1 Day in Key West: Best Things to Do (Tested Itinerary)

Whether you’re on a cruise ship with a port stop, squeezing Key West into a longer Florida Keys road trip, or just want to maximize a quick getaway, here’s how to spend one perfect day in Key West without feeling rushed.

I recently tested this exact itinerary and managed to hit some top attractions, eat amazing food, and still have time to soak in the island vibes. I was surprised by how much Key West had to offer in such a small area, but we easily filled our day and could have packed in even more!

I’ll share my exact itinerary and offer additional suggestions in case you’d want to trade out some of our stops for others. Overall, my friend and I enjoyed our 1 day in Key West at a relaxed pace, perfect for a little getaway.

Map of 1 Day in Key West Itinerary

One Day in Key West Itinerary

My friend and I spent a day exploring downtown Key West during our weekend there. We visited several attractions and the day included history, nature, southernmost point of the continental USA, a lighthouse climb, and good food!

We started at the west end, but it actually might be worth flipping it! The southernmost point buoy and butterfly conservatory would probably have been less busy if we started there. 

We also skipped The Hemingway Home and Museum since my friend had explored it on a previous day trip to Key West. However, there is plenty of room in this itinerary to add it to this day or you can trade out one of the stops for this one.

Overall, it was a great day at a relaxed pace and it involved history, nature, iconic Key West sites, and beautiful views.

Breakfast

My friend and I took the free shuttle provided by Havana Cabana to downtown Key West near the Waterfront Brewery.

After walking around the night before, I had scouted The Koffie House and it ended up being the perfect little breakfast spot. We didn’t get there until after 9AM, but it opens at 7:30AM if you want to get going early.

I was able to get a classic, unsweetened, iced matcha and an egg and turkey sandwich. The guy said it was “turkey bacon” and it was actually turkey lunch meat slices, but it still tasted good. Slight disappointment, but I got my protein in!

There are no shortage of places to eat, if Koffie House isn’t for you.

Truman Little White House

It took less than 10 minutes to stroll to our first stop at the Truman Little White House. We actually arrived just in time for the tour at 10:30AM! There was a lady in a tent outside, so we purchased tickets and immediately joined the tour. 

The guide first gave us a brief overview with facts about the house, like any US president can close the museum temporarily and stay there. The last president who stayed was Bill Clinton in the 90s, but it’s called the Truman Little White House because he used it the most. 

He found it was the best way for him to destress and we also learned of some of his decisions and accomplishments as president. 

The home is old but well preserved. We saw the two main bedrooms and learned why the First Lady had her own. It was common practice at the time so she wouldn’t be disturbed if the president was needed in the middle of the night. This protocol was ended by Betty Ford who refused to sleep separate to her husband. 

The home includes so many photographs of President Truman, whether fishing, or meeting with cabinet members. I learned a lot of random facts and overall found the tour interesting! The outside grounds are also beautiful as well, but we left soon after the tour completed.

We left around 11:15AM, but you can spend more time if you’d like. However, the tour gave us great information, so after walking through the small museum for a bit, we moved on.

If you want to spend more time exploring or in the museum, give yourself a full hour to an hour and a half.

Walk to the Next Stop

As we headed out, we first passed Key West Museum of Art & History and the Mallory Square Market. We elected to continue to our next destination, but there are other museums in this area that could be worth adding to your day in Key West or swapping out for some of my stops.

I was peak level dehydrated, so we decided to search for somewhere to grab a drink. As we walked along Whitehead Street, we passed The Kapok Tree. It’s a gorgeous and very interesting looking tree! The sign offers a little history as to why it was sacred to the Mayan people, but we snapped a photo after admiring it for a bit and then continued on.

We ended up next to the Hemingway House to grab a drink at Moondog Cafe Key West. The line was outside the door, but we just wanted a drink so we headed inside to the bakery and cafe. My friend and I each got a cucumber, watermelon and lime drink. It was delicious and genuinely fresh! 

