Need turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, a drink with an umbrella without digging out your passport?!
It’s easy to forget that island life can be experienced within the United States. Sure, we all know about the beautiful beaches of Florida, the glitz and glamour of the California coast and even the fun of Jersey Shore, but an actual ISLAND..where life slows down and you can gaze out at waters so blue even Jack Sparrow would be impressed with.
Key West IS that island. 402 miles from mainland Florida, Key West is at the end of the US Highway 1 and the most southern island in the Continental US.
BUT..is Key West a destination for you and your family?
Key West has been coined a “party destination” and often gets a rap that it’s not the best place for families. While, sure, there ARE bars AND partying at night, it does not mean Key West cannot be a family friendly destination. I have been traveling to Key West with my family for years and when asked, it’s one of their favorite places to go, of all the places we’ve been.
So, let’s do a deep “dive” into what makes Key West a great family destination!
Museums
For such a little island, Key West is PACKED with museums and, for the most part, all are kid/family friendly. Here are three of our favorites!
Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House
Originally home to the island’s customs office, postal service, and district courts, this four-story building was built to keep pace with the increasing population and wealth accumulating from Key West’s lucrative trade routes and maritime industries. Now, a museum, you can explore 2 floors of exhibits including a permanent exhibit about Ernest Hemingway and the Flagler Railroad.
Fort East Martello Museum
An unfinished Fort on the Atlantic side of the island, Fort East Martello Museum was recommissioned in 1950 by the Key West Historical Society as a museum. Families can explore the preserved battlement’s collection of relics from the Civil War, learn about the wrecking and cigar-manufacturing industries which shaped the Florida Keys as well as meet the Ghosts of East Martello, including the infamous Robert the Doll.
Warning: the Ghosts and Robert the Doll portion of the museum may be frightening to younger children. Ask at the front desk how to best avoid this area if it is a concern.
Shipwreck Museum
A museum packed with treasure, pirates and over 400 years of history detailing the shipwreck salvage history of the Florida Keys this museum is a little hokey at times, but is a lot of fun. It is a laid back museum and a lot of fun for any treasure hunting dreamers in the family.
Historical Homes
Truman Little White House
The Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida was the winter White House for President Harry S. Truman for 175 days during 11 visits. The house is frozen in time and is an amazing attraction for anyone to see. From the “running water in the bathroom” to the “poker table where Truman and Churchill discussed the world”, you don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate this home.
Hemingway Home
My family’s personal favorite home on the island is the Ernest Hemingway Home. This home was built in 1851 during Hemingway’s time living and writing on the island. It is the location of the islands FIRST swimming pool and being the clever man he was, Hemingway put a penny in the concrete around the pool. He said the pool would take his last penny to build, due to the extreme measures he had to go through to put it in. Not to give too much away, but trust me, you will want to visit this museum/home. The descendants of Hemingway’s cats are still living on property and have free reign of the home/yard (it is THEIR house, after all). Hemingway wrote many of his best works while living in this home, including The Snows of Kilimanjaro. The Museum operates on a cash only basis, so run by the ATM before getting in line.
Water Fun
One of the most popular activities around the island is being OUT on the water. If you’re anywhere near the marina during the morning you will see the lines of people waiting to board the boats for their excursions/charters.
While Key West does have beaches, it’s not known as a beach destination. The island is a giant piece of coral and is surrounded by a reef. The beaches around the island are man-made and often have sargassum (sea grass) on them.
The best way to see the beautiful blue water is out ON the water on a boat or water craft.
Jet Ski
My family’s favorite activity in Key West is to go out on a jet ski. In Key West due to the extremely busy waterways and the protected areas around the island, in order to experience a jet ski, you will need a guide with you. While there are several jet ski company’s (and we’ve tried almost all of them), our personal favorite company is Sunset Watersports. Sunset is locally owned and employs local young men as their guides. And their guides are AMAZING. We typically purchase a private tour, which allows my family of 5 to explore a little more and tailor our excursion more to the areas we love the most, the group excursions are great as well!
Private Charter
A private charter for the day (or half a day) is another amazing way to experience the water and beautiful area around Key West.
We have done full day charters and half day charters and both were amazing. Just really depends on your budget and how much time you’re wanting to experience in the sun and on the water.
Our favorite charter company is owned by Captain Howie. Make it So Charters is truly them making whatever you want to experience in the waters of Key West happen. We’ve snorkeled, explored a bird sanctuary off the coast of Key West about 25 nautical miles west of Key West in the Marquesas, hung out on a sandbar in the middle of the ocean, watched dolphins swim around us, seen an octopus, starfish, seahorses and drank champagne (sparkling juice for the kiddos) while watching the sunset. The private charter is truly one of our favorite things to do.
For deep sea fishing or sunset charters, there are many amazing options as well. Our favorite for a sunset cruise is Fury Watersports. Fury, also locally owned, also has day excursions for snorkeling and sandbars. The Commotion on the Ocean is a great sunset activity. I would recommend this for families of older children or even if you just want a romantic activity for you and your love.
Your Magical Memory Planner can help you find an amazing company for deep sea fishing and other charters.
