What to do in Lower Florida Keys, FL

Activities, attractions and tours

Florida Keys Aerial View from airplane; Shutterstock ID 123708478; purchase_order: SP-1269 HA 2018 Batch 1; Order: ; client: ; other:
Florida Keys Aerial View from airplane; Shutterstock ID 123708478; purchase_order: SP-1269 HA 2018 Batch 1; Order: ; client: ; other:
The sign says it all.
Last picture for 2016! This is the South Coaling Dock Ruins at Dry Tortugas National Park. I could not get over the colors in the water! 2016, you've been fun, but I cannot wait for 2017!! I have a feeling the new year is going to bring a lot of adventures!
Life is just more colorful in the Florida Keys!

Lower Florida Keys Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Lower Florida Keys has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Lower Florida Keys is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Lower Florida Keys to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Lower Florida Keys Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Lower Florida Keys.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Lower Florida Keys attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Duval Street

Coming to Florida’s Key West and not experiencing Duval Street is missing one of the area’s most important commercial roads. It’s the main street on the island. Visit at any time. At the end of the day, when the heat abates and beachgoers have packed up, the street truly comes into its own. Being bored on Duval Street is a rarity.
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Duval Street featuring signage

2. Smathers Beach

On an island filled with private beaches, this popular stretch of public shoreline is among the most majestic. Featuring over a half-mile (0.8 kilometer) of white, palm-lined sand, Smathers Beach is a destination for water sports lovers and those seeking quiet time in the sun. Spend a day snorkeling, kayaking or playing beach volleyball as you make friends on the beach known for its social atmosphere.
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Smathers Beach which includes a luxury hotel or resort, tropical scenes and a beach

3. Mallory Square

This popular town square, adjacent to excellent dining and lively bars is home to one of Key West’s longest-running traditions. Perched on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, Mallory Square hosts Key West’s Sunset Celebration every evening of the year. Watch as the square bursts with color and sound as hundreds of visitors to the island converge to watch one of the most picturesque sunsets in the United States. Surrounding the square are some of Key West’s best restaurants, great shopping and hotels catering to all budgets.
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Mallory Square showing a square or plaza, signage and outdoor art

4. Southernmost Point

Visit the Southernmost Point of the United States for a unique photo opportunity and views toward Cuba. Pose in front of the huge structure emblazoned with the words, “Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.” and “90 miles to Cuba,” for a memorable photograph.
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Southernmost Point showing signage

5. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a sublime natural setting that provides idyllic swimming and birdwatching conditions. At its core is the historic Fort Taylor and what is thought to be the world’s largest Civil War arms collection. Bring U.S. history to life by walking down the passageways of this well-preserved fortress.
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Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park showing military items, heritage elements and interior views

6. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to reveal the eccentricities of Ernest Hemingway’s life. For most of the 1930s, one of the most revered authors of the 20th century lived in a Spanish colonial house in the heart of tropical Key West. Meet six-toed cats and see the studio in which some of Hemingway’s most famous novels were written. Find a vast collection of art, hunting trophies and household items as you wander through the house and gardens.
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Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum featuring heritage elements and a house

7. South Beach

Conveniently located at the end of one of Key West’s main streets and just a short walk from the center of the town, this tiny beach is the most popular on the island. While its warm water, perfect swimming conditions and stunning views attract many visitors, some visit South Beach simply to say they’ve been to the southernmost beach in the continental United States. Find a spot on the crowded beach to immerse yourself in the lively Key West atmosphere or simply stop by for a quick swim on your way into town.
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South Beach featuring a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a small group of people

Recommended things to do in Lower Florida Keys

Number of things to do
247
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Hemingway's Key West Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: CA $11
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Lower Florida Keys

Discover the most popular places to visit in Lower Florida Keys

Duval Street featuring signage

Duval Street

Along one of the southernmost streets in the continental U.S., enjoy a lively area filled with shops, pubs, restaurants and lots of sidewalk acts and vendors.

Duval Street
Aerial view from Venture Out on Cudjoe Key Florida., Shutterstock ID 757510879, Purchase Order: Wave 0 First Batch, Order Number: , Client/Licensee: Hotels.com / BEX, Other: Mixed Budget

Florida Keys Beaches

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Florida Keys Beaches during your trip to Long Beach Estates?

Florida Keys Beaches
Smathers Beach which includes a luxury hotel or resort, tropical scenes and a beach

Smathers Beach

Key West’s popular party beach has an electric atmosphere on the weekends and is a destination for water sports lovers.

Smathers Beach
Mallory Square which includes a sunset and a bay or harbor as well as a large group of people

Mallory Square

Arrive at this square at day’s end to find street performers, food carts and one of the most beautiful sunsets in the United States.

Mallory Square
Southernmost Point featuring signage as well as a large group of people

Southernmost Point

Snap a memorable photograph from the edge of North America at this monumental landmark.

Southernmost Point
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park featuring a beach and general coastal views

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

The displays of old weapons and interpretive panels in a fort at the heart of the southernmost state park in the continental U.S. provide information about the Civil War.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum featuring heritage elements and a house

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Meet six-toed cats and watch as the life of one America’s great writers unfolds before your eyes at his former home.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
South Beach featuring a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a small group of people

South Beach

The southernmost beach in the continental United States is a convenient sandy enclave, just minutes from the center of town.

South Beach
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Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina

Explore the waterfront of Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina and enjoy activities such as boating in Key West. Discover the area's beautiful sunsets and lively bars.

Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina

Explore areas of Lower Florida Keys

Key West Historic District

Old Town Key West

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Old Town, the historic heart of Key West, boasts a central business district and numerous tourist attractions. Explore the Key West Aquarium, Ernest Hemingway House, Mallory Square, and more in this vibrant area.

Old Town Key West
Audubon House and Tropical Gardens featuring a house

Key West Historic District

4.5/5(156 area reviews)

Old Town Key West boasts a rich history with 2485 historic buildings, and is home to popular attractions like Ernest Hemingway House and Mallory Square. Enjoy the lively atmosphere in the central business district.

Key West Historic District
Duval Street

Downtown Key West

If you're spending some time in Downtown Key West, Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Key West
Wide aerial panorama of Key West, Florida

New Town

4/5(16 area reviews)

Though New Town might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Smathers Beach and Fort East Martello Museum and Gallery.

New Town
Sunset on Carnival Cruise in Key West.

Uptown - Upper Duval

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Uptown - Upper Duval, Duval Street and Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory are top sights worth seeing.

Uptown - Upper Duval
Mallory Square showing a sunset and general coastal views as well as a small group of people

Historic Seaport

While visiting Historic Seaport, you might make a stop by sights like Duval Street and Audubon House and Tropical Gardens.

Historic Seaport

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Lower Florida Keys

South Beach featuring tropical scenes, general coastal views and a beach

Key West

Big Pine Key featuring a bay or harbour, general coastal views and a river or creek

Big Pine Key

View To Old Bahia Honda Bridge, Part Of The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trails, From West Summerland Key On A Sunny Autumn Day With A Clear Blue Sky And A Few Clouds

Summerland Key

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