Looking for the perfect 3 days in Key West Itinerary? In this post, we share with you the most epic weekend in Key West. Enjoy!
Key West, the last of the Florida Keys, is one of the most unique beach destinations in the United States.
Located only 90 miles away from Cuba, it is considered to be the country’s southernmost city and is connected to the continent by the iconic Overseas Highway. Also, it has some of the best snorkeling spots in North America.
Running four miles long and about two miles wide at its widest, Key West is a small island. However, it is a very touristic town, with a ton of amazing things to do.
From snorkeling with dolphins, to fine dining and practicing watersports, there are many fun activities to fill your days on the island.
In this post, you will find a complete itinerary for 3 days in Key West, plus extra valuable information for planning your trip.
Best time to visit Key West
What is the best time to go to Key West? Key West will be beautiful in any season, but what I learned from personal experience is that the months between December and March are the best to visit.
The word “winter” doesn’t really apply to Key West and during those months, the temperatures are mild and still perfect for water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, and sailing. In summer, the island tends to get way too hot!
What to Pack to Key West
Key West has an overall very relaxed atmosphere! So pack your flip-flops, favorite sundresses, and hats. Also, taking some swimsuits is mandatory to make the most out of the beautiful beaches on the island.
Other than that, it is important to bring tons of reef safe sunscreen (you can get it there, but it will be way more expensive!) and maybe one or two fancier outfits for dining out.
How long to stay in Key West
Most people visit Key West only for the weekend, but there is just so much to do on the island that I wouldn’t say that’s enough!
Key West is one of those places where you can stay for months and still find new things to do, though. However, anything between 3 to 7 days would be an awesome time to stay on the island and enjoy everything Key West has to offer.
Where to stay in Key West
Key West has a great selection of hotels and resorts to choose from. But I must warn you that cheap accommodation is really hard to find.
These are some of the best options on the island:
- Parrot Key Hotel & Villas
- Resort Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
- Resort DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Key Resort
- This Key West Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
How to get around Key West
A great thing about Key West is that almost everything is within walking distance. Other than that, renting a bike is also a great way to get around the island.
There is absolutely no need to drive in Key West, especially because parking is super hard to find.
Best Places to visit in Key West in 3 Days – Key West Weekend Getaway Edition!
Without further ado, here is a complete 3 day itinerary to Key West! It includes all the must-see attractions and is perfect for anyone visiting the island for the first time.
3 days in Key West: The Perfect Weekend in Key West Itinerary
Key West Itinerary Day 1 – Your first day in Key West
Walk around Duval Street
Chances are the hotel you choose to stay in will be close to Duval Street. Duval Street is the main street on the island and where most of the shops, restaurants, and bars are located.
I like to say that Duval is the place that most translates the essence of Key West. You can easily spend hours just walking around the cute little shops and seeing all the fun characters that live in Key West!
Start your day by strolling through this unique street and get a feeling of the town’s atmosphere.
Another suggested activity: Take a 3-Hour Guided Bicycle Tour. Discover the wonders of Key West by bike and see the sights of the city from a local’s perspective.
Take a picture with the Southernmost Point Buoy
The Southernmost Point Buoy is a concrete buoy that marks the southernmost point of the United States and it’s 90 miles to Cuba.
This attraction is extremely popular. The lines to take a picture with the buoy can take forever! So make sure to arrive as early as you can. The earlier in the day, the smaller the lines.
See the magical Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
After taking gorgeous pictures of The Southernmost Point, it’s time to head to the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, located just about five minutes away.
Here, you will find an enormous greenhouse that is home to more than 60 different species of butterflies and also to a variety of exotic birds, like ping flamingos.
Another really cool thing about this place is the souvenir store located on the way out. It is one of the most sophisticated souvenir stores in the island and sells really beautiful things.
Time for lunch
After the conservatory, it is a good time to stop by one of the many restaurants on Duval Street for lunch.
Some great options include:
- Caroline’s Cafe
- Poké in the rear
- Bagatelle
- Fogarty’s
See the marine life at the Key West Aquarium
After lunch, head to the Key West Aquarium. This was actually the very first touristic attraction in the history of Key West.