Dry Tortugas
Unknown to many, located 70 nautical miles from the coast of Key West, in the middle of the ocean, is a National Park. Fort Jefferson is located at the Dry Tortugas National Park.
The Dry Tortugas were discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513, and were named after the large population of sea turtles living in the island’s surrounding waters. “Tortugas” means turtles in Spanish, and Ponce de Leon himself caught over 100 sea turtles during his time on the island. The name “Dry” Tortugas was later given to the island to indicate to other mariners that the land mass lacked fresh water, which was an extremely important detail for boats stopping at the islands.
The trip to the Dry Tortugas is an all day event. There are a couple of ways to get there. One is to charter a sea plane, which is the most costly option and the second is aboard the Yankee Freedom, which has been approved by the National Park Service to transport visitors to the Dry Tortugas every day. Be sure and take your National Park passport!
When we went, we traveled on the ferry. The excursion is all day, I mean, ALL DAY! We boarded at 7am, got home at dusk. It was a long day, but one that was worth it.
Activities at the Dry Tortugas
Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities at the Fort and the water is truly beautiful. My sons snorkeled while my husband and I swam in the water. You don’t have to worry about packing snorkeling gear, the park service will provide it for you.
Another amazing activity at the Dry Tortugas is to tour/walk around the Fort. The Fort was built during the Civil War and actually was the prison where Dr. Samuel Mudd was held as a prisoner. There is a guided tour or you can pick up a map and walk around the fort at your leisure. We did the self guided tour and it was great.
This particular Key West activity is not an inexpensive one. I definitely recommend it for families with bigger kids as the little ones may not quite enjoy it.
Be sure and let your Magical Memory Planner know you want to do this activity as soon as possible. The ferry, while a larger ferry, does fill up months in advance.
Learn more about the history of the Dry Tortugas
How to Explore Duval as a Family
As I mentioned above, Key West, while completely family friendly, does become a party destination once the sun goes down.
If you’re wanting to avoid the revelry, then my suggestion is to take in an early dinner and then head back to your hotel or rental house for the night. We always pack cards and/or a board game and this is how we fill our evenings after a busy day. After being out on the water and/or exploring the museums/houses, we are usually ready to just hang out in the air conditioning after dinner anyways.
Shopping/Dining
As an island, Key West is known for it’s mom/pop shops and restaurants. While Duval is the most popular area to shop and dine, don’t discount the side streets. We have found some AMAZING restaurants just by strolling along. Most restaurants are family friendly and almost all are island casual attire. We even strolled into an extremely nice restaurant with our kids, who were younger at the time, during one trip. I was a nervous wreck as there were only couples dining inside. The food reviews was what drew us to the restaurant. Once we were inside, and saw the fellow guests and candles lit on the tables, I was immediately nervous. The servers treated my sons like royalty and the food was AMAZING, while we do laugh about how awkward we felt, it was one of the best dining experiences we have had on the island.
One of our favorite restaurants and one we dine at every time we visit is Fogarty’s. It’s on Duval and you do not need a reservation. Their Cuban pork, beans and rice are to die for.
If you are looking for a book to read on your vacation, be sure and check out Key West Island books on Fleming St. It is a locally owned bookstore and is a mix of used and new books. It’s a true treasure and I’ve found some amazing books in there.
Mallory Square
A Key West tradition is to stop and enjoy the sunset. Located in Old Town along the waterfront, Mallory Square comes alive at dusk. Street performers, artisans, food/beverage vendors are what make Mallory Square must see. A family friendly event, the sunset at Mallory Square is something we still do, even after seeing it a dozen or so times. It’s just that special.
I still get tears when the sun sets on the horizon.
Odds & Ends (Don’t miss ’em)
These are a few of the “odds and ends” in Key West that are fun to see/experience with your family!
Key West Cemetery
While you may not think of a cemetery as a place to visit, but there is so much history thriving in the Key West cemetery, I’d be remiss not to mention it. You can pick up a map at the little building at the entrance to the cemetery. Some of the more famous graves: USS Maine Monument- two dozen casualties from the USS Maine which was blown up in Havana Harbor, Sloppy Joe Russell- founder of Sloppy Joe’s bar and friend of Ernest Hemingway, Sandy Cornish– who mutilated his body to render himself useless as a slave, found freedom in Key West, Los Martieres de Cuba– a monument to honor those who died attempting to free Cuba from Spanish rule during the Ten Year War, and last but most definitely not least, B.P. “Pearl” Roberts, who declared on her tombstone “I told you I was sick”.
Southernmost Bouy
Pictured above, the bouy is a great place for a photo and a Key West staple.
Key West Bight Marina
If you love looking at BIG boats or just boats in general, then Bight Marina is a place you have to check out. It’s free to walk around and sometimes you can see some pretty amazing yachts.
I could write a book about mine and my family’s love for Key West. The island stole our heart from the first time we saw the blue waters and the people are unique. It’s one of those places that brings a smile to our faces when we hear the name.
Key West absolutely is a family destination. The few places I mentioned here are just that..the few. There are quite literally a dozen more amazing places to check out. My family still discovers new things to see on that amazing rock of an island every time we go.
Gone to Key West…be back NEVER
Thank you Britton Griffin for your help in writing about and remembering all our Key West memories.
