Key West is America's southernmost city — a small, flat, coral island at the end of the Florida Keys, connected to the mainland since 1921 via the Overseas Highway. Once home to Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and a long tradition of writers, artists, and free spirits, Key West has a distinctly bohemian soul that sets it apart from every other Florida destination.
The island's balmy tropical weather, coral reefs, turquoise water, Victorian architecture, and famously relaxed pace make it one of the most beloved port calls in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico circuit. The entire walkable area is less than 2 miles across — compact enough to explore entirely on foot or by bicycle in a single port day.
Key West is best known for Duval Street (the legendary bar-and-boutique strip), the nightly Mallory Square sunset celebration (a genuine community ritual), the Hemingway House with its famous six-toed cats, and some of the best snorkeling and diving in the continental United States.
Know Before You Go
Hot Tip
Key West, Florida – Quick Facts
Where You Dock in Key West, Florida
Pier locations and what's available at each terminal.
Cruise ships dock at three locations in Key West depending on ship size:
⚓ Outer Mole Pier
Built by the US Navy — the only pier that can accommodate larger cruise ships. Passengers take a free 5-minute shuttle into town, dropping off at the Mallory Square area. Keep your ID and cruise ship card on you at all times while ashore.
⚓ Pier B
Located just south of Mallory Square — a short walk to Old Town and Duval Street. A very convenient dock with minimal transit time between ship and attractions.
⚓ Mallory Square Pier
The closest of the three — essentially right on Mallory Square and a short walk from the island's main tourist attractions. The most convenient pier for independent exploration.
Getting Around Key West, Florida
Transportation options once you're ashore.
🚶 Walking
Key West is entirely flat and compact — most visitors can cover the main attractions on foot. The island's walkable area is less than 2 miles across. Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Hemingway House, and the Southernmost Point are all within comfortable walking distance of the piers.
🚲 Bicycle
The ideal way to see Key West — flat terrain, short distances, and dedicated bike lanes throughout the island. Rental shops near the cruise piers charge approximately $15/day. A bicycle allows you to cover the entire island in half a day at a comfortable pace.
🚕 Taxis & Rideshare
Taxis are available throughout the island. Uber and Lyft also operate in Key West. Most useful for reaching Fort Zachary Taylor State Park or other spots at the island's edges when walking or cycling isn't preferred.
🛺 Conch Train & Old Town Trolley
Two narrated sightseeing options cover the island's main attractions with commentary — the Conch Train and Old Town Trolley are popular with those wanting an oriented overview of Key West before exploring independently. Both depart near Mallory Square.
🚌 Public Bus
Key West Transit operates bus routes covering the island. Inexpensive and useful for reaching outlying areas. Not necessary for most cruise passengers staying within the Old Town area.
Things To Do in Key West, Florida
Make the most of your time ashore.
🎯 Key West is one of the most walkable and activity-rich ports in Florida — here's what to prioritize:
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration — Every evening at sunset, Mallory Square fills with street performers, musicians, artists, and the entire Key West community gathering to applaud the sunset as it dips into the Gulf of Mexico. One of the great free communal events in American travel — arrive 30 minutes early for a good spot. Genuinely moving and joyful.
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum — The former residence of the Nobel Prize-winning author, where he wrote some of his most celebrated works. Now inhabited by the descendants of Hemingway's six-toed cats (over 50 of them wander freely). The house stands on the second-highest point of the island with beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture and lush garden grounds. One of Key West's essential stops.
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory — A stunning climate-controlled habitat featuring cascading waterfalls, tropical flowering plants, exotic birds, and over 50 varieties of butterfly species from around the world. Always worth visiting regardless of outdoor weather. One of Key West's most enchanting and underrated attractions.
Boat Tours, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling — Key West sits near the Florida Reef — the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Numerous operators offer snorkel tours, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, and sunset sailing from the marina. The reef's marine life is extraordinary — sea turtles, rays, moray eels, and hundreds of fish species.
Southernmost Point Monument — The giant buoy marking the southernmost point in the continental United States — only 90 miles from Cuba. One of the most photographed spots in Key West. Expect a queue for photos. At the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street.
Duval Street Walk — The full 1.2-mile length of Duval Street from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point covers the core of Key West's commercial, cultural, and social life. Bars, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and live music spill out onto the sidewalks at every hour of the day. The essential Key West experience.
Key West Cemetery — One of the most unusual and beautiful Victorian cemeteries in America — filled with above-ground tombs (the water table makes underground burial impractical) and legendary epitaphs. A free and fascinating 30-minute walking tour through Key West history. Entirely walkable from downtown.
Beaches & Outdoors in Key West, Florida
The best beaches, parks, and outdoor experiences for cruise passengers.
