96 Hours in Key West
Is Key West For You?
Key West is for you if you’re looking to go snorkelling to see the colourful coral reefs, enjoy the white sand beaches of Smather’s Beach, or simply to bar-hop with your friends along Duval Street.
To me, I think it’s a one & done; although I’ve technically been there on 3 different occasions now. One of which was a day trip - more on that later.
Do You Need a Car In Key West?
There’s no easy-to-use public transportation in Key West, but there are scooters, bikes, and golf carts for rent.
Trust us, you’ll see visitors riding them at nearly every street.
You might need need a car within the city, but you’ll certainly need a car to get to and from Key West.
Is it Better to Fly or Drive to Key West?
We’ve only driving from Miami to Key West, so we can’t speak for flying to the local airport.
It really depends on your budget & what you’re looking for.
Most visitors (like us) fly to Miami & stay there for a couple of days before going to Key West.
Personally, we believe that the 3.5 hour drive from Miami to Key West is part of the Keys vacation.
Is the Drive from Miami to Key West Worth It?
Definitely, as it is one of the most scenic & unique drives in North America...but you need to level your expectations.
One highlight is the drive over the (new) seven-mile bridge, where you are literally on a super long bridge.
It’s surreal to feel like you’re driving off the map in the southern-most point of the US.
Besides that, you’re driving from island to island along the Gulf.
What are the Best Things to Do in Key West?
Sunbathe & swim at Smather’s Beach
Take a sunset cruise with dolphin sighting
Enjoy the live music at different bars along Duval Street
Endulge yourself in the fresh seafood and key lime pies
How to Get to Key West from Miami (by Rental Car)?
With light traffic, it will take you 3.5 hours to drive from Miami’s International Airport to Key West.
With heavy traffic in Miami, it can take upwards of 4 hours.
With additional traffic along the Keys (4th of July), then prepare for 4.5 hours.
If this is your first-time driving in Florida, be aware that there are A LOT of electronic tolls.
In all 3 of my trips to Key West, we never opted to rent the transponder.
We just did a ‘pay-as-you-go’ approach to the tolls - which could still come up to $20-$40 if you spend 3-4 days driving around Miami.
When is the Best Time to Visit Key West?
From my trips, I have been to Key West during July, November, and January.
July was super hot...scorching hot, especially for a day trip with 7-8 hours in a car. Best time to go to the beach, but not for a day-trip.
November was doable since it was at the end of the hurricane season. It was still warm to sunbathe & swim at the Key West beaches, and perfect conditions for coral snorkelling.
January was a hit-or-miss (but mostly a miss based on our trip). We planned to spend 3 days laying on the beach & swimming. Instead, we spent those days bundled up in sweaters & jackets because of a rare arctic front.
Avoid visiting Key West between September and October since this is the famous recurring hurricane season.
Where Should You Stay in Key West?
We stayed at Winston Bungalows and Silver Palms Inn.
Winston Bungalows - Cozy bungalows with a coastal feel nested inside a mini-havana with 3 pools.
Silver Palms Inn - Budget-friendly accommodation for longer-term stays, while still walking distance to Duval Street.
Which Restaurants to Try in Key West?
Conch Republic - One of the tourist favourites for a casual seafood restaurant by the water.
Key Lime Pie Bakery - You must visit this little yellow restaurant to try a local Key Lime Pie.
Is Key West a Walkable City?
For the most part - yes, assuming that you’re staying within the heart of Key West.
If you’re interested in levelling up your Key West experience, then you can rent scooters and golf carts to get around the city. You’ll see a lot of them rolling around, especially in the evening.
Can You Swim in Key West All Year Round?
For the most part - yes.
When we visited in November 2022, we spend a day sunbathing & swimming at Smather’s Beach, and another day at Fort Zachary Beach.
Though, when we visited earlier this January, we brought the cold front to the Keys. So we couldn’t swim during the 4 days that we were in Key West. It was so cold that we had to dig up our jackets!
What’s the Most Beautiful Beach in Key West?
Smather’s Beach is the most scenic beach in the area.
With its white sand beach spanning along the coast, plus its shallow waist deep water that goes for days, Smather’s Beach is perfect for sunbathing and tanning.
FYI:: As of January 2025, there’s an ongoing construction on the street parallel to Smather’s Beach. This required us to park across the street in a public parking with potholes like the moon. Be careful & proceed with caution, especially with your rental car!
So, Can You Do 4 Days in Key West?
Yes, 4 days in Key West is more than enough for most sightseeing visitors looking for a couple of days on the beach.
Those visiting for Spring Break, or snowbirds from the North, often stay longer - anywhere from a week to a few months.
But if you’re just looking to cross it off your travel list, 96 hours is plenty of time to soak most of what Key West has to offer.
Swim & sunbathe at Smather’s Beach.
Consider coral reef snorkeling tours with some dolphin sightings.
Watch the sunset at Mallory Square, or while on a sunset cruise.
Dive in the bars playing live music along Duval Street.
And don’t forget to taste the special local pies & cheesecake at the Key Lime Pie Bakery.
As always: Travel safe. Have fun. Share your experience with us!
