Keep it Cool in Key West. Your Guide to Southernmost Point in the U.S.
Southernmost Point
Who would go to Key West, the most southern point in the United States, during the hottest month of the year? I would and did.
Florida weather was expected to be sunny and the temperature was in the high 80’s. At home rain, and humidity was in the forecast. So, I took the plunge and booked.
We only planned a short stay, 4 nights and 5 days. We also flew directly into the Key West airport. American Airlines had nonstop flights from LaGuardia (NY airport).
Getting to LaGuardia is a hit or miss from Northern NJ. We had an early morning flight, so it only took us 45 minutes to get there. I have to say, this was my first time flying out of LaGuardia since their renovation. It’s almost complete. If you’ve ever flown or driven near this airport, you are aware of the constant construction projects that have been going on for years. I don’t remember a time when there wasn’t some project happening inside the terminal, or along the highway to get to the terminals. I am not a fan. But this time it was different. This airport is amazing! It’s spacious, well laid out, easy to maneuver. We were able to park in the lot at Terminal. Which made our arrival back in NY easy.
Key West in August is warm, to make the most of our trip we took our time, moved slowly. After a day we were noticing our bodies had become acclimated to the heat. The key is to accept the heat and let your body adapt. Don’t fight it! You’ll lose and get frustrated. Keep hydrated, a cool washcloth around your neck will instantly cool you off and bring the temperature down.
Here are some tips and information I think you’ll find useful if you're planning to venture to the southernmost point in the United States.
How to get to Key West?
Key West is the last island of a string of islands off the southern tip of Florida. It is a 2.5-hour drive from Miami.
Flying into Miami, renting a car, and driving to Key West is also an option. We decided to fly direct because we only had a few days and did not want the added expense of renting a car or losing valuable time.
You do not need a car in Key West. There are plenty of options for transportation. The drive is scenic, but there is that off chance you could run into traffic.
Key West Airport (EYW)
The first island on the Florida Keys is Key Largo. If you’re driving it’s 106 miles to Key West from this point. You will be traveling the Overseas Highway (US Route 1). Along the way, you’ll be crossing multiple bridges. The longest of these is the Seven Mile Bridge.
The Key West Airport code is EYW. EYW is a small airport and upon arrival, we had to wait, for about 45 minutes, for our bags to come off the plane. During this time we arranged our transfer. Most hotels on Key West offer complimentary airport shuttles. Uber and Lyft are also convenient and available within minutes.
Our resort was near the airport and offered a complimentary shuttle service. They texted us when we arrived and were there within a few minutes after we gathered our luggage.
The layout of the Island.
Key West comprises two sections. The Old Town and The New Town.
The Old Town is a historic area. Here you will find the Ernest Hemmingway House, Mallory Square, Duval Street, the LightHouse, the southernmost point, shops, restaurants, tours, and galleries. Historic homes, quaint streets, and walkways.
Roosters Roam the Streets of Key West
We stayed at a resort in the New Town section. The New Town section of Key West is more spread out and has a walkway around the coastline. There is access to public beaches from these resorts. Some resorts, although few, have their own beachfront property. You will not find this in the Old Town. Most of the Old Town resorts and hotels are on piers and have no beach access.
To travel from the end of the island to the next is at most 10 or 15 minutes. An Uber pick up from our hotel, which was in the New Town to the historic area was approx $15.00. Our hotel also offered complimentary shuttle service to and from the old town.
Duval Street.
Duval Street is part of the Old Town. The street runs for several blocks and is the main strip of the island. In the evenings there is music piping from all types of vehicles, cruising the strip. Key West visitors are a mix of ages from the very young to the very old. It is composed of everyone from families, to couples and young people just enjoying the atmosphere.
Sloppy Joes (music and drink)
Duval Street
That is the enchanting part of Key West. There is something for everyone. Live music plays from bars and restaurants on every block. Scooters, Electric Cars, Golf Carts, and bikes strolling up and down the strip. It’s a lively atmosphere and the heart of the island. I would describe it as the Martha’s Vineyard of the South.
If you’re looking for a more subdued space, just walk anywhere outside Duval Street, The lively atmosphere dissipates as you get closer to the water.
Mallory Square.
Mallory Square is a block from Sunset pier. It is next to the Opal Key Resort and Marina complex. Next time I would look into staying at this resort. It is convenient, beautifully laid out, an easy walking distance to the center of the Old Town, yet it is quiet and spread out overlooking the water. It also offers the added bonus of sunset views.
Mallory Square
Mallory Square is where you will find the tour desk. Here you can buy tickets for the trolley, ghost tours, the Aquarium, and the Shipwreck Museum. There are souvenir shops housing every shell imaginable including the famed Conch.
The trolley is a hop-on hop-off tour. It circles the Old Town, the driver is your guide, providing information and historic significance of Key West.
Sunset Key
Sunset Key is an island 500 yards off the coast of Key West. It is a private island and only guests of the resort or residents are permitted to enter. There are no cars on the island. There is a ferry that runs regularly to Sunset Key from the Opal Marina.
