14 Unique Things To Do In Key West You Haven’t Thought Of

If you’ve checked off the main attractions in Key West and are looking for some unique experiences, look no further than this list. Some of the best things to do in Key West might be its water activities, exploring the town, or hitting the beach, but there are experiences you can do that you probably haven’t thought of. From a boat escape room experience to a stargazing cruise, here are some of the coolest unique things to do in Key West.

Go On A Boat Escape Room

What’s more fun than completing an escape room? Completing an escape room by taking a boat out on the water to a remote island. On this adventure, you have a choice from Castaway, Mermaid, or Conch Quest for your escape room themes on the sea. The charter leaves for four hours which includes a snorkeling location, a time for relaxing and eating, and of course the escape game adventure. Each escape game adventure is an hour, other than the Conch Quest which lasts several hours.

The tour provides all of the necessary snorkel and safety gear, the escape game, and water while on the trip. You can bring your own food, preferred drinks, towels and mosquito repellant to complete the experience. The whole trip is organized with a knowledgeable and experienced guide who makes this adventure one of the best unique experiences in Key West.

Have A Photo Shoot

If you’re traveling to Key West for a special occasion, or even if it’s just a fun getaway like a solo trip, memorialize your time there with a fun photo shoot on the beach. If that’s something you haven’t thought of doing while traveling to Key West, then put it on your next Key West bucket list.

The scenery is stunning from the beaches and water to the cute town with plenty of places for stunning pictures.

Take A Stargazing Cruise

Key West has the amazing opportunity to go on a stargazing cruise which is a mesmerizing way to experience the area after dark. Once the sun sets, the schooner takes off into the night sky with a live narration by an astronomer.

You’ll get to learn all about the constellations, stars, planets, and galaxies of the dark Key West skies. Make sure to pick a really clear night to be able to see the whole sky and maybe even some shooting stars.

The company provides two different types of stargazing cruises, one with a narration by an astronomer and one without. Choose which one most fits for you but we definitely recommend the one with the narration because you will learn so much more and it really adds to the experience.

Visit A Sandbar

There are many sandbars to explore around Key West and it’s the best way to guarantee a private beach experience. Whether you rent your own kayak, take a boat tour, or even take your own boat out if you have the chance.

They are one of Key West’s hidden gems where you will feel like you’ve discovered your own private island. The shallow clear waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling around the sandbar or you can just wade around with a drink in hand.

Bring coolers and snacks with you for refreshments and don’t forget the music. Keep an eye out for wildlife around you for a chance to spot cool tropical fish and dolphins.

Southernmost Food & Cultural Walk Tour

Have you thought about taking a food tour in Key West? Food tours are always a fun way to explore a destination. Key West has it’s own unique flavors and taking a food tour is the best way to taste a little bit of the different kinds of cuisine the island has to offer.

On this tour, you get to try the ‘mom and pop’ places off the beaten path as well as some of the more popular establishments. It includes the fresh seafood of the Florida Keys, Cuban cuisine, and the Key Lime Pie that you can’t leave Key West without trying.

Along with the food, the tour also points out the architecture of the island, historic and cultural insights.

Cooking School Demonstration

For a learning experience combined with entertainment, enjoy a cooking demonstration in Key West. The expert chef will cook a starter, main and a dessert showing you how to make the delicious meals and sharing their secrets for outstanding flavors.

Then, you’ll actually get to savor the dishes while listening to the culinary heritage of the island. Some possible items on the menu can be Conch Fritters, Jerk Chicken, and Key Lime Pie all representing the island in their own way.

Jimmy Buffet Tour

If you’re a fan of Jimmy Buffet, then this is one of the best tours for you in Key West. In this walking tour, you will find the locations around Old Key West that inspired his songs. See the place of his first gig, and some of his favorite places around the island.

Jimmy Buffet spent a lot of time in Key West and that reflected in his work. Hear the stories and see the places of this famous musician including the location of the first Margaritaville.

Explore Unique Shops

There are so many cool and unique shops to explore in Key West. These shops carry carefully curated items that are hard to find anywhere else. You can find things like home goods, skin care, gifts, jewelry, clothing, and artwork. Many of the items are made by local artists and craftsmen.

Visit shops like Salt Provisions or Besame Mucho for high-end types of items. For souvenirs and fun stuff, the Key West Sponge Market is full of stalls with all kinds of items.

Florida Keys Nature & History Tour

If you want to explore the lower Florida Keys from Key West, then this is the perfect tour to do that. On this 4-hour guided tour, you will hit all of the top spots like seeing the famous 7-Mile Bridge and Bahia Honda State Park.

Also on this trip you get to see the endangered Key Deer and even visit the Blue Hole which is one of the Florida Keys hidden gems. You will see a lot of wildlife along the way including alligators, turtles and birds.

Sweet Treats Tour

This just might be the best tour in Key West, at least for those with a major sweet tooth. Discover the sweeter side of the island on a tour that takes you through Old Town with stops at some of the best local spots for sweet treats.

Sample donuts with coffee and hop between other bakeries and cafes sampling the finest desserts Key West has to offer. Of course you will also get to taste the legendary Key Lime Pie.

Private Chef Beach Dinner

Treat yourself to a private chef dinner while in Key West for a special moment. With a personal chef catering you get to decide just the kind of event you want to have. Whether it’s a romantic dinner or a girls trip, you get to decide where and when it happens.

The best part about hiring a private chef in Key West like Chef Wes, is you get an amazing meal that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in Key West. Exquisitely prepared with fresh ingredients and over 30 years experience speaks to the quality of the meal you are bound to have with this private chef dinner.

SNUBA Diving

Have you heard of SNUBA diving before? It’s a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving where the gear allows you to breathe underwater. This way you don’t have to come up for air like with snorkeling and can actually dive a little deeper while still having air.

You don’t need any certifications with this and you don’t have to haul heavy scuba equipment. After instructions by the guide once you’re at the site, you can get up closer to all kinds of colorful fish and marine life.

Take A Seaplane Ride

Most people book the seaplane out to the Dry Tortugas since it’s the fastest way to get to this hidden gem. Not only is it the fastest, but you will have amazing views of the turquoise water all the way there. There’s a chance to stop sharks, dolphins, and even shipwrecks along the way.

The Dry Tortugas is located about 70 miles west from Key West. You get a seat at a window and a headset to listen to the narration by the pilot. As you take off, you will also get a birds-eye view of the Key West island.

Key West Garden Club

The Key West Garden Club is a hidden oasis with lush gardens inside historic Civil War ruins. Some highlights of the garden are a butterfly garden, orchid area, waterfall, perfume garden, and a cactus garden.

The garden is right by the sea giving you not only a beautiful views of the garden but of the water too. The construction of the fort began in 1862 and was later abandoned unfinished never having been used in the war.