Key West With Kids: 15+ Best Things to Do for Families
/Are you planning a trip to Key West with kids? If so, you’re in the right place.
the florida keys are stunning and amazing for families
Key West may be known for sunsets and nightlife, but there is so much for families to do. From exploring Dry Tortugas National Park and climbing the Key West Lighthouse to spotting butterflies, relaxing on beautiful beaches, and eating plenty of Key lime pie, Key West is packed with kid-friendly adventures.
spend a day at marvin key
Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or spending an entire week in the Florida Keys, this guide covers the best things to do in Key West with kids, plus practical tips to help you plan an unforgettable family trip.
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Table of Contents
Map of Things to do in Key West
What to do in Key West with Kids
Map of Things to do in Key West with Kids
Take a Day Trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
One of the most unforgettable things to do in Key West with kids is take a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, located about 70 miles west of Key West and accessible only by ferry, seaplane, or private boat.
dry tortugas was our 52nd national park!
the seaplane was canceled for us, so we took the ferry and it was way more enjoyable than i thought it would be
Families can explore historic Fort Jefferson, snorkel right from the beach, swim in clear water, and earn a Junior Ranger badge. Getting there takes some planning, so I put together a complete guide to visiting Dry Tortugas National Park with kids with everything you need to know about the ferry, seaplane, snorkeling, what to do once you arrive, and tips for making the trip easier with kids.
Cost: Varies by transportation method. See my complete Dry Tortugas National Park with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide (2026) for current ferry, seaplane, and park costs.
Best for: Ages 3+, especially kids who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, beaches, wildlife, and exploring forts
Plan: Full day from Key West. The ferry trip takes about 2.5 hours each way, with several hours on Garden Key to explore Fort Jefferson, swim, snorkel, and complete the Junior Ranger program.
an obligatory photo with the national park sign on the island
Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
there is a selfie camera on the porch at hemingway house
The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is one of the most famous places to visit in Key West, and it’s surprisingly fun with kids thanks to the property’s six-toed cats. More than 50 cats live around the historic home and gardens, many descended from Hemingway’s original polydactyl cat, and finding them was definitely the highlight for my kids.
cats on cats on cats at the hemingway house
You can tour the house where Hemingway lived and wrote during the 1930s, see his writing studio, and explore the tropical gardens. Even if your kids aren’t interested in Hemingway yet, the cats make this historic Key West attraction much more engaging for families.
Cost: Adults $19; children ages 6–12 $7; ages 5 and under FREE. There is a 3% fee for card/mobile payments.
Best for: Ages 5+, history/literature lovers, and kids who love cats
Plan: 45 minutes–1 hour
you can do a guided tour, but we chose to walk around on our own
We spent an entire day exploring Key West by Golf Cart!
Climb the Key West Lighthouse
Right across the street from the Hemingway Home, the Key West Lighthouse is an easy addition to a day exploring Old Town with kids. Climb the 88 steps to the top for panoramic views over Key West and the surrounding water, then explore the Keeper’s Quarters and exhibits about the lighthouse’s history. The climb is relatively short, but the narrow spiral staircase and height may be challenging for very young children. My 3 year old did the climb up on his own and I carried him down.
Your admission also includes the Keeper’s Quarters Museum, so don’t leave after climbing the tower. The Key West Lighthouse opened in 1848, and the museum shares the history of the lighthouse keepers and their families, including the women who served as keepers during the 19th century. Inside the restored Keeper’s Quarters, you can see historic photographs, artifacts, and exhibits that offer a glimpse into what life was like for the families responsible for keeping the light burning and ships safe along the Florida Keys. There is also a very nice gift shop after you finish your tour.
Cost: Adults $17 ($15.50 online); youth ages 7–18 $9 ($7.50 online); children under 7 FREE. Active-duty military FREE.
Best for: Ages 5+ who are comfortable climbing stairs and with heights
Plan: 45 minutes–1 hour
Visit the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory was one of my favorite indoor stops in Key West with kids. Inside the climate-controlled tropical conservatory, my kids and I walked among hundreds of free-flying butterflies, colorful birds, tropical plants, waterfalls, and even flamingos. The walk through the Conservatory is short, so take your time and make it last!
