After living in Key West for about 2 years, I’d like to think I know the inside scoop about this quirky little island. If you are travelling to Key West for the first time, these tips and tricks will be helpful to keep in mind while planning your visit!
Also, be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide To Key West, Florida for some more tips and recommendations to get the most out of your trip!
1. It’s pronounced CON-K, not CON-CH.
This might sound trivial and unimportant, but hear me out!
Key West is also known as the Conch Republic and its residents proudly refer to themselves as “conchs.” Most restaurants also have the unique, local food called conch fritters on their menus. You’re going to want to say con-ch, however, it’s pronounced CON-K. You’ll definitely impress the locals for pronouncing it the correct way!
2. Hotels and food = PRICEY.
It’s no surprise that Key West’s crystal blue waters, epic bar scene, and sunsets bring with it a bit of a price tag.
According to Key West tourism statistics, the average nightly hotel rate is $260.04. You can save money on lodging by visiting in the shoulder season (April-June).
Another great way to help save is to rent an Airbnb. You might be able to find a place cheaper than a hotel room, but with a kitchen! This gives you the opportunity to cook some meals at your Airbnb and budget money for other fun things!
3. Parking downtown is difficult and expensive.
Whether you are road tripping down to Key West or planning on renting a vehicle, one good thing to know is that parking can be hard to find near Duval Street and parking lots are expensive. If your hotel is downtown, I wouldn’t recommend renting a car. Even if you are staying on the opposite side of the island from Duval, many hotels have shuttles that will transport you back and forth at no extra cost.
You can also rent a scooter, bike, or golf cart for a day to see areas of the island that are a little harder to get to on foot (like Fort Zachary Taylor State Park).
4. You might want to steer clear of Fantasy Fest.
Fantasy Fest is a 10-day festival held every October on Duval Street. The festival is full of costumes, body painting, music, parades, and activities. However, it is a pretty adult-rated event.
I suggest if you aren’t into partying and prefer a bit of a more family-friendly vibe, steer clear of Fantasy Fest.
5. Visit Duval Street during the day for a more family-friendly scene.
Duval Street is full of fun shops and restaurants – but also a ton of bars.
If you want to walk the full length of Duval but you also want to steer clear of bachelor/bachelorette parties and loud groups, then you’ll want to take the stroll during the day.
6. Seaweed is commonly found on the beaches during summer.
Key West beaches are beautiful…but not all the time. In the summer months, the beaches receive a good amount of sargassum seaweed. The worst part is when it starts to rot on the beach, it gives off a pretty foul smell.
If you’re headed to Key West in the summer months, you may want to plan some days that don’t revolve around hanging out at the beach.
7. It’s illegal to feed the wild chicken.
Key West is known for it’s free-range chickens. They’re fun to see and make great photo-ops, but, unfortunately, it’s against the law to feed them and it’s punishable by a $250-$500 fine.
If I’m being honest, I didn’t always abide by this rule. But that’s between me and you.😉
8. Key West is a cruise ship port.
December through April are the busiest months for cruise ships which means that the island will be more crowded than usual.
This also means, if you only want to enjoy Key West for one day and you’re looking to explore Jamaica or the Bahamas as well, a cruise through Key West might be a good option!
9. You can watch the sunset from other places besides Mallory Square.
Don’t get me wrong, I highly recommend experiencing the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. You’ll see street performers, local artists, and live music – along with a stunning sunset! However, this experience attracts quite the crowd.
Another great option is Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (my personal favorite). Or hang out on either Higgs Beach Pier or Edward B. Knight Pier to catch the sunset with fewer crowds.
For a different type of experience, book a sunset sail to watch the sunset with drinks and food on the water. There are many different sunset sails to choose from so one is sure to fit your liking!
