Key West is not just for spring breakers! There are lots of activities and attractions for kids. Here is a list of our favorite things we did in two days.
1. Hemingway House
The Earnest Hemingway home has immaculate gardens and period furniture, but the real draw is the 40 plus polydactyl cats that call it home. The famed author had a love for these double pawed cats ever since a ship captain gave him one many years ago.
2. Key West Lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1825 to protect ships entering the port from hitting the reef. Climb the 88 stairs for an amazing view of Key West.
3. Southern Most Point
The Southern Most Point Buoy is a famous landmark identifying the southernmost public point in the continental United States. No trip to Key West is complete without getting the obligatory picture in front of it.
4. Conch Train Tour
This classic train ride around Key West is a great way to get a lay of the land and see all of the main attractions. You can hop on and off when you want to explore more.
5. Shipwreck Treasure Museum
Learn how Key West was once the richest US city in the 1800’s from salvaging goods off shipwrecks. While it is not designed for children, it is still entertaining for them to see the artifacts and reenactments.
The highlight for us was climbing the 65-foot lookout tower for an amazing view over the ocean.
6. Eat lunch at First Flight
The birthplace of Pan American World Airways, Pan-Am’s first tickets were sold out of this very building in 1927. You can now enjoy garden canopy dining or sit inside the open air restaurant where an occasional rooster struts in.
7. Find Mile Marker Zero
At the corner of Fleming Street and Whitehead Street, you will reach the end of the road…literally. This green sign might not look like much, but it is the beginning of US 1, a 2,369 mile interstate that connects most major cities in the Eastern United States. It starts in northern Maine and ends in Key West.
8. Satisfy your sweet tooth on Duval Street
Ok, there may not be much for little ones on Duval Street, but my kids loved filling a bag of candy at It’s Sugar… and then washing it down with a Haagen Dazs milk shake.
9. Salsa Dance at El Mason de Pepe
Located right on Mallory Square, this restaurant serves authentic Cuban food. Sit outside, sip a mojito and listen to live music while free roaming chickens peck around the ground.
10. Watch the sunset at Mallory Square
After dinner, walk around the corner to watch the most famous sunset in America. The sunset celebration begins two hours before the sun goes down. Crowds of people will come to enjoy the musicians, magicians, and street performers.
It took us two days to cover that list. There were other attractions that we didn’t have time for but are worth a mention:
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, The Florida Keys Eco Discovery Center, The Key West Aquarium, The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, The Audubon House and Tropical Garden, and the Truman Little White House
Key West is so much fun for the whole family. There are endless things to do and will certainly require a few days to cover most of it. Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!
Related:
Top 10 Things to do with Kids in the Florida Keys
Hawks Cay- Review of the most family friendly resort in the Florida Keys
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