Make the most of your vacation plans by choosing a destination that won’t break the bank. With Key West, Florida, you can be assured of finding the ideal combination of accommodations, activities and dining opportunities that will ensure you have a great time while also keeping your spending in check. Whether you are visiting the Florida Keys as a solo traveler, seeking a romantic getaway or interested in finding a place where you and the whole family can take a few days to recharge and reconnect, Key West is it.
Discover the Beautiful Public Beaches
Key West offers several public beaches that are open to non-residents. Visitors flock to Smathers on the south side of the island. It’s well-known for being the sandiest beach and is bordered by full, shady palm trees for a picture-perfect day. Dog Beach is an ideal choice if you’re traveling with pets because your pups can play here. You can expect that these beaches offer public restrooms as well as amenities like rental counters that offer snorkeling gear, beach chairs, and umbrellas, as well as icy cold drinks and snacks. Because Key West is so small, each of these beaches is easy to get to from anywhere on the island. Many hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts offer free bicycles to borrow or to rent for a nominal fee, so beach days are easy to plan, even at the last minute. And as a city, Key West also has a robust public transportation system, if bike riding isn’t your thing.
Book the Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park
As one of the newer national parks, Dry Tortugas National Park is a must-see spot for Key West vacationers. It’s located about 70 miles off the coast of Key West and is mostly underwater, although there’s plenty of things to do at Garden Key, the biggest of the islands in the park, that don’t require you to get wet. Spots for the ferry book fast, so it’s smart to make your reservation as soon as you confirm your trip, and while tickets aren’t necessarily budget-friendly, they’re still quite reasonable considering the activities available to you at the park.
The snorkeling here is famous around the world, and the waters include shallow shipwrecks and coral reefs that are accessible even to novice snorkelers. Don’t miss the sunken Windjammer and Avanti wrecks and swim along the reefs known as Little Africa and Texas Rock. Night snorkeling is also offered from time to time, and this park offers a unique opportunity to check out nocturnal sea life you might not otherwise experience.
Top-side, explore Garden Key’s Fort Jefferson, have a picnic, swim at the beach or kayak around the island. People love this park for its shore bird watching and overnight camping opportunities where the full darkness allows unparalleled views of the stars and Milky Way.
Fishing in this area is heavily restricted, though; booking a fishing charter through an experienced company such as All In Fishing Charters is a smart way to enjoy the park and area fishing, too.
Sign Up for a Local Food Tour of Key West
There are so many restaurants and bars in Key West that anyone, even with an unlimited budget would have a hard time deciding which ones to eat at first. Get the best of local restaurants’ most popular dishes with a food tour, where you can enjoy delicious menu samples from top restaurants affordably. Tour guides also share much about the history and culture of Key West. The island’s geography reflects the influences of Latin American, Asian, French, Southern, and Caribbean flavors, and of course you must try the key lime pie! Tours generally take a few hours, and are full-on walking tours, so plan accordingly with comfortable clothing and footwear. As an added bonus, booking a food tour early in your vacation allows you to note the places you really want to dine at for a full meal so you can spend your money wisely.
Enjoy Fresh-Caught Seafood Dishes
It’s no exaggeration to say that fishing is the backbone of any trip to Key West. And even if you personally don’t go fishing, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the delicious fish dishes served up by restaurants across the island. Of particular note is Eaton Street Seafood Market and Restaurant. The menu features fish sandwiches, lobster roll, conch chowder, conch fritters, and more, and you can dine on-site at the charming outdoor picnic tables or take your order to go. Its convenient Old Town Key West location makes it easy to get to from virtually anywhere on the island.
Fun for All at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
If the ferry fare to Dry Tortugas isn’t in the cards for you, consider visiting Fort Zachary Taylor State Park right on the island of Key West instead. Admission is only a nominal fee since this is a state park, and the only added costs are renting beach gear and buying food, if you want to. Like Dry Tortugas, you can tour the historic fort, and swim, snorkel, and sunbathe at the beach recently voted Key West’s best. Enjoy walking and biking along multiple trails and paths, go fishing right on the jetty, and share a meal grilling in the picnic area. The park’s on-site cafe and refreshment stand sells light breakfast and lunch or early dinner menu items.
With these building blocks as your itinerary, it’s easier than ever to plan a budget-friendly vacation that hits all of the highlights of Key West. From exciting water adventures to relaxing days on the beach accented by delicious food and drink options, it’s easy to see why so many vacationers return to Key West year after year.