Here, you will learn about the rich Florida Keys marine life and see from up close lots of native marine creatures like moray eels, barracuda, grouper, tropical fish, conch, and sea cucumbers.
This is also an excellent activity for kids!
Watch the sunset at Mallory Square
After exploring the aquarium, it’s time to get to Mallory Square, one of the coolest places in Key West.
Here, hundreds of locals and visitors gather every day to watch and celebrate the sunset. Isn’t that lovely?
Make sure to arrive at least half an hour before the sunset to secure a good spot by the ocean. To find out at what time the sun is going down on a particular day, just google “Key West Sunset time” and you will be fine.
Now you can stay for a while and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets you will probably ever see in your life! Later, you can watch some of the street artists that perform on the square! They are very entertaining.
Have dinner at an authentic Cuban restaurant
Last but not least, it’s time for dinner! My advice is to go to Mesón de Pepe for wonderful Cuban food. Try their ‘tamal cubano en hoja’ and the ‘picadillho habanero’, you won’t regret it.
Key West Itinerary Day 2 – Time to enjoy the ocean!
Have brunch at Blue Heaven
It’s a new, sunny day in Key West! Walk all the way to Blue Heaven for brunch.
It is one of the most popular restaurants on the island and everyone loves it. Make sure to try the eggs benedict while you are at it!
Go on an Water Adventure tour
After breakfast, it’s time to go on one of the most popular tours in Key West, the All-Inclusive Water Adventure Excursion.
In this excursion, you will enjoy a full morning of sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking off the coast of Key West. This is one the coolest tours in the island because it includes so many fun activities.
Lunch and beverages are complimentary as well! You will return to Key West in the afternoon, just in time for sunset at Fort Zachary Taylor.
You can read about all the best tours to take in Key West here.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
Once you are back on the island, go to the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. This is where you will be watching the sunset from today!
To get to Fort Zachary Taylor, you can either walk, drive or ride a bike. While you are there, you can have a picnic for an afternoon snack or even prepare a barbeque.
Duval street
You will probably be quite tired by now, but if you are not, head to Duval Street for drinks.
Some of the best bars are Sloppy Joe’s, Green Parrot, and Irish Kevin. You can also do a small pub crawl and have a drink in each of them, Key West style.
Key West Itinerary day 3 – Your last day in Key West!
On your last day, you can go on a day trip to Dry Tortugas or stay in Key West for another day of fun.
Dry Tortugas is one of the most beautiful and remote US national parks and it’s very well worth the visit, though you have to take either a ferry or a seaplane to get there.
If you decide to spend your last day in Key West, that’s okay! Here is an itinerary suggestion to make the most out of it.
Breakfast at a french café
Have breakfast at La Grignote or Frenchie’s Café, both cafes very delicious and affordable.
Then, head to Smathers Beach. I would recommend renting and riding a bike there since the views are absolutely breathtaking.
Smathers Beach
Smathers beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Key West. Here, you can just lay down and enjoy the sun, swim, or even do some watersports like jet-skiing and paddleboarding.
You can rent all the equipment right at the beach
Lunch
For lunch, try Louie’s Backyard or Willie T’s!
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
After lunch, you can visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. The famous writer lived in Key West for years, in a beautiful, colonial-style house, which has now turned into a museum and a very popular attraction.
Truman Little White House
Located at 111 Front St, Key West’s Harry S. Truman Little White House holds a special place in the history of America.
The house was the second White House in the United States, having housed the at the time president, President Harry Truman.
Today, it is possible to visit and even enjoy a VIP presidential tour of the house.
Go on a Sunset Cruise
Sunset Sails are a true Key West classic and the best and most glamorous way of watching the sunset from the sea.
On this sunset cruise, you will embark on a modern catamaran with live music and an all-you-can-drink open bar.
The experience is really one of a kind and the perfect way to end your 3-day trip to Key West, the southernmost city in the United States.
That’s a wrap!
I really hope this itinerary is helpful and that you can have an amazing time in Key West.
The island receives everyone with open arms and is a really special hidden-gem! Make the most out of your visit to this special place.
This is a post by Guest Contributor: Camila from the blog Travel Cami
Author’s Bio: Camila Neves is a passionate twenty-something traveler that shares everything about the places she loves in her blog, Travel Cami. You can follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram.
