Key West With Kids: Best Things To Do

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Wondering if planning a trip to Key West with kids is a good idea? While Key West is well known as an eccentric party destination, the southernmost city has plenty of family adventures to offer.

From snorkeling and feeding sharks to climbing an Old Florida lighthouse and exploring historic sites, adventurous families can find plenty of exciting and educational things to do in Key West with kids.

If you want to learn about the best family-friendly spots in the Florida Keys, keep reading for Adventure-Seeking Mom’s guide to Key West with kids. In addition to the best things to do in Key West with kids, we’ve got day trip ideas from Key West, tips for getting around, and locally-recommended Key West Cuban restaurants.

Getting Around Key West with Kids

Though it’s a walkable town, Key West is bigger than it appears. In order to get a feel for the island before you set out on your adventures, take a Conch Tour Train sightseeing tour. Kids love the opportunity to climb aboard the Conch Tour Train’s little yellow cars or red caboose for a ride around Old Town Key West. Offering a “Conch’s” eye view of Key West sights, the Conch Tour Train is a fascinating 75-minute journey. A cleverly-narrated tour, the Conch Tour Train engineers charm passengers with insights on Key West history, legends and lore.

Because little legs get tired easily from walking, families staying in Key West with kids may want to consider renting a golf cart. During our family’s stay in Key West, we enjoyed the ease of getting around and exploring Old Town with a Key West electric golf cart rental.

Heading to Key West without kids? Check out Belcher Family Blog’s recommendations on how to take an adults-only Key West day trip via the Key West Express.

Family-Friendly Key West Attractions in Mallory Square

After your Key West sightseeing tour, check out Mallory Square located on the waterfront in historic Old Town Key West. Since the 1820s, Mallory Square has been the heart of Old Town Key West. Along with shops, restaurants and history, Mallory Square is home to attractions perfect for adventurous families.

Key West Aquarium

While exploring Mallory Square, animal-loving families enjoy diving into aquatic adventures at the Key West Aquarium. Don’t let its small size fool you. The Key West Aquarium is big on exciting, interactive experiences with Florida marine life. If you’ve ever wanted to get up-close with sharks, you’ve found the perfect place!

During daily educational presentations, the Key West Aquarium staff let guests assist them in feeding the aquarium’s resident nurse sharks. My son loved getting up-close with these amazing creatures when we visited the aquarium. In the shark feeding presentation, we were able to see for ourselves how nurse sharks are docile and not at all predatory or aggressive. We also learned that no, sharks can’t smell blood from a mile away!

Along with sharks, we got the opportunity to feed wild fish including vibrant parrotfish from the aquarium’s dock. Back inside, the aquarium’s touch tank gave us the opportunity to touch and hold conchs, sea stars, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs and more.

In addition to interactive exhibits, the Key West Aquarium gives guests an inside look at its remarkable sea turtle conservation program. Through this program, the aquarium rehabilitates injured sea turtles. Two of the Key West Aquarium’s rescued sea turtles, Lola and Rocky, are the first sea turtles in the world to receive biomimetic, prosthetic flippers.

Built in the 1930s, the Key West Aquarium was the island’s first tourist attraction. As I marveled at its marine life, I found the aquarium’s historic charm just as captivating.

 

Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

Next door to the Key West Aquarium, the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is a cool place to dive into Key West’s deep maritime history and lucrative ship wrecking industry. With the treacherous Florida Keys reef off its coast, Key West has a history rich in shipwrecks. During the 19^th century, wrecks occurred about once a week here. Wreckers salvaging goods from the shipwrecks could sell them at auction in Key West.

Taking curious adventurers on a trip back in time, the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum tells the story of the wrecked vessel Isaac Allerton. Considered the richest wreck in Key West history, the Isaac Allerton sank in 1856. Divers rediscovered the shipwreck in 1985. The museum tells the Isaac Allerton’s story through actors, films and the actual artifacts from its original cargo.

As you relive Key West’s wrecking days, you’re even invited to climb the museum’s 65′ lookout tower. From the top of the tower, you can look out to the reef just like a wrecker watching for a “Wreck Ashore!”

Key West Sunset Celebration in Mallory Square

Captivating visitors since the 1960s, the Key West Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is a fun, family-friendly thing to do before calling it a day in Key West with kids. In addition to a stunning Key West sunset over the water, the Key West Sunset Celebration features live music, stunt performers and local artists. During our family’s visit, we were treated to Andromeda Fyre‘s incredible fire show.

More Adventures to Experience in Key West

Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters Museum

Outside of Mallory Square, you’ll find more things to do in Key West with kids when you head south on Whitehead St. For a bird’s eye view of the island, visit the historic Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum. Families are welcome to climb the 88 steps to the top. Kids under 7 receive free admission to the lighthouse and museum.

After climbing the lighthouse, make sure to check out the Keeper’s Quarter Museum to learn about the inspiring history of this beautiful Florida lighthouse. Visitors are often surprised to learn that the Key West Lighthouse was maintained by a woman for nearly 40 years in the 1800s.

After her husband died of yellow fever, Barbara Mabrity was appointed as head lighthouse keeper in 1832. A brave and determined widow and mother of six, Mabrity kept the light through multiple hurricanes, including the Great Havana Hurricane of 1846. That hurricane destroyed the original lighthouse and devastated Key West. Later, the current lighthouse was built on the highest ground in Key West. When the new lighthouse began operating, Mabrity continued to serve as its keeper until 1864.

