1 Day in Key West: How to Make the Most of Your Time

Spend 1 day in Key West by driving from Homestead through the Florida Keys. This 3-hour drive will take you on Highway 1 through the Keys and over the breathtaking Seven Mile Bridge.

If you are looking for more snorkeling along the way, stop at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Or, drive on and hike atop the old Seven Mile Bridge. If you are lucky enough to get a parking spot, check out Bahia Honda State Park.

Alternatively, relax on the beach and explore the fort at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. End your day at the Southernmost Point and walk to Mallory Square for a Key West sunset celebration. Read on!

Need to Know Info

If you have been following our Florida National Parks Itinerary, then you might have realized that this is a partial driving day, traveling through the Florida Keys to get to Key West. There are many options for excursions and attractions along the way. Some popular ones include:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is open from 8:00 am to sunset – this location is 30 minutes from Homestead, FL.
  • Admission per vehicle is $8.00 plus 50 cents per person up to eight people.
  • John Pennekamp offers many options such as snorkeling tours, scuba tours, glass bottom boat tours, swimming, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and more.
  • If you plan to stop at this park on your way to Key West, it’s best to make reservations before you arrive because it is a very popular destination!
• Bahia Honda State Park is open from 8:00 am to sunset – this location is 2 hours from Homestead, FL.
  • Admission per vehicle is $8.00, plus a 50-cent Monroe County surcharge will be added per person.
  • Bahia Honda State Park offers many amenities, including swimming, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, boat tours, and hiking. The short nature trail will lead you to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge.
  • If you plan to stop at this park, know that it does close when capacity is full. Getting to this park early might not work with this itinerary, and the park is very popular. Plan accordingly if this is a must-see location for you and your fellow travelers. It was definitely full when we arrived!

Weather and Safety in the Florida Keys and Key West

• Cell phone coverage is great here.
• Make sure to use and apply sunscreen. The sun and UV index can be intense in Florida. While enjoying the water in Florida, please wear reef-safe sunscreen. Please help protect our ocean ecosystems. Get our favorites here!
• Don’t forget your bug spray, too!
• Hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30. Peak season is mid-August through mid-October. Be sure to plan accordingly.

Drive Through the Florida Keys and Spend 1 Day in Key West

From Homestead, FL, take a drive through the Florida Keys and enjoy the scenery. During our trip, we decided to stop at the Seven Mile Bridge for a walk across the old structure. Stop at the old Seven Mile Bridge for a quick break with expansive views of the bright blue water in the Gulf of Mexico.

Then, we stopped at Bahia Honda State Park, but were met with full parking! We should have known. Instead, we traveled to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West to relax on the beach and explore the fort. With limited time, this is the best way to spend 1 day in Key West and the surrounding area.

Walk the Old Seven Mile Bridge

The Seven Mile Bridge is exactly what it sounds like! When you get toward the end of the bridge, take a right and park in the lot at the Little Duck Key Wayside Park Public Boat Ramp.

Additionally, don’t forget to be on the lookout for Fred the Tree and Donna the Bush on the right, growing on the old bridge, as you travel along the bridge going south. These two plants have somewhat of a cult following. Don’t believe me? Check them out here!

Once you arrive at the Wayside Park, you can walk along the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. Unfortunately, you can’t walk all the way to Fred and Donna, but you can take in all of the beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico as you walk the old Seven Mile Bridge.

Be on the lookout for fish, rays, and other wildlife. It will be hot here, so take plenty of water and be sure to wear sunscreen.

Visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Before checking into your accommodations, be sure to check out Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. This park is open from 8:00 am to sunset. Note that the fort closes at 5:00 pm. The cost of admission is $6.00 fee per vehicle with a Monroe County surcharge of 50 cents per person.

Spend your afternoon here and relax on the beach. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park has one of the best beaches in Key West. Enjoy your time here snorkeling, building sand castles, and swimming. We recommend wearing water shoes here, as this beach can be rocky.

After you spend some time relaxing on the beach, check out the Civil War-era fort from the 1800s. According to the park website, Fort Taylor was used in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. There is great history here, and the experience will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time.

If you want a bite to eat at the park, check out the Cayo Hueso Cafe for scenic beach cuisine. Enjoy your provisions overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

➡️Read next: The Ultimate Guide to Dry Tortugas National Park.

Explore the Southernmost Point

Spending 1 day in Key West is not complete without visiting the world-famous Southernmost Point. After you check into your accommodations, head here. This is a popular spot to take pictures, so you’ll be sharing this location with others – make some friends while you are here!

Then, walk up the street to the Mansion on the Sea. This is a huge old mansion converted into a hotel offering great views of the ocean.

🏖️Want to stay here? Book your room at The Southernmost House!

Finally, if you didn’t get a bite to eat at Fort Zachary Taylor, check out the nearby Seaside Cafe at the Mansion. It is delicious! Enjoy a nice bite to eat overlooking the ocean while fending off the chickens! They’ll be there to greet you in full force! Some say that Key West is actually governed by chickens.

Celebrate the Sunset at Mallory Square

Finally, celebrating the sunset at Mallory Square is a great way to spend 1 day in Key West. From our hotel, it was a 30-minute walk at just over 1 mile. However, if you do walk, be sure to head down the famous Duval Street.

There are plenty of shopping and dining options along this route if you need a quick break. The sunset celebration is a nightly tradition in Key West. Join others at Mallory Square for live music, entertainment, vendors, clowns, artists, and more. What a great way to end the day in Key West.

⛵ If you really want to have some fun, be sure to check out the options from Viator and take a sunset sail!

Looking for Something Fun After Dark?

While you’re in Key West, make sure to explore the haunted side of the paradise of Key West, where legends also linger in the historic streets. Learn the history of Key West’s chilling sites, like the Curry Mansion, the Artist House, and the infamous St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Graveyard. 🪦

👻 Exclusive: Save 10% with promo code TMP10 when reserving through US Ghost Adventures or Lizzie Borden Tours.

Final Thoughts

We really enjoyed spending 1 day in Key West. However, we were totally bummed out when we arrived at Bahia Honda State Park, and it was full. Instead, we were able to go with the flow and visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park instead.

We had some beach time and got to explore the fort. Following this visit with a nice dinner and sunset was an amazing way to end the day in Key West. We headed to bed early, anticipating our ride to Dry Tortugas National Park the next day!

🛏️ Don’t forget to book your stay at the Best Western Hibiscus!