There’s also a small learning center where kids can learn about the butterfly life cycle and see caterpillars and chrysalises before entering the conservatory. Bonus: it’s air-conditioned, which makes it a fantastic break from the Key West heat!
Cost: Adults $17.50; children ages 4–12 $12.50; ages 3 and under FREE. Military admission is $14.50. Prices are before tax.
Best for: All ages, especially toddlers and younger kids
Plan: 45 minutes–1 hour
Spend the Day at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a great place to add some history to your Key West trip with kids. My kids and I explored the massive 19th-century fort, walked through its brick corridors, and checked out the impressive collection of historic cannons. Construction on the fort began in 1845, and it played an important role during the Civil War, when Key West remained under Union control.
there is a fee to enter the park, but its free for military
The state park is also home to one of Key West’s most popular beaches, where families can swim, snorkel, picnic, and spend the rest of the day after exploring the fort. I didn’t personally visit the beach during our trip because sargassum was particularly bad around Key West when we visited in June, so I chose to spend our beach time elsewhere. Beach conditions can change throughout the year, so I recommend checking current conditions before you go.
Cost: $6 per vehicle (up to 8 people) + $0.50 Monroe County surcharge per person; $2.50 for pedestrians/bicyclists. (FREE FOR MILITARY)
Best for: All ages
Plan: 1–2 hours for the fort; 3–4+ hours if combining it with the beach
fort zachary taylor
READ NEXT: A Complete Guide to Navarre Beach in Florida
Play at Truman Waterfront Park + Splash Pad
the splash pad was the star of the show here at the park
Truman Waterfront Park is one of the best FREE things to do in Key West with kids, especially if you’re traveling with younger children. The park has a large playground with slides, climbing structures, swings, and play areas for different ages. There’s also a free splash pad where kids can cool off after walking around Key West.
My kids loved this stop, especially my toddler. After several days of sightseeing, it gave them a chance to just run around and play without me trying to show them another historic site!
The park is located near Fort Zachary Taylor and has plenty of open green space, paved walking paths, picnic tables, and beautiful views of the water. If you plan to use the splash pad, bring swimsuits or a change of clothes.
Cost: FREE
Best for: All ages, especially toddlers and younger kids
Plan: About 1–2 hours
Take a Photo at the Southernmost Point
the store that can’t be missed!
No trip to Key West is complete without stopping for a photo at the famous Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. The colorful concrete buoy is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Key West and famously reads “90 Miles to Cuba.”
The photo is completely free, but be prepared to wait. This is one of the most popular photo stops in Key West, and a line can form during the day. If getting the classic family photo is important to you, I recommend going early in the morning or late in the evening (like we did) before the crowds arrive.
this is at a restaurant nearby!
TIP: If you don't want to wait in the long line, there are other Southernmost Point photo opportunities nearby. The bars and restaurants around the southern end of Duval Street have signs and photo spots where you can get a similar “Southernmost Point” picture without waiting for the famous buoy.
2026 UPDATE: The original Southernmost Point buoy at South and Whitehead Streets is temporarily closed while the City of Key West completes seawall and roadway repairs. An official full-size replica is currently located at 1499 Duval Street, so visitors can still get the iconic photo. The original buoy is expected to return after construction is completed.
Cost: FREE
Best for: All ages
Plan: 10–30 minutes, depending on the line
another photo op right next to the southernmost point!
Spend Time at Simonton Street Beach
sIMONTON STREET BEACH IS A GORGEOUS WHITE SAND, CLEAR WATER BEACH
Simonton Street Beach is a small public beach tucked away at the north end of Simonton Street, right in Old Town Key West. It’s not a huge beach, but that was part of the appeal for me with kids. It’s easy to stop here for an hour or two without committing to an entire beach day.
The beach sits on the Gulf/harbor side of Key West and has restrooms and a small boat ramp. You’ll also find Lagerheads Beach Bar & Watersports right on the beach, so you can grab food and drinks without packing everything for a full beach day. This is where we changed into and out of our swim suits.
THE BEACH BAR IS EXTREMELY CONVENIENT. thEY HAVE CHAIRS AND UMBRELLAS FOR RENT OR YOU CAN SIT IN THEIR CHAIRS (free) IF YOU GET A DRINK OR FOOD
We stopped at Simonton Street Beach to break up the day. We spent the morning and afternoon exploring, then headed to the beach to relax and soak up sun before we headed to dinner and sunset.
