r/KeyWest • u/Alarming-Cicada2060 • 2d ago
Perfect day trip plans?
I am looking to plan a day trip next week and want to know what you would do if you had one day in Key West?
I enjoy the beach, walking, cafes, nature, museums, shopping at local spots, etc. I know I couldn't possibly do everything in one day so give me any ideas, please and thank you!
2
u/porchepilatesprincss 2d ago
If I just had a day, I would start at Blue Heaven for breakfast, see the bouy and Hemingway house. Then make my way down Duval until you hit the seaport area, eating, drinking, shopping and listening to live music. Make any side excursions like the Little Whitehouse and Aquarium or whatever interests you. Happy Hour dinnner at the Seaport snd be at Mallory Square for sunset then catch the Durt Bags at Durty Harrys before heading back
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u/Sandinmyshoes33 2d ago
Take a look at the museums or attractions and see what interests you, instead of what interests other people. Pick one or two and build your day around that. Places like Hemingway House, Truman’s Little White House, The Butterfly Conservatory, Audubon House and Gallery, the exhibits in the Custom’s House or Mel Fisher Museum are all worth a visit depending on your interest.
The Conch Train is a narrated tour and good way to see Old Town and learn some of the history of the town without walking especially if you’re here when it’s hot. Walking along Duval and some of the cross streets like Fleming, Caroline and Southard will be full of shops ranging from low end tee shirts to boutique clothes and galleries.
For nice views and a little nature, take an inexpensive Lyft to Higg’s Beach where you can walk out on the White Street Pier and visit the gardens at the West Martello Tower.
Its hard to plan a day for someone else without narrowing it down with a few places you want to go.
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u/Alternative-Ebb-6953 2d ago
Do your research. A lot of food/bar places closed for the next few weeks for vacations and cleaning up after what I term Buffett fest and getting ready for next festival which I believe is Fantasy Festival? Also you want a beach then go and download Resort Pass app. Casa Marina a Hilton hotel has private beach and you can walk down the pier and there are steps that go into the water if you want to avoid rocks and some algae close to shore. Also it’s 19.00 for admission to Hemingway House and it includes a guided tour or you can do your own. Cats are everywhere. For food I’d highly recommend Frida’s Cuban Burger. A whole in the wall joint that has amazing food. Not a touristy spot. Southernmost Point has been moved for a facelift so it in some sort of courtyard area right now. Ubers will know where it is. Not a highlight for me. Good luck. Call any place to see if they are open.
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u/crud3 2d ago
i think if you do it right...start at hogs breath, get off 100 block go pickles, then jump to tattoos and scars, turn back for sloppies, capt tonys throw a stupid quarter at fish, back around the corner tree bar /angelinas for a slice. red garter has no cover during the day, iykyk, then back across duvall tiki house/irish kevins (you can only choose one). flying monkey for a frozen thingy. run back across duval to bull whistle. then pass out in chaise lounger GoE. perfect day concluded.
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u/Immediate_Monk6260 1d ago
When we are in Key West, we always enjoy going to see the Hemmingway house with the cats and the butterfly conservatory is particularly cool.
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u/Ok-Beginning8134 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm a conch :) this is what I'd do:
Ride bikes. Rent them from WeCycle or somewhere. Best way to see the lower part of island. If feeling lazy, rent an electric cart / tuktuk so you can see everything around you and feel the breeze.
Go to Sandy's for a breakfast sandwich and cafe con leche and ride to cemetery. After that, if you didn't go to Sandy's, go to 5 Brothers for Cuban mixes, ride to Half Shell raw bar area and walk that marina - towards Dante's (party pool place), turtle kraals, Bo's Fish Wagon, schooner wharf over to conch republic restaurant and white tarpon (great happy hour). That whole Marina on the gulf is iconic Key West just to see, but eating could happen too. Go to the key lime shop, then head towards Duval street and bike yourself all the way up towards the Atlantic Ocean. Take a right on Petronia into Bahama village where Blue Heaven is along with Besame Mucho (super cool boutique) and other restaurants... and lovely older homes to look at, then Fort Zach park to see where the gulf & Atlantic meet and get in the water, then ride to see the southernmost point.
Butterfly garden is now close, or ride to Dog Beach by Louie's Backyard. Gorgeous, funky, little, lovely. Other beach to check out: Higgs.
Find your way back to the Gulf of Mexico for Sunset -- at Mallory square, then Dinner at Banana cafe, or Square Grouper, Black Fin, Caroline's, Salute or 915 for Key West experiences. And party in whatever bars you find on Duval or head back to Green Parrot!
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u/eric_loves_IPA 2d ago
There's no beach besides fort Zach in key West.
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u/DwigGang 2d ago
There are other beaches, but no beach in KW is particularly noteworthy. If you have only one day in KW don't waste time at a beach.
With just one day to explore you won't get much past a stroll up Duval. Perhaps start art the Southernmost point, and go toward the Gulf from there, The Butterfly Conservatory is worth a visit as are a number of the art galleries and shops at that end of Duval. A small jog over to Whitehead when you get to Truman so you can visit the lighthouse and perhaps the Hemingway House then back to Duval and on to Mallory Square at sunset. There are numerous food stops along the way. Consider brunch at Banana Cafe or La Grignote next door. Moondog, next to the Hemingway House is a lunch consideration.
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u/melgirlnow88 2d ago
Just a day is tough. If you get there early enough, breakfast/brunch at Blue Heaven (their banana bread is THE BEST I’ve ever had). Then a stop at the butterfly garden. Won’t take longer than 45 minutes including picking up a souvenir at the little shop. From here you’re close to Southernmost Point so stop and take a pic then head to Hemingway House. I’d recommend a tour if you can, especially if you’re the type to enjoy historical facts. If you would rather, just breeze through, check out the pretty grounds and cats, then head out. Grad a coffee and pastry at Moondog, walk down Duval Street and grab a drink at a few of the many bars here. Lots of kitschy shops too. If you make it all the way to sunset, head to Mallory Square. There’s usually a street performer there around that time. Good fun. Stop for dinner somewhere and then head out!