5 Pet-Friendly Activities in Key West

Don’t leave your pet behind during your next vacation. Plan a trip to Key West and explore everything our tropical paradise has to offer with your dog by your side. Spend time visiting pet-friendly gardens, beaches, parks, and restaurants with your pooch. With our inventory of 50 pet-friendly rentals on Key West, we have everything you need to plan the perfect Florida vacation!

1. Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden

If you are looking for a scenic place to walk your dog, head to the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Explore 15 acres of gardens together, surrounded by the native flora and fauna of the Keys.

2. Key West Aquarium

The Key West Aquarium is one of the most iconic attractions on the island, welcoming visitors to learn about local marine life for over 90 years. And best of all–it’s dog-friendly! Learn about conservation efforts, interact with ocean life at the touch tank, and attend educational programs.

3. Dog-Friendly Tours & Rentals

Spending time on the water is essential to any Key West getaway. Luckily, several tour operators and rental companies are dog-friendly. Reserve a kayak or paddleboard from Lazy Dog and paddle around the waterways with your beloved pet. You can even sign up for a private charter with your dog at Captain Sheri’s Wild About Dolphins.

4. Beaches & Parks

The Key West Dog Beach is the only pet-friendly beach in town. Although it may be small, it’s still a great place for the dogs to swim and play. Head to Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park and let your dog play off-leash at the dog park.

5. Dog-Friendly Restaurants

Most of the patios at Key West’s restaurants are dog-friendly. Here are a few of the most popular spots for you and your pooch:

Reserve a Pet-Friendly Vacation Rental on Key West

At Rent Key West Vacations, we understand that pets are a part of the family. That’s why we offer pet-friendly vacation rentals so everyone can enjoy the wonders of Key West, even your dog! Many of these properties come with fenced backyards, which provide the perfect space for your dog to play outside during your visit. Whether you are looking for a one-bedroom cottage or a spacious four-bedroom home, we offer properties for everyone’s needs. Book with us today and escape to Key West with your pet!

Things to Do During Key West Pride Week

Known for its open and accepting atmosphere, Key West has long been a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ travelers. Plan your trip to our tropical paradise in June and join us for one of the best Pride Month celebrations in the country. With street fairs, parades, drag shows, pool parties, and gay history tours, we know how to celebrate Pride in Key West. Find lodging for everyone in your group with Rent Key West Vacations, and start planning your trip today!

Learn About LGBTQ+ History in Key West

Key West is a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. Did you know we were the first city in North America to elect an openly gay Mayor? Or that we have the only gay and lesbian trolley tour? Before joining us for Pride Week in Key West, check out this article How the Gays Saved Key West to learn about the island’s LGBTQ+ history!

Key West Pride Events and Activities

Key West Pride is an annual celebration taking place every June during Pride Month. Find the complete schedule of events here and discover some of the highlights of the week below:

Throughout the week, you will find many activities happening throughout the island, including pride-themed karaoke nights, bike tours, trolley rides, pool parties, comedy shows, art exhibitions, sunset sails, and brunches.
One of the most popular events is the Street Fair and Dance Party, featuring live performances and eclectic vendors on Duval Street.
For nearly 50 years, La Te Da has hosted a Tea Dance every Sunday. During Pride Week, they host a special celebration on the last day, where you can join in the historic party.
Pride closes with the annual parade down Key West’s historic streets. If you’re interested in participating, consider volunteering to help carry the 100-foot flag!

Reserve Your Key West Vacation Rental for Pride Week

Rent Key West Vacations offers the perfect lodging for everyone visiting during Pride Week! Our collection of vacation homes and condos offers everything you need for a comfortable stay, including fully equipped kitchens, linens, and laundry facilities. Book one of our homes in the historic district and stay close to the events happening on Duval Street. Or reserve a home near the beach and easily access Key West’s breathtaking beaches. If you need assistance finding the right vacation rental, please contact us at 1-800-833-7368!

Key West Day Trip Destinations: Dry Tortugas & Florida Keys Islands

The Overseas Highway travels 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West, offering a unique way to travel between the Florida Keys and experience all it has to offer. Plan an epic road trip to Key West from Florida’s mainland, or fly into our local airport and start your exploration from the Southernmost City. Drive to islands along the Florida Keys, like Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. Or head out on the water and take a ferry to the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. No matter where you want to explore, Rent Key West Vacations offers the perfect lodging in Key West!

Dry Tortugas

Located 70 miles west of Key West is Dry Tortugas National Park, a one-of-a-kind destination where you can explore remote islands and discover fascinating history. Get to the park on the Yankee Freedom Ferry and disembark at Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th-century forts. After touring the fort, you will have free time to snorkel coral reefs, swim in the crystal clear water, and watch wildlife.

Day Trip to Florida Keys Islands

Start your journey in Key West and drive along Highway 1 to access several Florida Keys Islands:

The Lower Keys

Traveling east from Key West will take you through the Lower Keys, the most natural and unpopulated area in the Keys. Experience the wilder side of the Keys at national wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and remote beaches. Don’t miss Bahia Honda State Park!

Marathon

Just over an hour from Key West, Marathon is best known for its rich maritime history and family-friendly vibe. Enjoy prime boating access, explore Curry Hammock State Park, and learn about local wildlife at Turtle Beach or the Florida Keys Aquarium.

Islamorada

Islamorada is known as the sport fishing capital of the world, just under two hours from Key West. Experience an epic day of fishing and discover the island’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and nature activities. Some of the most popular attractions in Islamorada include feeding fish at Robbie’s Marina, exploring the quirky art at Rain Barrel Village, and learning history at the Diving Museum.