Sunset Key Cottages is a Westin Resort. The only resort on the island. It is a secluded hideaway offering 2, 3, and 4 bedroom cottages individually designed offering all the comforts of home. This is a 5-star luxury resort. Amenities include beach services, tiki hut cabanas, spa, grocery service, breakfast basket delivery, pool bar, access to a full-service marina, and water sports. Harbor walk with gift shops.
Latitudes Restaurant onsite, waterfront dining at its finest.
Museums & Tours.
Ernest Hemingway House. Home of the Nobel Prize writer. Open daily. Only takes cash, except the gift shop. Offers free tours throughout the day. Or walk around the grounds and in the home at your leisure. Just like the cats that roam the property, the house, and the gift shop. They’re everywhere and are direct descendants of Ernest Hemmingway’s felines.
Ernest Hemingway House
A Hemingway Feline with Lulu Llama :)
The LightHouse is direct across the street from Hemingway's house. As a matter of fact, he used it as a beacon to get himself home after carousing and drinking late into the night.
Truman Little White House. During the 19th Century, Key West was a popular getaway for U.S. Presidents. So the Little White House was built for their visit. It’s been said, only President Truman used the property.
The Southern Most Point. A monument of the southernmost point of the United States. Get here early if you want a photo op, the line gets long. But it is a must-see.
The Shipwreck Museum. This was an unexpected surprise. When I travel to a new destination I like to learn its history. This museum is for adults and children. It does not take long to walk through and the 14-minute video is enlightening about the development of Key West and how it became the most influential city in the United States in the 1800s. I don’t want to give it away but they were scavengers, otherwise known as “Wreckers”.
The Shipwreck Museum
The citizens of Key West would patiently wait for ships to sink off their coastline. Hundreds of merchant ships passed by on their journey to and from exotic points of the Caribbean and South America.
The townspeople constructed towers all over the island. When a ship was spotted sinking near the coast, alarms rang out. The people gathered, they were organized, and had a system. They salvaged what they could and sold off the goods. Making a fortune. They worked together and everyone benefited. What they did was legal and they saved who they could from the sinking vessels. There’s much more to the story than this, but it gives you a glimpse into the colorful characters that formed Key West.
The Aquarium. Worth a visit, especially for small children. There are rescued sea turtles and local sea life.
Art Galleries. Practically a gallery on every corner throughout the historic district of Key West. Make sure to stop in, their doors are open and the creativity ranges from simple prints of the sunsets to glass-blown tables in the shape of crashing waves. Art is displayed in every form and texture imaginable.
The Hop on Hop Off Trolley. Runs every day. Purchase your ticket online or at Mallory Square.
Ghost Tours. Available online. Pick up the tour in Mallory Square.
Sunset Cruises. There’s a cruise for everyone. Dinner cruises, music cruises, party cruises, catamaran cruises. Prices vary depending on the vessel and inclusions.
A water excursion is an essential part of the Key West experience. Much of the adventure takes place off the island.
Foody Tour. Try a pub crawl or walking tour, meet the locals, and get a taste of the cultures that have created the unique flavor of Key West.
Transportation around the Island.
Electric Cars
Golf Carts (Gas or electric 2, 4, or 6 passengers)
Electric Cars - (2,4 and 6 passengers available. Easy to drive and lots of fun. I recommend these, see photo).
Scooters - Available everywhere on the island.
Bikes - Electric bikes are also available.
Uber/Lyft (costs approx $15 to get from Old Town to New Town) They will also drop off at the beach in Zachary National Park. (you will only be required to pay the pedestrian fee)
Fort Zachary Taylor Park.
Fort Zachary is a must-see while visiting Key West. It is a 54 acre National Historic Landmark. There are narrated tours of the fort. Although I am a history buff, I really was only interested in the beach. It was just too hot to tour that day.
I got there by uber from our hotel. At the gate, I was only required to pay the pedestrian fee. The park rangers permit Uber drivers to drop passengers at the beach entrance. Once I got to the beach, I rented myself a chair and umbrella and took a stroll through the park. There was plenty of shade and picnic areas. Picturesque palm trees breathing in the gentle Gulf breeze. The water is clear and beautiful. One important rule is to bring water shoes. I purchased a pair at CVS before arriving. It makes a difference, it is a sandy beach but there are rocks and the water shoes will allow you to enjoy the day comfortably.
There are lockers and snorkel gear rentals, plus a cafe that serves beverages, alcohol, snacks, and lunch items. Reasonably priced. Or you could pack a cooler. The difference between this beach and Smathers is the seaweed. There is no seaweed at Fort Zachary Taylor Park beach.
Cafe at Fort Zachary Taylor Park
Fort Zachary National Park
Public Beaches.
Smathers - located directly across from The Barbary Beach Resort (soon to be renamed Margaritaville)
Higgs - located near the Casa Marina Key West. (just down the road from Smathers).
Restaurants:
The great thing about dining in Key West is all the ingredients are sourced locally. You can find chain restaurants here and there but overall it is mom-and-pop independently-owned businesses. From Asian-inspired to Cuban, American, and Seafood options. Every taste is satisfied.
When I travel with my husband, we enjoy the finer restaurants. We don’t eat out much at home, so when we’re on vacation we like to splurge and enjoy a good meal.
