14 Best Things to Do in Key West with Kids
Key West Florida has been on my radar for a long time. This tropical island is the southernmost city in the United States and is known for its laid-back vibe, interesting history, and beautiful sunsets.
Key West is a town, but it’s also the main island of the Florida Keys. The island’s compact size makes navigating all the amazing things to do in Key West with kids easy!
You can spend your days exploring the historic sites of charming Old Town or visiting one of the family-friendly museums. There are plenty of great tours that will take you to all the main attractions on Key West, and there are plenty of outdoor activities like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
I am excited to have Craig and Bryanna from Crazy Family Adventure sharing the best things to do in Key West with kids. I’ve never been, but their list makes me want to visit!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!
When to Plan a Family Vacation to Key West
While the weather is amazing most of the year in the Keys, you should still think about when in the year you will be visiting.
During the summer or early fall offer the best deals and extra space that comes during off-peak times. However, this time of year also brings hotter temperatures and hurricane season, so you will need to plan accordingly.
Especially if you’re traveling with kids, we suggest visiting Key West between March and May. This is when the weather is warm and pleasant, with fewer crowds compared to the busy winter months.
In the spring, you can enjoy perfect conditions for outdoor activities like snorkeling, boating, and walking the island. It’s also a great time to experience local festivals, such as the Conch Republic Independence Celebration in April.
If you want to come during winter break, December to February is another popular time to visit. Many visitors come during this time of year, especially to escape colder climates. This is also a peak season, so plan for higher prices and plenty of people.
What To Do in Key West with Kids
Key West may be best known for its hopping nightlife, especially along Duval Street, but it also delivers a ton of family fun. While the party scene is there, it’s easy to avoid if you’re traveling with children.
We’ve been there multiple times for the sunset and always felt comfortable and safe. We knew after dark wasn’t the best time for kids, so we would head home once the sun has set.
Also, Key West is very walkable. So just focus on amazing family-friendly daytime activities, both on and off the water. Keep in mind as well that many of the most popular attractions, restaurants, and hotels cater specifically to families, making it a fun and safe destination for the whole family.
Ready to plan your family trip to the Conch Republic? Here are our 13 top things to do in Key West with kids:
1. Explore Old Town
Hands down, Old Town Key West should be your first stop once you’ve dropped off your stuff at your hotel! A walk through Old Town is like stepping into a colorful, tropical adventure that’s perfect for families.
The vibe here is so laid-back and welcoming. There’s something about the friendly locals, the vibrant colors, and the smell of the ocean in the air that makes this place magical for visitors of all ages.
Imagine strolling down streets lined with pastel-colored houses! The sidewalks are shaded by palm trees, making it a comfortable walk even on a warm day. Plus, Old Town is home to some of Key West’s most iconic attractions. They’re all close enough to explore on foot or by bike, which just adds to the fun!
You can go shopping for souvenirs on Duval Street or explore Mallory Square. There are also plenty of family-friendly restaurants and ice cream shops to stop by when you get hungry.
2. Attend the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
The Mallory Square Sunset Celebration is one of the most famous events in Key West and a must-see for families. It happens every evening at Mallory Square, a large, open space right on the waterfront.
About two hours before sunset, the square is transformed into a mini festival complete with art vendors and free shows! Our kids loved watching the shows at the sunset celebration. They range from jugglers to tightrope walkers to sword swallowers. Sometimes the performers ask for tips, so come prepared.
Come hungry, too. It varies nightly who will be there, but there are a bunch of food carts. You can try things like popcorn, nachos, smoothies, or a coconut to drink, fresh off the tree!
When the sun is setting everyone gets really quiet and watches the sunset together. You can see why they chose this spot for a nightly event! You can see all the sunset cruise sailboats out on the water, so it’s a great picture opportunity.
3. Old Town Trolley Tours
Taking an Old Town Trolley Tour through Key West is a great way to get a feel for the island. Learn about the city’s history and see all the main attractions without the hassle of navigating on your own!
This hop-on hop-off tour aboard an open-air trolley car includes 13 different stops with over 100 points of interest. As you ride, your knowledgeable tour guide will share fun facts, interesting stories, and documented history about Key West.
