Make the Most of a Key West Weekend

In just 36 hours,  you can experience all the best Key West has to offer, making it an ideal vacation spot for a quick getaway. If all you’ve ever known of Florida is the land of theme parks that welcome thousands at a time, you may be shocked at how different the days are in Key West. In just a few square miles, Key West offers a variety of laid-back activities, accommodations, and fine dining you won’t find anywhere else. 

Accommodations for Every Budget

For a small island, Key West offers a dizzying array of accommodations to meet the needs of virtually every guest. You can book rooms or suites at high-end hotels and resorts with amenities like on-site spas. Or go cozy with a bed and breakfast or guest house, where going away can feel more like coming home to visit. And there are dozens of other hotels up and down the major streets and off the beaten paths. Inviting features can include rooftop bars, courtyard pools, and elegantly-appointed guest cottages. Among the favorites are the Southernmost Beach Resort, Kimpton Lighthouse Hotel, Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa, Parrot Key Hotel and Villas, Blue Marlin Hotel, Angelina Guest House, and NYAH Key West. Many offer breakfasts included, and offer perks like bicycle rentals for fun and sightseeing. 

Outdoor Fun

Key West is known for so many outdoor activities, it can be hard to pack them all into one weekend, but one thing you can’t miss is a charter fishing trip. Because of the unique geography of Key West and it’s proximity to where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meet, the fishing here is legendary. Booking a charter means all the hard work is done for you, which is especially nice if you don’t fish regularly. Try reef, wreck, or deep water fishing on half- or full-day excursions. Experienced charter crews offer helpful tips and advice, and they have all the fishing gear you need for a day on the water. Add to the excitement by booking a reservation at one of the Key West restaurants that will cook your catch, and enjoy an extra special meal that night.

If lounging on the beach is more your idea of a good time, Key West offers several public beaches. Smathers is one of the most popular for its sandy shore and palm trees, but Dogs Beach is a particular favorite of visitors with pets because dogs are welcome here. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park also offers beach access for swimming and snorkeling. This park has biking and walking trails and a cafe, too, for all-day enjoyment.

Dry Tortugas National Park, a short ferry ride away from Key West, is worth the trip if snorkeling is your passion. The mostly-underwater park offers coral reefs and shipwrecks for new and experienced snorkelers to explore. You can make a day of it by touring the fort, swimming, kayaking, and birdwatching, too.

Eat Well: Seafood and More

You can get seafood at nearly every restaurant in Key West but some offer truly stand-out meals. Eaton Street Seafood Market and Restaurant’s menu features traditional favorites like grilled lobster, crab cake sandwiches, and fried fish baskets that keep guests coming back. They also have an array of housemade sides that are the perfect accompaniment. Their charming outdoor seating area offers plenty of shade, too.

For an authentic Key West experience, make a stop at Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe for the best key lime pie you’ve ever had. They make it from scratch every day, and guests are welcome to enjoy a slice on the spot, with patio dining next to a delightful koi pond. The menu includes all-day cafe dishes, too. And Kermit’s is a great place to pick up locally made dressings, sauces, chutneys, candies, and other treats as souvenirs for yourself and others. 

Have a cozy dinner in a neighborhood spot at Little Pearl. Their menu features an array of creative seafood meals like octopus lo mein and an extensive wine list. Dante’s is a perennial favorite among Key West travelers, and in addition to a cook-your-catch menu option, they serve steaks, pasta, and salad dishes, for those who’d prefer to skip the seafood.

If you’re a Jimmy Buffet fan, the Margaritaville Restaurant is the original, and some say the best one. Other popular dining options include Grand Cafe Key West, which is located in a Victorian mansion setting and has an elegant menu to match. For a celebratory event, consider the Chef’s Tasting Plate, featuring filet mignon, shrimp, and lobster together.

Key West offers travelers that unique opportunity to plan jam-packed days full of adventure or a relaxing experience just strolling city streets and browsing shops and boutiques at your leisure. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, and activities to choose from, it’s easy to plan just the right vacation.

Mahar Deepa

Deepa Mahar is an independent blogger and admin of DeepAdvices who is exploring the beauty of the blog writing from a variety of subjects and books to health, science and others. She believes the blog would be helpful to the reader in the context of knowledge. She is post-graduated with a degree of Biotechnology.