Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Key West, Florida. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Key West, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your Key West vacation.
Don’t Drive in Key West
Driving TO Key West can be fun; it’s a beautiful drive and only three hours from Miami. But once you get to Key West, park the car and leave it. Parking is a nightmare in Key West. You’ll spend more time sitting in traffic or looking for a parking space than you would if you just walked. Key West Old Town is small and very walkable, so take that into consideration when choosing your Key West accommodation. They also have Uber and Lyft all over. (If you fly to Key West, don’t expect a big, fancy airport. They roll the stairs up the plane and you’re done!)
Don’t Think Duval Street Has All the Restaurants
Duval Street is in the heart of downtown Key West, and it’s where most tourists congregate in the evenings. There are a TON of restaurants and bars on Duval Street. But that’s not the only place to find good food in Key West. Much like any big tourist destination, if you go a few blocks off the main drag, you’ll often get better food at a better price. Don’t expect much on the east side of Key West, but there is a lot more on the side streets of the western part of the island.
Don’t Let Prices Scare You Off
Flights to Key West and Key West Accommodation can be expensive. Don’t let that scare you off. Once you get to Key West, the prices are very reasonable. You’ll spend a lot of money upfront to get there, but once you are in Key West, you can eat and drink for a good price. It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely more reasonable than I was expecting.
How to Beat Peak Season Travel Prices
Don’t Forget These Key West Essentials:
When you are packing for your Key West trip, don’t forget these items:
- Reef-Safe Sunblock – it’s so important to have good sunblock and to reapply often. It’s also really important that it’s a sunblock that is safe for the coral reefs so they aren’t damaged by chemicals in traditional sunscreen.
- Snorkel Gear – it’s expensive to rent and kind of gross. If you plan to snorkel, it’s worth bringing your own gear
- Water Shoes – not every beach is soft, some are rocky, so it’s nice to have water shoes to protect your feet.
- Light rain jacket – rain is always a possibility, so it’s good to have a lightweight jacket you can throw on to stay dry
- Refillable water bottle – make sure you stay hydrated when you are visiting Key West. It’s hot and you will need to drink a lot of water.
- Sun hat – besides sunscreen, a hat is always a great way to keep the sun off your face and help protect your skin.
Official Tourism Website of The Keys & Key West: CLICK HERE
Don’t Feel Bad Taking a Trolley or Train Tour
Yes, they are super touristy, but you can actually learn a lot on these Key West tours. It’s a great way to get your bearings of the island and plot out places you want to return to on your own time. There’s the Conch Train Tour and the Old Town Trolley Tours, so pick one and go for a ride!
Don’t Miss Sunset in Key West
Wherever you are at sunset, stop and take a moment to enjoy it. Sunset in Key West is spectacular. Mallory Square is a very popular place to watch the sun go down.
Don’t Expect Sandy Beaches
There are a few sandy beaches in Key West, but it’s actually surrounded by a lot of mangroves. There are a lot of marinas along the shoreline as well. If a beach is important to you, choose your hotel carefully. Otherwise, just know what to expect and don’t forget the water shoes!
What NOT to Do on a Beach Trip
Don’t Plan to Get a Lot of Time at the Southernmost Point
Every destination has “that one photo” that everyone has to take. In Key West, it’s the big buoy at the southernmost point. We’re not going to tell you to skip it but be prepared for a line to take a photo. You’ll wait in line, get your photo, and then move on. It’s not the kind of thing you’re going to linger at.
Don’t Think the Only Cultural Attraction is Hemingway House
Hemingway House is the most popular thing to see in Key West, but there are lots of other cultural opportunities to see. There’s a shipwreck museum that is really interesting, where you can learn how Key West profited from shipwrecks. You can visit President Truman’s winter white house where he often stayed.
Don’t Mispronounce Conch
Key West is also known as the Conch Republic*, and conch is on nearly every menu in town. So, it helps to say it correctly. You don’t pronounce the “CH” it’s more like a K. So it’s pronounced “CONK.” Make sure you try some conch when you visit Key West. You can get cracked conch, conch fritters, conch chowder, and more!
*They actually declared their independence for a few minutes in 1982!
Don’t Expect Green Key Lime Pie in Key West
You have to have Key Lime pie in Key West! But don’t expect it to be lime green. It’s naturally a yellow color, so if you see green key lime pie in Key West, RUN!
Don’t Mess with The Wildlife
There are chickens everywhere in Key West. If you fly to Key West, you’ll probably even see chickens at the airport. They may hop up on your table when you’re having lunch. Try to shoo them away, because they can get pretty aggressive. You’ll also see a lot of iguanas; don’t feed them! They’re like the pigeons of Key West. Don’t feed the manatees, or try to give them fresh water. It encourages them to hang out around the docks, which is dangerous.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a Key West trip. It’s a super laidback destination with lots of fun things to see and do. There’s great seafood, great weather, and lots of fun entertainment in Key West. You’ll have a great time! Want more travel tips for traveling in Florida? Check out some of our other blog posts: