10 Things to Do in Key West with Kids
Key West is an island paradise in South Florida, with attractions for the whole family to enjoy. If you want to know more, I'll tell you how to make the most of your visit.
Key West Beach | ©Penny Higgins
Key West, or Key West in English, is an island located south of the Florida peninsula, just 150 kilometres from Cuba. It is a family destination because there is always something to do for young and old alike. Its tourist activities are extensive and some of the best things to do in Key West include visits to aquariums, museums, bike rides and much more.
In addition, for extreme enthusiasts there are everything from ghost tours to water sports of different kinds. Since the trip to Key West is with children, they can explore the marine life, watch dolphins, snorkel and appreciate the diversity of coral reefs. There is much to discover in Key West and the best thing to do is to enjoy the fun experiences that this tropical paradise has to offer as a family.
1. Visit the Key West Aquarium and appreciate the beauty of the species
A fun and educational activity to do with your kids is to get tickets to the Key West Aquarium. It's located in historic downtown Key West, near Mallory Square and Duval Street. There you will be able to see sharks, moray eels, manta rays, seahorses and many other marine animals that inhabit the waters of Florida up close .
It is a unique experience to enjoy with children because they will be able to interact with various aquatic species in a safe and controlled environment. In addition, you and your children can learn about sea turtle and coral reef conservation. Also, admire the beauty and colourful tropical fish that inhabit the reefs.
At the Key West Aquarium you can also touch stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers in the touch tank, and see how experts feed sharks and moray eels in the predator tank.
All in all, it will be an adventure to visit this popular attraction that holds over 200,000 litres of water and is home to more than 600 marine species. In addition, conservation, environmental balance and the challenges faced by climate change are its central focus.
Useful information
- Price: the cost per person is around €20 and children under the age of 4 are free.
- Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
2. Travel back in time from the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
One of the top 10 museums in Key West to visit with children is the Treasure Shipwreck Museum. It's a great place for a family adventure full of history, mystery and fun. This museum takes you back to the 19th century, when Key West was the richest city in the United States.
The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is a unique and unforgettable experience to enjoy with children. They'll love learning about the area's maritime past, seeing artefacts recovered from the ships and hearing anecdotes from the characters.
You'll also see authentic artefacts salvaged from the shipwrecks, including coins, jewellery, weapons and personal items. You will also be able to lift a silver bar weighing 27 kilos, which was extracted from the galleon Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas.
Another of the museum's attractions is the 15-metre-high observation tower, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of Key West and the sea. From there you can imagine how the lookouts spotted ships in distress and alerted the rescue teams.
Useful information
- Price: admission costs approximately €19. Children under the age of 4 are free.
- Opening hours: Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
- Advantages: Located in the historic centre of Key West, close to other attractions such as Hemingway's house, the lighthouse and the butterfly farm.
3. Go snorkelling and dolphin watching in the ocean in Key West
Snorkelling and dolphin watching in the ocean in Key West is a fun and educational activity for young and old alike, which will make them feel a special connection with nature. It's also a great way for children to experience the beauty and diversity of marine life in the Florida Keys.
There's plenty to do on this island paradise. For example, many of the best Key West tours will take you on a land-based tour, but if you're looking for more adventure in the water, you can join a tour that takes you dolphin-watching in the ocean. You can see them in their natural habitat, playing and jumping alongside the boat, and learn about their behaviour and biology.
You can also dive into the crystal clear waters of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge to admire the colourful coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles and other fascinating animals.
Snorkelling in Key West is a fun and easy way to explore the underwater world. All you need is a pair of goggles, snorkel and fins and you're ready to dive into the water. Plus, you'll take home a unique souvenir as you feel the sea breeze and the sun on your skin, and relax to the sound of the waves.
Useful information
- Price: approximately €60 per person.
- Duration: it usually lasts about 3 or 4 hours.
- Advantages: you can do it all year round, as the climate and water temperature are pleasant in any season.
4. Tour the city in a short time aboard a sightseeing tram
To get to know the most emblematic places of the city in a comfortable, fun and original way, the best way is to travel around Key West in a short time on board a tourist tram. It is also an ideal activity to enjoy with children because they can travel back in time and learn about the history and culture of the city in a fun and entertaining way.
So, if you plan to spend at least 3 days in Key West, this is a way to save time and money. Also, you can get to know the city from another perspective, admiring its architecture, monuments, parks and streets from a historic and picturesque means of transport , without having to worry about public transport, traffic or parking.
The historic centre is one of Key West's best attractions. On the tour, you can even get off the tram and visit some of the sites such as the Basilica of Our Lady Star of the Sea, the government palace, the theatre or the market.
Touring the city aboard a tourist tram is an experience you can do all year round, as the city's climate is pleasant in any season. However, it is advisable to book in advance, as it is a very popular activity.
5. Spend an adventurous day doing water sports in Key West
Adrenaline junkies can experience a day of adventure with the Key West watersports pass. The whole island has an aura that invites you to enjoy sun and beach tourism with the kids. There are plenty of activities for water sports enthusiasts, with parks and a wide range of fun at sea.
Although you can do sports on your own in Key West, for a complete experience, a recommendation is to join a paid tour, because you can access different activities for a single price, and without having to worry about transport, equipment or food, in most cases.
The best thing about this experience is that many include Sunset Watersports, a park where adults will enjoy, but also children because among the activities available is the banana boat, snorkelling to see the marine life in the coral reefs, and much more.
