Visiting Key West with kids is a great experience for everyone whether you’re spending a day or more. There’s much to do and various top sights to explore.
Whether you’re looking for unique things to do or hotels to stay in, you’ll want to read about the places the kids loved on our recent visit to The Keys.
Traveling to the southernmost point of the US is an interesting experience. Your kids will enjoy exploring some of the top sights, including The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
Walking across Duval Street alone is a wonderful experience. With history throughout, you can explore this iconic area, and its restaurants and shops.
Unique Things To Do
Top sights can be found nearby, like the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. The attraction is located at 1316 Duval St.
This attraction is open daily from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.
General admission is $15.
Monroe County residents pay a discounted price of $13.
Senior citizens 65+ and military families pay $12.
Children ages 4-12 pay $11.
Younger children are free.
The Truman Waterfront Park is one of the best places to explore for the kids. Not only will you find the history for you to teach the kids, but there are also pieces of equipment from navy ships that children can play with.
Those equipment pieces can be found throughout the playground for the kids to explore. There’s also a splash pad — more like a water playground — for everyone to cool off. This is the part of Key West kids will enjoy the most.
Located on Southard St, the Truman Waterfront Park is open to the public from 7 AM to 11 PM. The place is free of charge and is great for stretching out your legs.
People often spend up to 45 minutes here with the kids or just to enjoy the views by the water.
The Hemingway Home and Museum is a great place to visit if you’re looking to share a piece of culture with the kids, along with 17th- and 18th-century Spanish furniture. Several of Ernest Hemingway’s novels were written in that property, including A Farewell to Arms, Death in the Afternoon, and From Whom The Bells Tolls.
The Hemingway Home and Museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM with guided tours available. You can also roam the house on your own. It is located at 907 Whitehead St. This place is a part of history for Key West kids might enjoy learning about.
Admission is CASH ONLY.
General admission is $17 for adults.
Kids ages 6-12 pay $7.
Children ages 5 and under are free.
You can reach out to the main office for information on group rates for more than 12 people. The number to call is (305) 294-1136
Please note that there are various cats that live in the home. These feline residents can be touched during your visit but you aren’t allowed to pick them up.
Mallory Square is a great place to explore with the kids. It’s full of culture and allows you and your family the chance to explore local artisans.
With live entertainment at night, you can watch magic tricks, food vendors, local musicians, and psychics show off their talents. This location is a favorite place for locals and tourists alike.
Mallory Square is located at 400 Wall St. open from 6:30 AM to 11 PM daily for guests to visit. A great piece of Key West kids will love — filled with live-action.
Admission is free for everyone.
Vendors may charge fees for their products and/or services.
If you’re looking for a great place to catch the sunset, then Mallory Square is the place!
The Fort Zach Taylor Historic Park is a wonderful place full of history and sights for history buffs to enjoy.
As of May 21, 2021, scheduled tours have been postponed. Visitors can still take advantage of the beach, trails, fort, and restrooms that are open to the public.
Located at 601 Howard England Way, the Fort Zach Taylor Historic Park is open from 8 AM to sundown. The fort closes at 5 PM.
Admission is $6 per vehicle (limit is 2-8 people per vehicle).
A $0.50 Monroe County surcharge will be added, per person.
Extra passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians pay $2.50.
Passengers who are Annual Individual Pass holders pay $2.50 (this includes the Monroe County surcharge).
Single-occupant vehicles or motorcyclists pay $2.50 (this includes the Monroe County surcharge).
If you’re not a fan of crowds and prefer less touristy areas, then you’ll want to visit Fort Zach Taylor Historic Park to watch the sunset. This is where the locals go to enjoy the views.
The Key West Aquarium is where you’ll want to take the kids to explore marine animals. Let the kids take advantage of the Touch Tank to learn the different textures of the creatures that roam the seas.
Located at 1 Whitehead St, this aquarium lets kids learn ways to help sea turtles every day through the Sea Turtle Conservation Tour.
General admission is $18.26 for adults.
Children ages 4-12 pay $11.81.
If you choose to pay online, adult admission drops to $16.44 and $10.63 for kids.
Another local attraction you can visit with the family is the Shipwreck Museum. Here is where you relive what it was like to be on board Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856 on the Florida Keys reef, according to the museum website.
With actors, films, and real-life artifacts to tell the stories of adventures you’ll love, the Shipwreck Museum highlights the tales of what it was like to sail the treacherous waters in the Florida Keys.
It is located at 1 Whitehead St. as well.
General admission is $17.19 for adults.
Kids ages 4-12 pay $9.66.
If you choose to buy your tickets online, then the prices drop to $15.47 for adults and $8.69 for children. This is a great idea when traveling to Key West kids will want to explore.
Where To Stay In Key West With Kids
Choosing where to stay with family while visiting the area depends on your needs. For some, 2 bedroom suites in the area are enough. For others, an AirBnB would be best.
If you plan to travel up to 5 days, you’ll want to focus on comfort. With much to explore, the whole area has great views for you to see regardless of where you spend the night.
However, you’ll want to stay close to downtown and Duval St if you’d like to experience the town and all of its history.
Bonus: You’re closer to the attractions and best restaurants.
The Inn on Flemington is a popular place to stay for family and friends. Whether you’re looking to experience the nightlife or simply need a comfortable area to spend the night, you can count on the Inn on Flemington for a warm welcome.
The Inn on Flemington is less than 5 minutes away from Duval Street and all its attractions. The place is great for short stays and spending time with the family when visiting Key West with kids.
Another option is Ocean Key Resort & Spa on 0 Duval St. — walking distance from all the fun on Duval Street.
This is great if you’re hoping to stay in a relaxing place that’s close to local attractions you’ve planned to see.
Otherwise, you can opt for similar hospitality at 5950 Peninsular Ave. The Oceans Edge Resort & Marina.
This place was voted #6 Best Hotel in Florida by Travel + Leisure magazine. It’s more kid-friendly because the amenities include:
- Oversized chess set
- 6 outdoor pools
- Premium TV channels
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Fishing on-site
- Kayaking on-site
- Scooters/moped rentals on-site
- Free bicycles on-site
This is an amazing place in Key West kids can experience with the family.
Final Thoughts On Visiting The Southernest Point
Whether you’re planning to visit for a day or 5 days, you’ll want to focus on activities that are interesting to you and your family. It’s a wonderful place to explore because it’s full of history and culture.
Its free-spirited outlook gives this place has Caribbean vibes without having to leave the US.
If you’re looking to trade the crowds of Miami and Fort Lauderdale for a more calm setting, then you’ll want to head over to the Southernest point of Florida.
