If you are thinking about a Key West vacation, you've come to the right place. This blog is all about helping you decide if the tropical vacation spot Key West is right - or wrong - for you.
You might be thinking - what's NOT to like about Key West?
At the risk of starting on a negative note, here's some things that might put you off a Key West vacation.
Downsides of a Key West vacation
- Key West is expensive - the hotels and B&Bs, especially in peak season (i.e. the season you'll want to come here) charge a small fortune. There are only a few good cheap accommodation options
- Key West is small, really small
- Key West in off peak (August to November) is uncomfortably humid
- There are only 2 beaches on the island and only 1 is good
- Key West is not that geared up for kids
If you prefer to see the glass half full, here are the best things about Key West.
Upsides of a Key West vacation
- Key West is easy to get around - you can walk everywhere which is relaxing
- The weather is usually great, especially December to April
- It's quite a friendly town
- Really set up for party/fun vacations - dozens of good bars and restaurants
- The flowers, trees and historic houses make Key West beautiful
- It's quaint, tropical, interesting
- Key West is crazy and eccentric
WHAT IS A KEY WEST VACATION LIKE?
- Sunny
- Hot but not too hot (heat is never a problem, it does get very humid between August and November)
- Pretty - Key West style houses, tree laden streets, flowers, plants, lush tropical
- There are some great hotels but most of the B&Bs / guesthouses are original historic homes built in the 1800s
- Mostly friendly people
- It's a walking, not driving, town
- Can be busy in peak time, but walk a few streets away from Duval Street and it's quiet and peaceful
- Small - the "interesting bit" of Key West (Old Town) is only 1 mile x 2 miles big
- Great selection of bars covering all tastes
- Great selection of restaurants covering all tastes
- 80% of bars and restaurants within walking distance of most hotels and B&Bs - meaning you don't have to drive and so you can relax (and drink a lot!)
- Some world famous stuff like Sloppy Joe's, the Hemingway House, Blue Heaven restaurant
- Historic - Key West has a long and fascinating history to explore (e.g. Key West museum, lighthouse, Audubon House)
Different people like different vacations, so...
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR [..XYZ..]?
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR SUNBATHING?
**** [4 out of 5]
Not necessarily on a beach - see below.
More likely around your hotel or guesthouse pool.
But during peak season December to April the temperature is a consistently and reliably in the 80s. Not too hot, but lots of sun.
Lovely!
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR BEACHES?
** [2 out of of 5]
Well, surprisingly, not very good.
Yes, this is Florida, and it's tropical and it's hot... but Key West is small and it's a limestone rock basically, not sandy.
There's 2 beaches, the bigger one which is more sandy is not very good. The other one (Fort Zach beach) is less sandy/more rocky, but it's the "local's secret" and is much better.
There's 2 beaches, the bigger one which is more sandy is not very good. The other one (Fort Zach beach) is less sandy/more rocky, but it's the "local's secret" and is much better.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR KEEPING BUSY AND DOING LOTS OF STUFF?
**** [4 out of of 5]
Here's my recommendations of what to do in Key West.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR A LUXURY VACATION?
** [2 out of 5]
There are no 5 star hotels but there are 3 or 4 top notch hotels - that charge 5 star prices - which offer amazing ocean views and sumptuous rooms.
To get a feel for the best - view my favorite the Pier House resort here.
There is no luxury shopping or malls in Key West.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR A BUDGET VACATION
Bad.
The biggest cost is accommodation. Hotels and the better guesthouses charge very high rates indeed (because this is an island with limited rooms and lots of people want to come here).
Here's my guide to Key West on a budget.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR KIDS?
* [1 out of 5]
It's a town for adults. In terms of things aimed specifically at kids, there's the small aquarium and a pirate museum (that takes an hour) but that's it.
I would imagine most kids would get bored in Key West and the nearest theme park is 160 miles away in Miami.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR AN ACTIVITY HOLIDAY?
* [1 out of 5]
People come to Key West to laze around, eat too much and drink too much.
This is a small island which is flat as a pancake so the walks are pretty but hardly long / strenuous.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR A GAY HOLIDAY?
**** [4 out of 5]
Great! 5 gays bars, a gay sauna, gay friendly, a gaggle of drag queens, and 150,000 gay visitors a year. It's fun.
For more on the Key West gay scene - here.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR A RELAXING VACATION?
*** [3 out of 5]
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR MARTINIS?
This town has long liked a strong drink, ever since the pirates and sailors. This is a cocktail town.
If your tipple is a martini, this town has 2 fantastic martini places, including - in Virgilio's - one of the best martini bars in the world!
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR SHOPPING?
** [2 of 5]
There are some really fun shops - very eccentric - selling local art, hot chilies, towels, hammocks etc - see here for the top fun local shops.
WHAT'S KEY WEST LIKE FOR EATING/RESTAURANTS?
**** [4 out of 5]
I think the restaurants in Key West - as long as you choose the right ones, of course - are excellent.
There's a brilliant steak restaurant, and - not surprisingly - the sea food is good.
I hope I've given you a better view on Key West vacations. Feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below.
If you're ready to take the next step, you might have the following questions:
View some itineraries of what you could get up to in Key West and how long to stay
Planning a Key West vacation
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