Key Largo

Key Largo is the furthest island from Key West, approximately two hours and twenty minutes away. This is the longest island in the Keys, known for its fantastic diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Explore the underwater world of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, explore the natural wonders of Everglades National Park, and cruise on the famous African Queen steamboat.

Book Your Vacation Rental on Key West

Whether Key West is at the beginning or end of your Florida Keys exploration, Rent Key West Vacations offers the ideal place to stay. We are one of the longest-standing vacation rental companies on the island, representing more than 100 properties. Book one of our rentals near Key West’s most famous beaches, or stay in Old Town and immerse yourself in the island’s historic charm. Book with us online or contact our local reservationist at 1-800-833-7368 to start customizing your Florida Keys vacation!

Explore the Natural Beauty of Key West on a Jet Ski Tour

One of the best ways to experience Key West is from the water. While there are many ways to explore the island’s coastline, one of the most fun ways is by jet skiing. Sign up for a jet-skiing tour and let a local guide show you the best of Key West on an adrenaline-pumping adventure. Hit the throttle and explore the crystal-clear water while looking for marine life, taking a dip at local sandbars, and admiring coastline views. Stay close to the water with Rent Key West Vacations and find the perfect lodging for your island getaway!

Jet Ski Tours vs Rentals

When you are looking for jet-skiing experiences, you may be curious why you can’t find any rentals on the island. That’s because Key West is located within the protected Florida Marine Sanctuary, and jet skiing in certain areas can cause harm to the natural environment. As a result, guided jet ski tours are the preferred option, ensuring you can enjoy the experience while avoiding restricted areas.

Key West Jet Ski Tours

If you were born in 1988 or later, you must complete the Florida Boating Certificate before heading out for the tour. For the ultimate convenience, Rent Key West Vacations has partnered with local operators like Fury Water Adventures and Barefoot Billy’s, so you can book a jet ski tour directly from our website:

Fury Water Adventures

Embark on a 28-mile jet ski tour with Fury Water Adventures. Travel through the backcountry on their top-of-the-line jet skis and take in the sights of the stunning coastline while keeping your eyes peeled for bottle-nose dolphins and sea turtles. Along the way, you will stop at a sandbar to cool down and have a refreshing swim.

Barefoot Billy’s

Sign up for the Casa Marina Island Jet Ski Tour with Barefoot Billy’s. Travel around the island and stop at five locations along the way as you learn about local history from your guide. If you are interested in a freestyle experience, they also offer a trip where you can play around in a designated ride area and try out some tricks.

Book Key West Condo Rentals near the Beach

Book even more water adventures for your Key West getaway directly on our website. From snorkeling tours to fishing trips and kayak rentals, we have something for everyone! Stay close to the action with our Key West condo rentals near the beach or with an ocean view. No matter which property you choose, you will have access to fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and open-concept living spaces. Book with us online or speak to a reservation specialist at 800-833-7368 for assistance customizing your Key West getaway!

Discover the Life of Ernest Hemingway in Key West, Florida

Key West has long attracted artists and writers. Among these writers was one of the most famous American writers of the 20th century– Ernest Hemingway. Inhabiting the island for nearly a decade, Hemingway wrote some of his most prolific works on Key West, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscapes, people, and history. Today, his presence can still be felt throughout the island. Visit the Hemingway Home and explore where the famous author resided during the 1930s, grab a drink at one of his local haunts, and join the annual Hemingway Days Festival celebration. Find the perfect lodging with Rent Key West Vacations and follow in the footsteps of Hemingway during your visit:

Hemingway Home

Hemingway resided in the Whitehead Street home for most of his time in Key West. Today, the Hemingway Home is open for tours so that visitors can explore the home, gardens, and grounds:

Inside the home, you can see the writing studio, where he wrote famous works like To Have and Have Not. Walk through the living room and see many photos of Hemingway and his fishing adventures.
On the property grounds, you will see the in-ground swimming pool he constructed, which was the first pool on the island and cost $20,000 to build.
While on the Key West, a local ship captain gave Hemingway a white six-toed cat. Today, the grounds are home to nearly 60 cats, some descended from his original cat, that you can pet and hang out with!

More Hemingway Haunts on Key West

Opened in 1933, Sloppy Joe’s Bar was one of Hemingway’s favorite watering holes, owned by his friend Josie Russel. The original Sloppy Joe’s, where Ernest Hemingway frequented, is now Captain Tony’s Saloon. Stop at Captain Tony’s for a drink in his honor!

Most of the other sites mentioned by Hemingway no longer exist on the island, but you can still visit the locations where they once stood. For example, the grounds now home to Blue Heaven Restaurant were once the site of the Key West Arena, where Hemingway refereed boxing matches.

Hemingway Days Festival

Plan your getaway around the annual Hemingway Days Festival and celebrate Hemingway’s life and literary accomplishments with other fans. Events throughout the festival include a look-a-like contest, a fishing tournament, literary readings, a street fair, and a short story competition.

Book Your Key West Vacation Rental and Explore the Island

Stay in Old Town Key West with Rent Key West Vacations and access the Hemingway Home just blocks from your vacation home. Our charming conch-style cottages perfectly encapsulate the historic charm of the island. These homes are also a short walk from the famous Duval Street, where you can enjoy restaurants, shops, history, and many attractions. Book your Key West getaway with us today!