17 of the Best Things to do in Key West with Kids

The area of Key West, nestled in the sunshine state of Florida and surrounded by water, is a top vacation destination for people looking to get away and enjoy the sun and beach. But for those with children, there can be hesitation about whether the younger travelers will enjoy themselves during their stay.

This comprehensive guide outlines 17 of the best things to do in Key West with kids. Having this list will guide you in keeping your children engaged during your time away while also providing some entertainment to the parents. 

Continue reading to find out more about all the offerings in Key West! We’ve also rounded up the best family resorts in Florida Keys is you’ve still to choose your accommodation, as well as recommending the best Florida Keys to visit with kids.

Key West Aquarium

It makes sense that in an area like Key West, with a significant sealife presence, that there would be a top-notch aquarium to visit. The Key West Aquarium provides just that. It originally opened in 1935 but was closed just seven months later due to a hurricane that came through the area and wiped out the railroad system. The aquarium didn’t reopen again until 1946 and has been a popular attraction ever since. 

When visiting, you will see a wide variety of marine life and can participate in the Touch Tank, which allows you to interact with:

• Sea Cucumbers
• Conchs
• Sea Stars
• Giant Hermit Crabs
• Slate Pencil Sea Urchins
• Horseshoe Crabs

With the number of different exhibits at the aquarium, every family member is bound to find an area of interest. A visit to see the sea life housed there will entertain everyone in your group.

Find Out More

You can learn more about the Key West Aquarium on their official website. 

Dry Tortugas National Park

Hearing people talk about visiting the Dry Tortugas makes you think they are referring to some thirsty turtles. However, that is not the case. The Dry Tortugas is an area of small islands with some of the best beaches and historical artifacts in Key West. 

When visiting the Dry Tortugas National Park, you can see Fort Jefferson, an old army station that once housed up to 1,000 soldiers. You can also take advantage of the many nature activities available to visitors:

• Birding
• Snorkeling
• Camping
• Swimming

Dry Tortugas National Park is a fantastic opportunity to see Key West in its natural form. When you visit, you can take in the inherent beauty of the area and the elements that make it such a unique destination. 

If you’re looking for things to do in Key West with kids, a day at Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas National Park will provide non-stop entertainment and maybe even a learning opportunity or two. 

Find Out More

You can learn more about the Dry Tortugas National Park on their official website. 

Southernmost Point

It is not often that you find yourself at the very bottom of the country. However, in Key West, you can actually get your picture taken at the Southernmost Point of the United States. Standing next to a tall and vibrantly painted buoy, you can show all your friends and family that you made it to the edge of the country!

Located just 90 miles from Cuba, the Southernmost Point is a popular attraction. Many tourists flock to the designated spot for photo opportunities and bragging rights. Often, the line for photos has already begun at daybreak and continues to get longer as the day goes on. 

The Southernmost Point is located within a residential neighborhood and is not part of the central area. Therefore, do not get confused if you find yourself navigating directions that take you past houses and side streets.

Find Out More

You can learn more about the Southernmost Point on the State of Florida official website. 

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

There is something about being surrounded by butterflies and nature that makes all of your stress melt away. Key West provides an excellent opportunity for this at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

The Conservatory is a beautiful haven that has a large variety of native plants and flowers. You will be taken aback by the beauty surrounding you and the flittering butterflies overhead when you walk in. If you want a sneak peek of what to expect, the Conservatory’s official website has a live cam where you can see one of the fantastic scenes that the organization provides. 

Are you looking for an extra unique experience when it comes to things to do in Key West with kids? You can also mingle with the Conservatory’s resident flamingos, which they refer to as the “Flamingle.” So as not to overwhelm the guests of honor (known as Rhett and Scarlett), groups are limited to six people and only between the hours of 4:30 and 5:45 PM daily. 

Find Out More

You can learn more about the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory on their official website. 

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

In talking about the southernmost places, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is the southernmost state park within the United States. Not only is it monumental by that standard, but it is also the site of many historical civil war activities that took place in the past.

Although Fort Zachary Taylor (named for the President who died shortly before construction) didn’t see much violence during the war, they had their part in helping to keep issues at bay. Today, visitors can visit the fort to learn the history of when it was in use. 

In addition to the fort, there are other activities to enjoy in the state park:

• Swimming
• Snorkeling
• Hut Rentals
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Bird Watching
• Sailing

Be sure to plan for an ample amount of time when visiting the fort. With so many activities, you will easily spend an entire day participating in all it has to offer.

Find Out More

You can learn more about Fort Zachary Taylor State Park on their official website. 

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

Want to learn more about the sea life in the Florida Keys? A visit to the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center will tell you everything about the different fish and plants that reside in the surrounding bodies of water and the challenges that present due to environmental conditions.

