10 Things to Do in Key West in February

The island city of Key West is a very popular place due to its wide range of tourist activities. On this island, you will discover natural spaces with an incredible scenic scene, cultural and historical destinations. You can visit some museums, practice water sports, taste the local gastronomy and much more.

In February you will have the opportunity to celebrate Valentine's Day on the island, take advantage of the lobster season and delight your palate with its exquisite flavor. Also, you can enjoy the pleasant weather this month to take a boat ride, dive into the water, explore the natural areas, among other of the best things to do in Key West.

Celebrating Valentine's Day in mid-February is one of the things you can do if the date coincides with your trip of at least 2 days in Key West. In the city you will find a true atmosphere of celebration in the plazas, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions.

You can enjoy a wide range of activities to celebrate with your partner, friends or family. For example:

• Take a stroll through Mallory Square. During this Valentine's Day season you will find musical shows and some craft stalls. In addition, you will enjoy a beautiful view.
• Enjoy a dinner in some restaurants overlooking the sea like Latitudes, Sunset Pier, among others.
• Take a moonlight boat ride around Key West.

Likewise, if you want to celebrate and discover Key West at night, you can take a pub crawl around Key West. You will find themed parties with live music and good drinks.

The low temperatures and low chances of rain (about 3 days) in Key West during the month of February, are ideal weather conditions to take a boat tour of this island. You will be able to enjoy the city's skyline while the sea breeze brushes your skin.

Throughout this adventure, considered among the best Key West tours, you will have the opportunity to see iconic places of the city. For example, the Key West Marina (lined with dozens of terraces with bars and restaurants), the Key West Lighthouse, the USCGC Ingham Maritime Museum, among others.

Also, if you keep an eye on the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, you might see some waterfowl, dolphins and sea turtles. And, if you take this boat ride at sunset in Key West, you will enjoy an unforgettable sunset, since in February the sky is mostly clear.

February in Key West marks the peak of the lobster season in Key West , making it a great time to enjoy lobster products. Take advantage of your stay in the city to visit some of the traditional local markets and delight your palate with the fresh flavors of the sea.

Some of the markets you can visit to try fresh lobster and other seasonal products include the following:

• Truman Waterfront Market, located on the city's waterfront. This is a place with dozens of open-air stalls where you will find everything from lobster to fish such as snapper, shrimp and the famous dogfish (small shark).
• The Green Market on Petronia Street, less than five minutes from the Hemingway Museum, with fresh produce and seasonal food ready to eat. Such is the case of the Stone crab claws, shrimp cocktail, various lobster preparations, etc.

Undoubtedly, these are places not to be missed if you wish to embark on a gastronomic tour of Key West. You will discover the colors, aromas and flavors of the cuisine of this important island city.

The beaches of Key West are paradisiacal places that you won't want to miss, especially if you visit the city in February, which is a season with very pleasant weather conditions (an average of 21ºC in the sea water and 23ºC outside). You can dive into the water for hours, practice water sports or just lie on the sand.

In Key West you will have several beaches to choose from according to your needs. For example, some of them are:

• Smathers Beach. This is a very crowded beach, where you can swim, enjoy the sun and a lively nightlife.
• The Sunset Beach: it is a place with a privileged panoramic view if you want to watch the sunrise or sunset.
• The Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach, a quiet place to escape from the bustle of the city and without waves, so it is safe if you are traveling with children.
• La Rest Beach: with amazing coral reefs and ideal waters for snorkeling.

While this is an activity you can undertake on your own, you also have the option of joining some guided activities to enhance the experience. Perhaps a jet ski tour in Key West, a surfing adventure, etc.

If your trip coincides with the last week of February, then you will have the opportunity to attend the Winter Winds Festival. This is an annual event that usually lasts about 3 days in Key West and offers fun for all ages: music, food and much more.

To enjoy this festival you should head to Mallory Square. This is an iconic place in the city, which is incorporated in the route of the Key West tourist streetcar. In fact, you can take advantage of this means of transportation to get closer to the place.

There, you will find a lively atmosphere and a series of activities, some of them being the following:

• The food stalls, with street preparations, seafood, conch fritters, Key lime pie, etc.
• Some live shows, where you will get to know the local and national music scene.
• Entertainment for children, with several games specially designed for the little ones.
• A magical parade, with floats and parades.

Weather factors such as moderate temperatures and winds in February in Key West make this month the right time to practice any water sport. On the island, you have the opportunity to join an unforgettable experience in which you will enjoy different adventures in the open sea: snorkeling, parasailing, jet skis, etc.