Pass by iconic spots like the Ernest Hemingway Home and the Key West Lighthouse. A highlight is a stop at the Southernmost Point, where you can hop off the trolley to take pictures at this famous landmark.
When purchasing the 1 Day ticket, you get 24-hour reboarding. That means you can take the full 90-minute tour all around downtown Key West or hop off early and choose when you want to finish your introduction to Old Town later on.
4. Go On a Conch Train Tour
The Conch Train Tour in Key West is another delightful way to discover Key West with kids. If you have locomotive-obsessed little ones, this will be a hit with them!
You will board an adorable train that takes you on a 75-minute journey through the heart of Old Town, winding through narrow streets and past historic landmarks.
It’s a perfect introduction to Key West, especially for first-time visitors. The train’s open-air design offers great views, and the relaxed pace makes it easy to take in the island’s charm.
As you ride, your guide will share the colorful history of Key West, from its days as a bustling seaport to its unique role in American history. Expect to see famous sights like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the historic seaport, and the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.
5. Eat Key Lime Pie in Old Town
There is plenty of good food in Key West, but if there’s one thing everyone in the family should have to try, it’s the Key Lime Pie! The iconic dessert is said to have first appeared in the late 1800s when local cooks made a delicious no-bake pie starring the island’s tart Key limes.
The creamy, tangy dessert quickly became a favorite. Over time, Key Lime Pie became synonymous with Key West, and today, it’s considered the island’s official dessert.
In Key West, there are plenty of spots to choose from. Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe is where everyone will tell you to go. (The original shop is at 200 Elizabeth Street.) Or go to the restaurant, Blue Heaven. Here, you can enjoy your pie in a laid-back, tropical setting and their own take on Key Lime Pie piled high with meringue.
6. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Visiting the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a magical experience for anyone, but especially for families looking for things to do in Key West with kids. This indoor paradise is home to hundreds of butterflies fluttering freely in a beautifully designed natural habitat.
Walking through the indoor gardens, you will be surrounded by tropical flowers, flowing waterfalls, and colorful butterflies. Some even land on you! The whole family will love all the exotic birds that also call the conservatory home.
The conservatory is small, so you could easily plan for an hour or two here. There’s also a great gift shop and gallery that you won’t want to miss filled with butterfly-themed items.
7. Visit the Key West Aquarium
In true Key West style, the Key West Aquarium has an open shark tank where you could literally reach in and touch them. Of course they don’t recommend that, but it is both scary and cool to be so close to sharks!
They also have a touch tank and a sting ray tank where you can pet the rays. There are multiple programs throughout the day where you can learn about the wildlife and watch them feed a shark. If your kids are brave enough, there is an opportunity for them to feed the sharks as well!
The aquarium isn’t very large, but with the programs and the sea life you can see and touch (plus being able to feed the sharks), it is totally worth it!
8. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
If your crew is really into sea-themed attractions, also check out the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. It’s an educational center operated by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
You can explore interactive exhibits and learn about the unique ecosystems of the Florida Keys. They are free to visit and are open Wednesday through Saturday.
9. Spend the Day at a Museum
When it’s time to get out of the heat, there are a few museums that kids will love in Key West: the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. Both are essential visits for those interested in pirates, shiny things, and colorful Florida history!
Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum showcases treasures recovered from shipwrecks by the famous treasure hunter Mel Fisher. The museum’s exhibits bring the tales of pirates and shipwrecks to life, making it an exciting way to learn about the Keys’ maritime past.
And then there’s the Key West Shipwreck Museum, where kids can learn about the island’s shipwreck history through real-life artifacts of all sizes and fun, interactive exhibits. The museum spotlights the daring lives of shipwreck salvagers and features a 60-foot tower with panoramic views of Key West.
10. Visit Fort Zachary Taylor
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a fun place where you can spend a full day with the family. Start by walking the grounds of the Civil War-era fort and learn all about the history of Key West. If you’re there at 11 AM, you have the option of joining a guided group tour.