We chose to skip Hemingway House since my friend had been before. However, this is a great time to add it on to your day in Key West itinerary. There is a whole Hemingway Experience tour if you have been before or if you want to make this a bigger part of your day.

From the Truman Little White House to the Moondog Cafe, it was about a 15-minute walk and from Moondog Cafe to the Butterfly Conservatory it was another 10 minutes. We were fine walking all day, but if that’s too much for you or it’s too hot, consider renting a golf cart.

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

We made it to The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, which blended right into the buildings on Duval Street. The outside entrance had that Key West vibe, so it can be easy to overlook and we almost did!

I’m not sure what my friend and I expected, but we were immediately blown away! There were butterflies everywhere and some were mammoth! In all seriousness, some were the size of birds and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a butterfly of that size!

As we rounded the first corner, we saw two flamingoes in the small, man-made pond. There were also other smaller birds in the observatory and while I didn’t pay as close attention to them, I did hear their cute chirps.

All in all, this butterfly observatory far exceeded our expectations! However, it was more humid inside than it was outside, so we were sweating a lot by the time we left!

We spent about half an hour, but if you want to read the displays in the first, museum style room, give yourself more time. Also, we walked slowly and stopped often, but you can spend as long as you want observing nature. So consider your personal preferences and add on more time as needed.

Southernmost Point

The southernmost point buoy was moved and it is now conveniently on the east end of Duval Street a mere 2 minutes on foot from the conservatory. 

Since we were basically right there, my friend and I headed there next for a quick photo. The line was quite long, but ended up moving quickly and we chatted with some people around us. After we grabbed the photo, we headed to the small walkway and enjoyed observing the ocean.

There is a small beach here, which is rare for the Florida Keys. It was quite busy on the beach and it was a small one, but if you want to enjoy a beach on your 1 day in Key West, this could be a good option.

Depending on the length of the line, give yourself 10 to 15 minutes in this area. We had time to get a photo and take in the views before heading to lunch.

Lunch

My friend and I decided to head back to Moondog Cafe Key West for lunch. This was definitely the right move! When we arrived, there was still a line, but thankfully we only had to wait about 15 minutes. 

We both LOVED our meal. It was light, healthy, and delicious. I got a chicken salad sandwich with a side salad. And of course, I had to try their key lime pie! They are known for their toasted meringue on top, and overall it was delicious!

Food here was fresh and tasty. I think it attracts locals and tourists alike and it’s definitely worth a stop for a lighter lunch or the key lime pie!

Give yourself an hour and half for lunch, so you can enjoy a nice rest and cool off for a bit!

Key West Lighthouse 

While waiting for a table at our lunch spot, I was debating whether to go ahead and do the Hemingway House when I spotted the Key West Lighthouse. 

I had recently made the climb up the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, which is the tallest in Florida, so I knew this would be easier. By the time I started breathing heavy, I had almost made it to the top, so it was definitely easier.

I could see in all directions on this beautiful and clear day. There were signs pointing out different landmarks and offering various facts, which I appreciated. 

This is not a popular attraction, and I actually had some time alone at the top! There is a small museum in the original keeper’s quarters, but I didn’t spend much time in there as my friend didn’t do the climb with me and honestly, I had just done the larger museum at Ponce Inlet. 

While the Key West Lighthouse is much smaller, the ticket price is almost double what Ponce Inlet Lighthouse charges. So while I enjoyed it, I’m not sure I can fully say it’s worth it! It can be a fun addition to your day in Key West, but for the price I just can’t rank it super high.

I’d recommend the Hemingway House over this if you don’t have time for both. And other museums or stops in Key West may also be worth it more than this stop, unless you really want the views.

If you decide to visit the Lighthouse, you won’t likely need more than an hour, even if you take it slow.

Dinner

We ended up heading back to our hotel early. However, visiting Mallory Square for sunset is a great option as well! And you can enjoy the shops on Duval Street if you need more time before it gets dark.

We had arrived the evening before and walked around Duval Street then for the start of our weekend in Key West, so we skipped the window shopping.

