Living Like a Conch in Key West

Rent a scooter or golf cart: The best way to get around Key West is by scooter or golf cart. The island is small enough to easily get your bearings, and renting gives you the freedom to explore the things that interest you.

Trolley tour: If you’re not into being the driver and navigating a new place, take the trolley tour. The tour gives you a good overview of the history and landscape of Key West, plus your ticket lets you get on and off at 13 designated stops.

Boat tour: Key West isn’t known for their beaches, but getting out on the water to do a private boat tour of the mangroves is a must. Spending a day on the beautiful turquoise water can’t be beat, and with a private charter, the trip is tailored to what you want to do.

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum: This museum covers the exciting discovery of the Atocha, a Spanish treasure galleon that sunk off the coast of the Keys in 1622. The exhibits cover the history of shipwrecks in the Keys, the adventure of finding and recovering the Atocha, and the lengthy legal battle over the ownership of the treasure.

Food tour: There are more than 300 restaurants on the small island. Even though we’ve spent months in Key West, we barely scratched the surface of the options. A food tour is a great way to understand the culinary history of the island and sample four to five local bites.

Blue Heaven: With laid-back vibes and live music, Blue Heaven in Bahama Village is like dining in a friend’s backyard. The food is phenomenal—the sauteed yellowtail snapper and Jamaican jerk chicken are my favorites! If you’re a meringue fan, the key lime pie here is one of the best.

Louie’s Backyard: The ambiance at Louie’s Backyard is magical. The absolutely beautiful setting, fantastic service, and impressive food make this the perfect spot to celebrate an important event.

Little White House Subs: Great local deli located close to the Truman Annex. It’s an awesome spot to eat lunch!

Lolita’s Coastal Cocina: Go for Taco Tuesday! Located right on the pier, they have a gorgeous outdoor dining area with fantastic views. The perfect spot to sip a handcrafted margarita while the sun sets.

Caroline’s Café: My favorite fish sandwich in Key West can be found at Caroline’s Café. Located on Duval Street, it offers some great people-watching. Not a fish fan? Try the Macon Bacon Salad.

Cayo Hueso Brewing: On Stock Island, this small spot has fantastic craft beers. For food, you can order from their sister restaurant, Roostica.

The Docks: Offering a good happy hour Monday through Thursday, this spot on Stock Island has great food and innovative cocktails. If it has rained heavily, the road can flood and make getting here tricky.