Key West Southernmost Point Marker

After visiting the Key West Lighthouse, continue down Whitehead St. When you reach the water, you’ll find the famous Southernmost Point Marker. An iconic Key West photo spot, the Southernmost Point Marker is a big buoy situated at the water’s edge. It’s painted with the words, “90 miles from Cuba, Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.”

Don’t want to wait in line for your Key West family photo? Plan to visit this spot first thing in the morning.

Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower

Looking for free things to do in Key West with kids? Then you’ll want to check out the beautiful Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower. Once a Civil War-era fort, West Martello Tower is now a beautiful beachside garden. It’s complete with a colorful butterfly garden, a waterfall garden, gazebos, garden rooms and ocean views. A peaceful escape in the middle of lively Key West, West Martello Gardens offer a nice place for families to take a break. While admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted to support the volunteer-maintained garden.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Where’s the best beach for families in Key West? Fort Zachary Taylor State Park features a family-friendly beach ideal for relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. With picnic areas, a cafe and rentals for chairs, umbrellas, snorkel gear and bikes, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers helpful amenities for families.

If you want to snorkel around a coral reef in Key West without booking a boat tour, this is the place to do it. Coral reef snorkeling is a short swim away from the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Between snorkeling, relaxing and exploring the park’s historic Civil War fort, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers adventurous families plenty to do in Key West with kids.

 

Day Trips to Take from Key West with Kids

Dry Tortugas National Park

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Dry Tortugas National Park invites adventurers to explore Civil War-era Fort Jefferson in a dreamy island setting. About 70 miles west of Key West, the seven small Dry Tortugas islands feel like a mirage in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. With its captivating blue-green waters and abundant marine life, Dry Tortugas is an awe-inspiring bucket-list adventure. You won’t regret booking this Dry Tortugas day trip from Key West with kids.

After exploring in and around Fort Jefferson, kids can earn their Dry Tortugas Junior Ranger badge by completing a short handbook. The badge even entitles them to free ice cream on the ferry ride back to Key West.

What does the Dry Tortugas day trip include?

Breakfast and lunch plus snorkeling equipment, a Fort Jefferson tour and National Park entrance fees are included with the Dry Tortugas ferry ticket. Make sure to book your Dry Tortugas trip in advance. Ferry tickets tend to sell out weeks in advance.

Bahia Honda State Park

Located about 45 minutes from Key West on Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda State Park offers some of the most scenic views and best beaches and snorkeling in the Florida Keys. Follow the nature trail to the top of Old Bahia Honda Channel Bridge for breathtaking ocean views. In the early 1900s, this bridge was part of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad that connected Miami to Key West. What a ride that must have been!

After taking in the views, go swimming in those crystal-clear waters or relax on largest natural sand beach in the Florida Keys. The park offers kayak and snorkeling gear rentals, as well as snorkel boat tour excursions to the reef at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. Daily Bahia Honda State Park snorkeling trips are at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and provide 1.5 hours of snorkeling time.

Where to Eat in Key West with Kids

Besides enjoying fresh Key West seafood, don’t miss the opportunity to try Key West Cuban food. Key West has strong ties to the island of Cuba, just 90-ish miles to its south. Flavorful, authentic Cuban food is easy to find around Key West. Plus, hearty Cuban cooking is wonderful adventure fuel for the whole family. Here are our family’s favorite spots – both are Key West Cuban restaurants recommended by locals.

Best Key West Breakfast or Lunch: Cuban Coffee Queen

With three locations around Key West, Cuban Coffee Queen offers a convenient and delicious way to feed the family during your Key West adventures. As a Cuban coffee connoisseur, I’ve tried many a café con leche and cortadito around Florida. When I tried Cuban Coffee Queen, I was excited to discover that it did not disappoint. They make some of the best Cuban coffee I’ve ever tasted.  

What to order:

Breakfast: Cuban coffee and Pan Cubano (Cuban toast with butter), Cuban bread with guava and cream cheese, or a Key Wester breakfast sandwich.

Lunch: A classic Key West Cuban Mix sandwich and more Cuban coffee, or try a refreshing, fresh fruit smoothie.

Best Key West Cuban Restaurant: El Siboney

Nestled on a quiet street a short walk from Key West’s lively Duval Street, El Siboney is a Key West hidden gem restaurant. Recommended by locals, El Siboney draws those looking for the most authentic, reasonably-priced and flavorful Cuban food in Key West. Serving homestyle Cuban dishes for lunch and dinner in a warm, comfortable environment, El Siboney is a wonderful spot for families.

What to order:

Lunch: A classic Key West Cuban Mix sandwich.

Dinner: Housemade Sangria with Roast Pork, Siboney Steak or Ropa Vieja, a flavorful shredded beef in tomato sauce.

Kids: Encourage your kids to try the roast pork with rice and beans. After a day of adventuring, this hearty Cuban meal is one of our favorite choices to help us refuel. For other kids’ meal options, a kids’ menu offering chicken fingers, grilled cheese and mac and cheese is also available.

More Florida Family Travel Guides

Want more Florida family adventure ideas? Check out our guide to 40+ summer adventures around Tampa Bay and more of our favorite adventures.

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