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My family has been down to the Keys and Key West a couple of times. While Key West has a reputation as a drinking destination, neither my husband nor I drink and we’ve had fun down there with our very young son. We’ve done combined trips with Disney World and the Keys (may as well go all the way to the end if we’re in Florida anyway), so when we go to Key West it’s a great time to relax and enjoy not having to wait in theme park lines.
With that said, one of my favorite things we’ve done down there was spend a day at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. It’s very cheap to get in. Take a cooler with drinks and food, get there early, pick out a picnic table under a palm or pine tree and just enjoy doing nothing for the entire day. The water is beautiful, but be prepared for the jagged rocks that you have to walk over to get into the water. The rocks are brutal on your feet, but the water is also warm and calm (not like a regular ocean) once you get past the rocks. We bought snorkel sets at the Walgreens on Duval St. and LOVED snorkeling around the rocks at the state park. There were tons of fish. While there weren’t beautiful reefs or anything like that, we still did this for hours and had the sunburn to prove it. It’s relaxing swimming with fish in their natural habitat.
Also, while we were there we saw what looked like possibly Navy Seals doing training. A boat was in the water in the distance and there were dive flags out. The boat had been out there for a while when we finally saw the guys rising from the water and coming ashore in full gear and arms. That caught everyone’s attention and was really interesting!
Everyone says Mallory Square is the place to see a Key West sunset, but I don’t think it’s the best. The street performers there in the evening are cool, but walk around until you find a place to see the sun where small islands aren’t blocking the sun setting on the ocean.
Our favorite restaurant down there is the Conch Republic Seafood Co. My husband is partial to their Cuban Sandwich. He craves it still! It’s also neat to eat at the original Margaritaville that Jimmy Buffett opened if you happen to be a Parrothead.
One thing to definitely consider doing is a sailboat ride. We did a sunset sail with this company (http://www.sail-keywest.com/) and it was like heaven on earth. There are many companies that offer sunset cruises and things like that in Key West, but this one is great if you aren’t wanting the “party atmosphere”. There are many catamarans and boats that blare music and have rowdy people on it, but this one is different. You get out there on the water to enjoy the OCEAN and only the sound of the waves and flapping sails. They offer sodas, water, beer and light snacks (cheese, crackers, shrimp cocktail). The sunset was beautiful and it was fun seeing the crew raising the sails. Some of the best money we’ve spent on any of our many vacations!! Absolutely AWESOME and the crew was as friendly as could be!
Oh, also check out the huge Banyan tree at the Banyan Hotel. If you’re just out walking and exploring it’s a cool thing to see.
Honestly, the thing I like most about the Keys though is the drive down. Seeing the blue and turquoise waters on each side of the highway is surreal and beautiful. You can’t see that anywhere else.
My advice is to just go down there and enjoy relaxing. Don’t feel like you have to plan a bunch of touristy things to do. Walk around and enjoy the island life. Just enjoy the laid back atmosphere and let your worries go. :) Enjoy your trip!
P.S.- DO NOT go to Smathers Beach. It is smelly and covered with seaweed and questionable people. Absolutely disgusting. If you want to go to a beach, just go to Fort Z. Taylor State Park.