The Key West is a gem of Florida and the larger East Coast, filled with lots of summer opportunities for adventurers, food lovers, vacationists and explorers. Located in the Southernmost end of the Continental United States, the Key West is both a hub of the best attractions and a paradise for tourists and vacation goers. The unlimited opportunities and beautiful sceneries, sites, culture, and vibe are just a whole different experience for all visitors and travelers who love the world. These are the top attractions to explore in Key West in summer.
10 Mallory Square
For travelers and all visitors to Key West, Mallory Square sun-watching is a must-do activity as it sets on the distant horizon over the Gulf of Mexico. Travelers also enjoy the sunset celebration in the square with lots of dances, performances, vendors, and talent shows from diverse groups, including magicians and artists, who have made this place adorable since 1960 as a tradition. Apart from the golden hue as the sun sets, visitors can also enjoy other attractions like local art, shops in Mallory, souvenirs, and refreshments.
9 Duval Street
Duval Street is a beautiful area with a wide range of attractions, including hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops designed to provide entertainment to tourists and cruise ship passengers. It is the main street with all the vibe and energy of the city well concentrated and balanced to give visitors the pleasure they deserve. Popular historic homes and tourist attractions, including Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shop and Hemingway Days Festival, are found here.
8 Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most popular top attractions to explore in Key West in summer. “Dry Park” is derived from the fact that it lacks fresh water, and “Tortugas” was generated from the number of Turtles found here. Tourists can access the place by boat or seaplane, where they enjoy snookering, diving, and swimming and visit Fort Jefferson – the largest brick masonry structure in America.
7 The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is a unique must-visit site for all tourists and travelers. The site was home to the famous author Ernest Hemingway who bought it from a colonialist and developed it. It is a frequented place by tourists, and advisably, visitors would prefer to visit it early.
The site has a historical Hemingway collection of Spanish furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries. About 40 descendants of the Hemingway's brood of house cats roaming the park he argued to have created with all his finances.
6 Key West Nature and Butterfly Conservatory
Key West Nature and Butterfly Conservatory is a top family-friendly attraction to explore in Key West in summer. This site attracts children of all ages who enjoy walking among more than 50 different species of butterflies in the butterfly and nature conservancy. The natural habitat also hosts more than 20 different species of birds that reside here, making it such an attraction for every kind of visitor and vacation goers, be it a family vacation, photographers, nature lovers, or children. For educational visits, the site offers an exhibition of the life cycle of a butterfly.
5 Southernmost Point
In the Key West, travelers experience the ultimate Southern point of the Continental Southernmost United States. The point is marked with yellow, black, and red concrete on Whitehead Street. Vendors and performers congregate here to sell and showcase their talents and merchandise as the tourists enjoy the real feel of Mallory. It also provides a selfie-friendly background for visitors who are willing to line up and wait for a turn. It is a quite lively spot and one of the most photographed.
4 Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
The museum tells of a fisherman who discovered several shipwrecks, including one with exceedingly valuable artifacts and another with valuables of historical value. The two shipwrecks named Santa Margarita and Henrietta Marie are a must-see for tourists and explorers visiting Key West. The museum exhibit numerous artifacts and tools discovered and retrieved from the wreck that pay a rich tribute to history, including tools used for navigation, other daily tools used by sailors, 77.76-carat emerald, underwater archeology, and video demonstrations. Diving lessons are also offered.
3 Fort Zachary Taylor Historical State Museum
The fort, built between 1845 and 1866, was meant for protection during the Civil War. It is a major attraction as it gives visitors a kick-back in time to the past by demonstrating an extensive collection of age-old armaments from the civil war era. The site is worth a visit as an important Historical Landmark. The beach offers a conducive picnic spot for tourists with a nice snookering area and nature walk paths. Concerts and events take place here, including a pirate festival too.
2 The Overseas Highway
A real Key West experience is worth the thrill and scenic drive along the longest overseas journey through interconnected bridges. The popular highway has been a popular site for films, featured in several movies, including 2 Fast 2 Furious and License to Kill. The highway is a two-way road that is not very friendly to speeding where most tourists and travelers have to do about 45 miles per hour. However, the experience is worth the time and the drive regardless of the island time thrill.
1 Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Museum
The historical landmark is among the top attractions to explore in Key West in summer. The Lighthouse was built in 1847 and opened in 1848 after completion – work done by a female keep. The construction was such a rare creation of that time, having been done by a female. The Lighthouse stands 86 feet high, and for better views, tourists consider climbing it to 84 feet at the deck. It houses furniture, household items, and photos of keepers who maintained the fire despite being decommissioned after its lenses fell obsolete.