Our Havana Cabana hotel is on the west side, so we visited the cigar lounge, ordered dinner and watched the sunset from there. 

We also wanted an early night, since our second day would be spent at Dry Tortugas National Park. Plus, we aren’t really the partying types. 

Of course, downtown Key West has plenty to offer to fill your weekend! So let’s review more ideas so you can tailor your day in Key West to fit your preferences!

Alternative Options

For 1 day in Key West, you can do a lot, but you can’t do everything! I’ll provide some easy swaps or other ideas so you can really tailor your experience to your preferences.

Sample Schedules Based on Interests

• History Buff Day: Truman → Hemingway → Fort Zachary Taylor → Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House
• Nature Lover Day: Butterfly Conservatory → Mangrove kayak tour → Beach time → Sunset sail
• Balanced Day (what we did): This 1 day in Key West itinerary

Museums and Historic Sites

While I enjoyed the Key West Lighthouse, I’d say there are better options around if you only have a day. However, if you want the views, it’s worth it!

The Hemingway Home and Museum is an obvious one. It’s popular for a reason! You can actually add it to this itinerary, or swap it out for one of the other stops if you don’t want to be rushed.

Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, and Oldest House Museum & Gardens Key West are also worth considering.

Beach

If you want some time at the beach and a little history, head to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach.

The easiest beach is the one next to the Southernmost Point at the end of Duval Street called Ponce de León Beach. It’s small and was busy the day I was there, but can be perfect if you don’t want to be far from the action.

Other beaches on Key West include Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach. Higgs Beach has Salute! On The Beach and Smathers Beach has rentals and food trucks.

Water Activities

If you visit in the summer, you may want to focus on water activities or at least add to your afternoon itinerary.

This All-Inclusive Sandbar Safari with Dolphin Playground Encounter starts at 11AM, so it would take up the bulk of your day in Key West.

A Key West Sunset Sail: Dolphin Watching, Wine, and Tapas may be the perfect way to end your day! If you don’t want to watch the sunset at Mallory Square, this is a great alternative.

This  Key West Island Adventure Jet Ski Tour: Bring a Partner for Free has several times to choose from, so you can easily add it to your day without sacrificing too many other activities.

The Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour has a morning or afternoon option, so this is great if you enjoy kayaking!

How to Get Around Key West

This 1 day in Key West itinerary centers around Duval Street, and once you are there, you can just walk! Of course, if it’s too hot or you just don’t want to walk, you can rent a golf cart for the day or a bicycle.

My friend and I used the free hotel shuttle and Uber to get around during our weekend in Key West. There are plenty of Uber drivers, so if there’s somewhere further away, that’s an easy option!

What I’d Do Differently

I’d suggest starting at the other end and doing everything in reverse. So start at the Southernmost Point and then do the Butterfly Conservatory. You should have less crowds to deal with if you do it in this order.

One caveat is, if there is a stop you are especially excited about, do that first. If not, I just think starting at the other end would be better, but you also can’t go wrong!

I would also drink more water! You’d think living in Florida, I’d know better but I was very dehydrated and seemed to be playing catch up all day. Be sure to take some water or make frequent stops to stay hydrated.

Best Time of Day for Each Attraction

• Butterfly Conservatory: First thing in the morning (cooler, fewer crowds, butterflies more active)
• Southernmost Point: Early morning or late afternoon (shorter lines)
• Truman Little White House: Tours run all day
• Lighthouse: Anytime (didn’t seem as popular of an attraction)

Final Thoughts: 1 Day in Key West

I was surprised by how much Key West really has to offer, so you can definitely fill more than 1 day in Key West. However, you can also get a good feel for this island in the Florida Keys in a day.

It has history, nature, beautiful ocean, good food, and calming sunsets. And yes, it’s a little quirky, but that can make it more fun!

If you head to Key West for a day, let me know what itinerary you settled on. If you want more help planning adventures, check out my Florida guide! I hope you have the best time in Key West and wherever else your trip is taking you!