Afterward, head to the beach area to hang out in the sand and swim in the ocean. Mind you, Key West beaches have sand that’s more sand/rock, so it’s not the best for sandcastle building. But you can go snorkeling at the coral reef in the shallow water just off the beach!
There’s a cafe at the Fort Zachary Taylor Beach area and a concession stand that sells last-minute items like sunscreen and water. You can grab lunch, take showers, and rent snorkeling gear, umbrellas, and beach chairs. Or bring your kayak and use the public launch here.
There is plenty of room to walk up and down the beach to take in the beauty that is Key West. It’s also a great location to catch the sunset.
11. Snorkeling and Kayaking in Key West
One of the best things to do in Key West with kids is to enjoy the water! There are a ton of opportunities to go snorkeling and kayaking. Both are a great way to see native marine life and experience the best of the island.
You can rent snorkeling gear or kayaks at several shops in town. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach has a kiosk right off the beach with snorkel gear. There’s also a shop near Higgs Beach for kayaks.
If you have your own equipment, you’re all set! There are several great spots to check out. For beginners and younger kids, Higgs and Smathers are both soft, sandy beaches with shallow waters.
If you have more experienced swimmers, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a great spot for snorkeling, with its clear waters, sea stars, and coral reefs!
For kayaking, just head to a beach and walk in! Head to the mangrove trails around Key West, where you can spot native birds, crabs, and fish.
12. Best Beaches in Key West for Families
The whole Florida Keys stretch over 100 miles and you are surrounded by beautiful blue, green, and turquoise water the whole way! Be sure to allow time for all of the best beaches in Florida Keys.
For kids, we’re fans of Smathers Beach. It’s one of the largest and most popular beaches in Key West, with palm trees, soft, white sand, and calm waves. You can go swimming, play volleyball, and picnic in the shade.
Higgs Beach is a close runner-up. It has a central location, a sandy beach, and a shaded playground. Plus, there are great amenities, like restrooms, showers, chair and water sports rentals, and a restaurant.
13. Book a Charter
We recommend Danger Charters if you prefer a guided experience. They offer a few different boat tours, including sunset tours and private excursions. They welcome families with kids of all ages, although you will need to double check age limits for the specific tour you’re interested in.
If you prefer, they also have a great trip that will take you out on a sailboat to a location where you can snorkel and then kayak. We saw a Hawksbill Sea Turtle on our snorkel trip!
Next up, they take you to one of the many small islands in the Keys where you can take a kayak and explore around the island. If you have multiple young children, don’t worry! They let me and my husband kayak with two kids each. You see so many amazing birds and may even see an old washed-up boat or two.
The crystal clear waters mean you can also view tropical fish and barracuda swimming right under your boat! Danger Charters offers unlimited soda and water, and you can bring your own snacks. This is always important with kids. Plus, the staff was awesome, and they even let the kids drive the boat.
14. Fury Water Adventures
If you can only do one thing while you’re here, make it Fury Water Adventures! This is another company that offers a variety of water sports trips, from a glass bottom boat tour to parasailing adventures. It all depends on what the family is up for.
We love their Ultimate Adventure H2.O trip. You’re on a large catamaran boat where you can enjoy fresh fruit and beverages, including all the beer and wine you want. The total adventure is about 3.5 hours long.
We loved all of the activities but also enjoyed being out on the beautiful waters of Key West. It’s about an hour’s boat ride out to the water park.
During the half-day trip, you will snorkel, drive jet skis, parasail, and play in an inflatable water park in the middle of the ocean. The day totally flies by and when it is done, you aren’t ready to return to land!
The staff is amazing with kids and are super helpful with making sure everyone is comfortable on the jet skis and parasailing. You have to be 6 years old to parasail, so keep that in mind. And they don’t recommend the trip if you have kids younger than 3 years.
Where to Stay in Key West with Kids
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Key West with kids, we recommend heading to the east side, closer to the southernmost point of the US. It definitely seemed quieter and less busy.
A few Key West resorts that we recommend include Opal Key Resort & Marina, Key West, Ocean Key Resort, and the Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa.
About this post: This article was originally written by Bryanna Royal, but was edited by Elizabeth Ramos and Kirsten Maxwell.