Many visitors walk away from their time at the Eco-Discovery Center with a new perspective on what goes on daily within the world’s ecology and environment and what needs to be done to ensure the survival of the fish, mammals, and plants that call it home.

Everyone in your travel party will appreciate this fantastic experience due to its unique purpose and the many exhibits to explore. Although learning isn’t typically top of mind during vacation, mixing fun and education is quite simple and enjoyable with a visit to the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

Find Out More

You can learn more about Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center on their official website. 

Mallory Square

The central hub of Key West is known as Mallory Square. This area has a wide variety of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Not only can you grab a bite to eat or pick up a souvenir, but you also have easy access to a majority of the area’s hotels and rentals. 

Those in Key West celebrate the area as frequently as they can. The celebrations include a nightly Sunset Celebration. Two hours before sunset, residents and tourists flock to Mallory Square to listen to live music, eat good food, and celebrate the fantastic sunsets that the area offers. 

The restaurants in Mallory Square offer something for everyone. During your visit to the square, you can partake in cuisine such as:

• Seafood
• Mexican
• Ice Cream 
• Fritters
• Cuban
• Italian
• Pizza
• Barbecue

In addition, you can find several pubs and bars to stop into for a quick drink or to get out of the heat.

Find Out More

You can learn more about Mallory Square on its official website. 

The Overseas Highway

Known as the “highway that goes to sea,” The Overseas Highway does just that. Going from Key Largo down to Key West, it utilizes 113 miles of roadway and 42 bridges. 

Taking a drive down the entire highway will provide you and your family with a look at the Keys area and give breathtaking views and a glimpse into the tropical coral and limestone islets that reside along the road. 

In addition to the beautiful drive, there are plenty of opportunities to pull off to the side of the highway for further exploration. Many road stops have trails and literature describing the history and importance of the different areas, allowing you to experience first hand while learning the background of what lead to the situation. 

Find Out More

You can learn more about The Overseas Highway on its official website. 

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum

As a national memorial to those killed in action during World War II and the Vietnam War, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum offers a look into the period with an up-close and personal look at the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham. 

During your visit, you can tour the ship and all the components that made it run during its time of use. Among the different areas to explore, you have access to view:

• The Gun Turret
• Handling Room
• Auxiliary Machine Room
• Engine Room
• Mess Deck
• Bridge
• Radio Room
• Captain’s Cabin
• Captain’s Stateroom
• Ward Room

You and your family will enjoy the insider view you get at this historical maritime museum. You all will talk about the memories you make for years!

Find Out More

You can learn more about the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum on its official website. 

Key West Garden Club

What may come across as a beautiful outdoor garden with every flower and tree imaginable is actually a historical site. The Key West Garden Club once operated as a fort but was later declared a historic site and made into a beautiful garden for everyone in the area to enjoy.

The space that occupies the Garden Club is immense. There are areas throughout the fort with different styles of plants and flowers. Some of the varieties include:

• Fragrant
• Croton
• Cactus/Succulent
• Roses
• Orchid
• Lilies
• Bromeliads
• Butterfly Garden
• Fruit Trees
• Spice Trees
• Palms
• Xeriscapes
• Bonsai
• Natives
• Prehistoric

You could wander the Garden Club for hours and still not see it all. If you are looking for a break from the beach and water, this is a fantastic opportunity that you and your family won’t want to miss.

Find Out More

You can learn more about the Key West Garden Club on its official website.

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum

Whereas the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum offers a look into the maritime heritage with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum provides a glimpse into the naval history of Florida and the Caribbean. 

Outside of learning about Maritime archaeology and the conservation efforts being put in place, you can also learn about specific areas and situations of the region through special exhibits. Some of those offered include:

• The Mariana, a Cuban Chug that Traveled from Cuba to Key West
• Cuban Rafters and Immigration to the United States
• Mel Fisher and the Atocha
• The 1622 Fleet
• Spanish Coins from the Golden Galleons
• The Search for the Atocha
• The Science of Shipwrecks
• Piracy in the New World
• The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie
• The Last Slave Ships

Find Out More

You can learn more about the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum on its official website.

Sheriff’s Animal Farm

Have you ever heard of a petting zoo at a sheriff’s office? Well, that is what you will find at Sheriff’s Animal Farm. The farm has a neat story, in that it started as a homeless animal shelter when the department rescued some ducks and chickens who were taking up residence at a local golf course and being killed by cars on the road nearby.

