10 Things to Do in Key West with Kids

Key West, or Key West in English, is an island located south of the Florida peninsula, just 150 kilometers from Cuba. It is a family destination because there is always something to do for both adults and children. Its tourist activities are extensive and some of the best things to do in Key West include visits to aquariums, museums, bike rides and much more.

Also, for extreme lovers there are everything from ghost tours to water sports of different types. Since the trip to Key West is with children, they can explore the marine life, watch dolphins, snorkel and appreciate the diversity of the coral reefs. In Key West there is a lot to discover and the best thing to do is to live the fun experiences that this tropical paradise has to offer as a family.

A fun and educational activity to do with your kids is to get tickets to the Key West Aquarium. It is located in the historic center of Key West, near Mallory Square and Duval Street. There you will be able to see sharks, moray eels, manta rays, seahorses and many other marine animals that inhabit the waters of Florida up close .

It is a unique experience to enjoy with children because they will be able to interact with various aquatic species in a safe and controlled environment. In addition, you and your children can learn about the conservation of sea turtles and coral reefs. Also, admire the beauty and colorful tropical fish that inhabit the reefs.

At the Key West Aquarium you can also touch stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers in the touch tank, and see how experts feed sharks and moray eels in the predator tank.

In short, it will be an adventure to visit this popular attraction with a capacity of more than 200,000 liters of water and home to more than 600 marine species. In addition, conservation, environmental balance and the challenges faced by climate change are its central focus.

Information of interest

• Price: the cost per person is around 20 € and children under 4 years old are free.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

One of the top 10 museums in Key West to visit with children is the Treasure Shipwreck Museum. It is an ideal place to live a family adventure full of history, mystery and fun. This museum takes you back to the 19th century, when Key West was the richest city in the United States.

The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is a unique and unforgettable experience to enjoy with children. They will love learning about the area's maritime past, seeing artifacts recovered from the ships and hearing anecdotes from the characters.

In addition, they will be able to see authentic artifacts salvaged from the shipwrecks, such as coins, jewelry, weapons and personal items. You will also be able to lift a silver bar weighing 27 kilos, which was extracted from the galleon Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas.

Another of the museum's attractions is the 15-meter-high observation tower, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of Key West and the sea. From there you can imagine how the lookouts spotted ships in distress and alerted the rescue teams.

Information of interest

• Price: The entrance fee is approximately 19 €. Children under 4 years old are free.
• Hours: open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Advantages: located in the historic center of Key West, near other attractions such as Hemingway's house, the lighthouse and the butterfly farm.

Snorkeling and dolphin watching in the ocean in Key West is a fun and educational activity for young and old, which will make them feel a special connection with nature. In addition, it is an experience for the little ones to learn about the beauty and diversity of the marine life of the Florida Keys.

There is a lot to do in this island paradise. For example, many of the best Key West tours will take you to different places on land, but if you are looking for more adventure in the water, you can join a tour that takes you to see dolphins in the ocean. You can see them in their natural habitat, playing and jumping alongside the boat, and learn about their behavior and biology.

You can also dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge to admire the colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles and other fascinating animals.

Snorkeling in Key West is a fun and easy way to explore the underwater world. All you need are goggles, a snorkel and fins, and you'll be ready to dive into the water. Plus, you'll take home a unique souvenir as you feel the sea breeze and the sun on your skin, and relax to the sound of the waves.

Information of interest

• Price: approximately 60 € per person.
• Duration: the duration is usually about 3 or 4 hours.
• Advantages: you can do it all year round, since the climate and water temperature are pleasant in any season.

To see the most emblematic places of the city in a comfortable, fun and original way, the best way is to tour Key West in a short time aboard a tourist streetcar. It is also an ideal activity to enjoy with children because they can travel back in time and learn about the history and culture of the city in a fun and entertaining way.

So, if the plan is at least 3 days in Key West, this is a way to save time and money. Also, you will be able to see the city from another perspective, admiring its architecture, monuments, parks and streets from a historic and picturesque means of transportation , without having to worry about public transportation, traffic or parking.

The historic center is one of the best attractions in Key West. On the tour, you can even get off the streetcar and visit some of the sites such as the Basilica of Our Lady Star of the Sea, the government palace, the theater or the market.

Touring the city aboard a tourist streetcar is an experience you can do all year round, since the city's climate is pleasant in any season. However, it is recommended to book in advance, as it is a highly demanded activity.

Adrenaline lovers can live a day of adventure if they purchase a pass to practice water sports in Key West. The whole island has an aura that invites you to enjoy sun and beach tourism with your children. There are endless activities for lovers of aquatic experiences, with parks and a wide offer for fun at sea.

Although you can do sports on your own in Key West, to have a complete experience, a recommendation is to join a paid tour, because you can access different activities for a single price, and without having to worry about transportation, equipment or food, in most cases.

The best thing about this experience is that many include the Sunset Watersports, a park where adults will enjoy, but also children because among the activities available is the banana boat, snorkeling to see marine life in the coral reefs, and much more.

