Cheap things to do in Key West
Cuban coffee, Hemingway bars, mangrove paddles, and almost nothing over $20.
This is Key West for people who want the real thing without the resort bill: strong Cuban coffee in the morning, cold beer in a historic saloon at night, and the Gulf in between. All three days run on foot and cheap tickets, with one kayak trip as the single splurge. If your idea of a good trip is a full stomach and a bar stool with a story, this is it.
Day 1: Old Town, harbor end
Start with the island's best coffee, walk past actual sunken treasure, eat conch by the water, and end the night where Hemingway ran up his tab.
- 9:30 AM
Cuban Coffee Queen
Cuban coffee window near the harbour; a cortadito and buttered Cuban toast for a few dollars.
Map - 10:30 AM
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Real 1622 Spanish galleon treasure, gold, silver, emeralds, and conservators working live; free to browse the courtyard exhibit outside.
Map - 12:30 PM
The Conch Shack
Cheap, casual seafood shack a short walk away, top-rated and the right price for a thrifty lunch.
Map - 6:00 PM
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Free nightly show of jugglers and musicians; come two hours before sunset and watch it drop into the Gulf.
Map - 7:30 PM
Pepe's Cafe
The Keys' oldest eating house, open since 1909; simple seafood and steaks on a shady patio.
Map - 9:00 PM
Captain Tony's Saloon
The original Sloppy Joe's where Hemingway and Tennessee Williams drank, historic, cheap, and the best local bar story on the island.
Map
Day 2: Lighthouse, beach, Green Parrot
Climb the 1848 lighthouse for the view, swim the best beach on the island for a few dollars, then let the Green Parrot's live music carry the rest of the evening.
- 9:30 AM
- 10:15 AM
Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters
Climb 88 steps up the 1848 lighthouse for the best elevated Old Town view, rooftops and both coasts, cheap ticket.
Map - 12:30 PM
El Siboney Restaurant
Old-school Cuban on Catherine Street: roast pork, black beans and rice, sweet plantains, big portions.
Map - 2:15 PM
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Key West's best beach plus a Civil War-era fort; a small state park fee, and bring water shoes.
Map - 7:30 PM
Frita's Cuban Burgers
Cuban frita burger topped with crispy shoestring potatoes; cheap, fast and filling.
Map - 9:00 PM
Green Parrot
Key West institution since 1890, free popcorn, some of Florida's best live music, and a genuinely cheap local bar.
Map
Day 3: Gardens, mangroves, lower Duval
A slow botanical garden walk gives way to two hours paddling mangrove tunnels, then jerk chicken and a Civil War fort before drag shows close out the trip.
- 10:00 AM
Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
Native hardwood forest and freshwater ponds on Stock Island; open 10 to 4, $15 for adults.
Map - 11:00 AM
Lazy Dog Adventures - backcountry kayaking
Guided 2-hour paddle through mangrove tunnels and seagrass flats in the Wildlife Refuge, the whole reason to be in this part of town.
Map - 1:30 PM
Yahman's Authentic Jamaican Jerk Shack
Cheap, filling Jamaican jerk straight off the grill, perfect post-paddle fuel.
Map - 2:30 PM
Fort East Martello Museum
Fort East Martello Museum, affordable local history and Civil War-era fort, a proper afternoon thing to do.
Map - 7:30 PM
Smoked BBQ
Brisket, ribs and pulled pork served on a converted boat at the Garrison Bight marina.
Map - 9:30 PM
801 Bourbon Bar
Nightly drag shows upstairs at the 801 Cabaret; a small cover, and bring cash to tip.
Map
Where to stay
NYAH Key West
Cheap, well-located in Old Town, and squarely aimed at travellers who want a bed and a pool, not a minibar.
Key West Hostel & Seashell House
The most wallet-friendly option on the island, a short walk from Duval, and the kind of place thrifty regulars keep coming back to.
Make Key West your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Key West Food Tours Southernmost Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour: a few days ahead
- Dry Tortugas National Park: months ahead
- Reef Snorkelling with Fury or Sebago, Key West: a few days ahead
- Sunset Sail, Key West: a few days ahead
- Key West Fishing Charter, Charter Boat Row: weeks ahead
- Sandbar Charter, Key West Backcountry: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Duval restaurants with barkers, photo menus and 2 for 1 boards. Eat a block off Duval, in Bahama Village, on Truman or on Stock Island.
- The Southernmost Buoy at midday means a long photo queue. Go before 9am. Avoid timeshare pitches sold as free sunset cruises.
- Key West beaches are narrow and rocky over coral. Bring water shoes and take a boat for the best swimming, or drive to Bahia Honda.
The full Key West travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around