10 Things to Do in Key West in January

Key West, or Key West, is the southernmost point of the United States and a splendid place to go on vacation. It is an island paradise located at the end of the Overseas Highway, which crosses the Florida Keys.

This island has a unique charm that increases at the beginning of the year, when it offers an ideal climate, with mild temperatures and little rain. In addition, there is a wide variety of events and activities for all tastes. Read on and discover the best things to do in Key West in January to make the most of your stay.

Key West has a special charm and an atmosphere that is as laid-back as it is multicultural with plenty to do. Although it's known for its sun and beach tourism , it's also a place for lovers of literature because, if your trip is in January, you can attend theKey West Literary Seminar.

This is an annual event held every January on this Florida island, where some of the best writers of our time gather. In addition to having this experience, if writing is your thing, you can also choose to learn about American history from this island with a visit to Truman's little white house.

In the case of the seminar, it is an activity with a history of more than 30 years and in each edition a different theme is explored. It usually lasts 3 days and offers readings, lectures, panels, workshops and social activities, all to share the passion for literature.

Both activities add value to Key West, because you can enjoy the natural beauty and bohemian atmosphere of the city, a paradisiacal place that has been home and inspiration for writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams and Elizabeth Bishop.

Lovers of good food and wine have the opportunity during the month of January to participate in the Key West Food and Wine Festival, an event that celebrates the diversity and quality of the food and wine of this South Florida island .

For 5 days, you can enjoy a variety of food-related activities. For example, tastings in front of the sea, collaborations between chefs and other events that give you a taste of Key West to delve into its culture and customs. Each edition brings different surprises and usually the activity closes with a final tasting of high caliber.

In January you can enjoy the tropical atmosphere and take advantage of the special lodging and transportation offers provided by the festival. Also, you can learn about wine production and pairing, attend cooking demonstrations, participate in contests and raffles, visit wineries, local farms and more.

In case your trip does not coincide with the Festival dates or you want to explore more of the island's local food and its tropical influences, then you can also join a gastronomic tour of Key West and get to know different restaurants and dishes. Besides, it is one of the must-do things to do in Key West at night.

January is a month with a very active agenda on the island. While Key West in December can be magical, the truth is that the first month of the year has a lot to offer. For example, if you like indie music, the Mile Zero Festival in Key West is a unique experience.

This event celebrates the diversity and quality of independent music from the United States. There are usually 5 days dedicated to music in which you can enjoy more than 50 concerts in different outdoor stages, where some of the best artists and bands of the current indie scene perform.

During the festival, you can do and see many interesting things, such as attending oceanfront concerts, participating in parties, parades and enjoying the fireworks show. Also, you can meet the performers in person or enjoy the sunset at Mallory Square Pier.

In addition, if you want to explore more of the island's nightlife scene, after one of the Festival concerts, it doesn't hurt to take a tour of Key West's pubs to complete an unforgettable and fun experience to discover the sounds and secrets of indie music.

The Quantum Key West Race is one of the most prestigious and exciting regattas in the world, and is held every January in the paradisiacal setting of the Florida Keys.

You can watch from the sh ore or from a boat as the sailboats sail the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic, defying the wind and waves. With some of the best sailors and boats on the planet participating in this competition, from flying catamarans to luxury yachts, what you'll enjoy is a world-class spectacle of speed, skill and beauty.

Whether you're an amateur or an expert sailor, it's an opportunity to get up close and personal with sailing. Also, if extreme and adrenaline at sea is your thing , you can also take advantage of your visit to the island and get the Key West adventure and water sports pass.

To combine sport and nature in Key West, you can take part in the Key West Half Marathon & 5K, a race held annually in January on this beautiful U.S. island.

It is recognized by Runners World magazine as one of the top 10 half marathons of the winter season. Here, you can run a 13.1-mile (21 km) or 5K course through Old Town Key West, passing historic sites and enjoying magical views of the ocean.

In addition to running, the Key West Half Marathon & 5K gives you the opportunity to experience the full Key West experience. You can practice water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking or jet skiing, relax on its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, taste its delicious cuisine and have fun with its lively nightlife. All this, with a warm and sunny climate, ideal to escape the winter cold of other cities.

One of the perks of vacationing in a beach destination is the chance to sample fresh se afood, and if your travel itinerary is in January, it could coincide with the Florida Keys Seafood Festival events.

For 18 editions, Key West has been the place for seafood lovers to gather. In addition, the event has a great number of activities spread over 2 days where music, band performances, drinks and lots of food are the protagonists.

In addition, attending this festival in January is a way to get to know the other side of Key West and its culture. It is an experience that celebrates the community in a joyful and fun atmosphere to taste the variety of local fish at very competitive prices.

Being a family event, it is also a plan that you can take advantage of if you visit Key West with children. You can enjoy various activities, participate in oyster eating and shucking contests , be dazzled by the fireworks, watch the blessing of the fishing fleet, listen to live music and take home some souvenir handicrafts.