Cost: FREE; parking is extra
Best for: All ages, especially families looking for a quick and convenient beach stop
Plan: 1–2 hours
TIP: This is a small beach, so I wouldn’t choose it for an all-day Key West beach day. I’d use it as an easy break between sightseeing stops or pair it with lunch at Lagerheads.
THE KIDS PLAYING IN THE EMERALD WATER AT SIMONTON BEACH
Take a Key West Boat Trip or Sandbar Adventure
yes, this is real! the keys are so incredible and gorgeous.
One of my favorite days during our trip to Key West was actually spent out on the water. We were lucky enough to have family with a boat, so we packed food, drinks, and beach gear and spent the entire day at Marvin Key. The shallow turquoise water and sandbars made it an incredible place for the kids to swim, play, and explore.
You definitely don't need family with a boat to have this experience. If you're comfortable operating a boat, there are several places around Key West and nearby Stock Island where you can rent a pontoon or boat for the day. If you're unfamiliar with the waters around Key West, I would choose a captained charter instead. The backcountry has extremely shallow water, seagrass beds, protected areas, and boating restrictions that aren't always obvious to visitors.
A few convenient options near Key West include Beach Weekend on Stock Island, which rents pontoon-style boats for sandbar days; Fun in the Sun at Oceans Edge Marina, which offers both self-drive rentals and private trips; and Key West Boat Rental, which offers self-drive rentals as well as captained trips.
WHERE TO GO: Marvin Key is a fantastic option for a full-day adventure - this is where we spent our sandbar day. For something closer to Key West, Boca Grande Key or Woman Key are popular choices. Woman Key is about 13 miles west of Key West and has beautiful shallow flats and a sandy beach, although portions are closed to protect nesting wildlife. Your rental company or captain can also recommend the best sandbar for the day's wind, tides, and water conditions.
Cost: Varies by boat rental or private charter
Best for: All ages; especially families who love swimming and spending time on the water
Plan: Half day to full day
TIP: Bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen, towels, hats, and anything else you'll need for the day. Many of these backcountry islands and sandbars have no facilities at all, so plan to be completely self-sufficient.
from boat naps to pizza on the water- our day at marvin key was our favorite day in key west
Eat Key Lime Pie Across Key West
the key lime pie at blue heaven
You can’t visit Key West without eating Key lime pie and trying it from several different places is part of the fun. Each version is a little different, so my kids and I tried our way around the island rather than declaring just one place the official stop.
Here are four places I recommend adding to your Key lime pie crawl:
Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shop - Elizabeth Street is probably the most iconic stop. Try a traditional slice, but Kermit’s is also known for its frozen chocolate-dipped Key lime pie on a stick. Their traditional pie is tart with a graham cracker crust and whipped cream. The best thing they sell is their Key Lime Cooler cookies!
Blue Heaven serves one of the most recognizable versions in Key West, topped with a huge amount of baked meringue. You can order it for dessert after a meal or stop in specifically for pie. It’s cheaper to buy the entire pie than by the slice - this was our least favorite, but still a must try.
Mattheessen's Homemade is an easy stop while you're walking around Duval Street. Their Key lime pie has the MOST PERFECT homemade graham cracker crust ratio. This was our favorite Key Lime pie in Key West. Be sure to try their famous giant cookies as well!
And don't overlook Publix! This is the budget-friendly option, especially if you're staying somewhere with a refrigerator and want an entire pie to share. Publix's Key lime pie has won awards at the American Pie Council's National Pie Championships and comes topped with whipped cream, toasted almonds, and a white chocolate garnish. I bought 2 whole pies while in Key West.
Cost: Varies, but expect to pay by the slice at most Key West shops; buying a whole pie from Publix is usually the most economical option for a family.
Best for: All ages
Plan: Don't do them all at once! Try a different Key lime pie throughout your Key West trip and decide which one your family likes best.
TIP: Make this a family taste test. Have everyone rank each pie as you go. It's an easy way to turn one of Key West's most famous foods into an activity with kids.
