Key West, FL: Travel guide

I recently went on my first weekend trip to the Keys! My aunt and I had been planning on going for my 21st birthday but as we all know a pandemic swept the world up and life got a bit hectic these last few years. Regardless even though I went to college in Florida, have family who live here and frequent the Keys I still felt a little left out being the only one who had not been. So in between my shifts as a travel nurse working here in Saint Petersburg, FL we traveled to Key West and spent 48 hours having the most fun possible (hint: it was not that hard to have fun in a place like Key West). As mentioned above we were only there for a couple days but we truly packed almost everything on this bucket list in. The literal caption for my instagram post was “How much fun can the two of us have in 48 hours in Key West?” Well, lets see: 16 different bars (some of those a few times, 6 restaurants and a late night pizza run, sunset in Mallory Square, a visit to the Hemingway House, multiple cafe con leches at lovely cuban cafes, the Southernmost Point, Fort Zachary, Key lime everything, 14+ miles walked, 3 AM karaoke followed by a 9 AM Bloody Mary, naps by the pool and one singular shower the entire time”.

Needless to say, we had fun. This short list is a quick guide to the best things to see, do and eat in Key West from my trip as well as some recommendations from my uncle who goes to Key West for Lobster season! Hope you enjoy.

🍹Bars: Sloppy Joes, Virgilio’s (martini monday 🍸), Irish Kevin’s, Captain Tony’s Saloon, Willie T’s, Durty Harry’s, The Green Parrot, La Di Das, The Bill, General HorsePlay, Southern Most Point Bar, Bobbys’s Monkey Bar (karaoke until 4 AM!)

🍤 Restaurants: Blue Heaven (breakfast is to die for), Off the Hook Grill, Conch Republic, Blackfin Bistro, Flying Moneys, Garlo’s Grill, The Lobster Shack, El Meson De Pepe’s, El Siboney

🍰 Key Lime Pie: La Grignote, Old Town Bakery, Moondog Cafe, Blue Heaven, Kermit’s

☕️ Coffee: Cuban Coffee Queen, Key West Cuban Coffee, Funky Rooster

🌺 Sights to see: Mallory Square, Hemingway House, The Southern Most Point, The Southern Most House, Key West Lighthouse, La Te Da Drag Show, Fort Zachary State Park (if you must go to a beach), Kino’s Factory

🚤 Transportation: There are 3 ways to get to and from Key West! 1. Fly into Key West International airport 2. Drive 3. Key West Express Ferry from Fort Myers and Marco Island

🏠 Accommodations: Stay close to Duval Street if at at possible to make the trip more walkable! We stayed at the Douglas House and it was perfect:)

🌈 Things to note: Key West is expensive just as most islands are, parking is super slim, walk when you can, The Florida Reef resides in Key West and is a great opportunity for snorkeling, The party scene is so fun in key west be prepared to rally🙃

I know this was short but Key West is a small Island and through this list you should be able to curate the perfect Keys getaway as well:)