For this type of activity, you will enter the sea aboard a boat, along with an expert guide and his crew. From the deck you will be able to contemplate the city and identify some places in the distance such as the Key West lighthouse, the Key West Nature Reserve, etc. You will also enjoy the vastness and tranquility of the Atlantic Ocean before the real fun begins.

With a Key West water sports and adventure pass, you will have the opportunity to snorkel Key West's living coral reef and parasail over the waters. You can also glide through the sea on a banana boat, ski or jet ski, and finally visit the ocean water park with slides, obstacles, climbing towers, etc.

Information of interest

• Price: the value of the activity starts at about 197€ per person.
• Duration: the experience could last about 6 hours.

Another of the things to do in Key West in February is to explore the city by bicycle for a different kind of adventure. You won't have to worry about the sweltering heat or rainfall, since the weather is cool in this month (about 22ºC and winds of about 25km/h).

You can move around the city discovering destinations of great historical, cultural and tourist interest such as the following:

• The historic downtown, with its Victorian-style houses, restaurants, bars and stores.
• The White Street Pier, a pier with a beautiful natural backdrop for you to take pictures.
• Mallory Square, noted for its vibrant atmosphere and a privileged view of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Mile Marker Zero, which marks the beginning of US1.

For this Key West bike tour, you can rent a bicycle and move around the city on your own. You also have the option of connecting with a guided activity to learn how to get around Key West on two wheels with an experienced local.

Visiting some of the best museums in Key West is another suitable activity during the month of February, since these days are low tourist influx on the island. You'll be able to walk through the halls of the respective museums at your leisure, appreciating the exhibits without the annoying crowds.

Some of the museums you can visit during your stay in the city include the following:

• The Alan S. Maltz Gallery, ideal if you are passionate about photography. You will discover the history of the city through a series of amazing images with vibrant colors.
• The Sails to Rails Museum in Key West, you will see a complete chronology from sailing ships to the railroad.
• Fort East Martello Museum, a fortress from 1862.
• Truman's Little White House in Key West, where you will discover many anecdotes about the 33rd president of the United States of America.

This experience of visiting the museums of Key West can be done on your own. However, some museums offer guided tours and audio guides, which may help you better understand the history of the city.

The Key West Aquarium is a destination you can visit any time of the year, but during February you'll enjoy touring the outdoor exhibits much more. This is because the weather is cooler during this month and it is also low tourist season.

Upon arrival you will be amazed by the variety of marine creatures arranged in the different areas of the aquarium. You will have the opportunity to interact directly with some of them in the contact tanks. For example, you will be able to carefully touch some horseshoe crabs, starfish, conches, snakes, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, among others.

Also, with the Key West Aquarium tickets you will meet some rescued sea turtles, a living mangrove ecosystem, the famous smiling alligators, the amazing glowing jellyfish and much more. Undoubtedly, a unique experience where you will have fun and learn. Ideal if you are in Key West with children.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately 21€ per person.
• Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Boarding the Conch Train is a great option in February. You will be able to quietly walk the streets of Key West without being directly exposed to the sun's rays, which in this month reaches a maximum UV index of 6. You will enjoy the urban and natural panorama of this picturesque island city from the cars of this traditional means of transportation.

As you move through the old town of Key West, you will have the opportunity to identify some of the most emblematic places. Such is the case of Harry Truman's Little White House, Mallory Square, the Key West Shipwreck Museum, the open-air aquarium, among others.

In addition, along this route on the Key West Conch Train, you will enjoy live narration by the driver in charge of the circuit. This way, you will learn about the history of the monuments and personalities of the island.

Information of interest

• Price: the average cost of this panoramic tour is 42€ per person.
• Hours: the train runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, approximately.

Temperatures in Key West in February range from a high of 27ºC to a low of 21ºC. You will enjoy a warm environment, but one that still retains that coolness characteristic of January in Key West.

The chances of rainfall are usually only about 3 days of rain. And, with respect to sea water temperature , it averages 22ºC. Meanwhile, the wind speed at this time of year is 25km/h and the UV index is around level 6. Ideal conditions for parasailing in Key West, or other water activities.

Key West receives a large number of tourists all year round, and February is no exception. However, during this season the influx of visitors is considered low compared to summer or Key West in December, which is when the number of tourists reaches its peak.

You can walk the streets and enjoy the island' s paradisiacal beaches without experiencing the annoying crowds. Also, purchase tickets to the Sails to Rails Museum in Key West or other popular attractions without fear that they will be sold out by the day of your visit.