Kermit’s is the most famous key lime pie in all of key west - their pie is ok - but their key lime cooler cookies are delish
FLORIDA BLOGS
〰️
FLORIDA BLOGS 〰️
Shop for Kinos Sandals
If you’re looking for a souvenir from Key West that you’ll actually use, stop at KINO Sandals. This family-owned Key West business has been making sandals locally since 1966, and the sandals are still hand-cut, assembled, and glued at the factory in Kino Plaza. You can even watch the sandal makers at work while you shop.
the girls in their crocs before getting new kinos!
Kino makes sandals for women, men, and kids, with lots of different styles and colors. I love that this feels more like bringing home a piece of Key West than buying another typical souvenir. Prices are also surprisingly reasonable. Most adult styles are currently around $34–$44, while children's sandals start around $24.
Cost: FREE to visit; sandals generally start around $24 for kids and $34 for adults
Best for: All ages
Plan: 20–45 minutes
TIP: Kino Sandals is at 107 Fitzpatrick Street in Old Town. It is a little hidden inside of a shopping center.
you can see the cobblers in the back making the kinos!
Find the Key West Mural at Cuban Coffee Queen
One of the easiest photo stops in Key West is the colorful “Greetings from Key West” mural at Cuban Coffee Queen Waterfront. You'll find it at the original Cuban Coffee Queen location at 284 Margaret Street in the Key West Historic Seaport.
the iced cafe con leche is incredible. I think i had 6 of these during our stay
The mural looks like a giant vintage postcard, with different Key West scenes painted inside the letters. It makes a fun family photo and is an easy stop while you're already exploring the Historic Seaport. Grab a Cuban coffee, smoothie, or breakfast while you're there and take your photo before continuing along the waterfront.
Cost: FREE
Best for: All ages
Plan: 10–20 minutes, longer if you stop for breakfast or coffee
TIP: Cuban Coffee Queen now has several Key West locations, but the mural is at the Waterfront location on Margaret Street, so make sure you navigate to the right one.
Tour the Historic Key West Cemetery
“I’m just resting my eyes” and “I told you I was sick”
This might sound like an unusual thing to do with kids in Key West, but the Key West Cemetery is worth exploring if your family enjoys history and quirky places. The cemetery was established in 1847 after a hurricane destroyed Key West's previous burial grounds, and today the 19-acre cemetery tells a fascinating story about the people who helped shape the island.
“I’d Rather be in paris”
Walk through the cemetery to see historic above-ground vaults, family plots, monuments, and some wonderfully unusual headstones. One of the most famous has the epitaph “I Told You I Was Sick.” You'll also find graves of Bahamian mariners, Cuban cigar makers, veterans, and other notable Key West residents.
Grab the FREE self-guided tour map at the entrance to help find some of the cemetery's most interesting graves and learn more about the people buried here.
Cost: FREE
Best for: Ages 6+, especially kids who enjoy history or unusual attractions
Plan: 45 minutes–1 hour
Spend a Full Day at the Beach
fort zachary taylor
While Key West isn't known for the huge stretches of sand you'll find elsewhere in Florida, there are several beaches where families can easily spend a full day swimming, relaxing, and playing in the water. If you want to build a dedicated beach day into your Key West itinerary, these are the larger beaches I would consider:
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach
Smathers Beach — The best choice for a traditional beach day. Smathers is the largest public beach in Key West, stretching about half a mile along the Atlantic. You'll find restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, parking, and nearby beach and watersports rentals. The water is generally shallow, making it a good option with kids.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach — A great choice if you want to combine beach time, snorkeling, and history. The beach has picnic areas, grills, restrooms, a café, and chair and snorkel rentals. The shoreline is rockier than Smathers, so bring water shoes.
Higgs Beach — One of the best Key West beaches for families. It has calm, shallow water, two children's playgrounds, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, chair and umbrella rentals, and a restaurant right on the beach. It's also next to Fort West Martello and the Key West Garden Club, making it easy to combine the two.
smathers beach. no one was there due to heavy sargassum
Cost: Smathers and Higgs Beach are FREE; Fort Zachary Taylor charges a state park entrance fee (FREE for military)
Best for: All ages
Plan: 3–6 hours or a full day
TIP: Beach conditions in Key West can change significantly depending on weather and sargassum. When we visited in June, the sargassum was SO bad and smelly we couldn’t swim or go to the beach.
