Epic Key West 3 Day Itinerary for the Ultimate Trip
She saw Key West | An epic 3 day itinerary for an unforgettable vacation.
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Whether your trip is a long weekend or during the week, Key West has plenty to do. On my trip to the Florida Keys, we saw, we biked, and we ate so much Key Lime Pie! Key West is known for its warm weather and breathtaking sunsets, and this 3 Day Itinerary will help you experience the best the southernmost end of the United States has to offer. Plus a different amazing sunset spot for each night! If you want to skip to the good part (the Key Lime Pie of course), check out my post of the best gluten-free Key Lime Pie in Key West.
Key West, FLKey West 3 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Tour the Historic District
Day 2: See the beaches by bike
Day 3: Go out on the water
Getting to Key West
If you’re not already planning to get to South Florida by car, train, or boat, my favorite tip for finding cheap flight deals is signing up for Going! Going is cheap flight alerting, and they’ll send you emails when they find a flight deal from your home airport or nearby. I signed up years ago and have seen many flight deals come through for Florida. We flew into the Miami airport and rented a car for a road trip to Key West and back. The drive was awesome, and I would highly recommend making it a Miami to Key West road trip or taking some time in the Northern Keys outside of this itinerary if time allows.
Key Items to Pack
- Sunscreen – we were there in early April and the UV index went to 11 every day!
- Sun Hat – sun hats are very popular in Key West given the weather and UVs. This sun hat from Amazon is one of my favorites.
- Sun Protection Shirt – another very popular item in Key West! My favorite is this UPF 50 button-down sun protection shirt from Amazon. It’s really easy to style with each outfit I brought.
- Water Shoes – For some of the water activities, you might want some comfy water shoes to wear for the activity and the rest of the day. I wore this pair of water shoes from Amazon around all day.
Day 1: Tour the Historic District
On the first day in a new location, I always like to start by seeing some of the more touristy attractions, like monuments and landmarks. We walked on foot, since the spots aren’t too far apart, but you can also rent bikes or take the free Duval Loop shuttle bus. Tip: you can track the Duval Loop bus in real-time on the website! That was really helpful for knowing when we needed to be at the stop.
If you prefer guided tours instead, the Conch Tour Train is a 90 minute narrated tour and goes past the Key West Aquarium, Southernmost Point, and more. The Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour is another popular option and goes by Mallory Square, Hemingway House, and more.
Here are some spots to explore on Day 1:
Southernmost Point Buoy
The Southernmost Point Buoy marks the southernmost point of the contiguous United States. We originally went mid-morning, and there was a long line to take a photo with it. We were able to snap some pics of the buoy itself between groups though. You could also sit on the ledge in front of it for a picture if you want to avoid waiting in line. We came back around 9:30am the next morning and there were only a few groups in line, which was perfect.
Southermost Point BuoyKey West Lighthouse
From there, we walked up Whitehead Street to the Key West Lighthouse. You can tour the lighthouse and the keeper’s quarters, or just view it from the outside. Tickets were $17 but a little bit cheaper if bought online.
Ernest Hemingway House
The Hemingway House is very close by, so it’s easy to see the lighthouse and Hemingway House at the same time. Tickets to go inside and on a guided tour are $18.
Mile 0 Road Marker
These signs mark the beginning and end of highway US-1, which runs from Maine to this exact location. There is a sign on each side of the street: one for marking the end of US-1 South, and another for the beginning of US-1 North.
Mile Marker 0 for US-1 NorthTruman Little White House
The Little White House is where Harry Truman spent part of his presidency, and it’s situated on a cute cobblestone street. Eisenhower, JFK, Taft, Carter, and Clinton also visited during their time as President. Note that the actual Little White House is not right by the gated street entrance. It’s actually further back and has a historical marker and Presidential car out front. We mistakenly thought the first white house we saw was “the” white house and were surprised when we stumbled upon the actual one! The museum offers tours, and tickets are about $25.
Tarpon Feeding at the Marina
Every day at 4pm, they feed the tarpons off the marina docks near the White Tarpon restaurant. Tarpons are pretty big fish, so it’s amazing to see them surface and sometimes jump to catch the bait!
Mallory Square Shops
Mallory Square is a spot right on the water and has some cute shops to explore and find some souvenirs. The real highlight of Mallory Square though comes as the sun starts to go down.
Sunset at Mallory Square Celebration
90 minutes before sunset, the Mallory Square Celebration kicks off. It includes performers, live music, vendors, and a beautiful view of a gorgeous sunset.
Day 2: See the Beaches by Bike
On the second day of your trip, it’s time to hit the beach! We rented bikes from Fury during our trip, and it was the best decision. With Fury, the bike rental was for the full 24 hour day, not the business day, so we were able to use the bikes all day and return them the next morning. On bike, we were able to see so much more of Key West while still enjoying the outdoors.
Bike Rental in Key WestHiggs Beach
Higgs Beach was my favorite beach we visited. It’s the least rocky, and did not have too much seaweed while we were there. There’s also activities on the beach, like volleyball courts and a playground. There’s a small pier to walk down, and we saw a sting ray from the pier! Perfect for swimming, relaxing, and exploring.
County Beach and Edward B. Knight Pier
Just East of Higgs Beach is the Edward B. Knight Pier. We biked along this pier to the end, where there is great fishing and plenty of sea-life to watch. There was also people swimming nearby at County Beach.
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach Area
We also biked into the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, which has a very nice beach area near the Fort. The beach here is pretty rocky and has some seaweed, but it was still a good spot to swim and relax. There’s also some trees for shade and picnic tables to hang out. Admission into the State Park is $2.50 for bikes.
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach AreaSunset at Sunset Pier
After a day at the beach, head to Sunset Pier for another beautiful view of the sunset. Enjoy more live music, food, and drinks. I had the Rosé Sangria, and it was so good! While the sun goes down, you can also watch all the boats go by on their own sunset adventures.
Day 3: Go out on the Water
On your last day, take some time to go out on the water! It’s a great way to enjoy the day and see more marine life than you can from the shore.
Snorkeling Boat Tour
Fury has plenty of boat tours available where you can see the Keys from the ocean and dive in! From dolphin watching to parasailing and double snorkeling, there are many options to explore with Fury Water Adventures Key West.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
In addition to the snorkeling tours, Fury also has a Glass Bottom boat tour. On the tour, you can see the coral reef and all the sea animals that live there!
Sunset at Truman Waterfront Park
Once you’re back on land, catch your last sunset in Key West at my favorite sunset spot. At Truman Waterfront Park, bring a picnic or some drinks and watch the sun go down, without Sunset Key blocking its final moments above the horizon. It was also a lot less crowded, so we were really able to just enjoy the moment. Definitely an unforgettable memory and the perfect way to cap off your Key West 3 day adventure.
Key West sunset
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