When you’re interested in booking a short getaway that feels like you’re leaving it all behind, check out Key West. Even though it’s relatively close to Miami and easily accessible from any major airport, this small island city that sits at the end of the Florida Keys feels like a world unto itself. It’s full of accommodations, food, culture, and outdoor activities unlike any you’ll find elsewhere in Florida. Your Long Weekend in Key West: A Short Guide.
Your Long Weekend in Key West: A Short Guide
From Key West International Airport, you’ll want to head right to your accommodations to freshen up after a long journey. Book your room at one of the many bed and breakfasts or hotels off of Duval Street to ensure you’re in the middle of everything Key West has to offer. Each of them has its unique charms and amenities, from on-site bars and restaurants to spas, bicycle rentals, and social hours.
Convenient and Elegant Accommodations
Consider Simonton Court Historic Inn and Cottages, a small bed and breakfast that offers cottage, guesthouse, inn, and townhouse bookings. Amenities include concierge services, pools with 24-hour access, and continental breakfast served daily. The Saint Hotel Key West offers the convenience of an on-site bar and restaurant. Lounge at the infinity pool or book your spa services on-site for added relaxation.
At Pegasus International Hotel, guests enjoy a complimentary happy hour every afternoon and daily continental breakfasts. Swim in the heated rooftop pool year-round, complete with a poolside bar serving light fare.
Seascape Tropical Inn, another bed and breakfast, offers rooms and suites with concierge services, complimentary breakfasts with champagne mimosas, and bike rentals for self-guided tours of the city. Swim in the heated pool and book your own spa services. Orchid Key Inn, adorned with walnut, marble, and glass, also welcomes guests with 24-hour concierge services, a heated pool, and daily happy hour served from a full bar on-site.
Things to See and Do in Key West
On your first day in Key West, check out the Conch Train Tour. It leaves from the corner of Front and Duval Streets, and it’s a little more than an hour in length. The three hops on/hop-off stops offer guests access to historical, cultural, and culinary points of interest. Duval Street is lined with shops and boutiques along with art galleries, jazz clubs, museums, and cafes.
Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery offers tours of the rum distilling process. Guests also get an entertaining history of Ernest Hemingway’s life and his time in Key West. For more adventure, book a go on a fishing trip for tarpon, snapper, grouper, and more. Half- and full-day charters go out for wreck, reef, deep water, and flats fishing.
Key West also offers snorkeling right on the beach, whether you go to Smathers, one of the public beaches, or Fort Zachary Taylor, one of the state park beaches. At Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, you can explore the naturally growing native plants in Key West’s unique ecosystem; this is the only arboretum of its kind in the continental U.S., so it’s worth taking your camera.
Fine Food and Drink
The food scene in Key West reflects the wonderful influences of countries around the world. No matter what your favorite cuisine is, you can find it in Key West. At the Cuban Coffee Queen, you can get breakfast or lunch to dine in or take to-go. Enjoy everything from breakfast burritos to pressed sandwiches, including traditional Cuban favorites like rice and beans and American favorites like BLTs and grilled cheese. Hot Tin Roof’s harborside location is ideal for deck seating at Sunday brunch. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine selection, and attentive service.
Try Caroline’s Cafe for a casual meal of burgers, fried fish, sandwiches, and salads or go with the food truck favorites served by Garbo’s Grill–famous for its appearance on the cable television program “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.” For some of the best-grilled lobster you could ever ask for, stop by Eaton Street Seafood Market and Restaurant. Menu items are prepared from the day’s catch for patio dining or to-go meals, and all sauces and sides are made in-house, too.
French bistro-style dining is available at Banana Cafe; they serve breakfast and another light fare all day. Choose from among sweet and savory crepes, eggs benedict, breakfast sandwiches, quiches, and omelets, plus steak, seafood, and chicken dishes for dinner. At the Southernmost Beach Cafe, take in amazing views while al fresco dining on a palm tree-lined beach. Dishes are prepared with local ingredients and paired with handcrafted cocktails.
Conclusion | Your Long Weekend in Key West: A Short Guide
When you want a quick getaway, choose Key West for a unique combination of accommodations, activities, and cuisine that stands out. No matter what your budget or travel preferences, this small Florida city offers something for every traveler. And even though it’s small, there’s more than enough to do here to keep you coming back year after year.