Higgs beach
smathers beach
Check Out Key West Gardens at Fort West Martello
Key West Gardens at Fort West Martello is one of the more unique FREE things to do in Key West with kids. The gardens are built inside and around the remains of a Civil War-era fort, so you get tropical gardens and Key West history in the same stop.
Walk through the old brick arches and courtyards while exploring different garden areas filled with orchids, tropical plants, native flowers, and butterflies. There’s even a Butterfly Garden and Perfume Garden. Most of the gardens are stroller accessible, and there are benches, restrooms, and water bottle filling stations throughout the property.
Key West Gardens at Fort West Martello is also right next to Higgs Beach, so it’s easy to combine the two into one outing.
Cost: FREE; donations appreciated
Best for: All ages
Plan: 45 minutes–1 hour
Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM. Summer hours vary: the gardens are CLOSED Wednesdays and Thursdays from July 8/9 through September 30.
TIP: Free parking is available outside the gardens, which is a nice bonus in Key West. If you're visiting during the summer, double-check the current schedule before you go since the gardens have reduced summer hours.
More Things to Do in Key West With Kids
The conch train and flamingle are two amazing things to do with kids in keywest
There are so many family-friendly things to do in Key West that we couldn't fit everything into our trip. Here are a few more activities worth considering:
Take a Key West Cooking Class: Key West Cooking Show offers culinary experiences featuring the flavors and history of Key West, including a short Key lime pie experience. This could be especially fun with older kids who love food.
Book the Flamingo Experience: For a really unique splurge, Flamingle is a small-group, after-hours experience with Rhett and Scarlett, the resident flamingos at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. The official Florida Keys tourism site describes it as an hour-long encounter where the flamingos can freely interact with guests. This books up VERY fast, so you’ll need to secure tickets months in advance.
Ride the Conch Tour Train: Conch Tour Train takes families on a narrated 60-minute loop through Old Town Key West. This is a great option for seeing more of the island while giving little legs a break. We did not do this due to the price being very high.
Visit the Key West Aquarium: Key West Aquarium is a smaller aquarium at Mallory Square with marine life, touch tanks, animal feedings, and educational programs. It's especially well suited for younger kids.
Explore the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center: Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center teaches kids about the coral reefs and ecosystems of the Florida Keys through exhibits and marine-life displays. Even better, admission is FREE.
See Real Shipwreck Treasure: Mel Fisher Maritime Museum displays artifacts recovered from historic shipwrecks and has exhibits on maritime archaeology, pirates, Spanish treasure fleets, and Key West's history. This would be a particularly fun choice for older kids interested in treasure and shipwrecks.
Take a Haunted Key West Tour: Key West has plenty of spooky history, and a ghost tour is a fun way to explore Old Town after dark. For families, Ghost City Tours of Key West offers The Ghosts of Key West Tour, an all-ages 90-minute walking tour featuring haunted mansions, pirates, local legends, and Key West history. It's designed to be spooky without being overly scary for kids, and children 5 and under are currently free. For older kids who want something scarier, Ghosts & Gravestones Tour Key West offers a theatrical nighttime trolley experience, but it's rated PG-13 and isn't recommended for young children.
my sisters did the haunted tour with their children ages 10-18 - everyone had a great time!
Key West is such a fun destination for a family vacation, with plenty of things to do beyond the beaches. From exploring Dry Tortugas National Park and historic Key West attractions to spotting butterflies, playing at splash pads, getting out on the water, and eating plenty of Key lime pie, there are activities for kids of all ages. I hope this guide helps you plan your own trip to Key West with kids and find the best family-friendly things to do in Key West!
AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
There are links on this site that can be defined as “affiliate links”. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided.
Big Brave Nomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.
From exploring Dry Tortugas National Park to climbing the Key West Lighthouse, spotting six-toed cats, relaxing on family-friendly beaches, and eating plenty of Key lime pie, discover the best things to do in Key West with kids. This guide shares must-see attractions, beaches, costs, and practical tips for planning a family trip to Key West. You’ll find firsthand advice on what’s actually worth doing, what works with younger kids, and how to make the most of your time in the Florida Keys.