House & Vacation Rentals in Key West

1. Blue Heaven

Enjoy alfresco garden dining with live music in this restaurant dishing out American, Caribbean and Mediterranean specialties. Try the Caribbean BBQ shrimp with Red Stripe beer glaze.

2. Hogfish Bar and Grill

Devour hogfish-based dishes like the "Killer" sandwich, hogfish fingers, or fried hogfish tacos in this open-air restaurant at Safe Harbor Marina. There's plenty of chilled beer and live entertainment too.

3. Bad Boy Burrito

This joint features Mexican-style organic homemade specialties like Key West pink shrimp, taco trio, ancho chili relish, and various fresh salads, smoothies, and juices.

4. B.O.'s Fish Wagon

Come to this restaurant for seafood favorites, like the grouper sandwich served on soft Cuban bread, seafood platters, and conch fritters.

5. Latitudes

Spend a special occasion in this upscale restaurant on Sunset Key. Savor the freshest fish delicacies while feasting your eyes on the beautiful sunsets outside.

6. Better Than Sex

Dig your sweet tooth into award-winning desserts like Peanut Butter Perversion, Cookie Nookie Pie and Tongue Bath Truffle. It's the ultimate in decadence.

7. Onlywood Pizzeria Trattoria

Hidden away on Duval Street, this is where you'll eat the most authentic Italian pizza around. Watch it being freshly made and baked in an oak-fired oven before digging in.

8. Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar

This restaurant is known for its classy southern and creole dishes, made using the freshest seafood. There's also great views of the water.

9. El Siboney

Sample some of the region’s best Cuban food in this old town restaurant. From spiced picadillo to the rich creamy flan, the food is full of flavor and soul here.

10. Conch Republic Seafood

Company Located in the Key West Bight district, this restaurant with attractive marine décor is famed for its seafood. Stuffed shrimp, conch fritters, and lobster tail are just a few of the many favorites.

More Information About Key West Cuisine

Cuisine in Key West is a tantalizing mix of Bahamian, Cuban, and New England influences, drawing on the best the sea has to offer. Key West is known affectionately as the "Conch Republic." This mollusk is served in salads, chowders, and as part of main courses.

Do not leave any restaurant without sampling the famous Key lime pie, a sinful concoction of condensed milk and Key limes perched on a Graham cracker crust and topped with decadent whipped cream.

Key West is a year-round travel destination, as it is blessed with a tropical climate similar to the Caribbean. The coolest month is January and the hottest is July. The island has two main seasons: wet (May to October) and dry (November to April).

Apart from diving, swimming, snorkeling, and water-based activities, there is plenty to see on land. Visit the attractive Old Town with its pastel-hued, conch-style houses, and don't forget to check out the Fort Zachary Taylor. The latter is a historic state park that is now used as a venue for events such as Civil War reenactments.

Stop at Mallory Square, a plaza known for its "Sunset Celebration." People gather here to view arts and crafts, eat from food carts, enjoy street performances, and watch the remarkable sunset. The New Town, which is on the east side of the island, features malls, shopping centers, schools, and residential zones.

Another famous attraction in Key West is the replica of a buoy made from concrete located at South and Whitehead Streets, which marks the "southernmost point" of the Continental USA.

When it comes to culture and history, Key West has so much to offer. Explore the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, a museum dedicated to the American painter, naturalist, and ornithologist John James Audubon.

Another must-visit for art enthusiasts is the Studios of the Key West, a community for artists which comprises work spaces, an exhibition hall, sculpture garden, and houses and cottages. An excellent program of performances, talks, and concerts is sure to cater to all tastes and interests.

In addition, be sure to check in advance if there are performances by the Key West Contemporary Dance Company, based at the Waterfront Playhouse. The Tennessee Williams Theater is another cultural hotspot, with a program packed with dance, theater, and musical performances.

1. Key West Nature Preserve Park

If you're ready to leave your vacation home to enjoy some fresh air, head to this beautifuly preserved corner of town to enjoy a short hike through a lush mangrove forest.

2. Key West Marine Park

If your kids love swimming and snorkeling, look no further than this protected underwater park that stretches across 40 acres. Its two beaches are the perfect place for patient parents to relax while the kids enjoy the water.

3. Harry S. Truman Little White House

The winter White House for former president Harry S. Truman is a great place to learn about Key West's history. Local guides add color to the experience with their anecdotes.

4. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Learn about the literary icon's numerous romantic relationships, friendships and writings through a guided tour of his erstwhile residence.

5. Dry Tortugas National Park

Seventy miles from Key West, this secluded park is home to Fort Jefferson, wild birds, coral reefs and marine life. It's the ideal location for a camping excursion.

6. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Kids in particular will love this conservatory where nearly 60 species of butterflies thrive in a climate-controlled, glass-enclosed habitat.

7. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

With such rich marine diversity in this part of Florida, it is only natural that Key West boasts a top-quality discovery center. Interactive displays about reefs and mangroves help visitors learn more and connect with nature.

8. Astro City

One of the most popular playgrounds in town located just across from Higgs Beach, Astro City is a great location for your kids to make new friends and precious memories.

1. Smathers Beach

Boasting close to 2 miles of shoreline, this mangrove-fringed beach is great for families. There's lots of swimming, parasailing, kayaking, and snorkeling opportunities.

2. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Beach Visitors often come here for sunbathing and snorkeling. Walk, run, or bike on the various nature trails. Take a guided tour of the pre-Civil War vintage fort on the grounds.

3. Rest Beach

Although only less than 1,000 feet long, the beach promises a tranquil experience. Visit here on early mornings for spectacular sunrises and beautiful views of the Atlantic. The beach also features a yoga deck where classes are held.

1. Super Boat Races

Key West rentals fill up fast in the fall, when the annual Super Boat International World Championships take place. Races last for 3 days, while events go on for 7 days. Hire your own private boat to enjoy the races right on the water. Admire the powerboats on display during the Duval Street Party, and participate in fun parties and parades.

2. Half Marathon

Another good time to visit is during the Key West Half Marathon, held in balmy mid-January. Get your running shoes on for this scenic race covering the region’s historic Old Town and the beautiful waterfront.

3. Fantasy Fest

Held every last week of October, live music from different genres and fancy costumes are at the core of this event. Book your accommodation in advance if visiting during this 10-day event. This adults-only event has been held every year since 1979. Be a part of the merrymaking, filled with creative costumes, libations, and parades.

4. Lobsterfest

Celebrate summer with fresh lobster, great drinks, and live music during this 4-day festival. Sample delicacies like Caribbean lobster ceviche, grilled lobster, lobster rolls, and much more.

5. Fourth of July in Key West

Every year, the island hosts a Key Lime Festival which includes five days of cooking classes, culinary tastings, unique cocktails, and scavenger hunts. The festival ends on the Fourth of July with a Key Lime Pie eating contest and fireworks at the White Street Pier. Travelers will also get the chance to visit Ernest Hemingway's house and the Southernmost Point of the Continental US.

One of the best ways to experience the island is to stay in a Key West vacation rental. You will have lots of room if you are traveling with family or friends, as well as complete privacy. What's more, you can enjoy that home-away-from-home feeling and unwind after a long day of exciting activities.

Most Key West vacation rentals also come with a fully fitted kitchen, allowing you the flexibility to cook at home when it suits you.