We don’t eat a huge lunch and save the big meal for dinner.
Grand Cafe. On Duval Street, right in the center of the action. I reserved our time through the OpenTable app. This was a great resource to find availability, recent reviews, images, and fare. Makes it so easy to reserve a spot in advance. Like many of the restaurants on Duval Street, the Grand Cafe is in a historic home. They offer seating inside or out. We chose outside. There were umbrellas and the temperature was cooling down. The service was great, the food delicious.
The Bagatelle, also in a historic home, also on Duval Street. We had a seat on the porch and enjoyed amazing seafood dishes. This was about the same price as The Grand Cafe’.
The Bagatelle Restaurant, Key West
Dinner on Duval Street
First Flight Restaurant and Brewery. Located on Whitehead Street, just one block adjacent from Duval. This was a step down in price from The Bagatelle. As an appetizer, we ordered the steamers which were delicious, made with chorizo..amazing! They had a courtyard set up with string lighting and greenery. It was very pleasant. The restaurant across the street provided us with live entertainment, so that suited us fine.
Dine while viewing the sunset at Bistro 245. This restaurant is located on the pier at the Opal Key Resort and Marina. They had an area right on the walkway roped off with tables and umbrellas. You just walk in and take any seat you like. A waitress serves you and that evening they had a steel drum musician for entertainment. It was lovely, watching the sunset, sipping your drink, and enjoying a nice meal.
Overall the food is wonderful. We did not have a meal we didn’t enjoy.
Key Lime Pie is a must, grab a piece of refreshing lime pie at Kermit’s Key West Lime Shoppe or Key West Key Lime Pie Co, Or both.
Resorts/Hotels. Without going into too much detail. I have listed 3 properties in each district of Key West.
The New Town.
The Barbary Beach Resort (Margaritaville)
Barbary Beach Resort. Our resort, The Barbary Beach Resort, was located across the street from Smathers Beach (a public beach). Barbary Beach Resort is becoming Margaritaville and will turn over within the next few months. It has one restaurant, but you can order in from local eateries. They offer a full menu, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The pool is centrally located with a bar and you can order food from your chair. There is private seating available, at first come first serve, or you can reserve for an additional $150. If you spend $150 on food during the day, they will remove the charge for the private seating by the pool. We originally only had a King room but asked if they had any upgrades available. For an additional amount per night, we upgraded to a resort with an ocean view. It did not have a balcony, but large windows, living room, king-sized bed, large bathroom, fridge, and microwave. Each floor also had a Keurig and ice available all day. This worked out well. All the rooms were updated, the resort was spotless and the staff was friendly. It was a family-friendly atmosphere. You could rent scooters on the property and they offered hourly shuttle service to the Old Town until 11:30 pm.
Guest Room
Guest Room
Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria. Although this property is a Waldorf I heard the rooms are dated. However, the benefit of this resort is its private beach.
Parrot Key Hotel & Villas. This resort is located in the New Town on the Gulf. There is no beach but it has a beautiful pool and sandy walkway along the water, above the mangroves. There is also a private dock that hosts beautiful sunsets. Updated rooms and great reviews.
The Old Town:
Opal Key Resort and Marina. This resort is centrally located and near Mallory Square. Plenty of dining options. Beautiful pool. There is a walkway along the Marina and Bistro 245 is a great bar and restaurant to enjoy a meal while viewing the sunset.
View of Sunset Key
Southernmost Beach Resort (be careful there are multiple properties with the title of Southernmost) Beautiful, Iconic Key West architecture. This was our second choice resort. However, after reading reviews and calling the hotel we found out there was construction going on and they were renovating the ocean view rooms. I only found this out by reading the most recent reviews on TripAdvisor. A good tip to having a great trip to Key West. Check the recent reviews.
Pier House Resort & Spa. Centrally located, great reviews. I feel like this hotel gets a lot of repeat visitors. The rooms look spacious and colorful, all with balconies. Which is a treat for any hotel. The pool area looked small but there was access to the marina and they have a restaurant on their pier that overlooks Sunset Key. They also boast about their magnificent sunsets.
Do at least three of these things while in Key West.
Historic Home in Key West
Eat Key Lime Pie
Try the seafood
Pick up a Conch shell
Rent something (golf cart, bike, or scooter)
Visit something historical
Watch the sunset from a boat or sunset pier.
Drink alcohol. I was drinking Mojitos all week.
Take your picture next to the Southernmost Point.
Go to a bar, watch a live band, and dance.
Eat fried Conch
Important Information when traveling to Key West:
Seaweed - it comes up on the shore and does not smell pretty. You don’t smell it when the wind blows or if you’re on a pier (hence staying at a hotel on the piers is beneficial for this reason).
Crowds - Normally, summer is the off-season for Key West….not in 2021. Hotels had high occupancy and rentals for scooters and golf carts were booked.
Weather - Expect high 80’s and humidity. Keep hydrated. August is the height of the hurricane season. Gets too hot….get indoors to cool off.
Don’t expect sprawling white sand and rows of hotels along the beach. That’s not Key West!
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Lulu Llama on a Scooter
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