Family Friendly Guide to Visiting Key West

Key West may be known for its nightlife, but it’s also a welcoming place for families. The island is compact, easy to get around, and filled with attractions that are fun and safe for children. Many families start at the Key West Aquarium, where kids can touch starfish, sea cucumbers, and other marine creatures. Shark feedings and turtle exhibits add excitement while also teaching lessons about conservation. After a stop at the aquarium, it’s simple to continue the day with a visit to the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory or Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Parents searching for family things to do in Key West will find the variety of options makes it easy to plan a trip that balances education, outdoor fun, and hands-on activities. The mix of history, beaches, and interactive experiences means every age group can find something enjoyable.

The Key West Aquarium has been welcoming visitors since the 1930s and remains one of the best family things to do in Key West. Kids love the touch tanks, where they can gently handle starfish, sea cucumbers, and other sea creatures. Daily shark feedings add excitement, letting families watch marine life up close while guides explain how these predators live and why they’re so important to the ecosystem. The aquarium is also home to rescued sea turtles, and staff share the ongoing conservation work that helps protect them. Exhibits highlight everything from local reef fish to tropical species, giving kids the chance to see the animals that live just offshore. Designed to be interactive, the aquarium keeps children engaged while parents enjoy the educational side. A visit here blends fun with a deeper look at the waters surrounding Key West, making it an easy favorite for families of all ages.

The Conch Tour Train is another classic choice for family things to do in Key West. Since 1958, it’s given visitors a narrated ride through Old Town without the need for long walks. Families can sit back and enjoy the ride while guides share quirky stories, fun facts, and bits of history in a way that’s easy for kids to follow. The route passes colorful conch-style houses, historic churches, and well-known landmarks like Mallory Square^SM and the Southernmost Point. Parents often appreciate the chance to cover a lot of ground while keeping kids entertained, and the commentary mixes history with humor to hold everyone’s attention. The open-air design also makes the ride comfortable, with plenty to see around every turn. It’s a simple, stress-free way for families to explore the island together and a tradition many visitors return to on repeat trips.

The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is one of the most popular family things to do in Key West. The house was built in 1851 and later became the famous writer’s home in the 1930s. Families touring today can see the rooms where Hemingway lived and learn simple stories about his life on the island. Kids often enjoy the dozens of six-toed cats that live here, all descended from Hemingway’s own pet cat named Snow White. Guided tours share family-friendly stories about his love of fishing, his writing, and his life in Key West. The tropical gardens have palm trees, flowers, and shaded paths that give kids room to walk around while parents enjoy the history. Cats wandering the grounds and the chance to walk through a writer’s home make the museum a memorable stop for families.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a good mix of history and outdoor fun. The brick fort was built in the mid-1800s and was used during the Civil War and later during the Spanish-American War. Families can walk through the hallways, climb to the top for views, and see the cannons that once helped protect the island. Children often like exploring the tunnels and open spaces while imagining soldiers living there. The park also has one of the best beaches in Key West, with shallow water where kids can swim and calm spots for snorkeling. Families often bring picnics to eat under the shade trees, and trails lead to quiet areas by the water. The chance to see an old military fort and then spend time on the beach makes this park stand out for many visitors.

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is one of the most magical family things to do in Key West. Inside the glass garden, hundreds of butterflies fly among flowers and tropical plants. Families can walk the short paths and watch butterflies land on leaves, blossoms, and sometimes on visitors. Bright birds live here too, including two flamingos named Rhett and Scarlett. Kids enjoy the colors and the chance to take close-up photos, while parents like the calm setting and air-conditioned space. Signs and small exhibits explain the life cycle of butterflies, so the visit is fun and educational at the same time. The steady movement of butterflies and birds keeps families interested from the time they arrive until they leave.

Mallory Square^SM is one of the busiest gathering spots in Key West and a favorite for families. Each evening before sunset, the square fills with jugglers, musicians, and magicians. Food stands sell local snacks like conch fritters and Key lime pie on a stick. Artists set up along the waterfront with crafts and paintings, giving kids plenty to see while waiting for the sunset. The big moment comes as the sun drops into the Gulf of Mexico and the crowd cheers the view. Parents like that the square is open and safe, and kids enjoy the mix of music, food, and street shows. Taking part in the celebration is one of the classic family things to do in Key West, and it gives families a way to share in a local tradition together.

The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is one of the most exciting family things to do in Key West. The museum tells the story of wreckers, the men who made their living by salvaging ships that hit the reefs in the 1800s. Costumed guides lead visitors through the exhibits, sharing stories about pirates, treasure, and life at sea. Families can see artifacts that were pulled from real shipwrecks and even touch some of the items on display. The highlight for many kids is climbing the 65-foot observation tower, where the view stretches over the harbor and Old Town. The mix of history, storytelling, and hands-on exhibits keeps children entertained while giving parents a sense of the island’s past.

Smathers Beach is one of the largest beaches in Key West and a favorite stop for families. The wide sandy shoreline is perfect for building sandcastles, tossing a Frisbee, or just relaxing under the sun. The water is shallow and calm, making it safe for kids to splash and swim. Families often rent kayaks, paddleboards, or bikes nearby to add more adventure to their beach day. Picnic tables and shady spots line the beach, giving parents an easy place to rest while kids play. Smathers Beach is also easy to reach from downtown, which makes it simple to add to a day of exploring.

The Truman Little White House is the only presidential museum in Florida and one of the most unique places families can visit in Key West. The house was built in 1890 as a naval command center and later became the winter retreat for President Harry S. Truman. Guided tours take families through the rooms where Truman lived and worked, sharing stories about the decisions he made during his time in office. Kids often enjoy the gardens surrounding the house, while parents learn about the important role this property played in American history. The museum also offers the VIP White Glove Tour, where guests put on cotton gloves to handle rare artifacts and get a closer look at pieces from Truman’s life. Outside, visitors can view the 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan presidential limousine, which Truman used during his stays.

Dining with kids in Key West is easy, thanks to the variety of casual restaurants across the island. Many seafood spots have simple favorites on the menu, such as chicken tenders, burgers, or pasta, so children always find something to eat. Local diners serve affordable meals for the whole family, while pizzerias and sandwich shops make quick stops convenient between activities. Families who enjoy outdoor dining can choose from waterfront grills or open-air cafes where kids can watch boats and birds while they eat. Near Mallory Square, several restaurants offer patio seating that’s perfect for dinner before the Sunset Celebration. Dessert is also part of the fun, with bakeries serving Key lime pie by the slice, shops selling chocolate-dipped Key lime pie on a stick, and ice cream parlors featuring tropical flavors like coconut and mango.