museum is not free, except for children 6 and under!
6. Learn at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Eco-Discovery Center
Did you know the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary makes up part of the Florida Reef, the only barrier coral reef in North America??
While I prefer snorkeling in Key Largo and Islamorada, there are still plenty of snorkel options in Key West. However, if you want to actually learn about the underwater world, Key West has an option for that too!
Located right next to Truman Park is the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Eco-Discovery Center! Here, you can learn about the vast marine life and ecosystems of the Florida Keys for completely free!
The Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9am – 4pm. Inside, there are interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations that showcase coral reefs, mangrove forests, and more.
In addition, you can learn about the more than 2,000 ships that have wrecked within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. At the Center, there is an exhibit that features images of various wreck sites and artifacts like sunken cannons.
7. Experience the Key West Wildlife Center
If you are a bird lover, visiting the Key West Wildlife Center is a great way to spend a morning in Key West. Open every day except Wednesday from 11am to 2pm, the Key West Wildlife Center is a rescue and rehabilitation facility for injured animals, primarily birds.
In addition to a clinic, the Center also is home to local birds that are being rehabilitated and can be viewed by the public. The Center is free to enter, but donations are greatly appreciated to support their rehabilitation efforts!
Aside from the birds being cared for, the clinic also often sees a variety of migratory shorebirds, warblers and songbirds. The clinic is located within Key West Indigenous Park, near Higgs Beach. This park is a popular birding spot thanks to its large green space, so many birds visit naturally!
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8. Do the Duval Crawl
If you’ve never been to Key West, you’ve probably still heard of the famous Duval Street! Located in the heart of Old Town, Duval Street is to Key West what Bourbon Street is to New Orleans. It’s a must-visit on any Key West itinerary!
It’s one of the reasons people often choose to visit Key West vs Key Largo, as there isn’t much nightlife in the rest of the Keys!
Day and night, you will find all kinds of colorful characters on Duval Street. From upscale art galleries to dive bars, there’s plenty to keep you busy on this famous street in Key West. The best part? It’s completely free!
Duval is also one of the most popular (and pricey) places to stay in Key West since it’s the heart of Old Town!
If you have young children, I recommend exploring Duval Street during the daytime, when things are a little tamer. You can still enjoy the shops, restaurants, and live music during the day!
At night, Duval turns into a party atmosphere, with many people taking on the infamous “Duval Crawl”. This is just a nickname for bar hopping along Duval Street; however, it’s appropriately named, as most people are “crawling” by the end of it!
Need help planning your trip to the Florida Keys?
As a Florida local who’s visited the Keys over 20 times, I’ve put all my knowledge and insider tips into this Florida Keys Digital Travel Guidebook!!
This guide offers everything you need in one place – from where to stay and what to do, to the best times to visit and essential driving tips.
With detailed breakdowns of each Key, 2 sample itineraries, a packing checklist, plus an exclusive Google Map with over 100 pinned locations, it’s designed to make your trip easy and unforgettable!
9. Go on a Distillery Tour at the First Legal Rum Distillery
You can’t visit Key West and not embrace a little bit of pirate culture, right?
The perfect place to do this is at Key West’s First Legal Rum Distillery! This distillery, located right across the street from the Key West Historic Seaport, is the recipient of the first license ever issued in Monroe County to legally and locally produce alcohol.
How cool is that?!
The Distillery truly embraces its salty roots. No, literally. They take their rum barrels down to the ocean and let them soak in seawater before distilling the rum!
They offer free daily tours from 12pm – 5pm. The tours are kid and dog-friendly, and you’ll get to try some free samples of their rum! Plus, no reservations are needed – you just have to show up!
This is one of the top free things to do in Key West, even if you don’t drink!
10. Listen to Live Music and Embrace the Keys Lifestyle
Last but certainly not least, one of the best free things to do in Key West is to simply do nothing.
When you get to the Keys, you’ll notice the “island atmosphere” everywhere you go. Time moves slower. There’s no rush hour. It really is paradise!
So, to truly enjoy it, I encourage you to spend an afternoon just doing nothing! Grab a beer at a local bar, listen to live music, and just relax.
That’s why you came to the Keys after all, right?
Some of the best places to listen to live music are along Duval Street, like Sloppy Joe’s and Hog’s Breath Saloon. My favorite spot, however, is Sunset Pier! Here, you can enjoy incredible ocean views as you forget all your worries 🙂
If you want to plan ahead, you can check out a schedule for live music here for different bars around Key West!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy the Conch Republic! There are plenty of free things to do in Key West to keep you busy.
From watching the sunset to lounging on the beach, Key West can be a budget-friendly destination if you want it to be.
However, if you are looking to splurge on one or two activities, there are plenty of other things to do in Key West that are worth the money! My top recommendation? A snorkel tour or a sunset cruise!
So whether you’re doing a week-long vacation from Key Largo to Key West or just spending a quick weekend in Key West, I hope this list of all the free things to do helps you plan your adventure!
For more ideas on things to do, especially if you are visiting Key West with your significant other, check out my guide to Key West for couples!
Or, check out my other blog posts about Key West below! ⬇️
The Ultimate 3 Day Key West Itinerary (With A Map Of Key West)
25 EPIC Things You Need To Do In Key West, Florida
Things To Do In Key West For Couples: A Complete Guide!
10 FREE Things To Do In Key West, Florida!
ULTIMATE Guide To The Best Key West Sunset Cruises
What To Wear In Key West: Complete Key West Packing List
Should You Visit Key West In January? Yes! Here’s Why
Should You Visit Key West In December? Yes! Here’s Why
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
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