Key West is considered an expensive place to visit. The beaches are free, of course. Gorgeous sunsets too! Over the years, I’ve found plenty of ways to enjoy the island without spending a lot. I'm sharing my info with you in this post.
I like to visit from December to April for lower humidity. Just be aware that hurricane season runs from June through November. It's also when you find the best deals on hotel stays. If you go last minute, you can avoid bad weather.
To get there, I usually fly into Key West International Airport (EYW). Once I flew to Miami and drove the Overseas Highway which was fun but it took some time.
Some of my favorite places to stay are The Palms Hotel near Old Town and Ibis Bay Beach Resort on the waterfront.
Best Free & Affordable Activities in Key West:
1. Relax on Smathers Beach
Rating: ★★★★★
For a beach enthusiast like me, it doesn't get better than Key West. Well, maybe. Inexpensive Key West is the best!
Start your day on the beach, it's free! You will find Smathers Beach approximately a mile from the island's city center. Since it's the largest public beach in Key West, you will have plenty of space to stretch your legs.
If you are visiting with kids, you'll be happy to know that the beach has ample visitor amenities, including public restrooms, chair and umbrella rentals, and local food trucks parked on site periodically.
2. Visit Key West Wildlife Center
If you like animals and nature, don't miss the Key West Wildlife Center.
It's completely free.
You will find it within the island's seven-acre Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park.
Follow the nature trail to observe animals, migratory birds, freshwater pond and two aviary facilities.
Bring a picnic lunch and eat outdoors at the provided picnic tables.
Kid-friendly Free Activities in Key West:
3. Learn about native plants and animals at The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Next head to the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, a fantastic natural history museum.
Admission and parking are free.
My favorites were the replica of Atlantis and the 2,500-gallon reef tank.
My son went to see the short documentary film, "Reflections of the Florida Keys," twice!
4. Join the Free Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Attend the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration which showcases a wide variety of street performers, arts and crafts vendors, magicians, and other entertainers.
You'll get to watch beautiful glowing sunsets over the water. Buy popcorn, fresh coconuts, chips, smoothing and other items from food carts parked in the square.
For me, it was the perfect end to a relaxing day!
I stayed at Havana Cabana which has rooms starting at $130.
Romantic Free Activities in Key West:
5. Snorkel on Higgs Beach
Next day, start your day at Higgs Beach (free).
Bring your snorkel and check out the only shoreline-accessible underwater marine park in the U.S.
Your kids can play on the children's playground.
If you are interested in learning about more history, go on a self-guided tour of Civil War-era sights.
If you are traveling with your dog, visit the dog park.
6. Enjoy the Fantasy Fest in October
Time your visit to conicide with Fantasy Fest, an annual Key West street party held each year during the last week of October.
Tickets are event-specific, depending on what you decide to see. Some events are free and many are very affordable. Costume parties and body paint abound!
7. Go on a Key West Historic Marker Tour
Go on a Key West Historic Marker Tour, a self-guided cell phone and GPS walking tour throughout some of the island's most historic buildings and landmarks.
It's accessible for free and available in multiple languages.
Follow along where historic markers and plaques have been placed at more than 50 locations throughout the island.
You can download additional audio history about each site via smartphone or dial a toll-free phone number to hear more about each site.
8. Take a picture at The Southernmost Point
See the anchored concrete buoy that commemorates the disputed Southernmost Point.
You'll find it at the intersection of Whitehead and South Streets. It stands 12 feet tall, located at 18 feet above sea.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to bookmark my page about Key West where I keep adding new articles.
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