Key West is a paradise for couples seeking a romantic getaway. You might be surprised to learn that the island offers countless opportunities of romance.
Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, an anniversary celebration, or just a special trip for two, Key West has something to offer.
From leisurely bike rides through historic neighborhoods to spectacular sunset cruises, discover the best romantic activities that this tropical destination has to offer. There’s even a thing or two for a more high-energy romantic date!
Keep reading to learn some of the best things to do in Key West if you’re looking for a romantic getaway!
Have a Spa Day
If you like to relax at the spa, there are tons of options. This is also a great option if you happen to be in Key West on a rainy day. There are a lot of spas to choose from in Key West:
- Ocean Wellness Spa and Salon
- Spa Al Mare at Casa Marina Key West
- SpaTerre at the Ocean Key Resort
- The Spa at Sunset Key
- The Pier House Resort
- Tranquility Spa
- Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa
Shopping
If you enjoy shopping, there are several areas to do that in Key West. Duval Street, Mallory Square, and Lazy Way Lane next to the Historic Seaport are all fun areas to browse. Key West has everything from your typical tourist-type shops with $5 t-shirts, locally-owned boutiques, and some chains like Lilly Pulitzer.
West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club
This is one of my favorite things to do in Key West and something I consider to be a hidden gem. Note that is not the Fort East Martello Museum where you can explore the fort and meet Robert the Doll.
The West Martello Tower is a Civil War-era fort. Construction lasted from 1863 until 1873. Despite 10 years of constrution, it was never finished. Later, it was a quarry for residents, it housed troops during the Spanish American War, and housed radio station in both World Wars.
The fort was turned over to the county in 1947 and became an eyesore. Most locals wanted it to be torn down but instead the Key West Garden Club took over. Today, it is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Volunteers of the Garden Club maintain the grounds to this day and they couldn’t do a better job. You feel like you’re away from it all while you visit here, there are endless tropical plants. And did I mention all of this is waterfront?
Go Dancing/Live music
There is no shortage of places to dance and/or listen to live music in Key West. You don’t really even have to seek it out, just step outside and listen and I’m sure you’ll find some. Almost every bar has live music most nights.
Our favorite places for live music:
- Smokin Tuna
- Green Parrot
- Hog’s Breath
- Schooner Wharf
- Rick’s
Coffee Butler Amphitheater also has a lot of big musicians come and play. You need tickets for the events there.
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
The Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden is proud to be the only frost-free botanical garden in the continental United States. It is located on 15 acres and has nice trails, boardwalks, and tons of gorgeous plants, birds, and butterflies.
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is located on Stock Island (right on the edge of New Town in Key West) and it’s not a well known destination, so it’s not uncommon to feel like you have the place entirely to yourself. It’s a great place to take a romantic stroll.
Key West Lighthouse
You can climb to the top of the Key West lighthouse for incredible views of the island. The top of the lighthouse has 360 degree views, which include the Hemingway Home, the Southernmost Point, and the water. To make it even more romantic, you can even book a sunset experience at the lighthouse.
Rent Bikes
Key West is a small island but if you want to go from Duval to the beaches, you can’t walk. But with a bike, you can do it all. There is something so special about renting bikes and riding them around Old Town or along the beaches.
Renting bikes is a really fun activity in Key West. My favorite places to bike around are Truman Annex, Old Town Key West, and around Truman Waterfront Park.
Catch a Sunset
Catching a sunset in Key West can be a romantic way to end the day. Most people know about the Sunset Celebration/watching the sunset at Mallory Square. While I recommend checking it out while you’re in town (it’s touristy, but it’s also a must-do Key West activity), there are much more romantic places to catch the sunset in Key West.
Take a Sunset Cruise
Being out on a boat while watching the sun go down with a drink in your hand has to be one of the most romantic things to do in Key West. Key West has several options of sunset cruises, from party cruises to sailboat cruises. Depending on the cruise you take, this can also be a more cost-effective way to get out on the water. Seeing a beautiful sunset from the water is a really fun experience.
Parasailing
While parasailing has kind of a reputation of being for thrill-seekers, I actually find it kind of relaxing once I’m in the air. You can catch stunning views of the island and the crystal-clear turquoise water.
Whether you find it romantic or thrill-seeking, it’s a fun and unique way to spend some time together.
Dry Tortugas
Dry Tortugas is a huge bucket list activity. It is not cheap, but it is something you’ll remember forever.
Dry Tortugas is approximately 70 miles off the coast of Key West and is only accessible by boat or seaplane. You can rent a private charter to take you there, take the Dry Tortugas ferry, or travel via seaplane. The most inexpensive way to get there is by taking the ferry ($220 per adult).