The best tours of Key West will take you around various corners of the city, but one experience you can't miss is a visit to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. Although it is open all year round, in January you will enjoy it twice as much because the weather is very pleasant and there are fewer tourists.

In this museum you can learn about the history of the shipwrecks that occurred in the Florida Keys and see up close the treasures that were recovered from them. In fact, it is a unique attraction that will transport you back to the 19th century.

If you visit the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, you will have visual access to original objects from the Spanish galleons, such as gold and silver coins, as well as jewelry, weapons and utensils from that era. In addition, you can climb the observation tower, from where the lookouts sighted the shipwrecks, and enjoy a panoramic view of the island.

In addition, being located in a central point of Key West, you can also take the opportunity to visit other nearby attractions such as the Key West Lighthouse, the butterfly farm, the Habana Historeum or the Ernest Hemingway House Museum.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is around 15€ per adult and children under 4 are free.
• Hours: open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Christmas Day.
• Duration: the tour is estimated at 1 hour, but you can stay longer.

A fun and exciting activity to enjoy with your family, friends or partner during January in Key West is dolphin watching and snorkeling in its crystal clear waters. The first month of the year is convenient because the water is calm, the temperature is pleasant and rainfall is scarce, so there is more opportunity to come into contact with these aquatic mammals.

Key West is the habitat of bottlenose dolphins, pleasant marine mammals that usually swim near boats and show their curiosity for humans. You can observe them in their natural environment and learn about their behavior.

Also, for a closer experience and more contact with the wildlife, you can dive in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area with a variety of marine species, such as corals, sponges, colorful fish and turtles.

If you join a tour, you won't have to worry about snorkeling equipment because it will be provided and you will also receive safety instructions and tips to enjoy the experience to the fullest.

This island may be small, but there are plenty of ways to have fun here in January. Even if your plan is for 2 days in Key West, getting tickets to the Aquarium is one way to get the most out of your stay and learn about marine life and its species.

It's one of the oldest and most popular attractions in town. One advantage of visiting the Key West Aquarium in January is that since there are fewer tourists, you will be able to enjoy the tour better and have more time to appreciate all the species. Thus, you will be able to dedicate more time to see each exhibit and have a more personalized and interactive experience.

In general, it is both an educational and fun activity, because it allows you to learn about the marine life of the Florida Keys and its threats. At the same time, you will be supporting the conservation and rescue work carried out by this center to protect and rehabilitate sea turtles and other endangered animals.

The tour is not limited to just looking behind glass; there are different interactive activities with the species such as the touch tank. There you are allowed to touch and hold some marine creatures such as crabs, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and starfish. In addition, if you are a marine fauna lover , you can also see how they feed the sharks and turtles where you will see sharp and big teeth, but don't worry, it's totally safe.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee per adult is approximately 20€ and children under 4 years old have free entrance.
• Hours: open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Duration: the tour is estimated at 1 hour, but you can stay longer.

The best way to explore a new place is to get in touch with its culture, get to know its streets and hidden corners. Although there are many ways to tour the city, whether on the streetcar, tour bus, on foot, with the activities of the sea and more, a bike tour of Key West in January is a fun, ecological experience to enjoy at your own pace.

If you opt for this plan, you will be able to:

• Get to know the city with your itinerary: without depending on the schedules and routes of public or private transportation. In addition, you can stop wherever you want, take pictures, enter museums or restaurants, or simply admire the architecture and atmosphere of the city.
• Tour the historic center: on the bike you will see the most emblematic buildings and squares, such as the basilica St. Mary Star of the Sea, the town hall, the theater or the market. Also, appreciate the style and history of the city, as well as its daily life.
• Explore the more alternative neighborhoods: Key West has a bohemian and creative side, a free tour or a bike tour will take you to discover the urban art, music, gastronomy and culture of the city. You will be able to see the graffiti, murals, galleries, cafes and locals that give personality and color to the city.

Key West is an ideal destination to visit in January, as it offers a warm and dry climate, perfect for enjoying its beaches, nature and culture. In general, the first month of the year presents mild temperatures and little rain.

In addition, the average daily maximum temperature on this island is 24 °C, and very rarely falls below 19 °C or exceeds 27 °C. Therefore, the climate is pleasant and sunny, with almost no cloud cover.

To visit Key West in January, I recommend that you pack light and comfortable clothes, such as T-shirts, shorts, dresses and sandals. Remember that the weather is warm and dry, with temperatures around 22°C. Being a beach destination, you cannot leave out your bathing suit, towels and sarong to enjoy the water activities.

Also, you should bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from UV rays and avoid sunburn. Additionally, you can include a light sweater for cooler nights or air-conditioned places. Finally, don't forget to bring your camera to save your best memories.