🏖️ Key West's beaches are calm, warm, and clear — excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and water sports:
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach
Key West's best beach — a natural limestone and sand beach within Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Good snorkeling off the rocky edges, shade trees, picnic facilities, and a concession stand. Small park admission applies. Worth every penny for the calmer, less crowded atmosphere.
Higgs Beach
On the Atlantic side of the island — a public beach popular with locals and visitors. Calm water, picnic areas, a restaurant adjacent, and a quieter atmosphere than Smathers. A good option for a relaxed beach afternoon.
Smathers Beach
The largest public beach in Key West — wide, sandy, and lively. Water sports rentals (jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards) are available along the shoreline. The most social and active beach experience on the island.
Shopping in Key West, Florida
Where to shop and what to look for.
🛍️ Key West's shopping centers on Duval Street — the legendary strip that completely crosses the island from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point:
Duval Street
Key West's main commercial artery — classy boutiques alongside big-name brands, eco-friendly treasures, unique jewelry, art galleries, and souvenir shops. Duval begins at Mallory Square and crosses the entire island, ending near the Southernmost Point. Walking its full length (about 1.2 miles) gives you a complete picture of Key West's commercial and cultural character. Art galleries and bars provide natural breaks along the way.
Mallory Square Area
The waterfront around Mallory Square has craft vendors, street artists, and small shops — particularly lively in the evening during the sunset celebration when local artisans set up alongside the entertainers. Good for handmade jewelry, local art, and one-of-a-kind items.
What to Buy
Key Lime products — Key lime pie, Key lime cookies, Key lime candy, and Key lime hot sauce are the definitive Key West edible souvenirs. Local art — Key West has a robust arts community; galleries along Duval and the surrounding streets carry quality original work. Hemingway-themed merchandise — available everywhere, from tasteful to kitschy.
Dining in Key West, Florida
Where to eat and drink ashore.
🍽️ Key West has an excellent dining scene — Caribbean and Latin flavors dominate alongside fresh Gulf and Atlantic seafood. Key lime pie is non-negotiable:
Hot Tin Roof
0 Duval Street · Waterfront · $$$
One of the easiest restaurants for cruise passengers to find — at the very start of Duval Street with great seaside views and an open patio. Known for Latin American-style cuisine with the option for small tasting portions of signature dishes. A genuinely enjoyable waterfront dining experience steps from the Mallory Square pier.
Bien
1000 Eaton Street · Caribbean Latino · $$$
A Caribbean Latino restaurant with excellent dishes including Caribbean roast and fresh seafood preparations. Warm, authentic atmosphere reflecting Key West's cultural blend.
Bliss Restaurant
411 Petronia Street · Latin Fusion · $$$
A quiet Latin fusion gem with an excellent array of seafood dishes and an intimate atmosphere. Also serves what many consider Key West's best Key lime pie — an essential stop for dessert even if you dine elsewhere.
Key Lime Pie — Don't Skip It
Key lime pie is Key West's signature dish — made with locally grown Key limes, it has a distinctly tart flavor different from regular lime pie. Available at virtually every restaurant and bakery on the island. Try at least one slice — the debate over who makes the best in Key West is taken seriously by locals.
Top Tours & Shore Excursions
Book before you board for best availability and pricing.
Hop On Hop Off Key West Trolley
⏱ 1 hour minimum · Moderate activity
See all of Key West on this narrated tour in an open-air trolley. Hop off when you wish to explore and hop on when you w...
Book This Tour →Jet Ski Tour Key West
⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes · Moderate activity
Tour Key West aboard your own jet ski! See the US Naval training area, the historic seaport and perhaps a dolphin or man...
Book This Tour →Premium Sail & Snorkel Adventure
⏱ 3.5 hours · Moderate activity
Enjoy this small group sail aboard a catamaran where it will take you to crystal clear water where you will stop to expl...
Book This Tour →Key West, Florida – FAQ
Common questions from cruise passengers.
What is Key West known for?
Key West is known for its laid-back "Conch Republic" vibe, Ernest Hemingway's former home, the Duval Street nightlife strip, spectacular sunsets at Mallory Square, the southernmost point in the continental US, excellent snorkeling and diving on the only living coral reef in the continental US, and fresh seafood.
Can I walk from the Key West cruise pier?
Yes — most Key West cruise piers are within walking distance of the historic downtown. Duval Street, Mallory Square, the Hemingway Home, and most attractions are easily walkable.
What is the Mallory Square sunset celebration?
Every evening at sunset, Mallory Square at the waterfront becomes a festival — street performers, artists, food vendors, and crowds gather to watch and applaud the sunset. It's one of Key West's most beloved traditions.
What is the southernmost point in Key West?
The Southernmost Point buoy at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets marks the southernmost point of the continental US — just 90 miles from Cuba. It's one of Key West's most photographed landmarks despite long lines.
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