Things to Do in Key West
Stay at The Mermaid & The Alligator, just a short bicycle ride away from lots of things to do in Key West, Florida! Embrace the island life during your stay at our romantic bed and breakfast, boasting nine unique rooms. Our hotel is close to everything, from Duval Street’s delights to museums to wonderful beaches.
Spend the day sightseeing on Duval Street, the heartbeat of Key West. Running north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, it spans just over 1.25 miles. Filled with unique shops, great restaurants, fun bars, and everything in between, it is one of the most well-known and popular things to do in Key West. The Mermaid & The Alligator is just a 10-minute walk to Duval Street and even a shorter distance by bicycle (ask us about rentals).
Discover the history of Key West, infused in carefully preserved 19th-century homes, shipwreck museums, and natural conservatories. Tour artists’ homes like Audubon House and Hemingway’s House or see underwater artifacts from the Keys at Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and Key West Shipwreck.
Duval Street is home to numerous art studios and independent galleries. Bring home a gorgeous painting or one-of-a-kind piece from a charming gallery. After a day in the sun, spend an afternoon cooling off while touring several galleries! Notably, the famed Alan S. Maltz Gallery is just a nine-minute walk from our hotel.
The island beaches veer rockier than the soft sand of other Florida beaches, but are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing with a book under an umbrella. For guests looking to swim, our favorite smaller beaches are:
- Smathers Beach: five-minute bicycle ride
- Fort Zachary Taylor Beach: six-minute bicycle ride
Get out on the water where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico meet! Our concierge can help arrange:
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Snorkeling
- Boat tours
Tours
Discover our rich history filled with famed artists, pirates, picturesque architecture, and the only living coral reef in the United States. See our concierge for tour details.
Conch Tour Train: One of the best things to do in Key West right when you arrive, this 90-minute train tour of our tropical paradise and significant figures is a must.
Historic Old Town Trolley: Enjoy sightseeing in Key West according to your timeline and interests! The all-day pass allows you to hop on and hop off at marked stops.
Ghost Tours: Take a 90-minute evening stroll down shadowy lanes by the lantern light with a guide sharing the ghosts and ghouls of Key West.
Holiday Historic Inn Tours: Get in the spirit of the season by touring beautiful properties decorated for Christmas, while also enjoying fine food and classic art.
Home & Garden Tours: Sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, these tours explore the breathtaking architecture and design of some of Key West’s oldest homes.
Kayak & Paddleboard Eco Tours: Learn about the unique ecosystem of the Florida Keys on a popular moonlight kayak tour or paddleboard through mangrove estuaries.
Jet Ski around the Island: Zoom around the entire island at top speed! There are tour stops along the way to learn about some of Key West’s most intriguing tales.
Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas: Tour one of the largest forts ever built along with a cluster of seven islands made of coral reefs and sand! This tour is ideal for visitors looking to see birds, discover marine life by snorkel, and hear legends of sunken gold and pirates.
Interesting Attractions Right Outside Our Doors
- Hemingway House and Museum, 0.4 Miles
- Key West Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters, 0.4 Miles
- Nancy's Secret Garden, 0.4 Miles
- Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, 0.6 Miles
- Southernmost Point of the Continental United States, 0.7 Miles
- Audubon House and Gardens, 1 Miles
- Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum, 1 Miles
- Custom House, 1.1 Miles
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, 1.1 Miles
- Little Truman Whitehouse, 1.1 Miles
- Mallory Square, 1.3 Miles
- Clayton Sterling Complex, 2 Miles
- Wickers Sports Complex, 2.4 Miles
- Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, 3.8 Miles
- The College of the Florida Keys, 4.4 Miles
Annual Events in Key West
- January — New Year's Eve
- February — Old Island Days Art Festival, Key West Musicians Festival
- April — Taste of Key West, Florida Keys Seafood Festival
- May — Key West Whiskey Festival, Songwriters Festival
- June — Key West Pride
- July — Hemingway Days
- August — Key West Lobsterfest
- September — Brewfest
- October — Fantasy Fest
- November — Meeting of the Minds, Key West Boat Races
- December — Harborwalk of Lights