The park is known for Fort Jefferson, its stunning blue waters, snorkeling, coral reefs, marine life, and bird life.
Grab a coffee and wander the historic key west seaport
Grabbing a coffee from Cuban Coffee Queen and wandering the seaport is one of my favorite morning activities. The seaport is usually pretty quiet in the morning and it’s fun to watch Key West wake up.
A lot of boat tours leave out of the seaport and it’s fun to watch them all leave on their tours for the day.
Note: Cuban Coffee Queen has a couple of locations. The location at 284 Margaret Street is the one near the Historic Seaport.
Go Kayaking
If you like to be a bit more active, kayaking is a great activity. There are a lot of great spots to kayak in Key West and you’ll have a blast no matter where you do it. But kayaking through the mangroves is one of the most unique ways to kayak in Key West. There aren’t that many places in the world to kayak through mangroves – they are so unique!
Grab a Drink
There is no lack of places to grab a drink in Key West. Definitely enjoy yourself on Duval Street wandering in and out of any bar that calls your name.
Here are some more romantic places to grab a drink in Key West:
- Rick’s
- Green Parrot
- Captain Tony’s
- Hog’s Breath
Food Tasting Tour
For such a small island, Key West has a lot of good food places. If you’re a foodie, or if you want to experience something new, a food tasting tour is a fun way to learn more about local restaurants and try new food.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
If you’re like me, then going to the Butterfly Museum might not sound that cool. This wasn’t something high on my priority list initially. But then I visited and promptly changed my mind. This place is euphoric and I promise you, it’s a perfect spot for a date.
You walk in and there are several different species of butterflies all over. It is like a movie scene. There are also tropical birds, flamingoes, and tropical foliage. This is a great romantic activity in Key West.
Jet Ski
Jet skiing might not be everyone’s version of romantic, but it certainly is if you like a bit of a thrill! It can change very quickly from deep to shallow waters in Key West. Because of that, you can’t freely rent jet skis to explore on your own, you’ll be on a jet ski tour.
The tour will take you around the entire island, where you’ll learn more about Key West along the way. And you’ll also be given some time to ride the jet ski freely in open water if you want a bit more action.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling in Key West is one of my favorite activities of all time. Did you know that Key West is home to North America’s only living coral reef? This truly makes it one of the best places to snorkel.
When we went, we saw the brightest fish (they almost didn’t seem real), gorgeous coral, and even a nurse shark! Don’t worry, though, the shark was not scary at all – it was actually the highlight of our day! If you’re lucky, you might even see a sea turtle.
If you want a more budget-friendly option, you can also snorkel off the shore of the Key West beaches. The clear waters all around the island make this pretty easy to do.
Have a Beach Day
Did you know that the Florida Keys, despite being a chain of islands, aren’t actually known for having great beaches? It’s because of the coral which makes the beaches feel rocky (so, not exactly the sandy beaches you might be expecting). Seaweed washes up at times as well.
I know I’m not exactly selling a beach day here but as long as you have realistic expectations and know what to expect, I still love a Key West beach day.
One of my favorite beaches in Key West is at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Not only can you go to the beach, but you can also go for a short walk on the trails here and explore the old fort. The water here will make you feel like you aren’t even in the US anymore, it’s almost glowing!
My other favorite beach is Smathers. During Spring Break, this is more of a party beach but there are chair rentals, kayak rentals, bathrooms, and basically anything you could need. My favorite part, though, is how the beach is lined with palm trees. It’s the ultimate tropical paradise.
Higgs Beach is right next door to Smathers and has a restaurant, Salute! on the Beach.
Last, if cocktails are important, check out Simonton Beach. It’s a teeny tiny beach but Lagerheads Beach Bar is there so you can order drinks and food. They also have chairs you can rent.
Romantic meals
No matter what activities you decide on, you can always end the day with great food and a romantic meal.
Here are some of our favorite romantic restaurants in Key West:
- Latitudes – fine dining located on Sunset Key, which is only accessible by boat (and you can only get on the boat if you have reservations, which can fill up months in advance)
- Hot Tin Roof – if you’re lucky, you can get a table with a water view
- Louie’s Backyard – right on the water, a classic romantic restaurant loved by locals and visitors (Jimmy Buffett also loved Louie’s)
- Better Than Sex – a dessert only restaurant where all of the desserts have erotic names
Don’t forget to grab a slice of key lime pie!
As you can see, Key West is a great place for romantic adventures. Sure, you can also party while you’re there, but there is so much to do for couples! Hopefully this article helped you figure out the perfect way to experience romance in Key West!