In the case of adults, they can choose between parachuting over the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, learning to paddleboard, ride jet skis, try parasailing, water skiing, snorkeling in a live coral reef, bouncing on a water trampoline, among other experiences, accompanied by expert instructors.

An option that you will love to do with children is to tour Key West by bicycle. It is a comfortable and ecological way to explore this beautiful island city, be in contact with nature and have fun at the same time. Depending on the age of your child, you can opt for a bike of appropriate size or even a child seat. In any case, they will be able to see up close the exotic fauna and flora of the island, such as iguanas, palm trees or hibiscus flowers. You can also stop at the parks and beaches to play and rest.

Pedal through the historic streets, full of charm and color, admire the wooden houses with porches and tropical gardens. Even if you go to Key West at Christmas, you will have the opportunity to see them decorated and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

On the bike route you can also visit some of the most emblematic places in Key West, such as the lighthouse, the Ernest Hemingway House, the Shipwreck Museum, the cemetery or the Southernmost Point, the southernmost point in the United States.

Keep in mind that you can rent a bike on your own or sign up for a guided tour. If you choose the first option, you will have more freedom to go at your own pace and choose your own itinerary. If you prefer the second option, you will have the advantage of having a guide who will explain the history and curiosities of Key West, and will take you through the best corners of the city.

If you want to explore more about Key West in an original and fun way , with children, one of the best ways to do it is to learn about the history and visit the monuments of the city on the Conch Train. This transportation is a tribute to the railroad over the sea built by businessman Henry Flagler in 1912 that connected this island with the mainland.

It is an experience where children and also adults will learn about the history with a 90-minute tour through the old part of the city. This includes a narration with curiosities of the island and winks to its most famous inhabitants, such as Ernest Hemingway, Harry Truman or Robert Frost.

It is also an ideal activity to enjoy with children, as it allows them to see the city from a different perspective and have fun at the same time. They will be able to get on and off the train at three historic stops: Front Street Depot, Truval Village and Flagler Station. At each of them, you will be able to visit the most popular attractions in Key West, such as the Aquarium, the Shipwreck Museum, the Hemingway House, the Lighthouse, Southernmost Point, the Butterfly Conservatory or the Sailboat Museum.

If you want to enjoy this tour, please note that there are no reservations, but are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and depart every 30 minutes. So, if you visit Key West in January or March, when it is high season, it is best to take precautions to avoid queues, delays or an unfavorable seat.

To discover the darker and supernatural side of the city, you can join one of the best things to do in Key West at night. It's a spooky experience, as you spend a spooky night on the ghost and tombstone trolley tour. Plus, you can enjoy it with children over 4 years old, as long as they are not scared of horror stories.

It's a way to get to know the city from a different perspective and test your courage and curiosity. Hop on the Tram of the Damned, the tour of ghosts and tombstones will take you through the most haunted and macabre corners of the city. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and, for added realism, is led by a gravedigger guide.

If you dare to go up, you will ride through the dark and narrow streets of the old town, while listening to almost forgotten stories of old inhabitants, some so strange that you will find it hard to believe they are true. Learn about the spooky case of Karl Von Cosel, the sinister fate of Robert the Doll, the lynchings, superstitions, clandestine burials and mayhem that have marked the island's history.

Exploring the seabed with your children can be a very safe and fun experience, without getting a single drop of water or having to dive into the sea. In Key West it is possible to contemplate the marine life from a glass-bottom boat, so you have the water at your feet.

The little ones can enjoy, learn and have fun at the same time. To participate in one of these tours is to feel like explorers of the sea and discover the wonders hidden under the crystal-clear waters of Key West. You will also delight in the panoramic views of the coast and the tropical breeze from the boat's sundeck.

It is a unique experience aboard a catamaran equipped with underwater windows to observe the underwater life and marine ecosystem. During the ride, you will be able to see more than 600 species of tropical fish, sharks, turtles, rays, lobsters, crabs and colorful corals.

To board a glass-bottom boat, you can choose between a daytime ride or the sunset boat ride. In the first option you will have more light and clarity to see the reef, it will be something that children will enjoy more. Now, if you prefer the second option, you can enjoy a glass of champagne while the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico and appreciate it as a family.

Food is one of life's great pleasures and enjoying the local cuisine as a family is a way to integrate with the culture and customs that define the city. In the case of Key West, it has a strong Cuban influence in its dishes and to get to know it, you can visit its restaurants on your own, or join a gastronomic tour of Key West.

In any case, you will be delighted to taste the tropical flavors of the sea. In addition, this gastronomic tour of the city is an activity to enjoy with children, as it will allow them to get to know new flavors and aromas, as well as have fun exploring the city' s historic streets and points of interest.

It is all about getting to know spaces through food, and embarking on this tour will take you on a gastronomic journey through the native dishes of the Keys. For example, pizzas made in wood-fired ovens, shrimp sandwiches, fish tacos, key lime pie and one or two surprise dishes that are sure to delight you. All this while admiring the colonial architecture, colorful wooden houses and palm trees that adorn the landscape.

Information of interest

• Price: the experience per person is around 90 €.
• Duration: it usually starts at 2:00 p.m. and lasts approximately 3 hours.
• Hours: every day from 14:00 hours.