What To Do With Kids In Key West

Is Key West child-friendly? Absolutely! Sure, our island paradise is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, abundance of bars and restaurants, and party atmosphere, but Key West is also a fabulous destination for kids. Here’s a list of some of our top recommendations for things to do in the Florida Keys with family.

Things To Do in Key West with Kids

Key West boasts an abundance of wildlife, both land and sea are rich with history and adventure, and there are lots of novel things to do around the island! Get the kids out of the hotel pool and enjoy the best of Key West together!

Outdoor Adventures

How do you keep kids entertained on a boat, at the beach, or on the waterfront? You don’t have to! You can all get swept away with these Key West family activities!

• Danger Charters Sail, Snorkel & Kayak Tour – Sail our glittering waters, experience our sea life from below, and explore the mangroves of the Backcountry by kayak. Join us for our morning tour, in the afternoon, or have lunch with us too and play for the better part of the day on our premium tour. No experience necessary!

• Smathers Beach – This sandy, shallow beach is perfect for kids to play in the water, build sandcastles, and enjoy a memorable day by the sea.

• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park – A perfect spot for a beach day, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the historic Civil War-era fort.

• Dry Tortugas National Park – Accessible by ferry or seaplane, this remote park offers families the opportunity to enjoy snorkeling, wildlife spotting, and exploring Fort Jefferson.

• Truman Waterfront – This 33-acre recreational park has a fantastic splash park and playground is close to other kid-friendly attractions, and is home to a weekly farmer’s market.

Rainy Day Activities

Don’t let the weather spoil your fun! Dive into immersive, indoor experiences that will enrich your knowledge of and appreciation for the Keys.  

• Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory – Explore a tropical environment filled with hundreds of butterflies and get up close and personal with flamingos!

• Key West Aquarium – Learn about marine life through interactive exhibits, including touch tanks where you can handle starfish and horseshoe crabs.

• Shipwreck Treasure Museum – Key West’s history is rife with shipwrecks! Travel back to the 1800s to engage with storied wreckers and see their prized bounty!

• Mel Fisher Maritime Museum – Discover shipwreck treasures, including artifacts from the famous Spanish galleons, and learn about underwater archaeology.

• Eco-Discovery Center – Located at the Truman Waterfront, the Center is a treasure trove of information and inspiration about our local waters. 

Cultural & Educational Experiences

If your kids tend to turn their noses up at history and culture, remind them you’re in the Keys – we only know how to have a good time!

• Mallory Square Sunset Celebration – Every evening, this area turns into a lively spot with street performers, jugglers, musicians, and magicians that kids will love.

• Conch Train Tour – A kid-friendly narrated tour around the island that introduces the history and quirky culture of Key West in a fun, interactive way.

• Hemingway Home & Museum – Tour the house and gardens, and meet several descendants of Snow White, Hemingway’s polydactyl (six-toed) cat.

• USCGC INGHAM Maritime Museum – Enjoy a self-guided tour of this historic warship and national landmark that served between 1936 and 1988!

• Key West Museum of Art & History – Four sites, multiple experiences. Visit on the first Sunday of the month for their fun, free, Family Museum Day. 

Dining & Treats

There are so many fantastic places to eat in Key West! We’ve picked a few of our favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sweet treat spots – but there are many, more. Explore!

• Blue Heaven – Quintessential Key West architecture, excellent menu, serious island vibes, live music, and most definitely, cats and chickens too.  

• Harpoon Harry’s – A casual diner serving up classic American comfort food with a local twist. Breakfast is served all day. Cash only.

• Pepe’s Café – Established in 1909, Pepe’s Cafe is the oldest eatery in the Keys, and the second oldest in Florida! Take home some famous Pepe’s hot sauce!

• Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe – Famous for its Key Lime pie and home to numerous other local treats, this is a must-visit for families looking. Can’t get enough? Send some home!

• Flamingo Crossing Ice Cream – A local favorite since 1987, Flamingo Crossing makes its ice cream and gelato in-house in a variety of classic, tropical, and creative flavors.

Tips for Families Visiting Key West

You can never be too prepared when traveling with kids! That’s why we’ve prepared a little practical advice for your sure-to-be phenomenal family trip to Key West. 

When to Visit

The sun is always shining in Key West and it’s always warm enough to swim, so there’s certainly no bad time to visit! But, we can admit, some months are better than others. 

• Best Time: December to April is our dry season. The weather is ideal for outdoor activities – temperatures are cooler and there’s less humidity. Because of this, though, we see a lot of visitors during this time of year. Expect higher prices and more crowds; book accommodations and must-do excursions early.

• Worst Time: June to November is our hurricane season. There’s a higher chance of storms and hot, humid weather during these months … and also a better chance of fewer visitors and lower prices. 

What to Pack

Consider packing like you’re going on a cruise in the tropics. Prepare for heat, sun, bugs, maybe a bit of motion sickness, and a fair bit of walking (everything is in pretty close proximity down here).

• Light, breathable clothing
• Swimsuits and protective swimwear 
• Sun protection (reef-safe sunscreen, hats, sunglasses)
• Rain gear for passing showers
• Comfortable walking shoes; reef shoes
• Insect repellent
• Waterproof bag/phone case
• Motion sickness medicine
• Refillable water bottle

Where to Stop

If you’re driving, you may want to break up the drive – it typically takes 3.5 to 4 hours to get here from Miami, depending on traffic and weather conditions. There are plenty of restaurants and gas stations along the Overseas Highway (US-1), especially in the larger Keys like Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and Big Pine Key, and some family-friendly stops, too.

• Robbie’s Marina (Islamorada) – Feed giant tarpon and get hands-on with marine life! This lively spot also features shops and casual dining.

• Theater of the Sea (Islamorada) – Spectacular dolphin and sea lion shows, swimming experiences, and educational presentations.

• Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters (Marathon) – Hands-on exhibits and opportunities to feed sharks, rays, and fish. 

• Old Seven Mile Bridge (Marathon) – A historic bridge with beautiful views, perfect for a short walk and a family photo op along the scenic Overseas Highway.

• Big Pine Key Flea Market (Big Pine Key) – A fun and quirky flea market complete with local crafts, provisions, snacks, and a “famous” fish fry – and bouncy houses for the kids! 

Now that you have the skinny on what to do with kids in Key West, start vacation planning! While you’re here, we hope you’ll join us for a five-star sailing experience that you and your loved ones will remember forever. Fair winds and following seas!