Shortly after, the SPCA asked if they had room for an abandoned blind horse. Following that, the animal farm continued to acquire a variety of pets, including:

• Miniature Horses
• Steer
• Chicken
• Pigs
• Goats
• Rabbits
• Kinkajou
• Alpacas
• Albino Python
• Peacocks
• Tropical Birds
• Mo the Sloth
• Kelsey the Lemur

Today, the farm is operated by full-time employees as well as local inmates. The inmates gain experience in husbandry and animal care that they can use in the future. The farm is an excellent option for your trip to Key West.

Find Out More

You can learn more about Sheriff Animal Farm on its official website.

Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

There is a fascination that people have with shipwrecks. Learning the history of the ships, the people on board and the recovered artifacts is an experience that people crave. The mystery of the events and the amazement of what took place brings people in.

You and your family can have this experience at the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. A museum entirely devoted to shipwrecks and items recovered from them allows people an inside look at life on the ship and what took place. 

When you enter the museum property, you will see replicas of some of the ships featured. Additionally, there will be costumed narrators representing the period of the wrecks and explaining the stories of the people onboard. 

If you’re specifically searching for things to do in Key West with kids, this unique experience will captivate the attention of everyone in your family. Visiting the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is an opportunity that you don’t want to miss!

Find Out More

You can learn more about Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum on its official website.

Climb the Key West Lighthouse

Once the United States Navy established a base in Key West, they realized a need for a lighthouse. To properly monitor the events taking place and provide security for the area, it was necessary to erect a lighthouse.

From that realization came the Key West Lighthouse. During those times, a keeper would be appointed to run and care for the lighthouse, and they would have their living quarters within or near the establishment. 

As the lighthouse was later deemed unnecessary due to technological advances, the city closed down the building. Today, visitors can tour the lighthouse and the keeper’s quarters to see what life was like when it was in use. People can also climb the 88 steps to the top to get a birds-eye view of the city and the water surrounding it. 

Find Out More

You can learn more about Key West Lighthouse on its official website.

Ride on the Key West Conch Tour Train

A unique way to see all that Key West offers is on their Key West Conch Tour Train. Although not shaped like a conch, this train takes tourists around the area to all the top destinations in Key West. 

The open-air trolley train gets its name from the conch shell, which has historical significance to the region. Once on the train, you can visit the following destinations:

• Mallory Square
• Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
• Key West Aquarium
• Harry S. Truman Little White House
• Sails to Rails Museum
• Cayo Hueso y Habana Historeum
• Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry
• Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
• Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
• Mel Fisher’s Maritime Heritage Museum
• Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
• Audubon House and Gardens
• Key West Art and Historical Society
• Key West Lighthouse Museum
• East Martello Fort and Museum
• Key West Garden Club
• Oldest House Museum
• Nancy’s Secret Garden
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
• Pride of Key West Glassbottom Boat
• Fury Catamarans

Find Out More

You can learn more about Key West Conch Tour Train on its official website.

The Turtle Hospital

With a mission to treat, educate, and release, The Turtle Hospital works to make healthy environments for the many types of turtles in the Key West area. When an injured or sick turtle comes to the hospital, they are housed and cared for until they can safely rehabilitate back into the water. 

While the turtles are under the hospital’s care, the organization allows for educational tours to educate the public on the effects of water pollution and unsafe beaches and help guide legislation in its favor. 

While vacationing in Key West, it is worth it to arrange a visit to the Turtle Hospital. Seeing the different species and learning about their stories is one thing, but understanding the vital work behind the hospital and the efforts put in place is inspiring as well.

Find Out More

You can learn more about Turtle Hospital on its official website.

Fury Water Adventure

Fury Water Adventure is your place if you are looking to take on any water activity known to man. Not only that, but they offer an ocean water park! You can choose to participate in one or two activities or make an entire day out of it with meals included.

Some of the activities offered at Fury Water Adventure include:

• Snorkeling
• Parasailing
• Private Charters
• Eco-Tours
• Dolphin Watches
• Sailing
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Jet Skiing
• Bike Rentals
• Golf Cart Rentals
• Glass Bottom Boat Tour

You can bundle options or choose them separately. There are activities for everyone, so nobody in your family will feel left out. Select an option for everyone and have a blast on the water!

Find Out More

You can learn more about Fury Water Adventure on its official website.

Conclusion

An island among islands within the beautiful state of Florida, Key West has made a name for itself with its tropical conditions, gorgeous landscape, and great activities. Taking a vacation to the southernmost city in the United States will provide your family with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. 

Although parents often worry that there are few activities available for young children in Key West, that is not the case. The city offers a variety of options for all ages. With many museums, conservatories, entertainment, water sports, and national parks, nobody in your travel party will experience a minute of boredom. 

Book your tickets and plan your itinerary; Key West is awaiting!