Adults can choose from parachuting over the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, learning to paddleboard, riding jet skis, parasailing, water skiing, snorkelling on a live coral reef, bouncing on a water trampoline, among other experiences, accompanied by expert instructors.
6. Have fun while cycling around Key West
One option you'll love to do with kids is to tour Key West by bike. It's a comfortable and eco-friendly way to explore this beautiful island town, get in touch with nature and have fun at the same time. Depending on the age of your child, you can opt for a bike of a suitable size or even a child seat. In any case, they will be able to see the island's exotic flora and fauna up close , such as iguanas, palm trees and hibiscus flowers. You can also stop at the parks and beaches to play and relax.
Cycle through the historic streets, full of charm and colour, admire the wooden houses with porches and tropical gardens. Even if you go to Key West at Christmas, you'll have the chance to see them decorated and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
On the bike tour you can also visit some of Key West's most emblematic places, such as the lighthouse, Ernest Hemingway's House, the Shipwreck Museum, the cemetery or Southernmost Point, the southernmost point in the United States.
Keep in mind that you can rent a bike on your own or sign up for a guided tour. If you choose the former, you'll have more freedom to go at your own pace and choose your own itinerary. If you prefer the second option, you will have the advantage of having a guide who will explain the history and curiosities of Key West, and will take you to the best corners of the city.
7. Learn about the history and visit monuments of the city on the Conch Train
If you want to explore more of Key West in a fun and original way with kids, one of the best ways to do it is to learn about the history and visit the city's landmarks on the Conch Train. The Conch Train is a tribute to the ocean railway built by entrepreneur Henry Flagler in 1912 that connected the island to the mainland.
It is an experience where children and adults alike will learn about the history with a 90-minute ride through the old town. This includes a narration with curiosities about the island and nods to its most famous inhabitants, such as Ernest Hemingway, Harry Truman or Robert Frost.
It is also an ideal activity to enjoy with children, as it allows them to see the city from a different perspective and have fun at the same time. You can hop on and off the train at three historic stops: Front Street Depot, Truval Village and Flagler Station. At each stop, you can visit Key West's most popular attractions, such as the Aquarium, the Shipwreck Museum, the Hemingway House, the Lighthouse, Southernmost Point, the Butterfly Conservatory and the Sailboat Museum.
If you want to enjoy this tour, please note that there are no reserved seats, but are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and depart every 30 minutes. So if you're visiting Key West in January or March, when it's high season, it's best to plan ahead to avoid queues, delays or an unfavourable seat.
8. Spend a spooky night on the ghost and tombstone tram tour
To discover the darker, supernatural side of the city, you can join one of the best things to do in Key West at night. It's a spooky experience, as you spend a spooky night on the ghost and tombstone tram tour. Plus, you can enjoy it with children over the age of 4, as long as they're not scared of horror stories.
It's a way to see the city from a different perspective and test your courage and curiosity. Hop on the Tram of the Damned, the ghost and tombstone tour will take you to the most haunted and macabre corners of the city. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and, for added realism, is led by a gravedigger guide.
If you dare to go up, you'll ride through the dark, narrow streets of the old town, listening to almost forgotten stories of old inhabitants, some so bizarre you'll find it hard to believe they're true. Learn about the grisly case of Karl Von Cosel, the sinister fate of Robert the Doll, the lynchings, superstitions, clandestine burials and mayhem that have shaped the island's history.
9. See marine life from a glass-bottomed boat
Exploring the seabed with your children can be a very safe and fun experience, without getting caught in the water or having to dive into the sea. In Key West it is possible to watch the marine life from a glass-bottomed boat, so you can have the water at your feet.
The little ones can enjoy, learn and have fun at the same time. To participate in one of these tours is to feel like explorers of the sea and discover the wonders hidden under the crystal clear waters of Key West. You will also delight in the panoramic views of the coastline and the tropical breeze from the boat's sundeck.
It is a unique experience aboard a catamaran equipped with underwater windows to observe the underwater life and marine ecosystem. During the ride, you will see more than 600 species of tropical fish, sharks, turtles, rays, rays, lobsters, crabs and colourful corals.
To board a glass-bottomed boat, you can choose between a daytime ride or a sunset boat ride. In the first option you will have more light and clarity to see the reef, something the children will enjoy more. Now, if you prefer the second option, you can enjoy a glass of champagne as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico and appreciate it as a family.
10. Taste the flavours of the sea and some Cuban dishes on a gastronomic tour of Key West
Food is one of life's great pleasures and enjoying the local cuisine as a family is a way to integrate with the culture and customs that define the city. In the case of Key West, it has a strong Cuban influence in its dishes and to get to know it, you can visit its restaurants on your own, or join a gastronomic tour of Key West.
In either case, you will be delighted to taste the tropical flavours of the sea. In addition, this gastronomic tour of the city is an activity to enjoy with children, as it will allow them to get to know new flavours and aromas, as well as have fun exploring the city's historic streets and points of interest.
It's all about getting to know spaces through food, and embarking on this tour will take you on a gastronomic journey through the native dishes of the Keys. For example, wood-fired pizzas, prawn sandwiches, fish tacos, key lime pie and a surprise dish or two that you're sure to love. All this while admiring the colonial architecture, colourful wooden houses and palm trees that adorn the landscape.
Useful information
- Price: the experience costs around €90 per person.
- Duration: usually starts at 14:00 and lasts approximately 3 hours.
- Timetable: every day from 14:00 hours.