Over the last few decades, Key West has become a popular tropical escape for snowbirds, spring breakers, and celebrities. Tucked into the southernmost corner of the continental United States, Key West guarantees warmth. But this tropical island guarantees a few other things that could potentially put a damper on your trip.
After visiting Key West on our road trip to all of the Florida National Parks, we were asked is Key West worth visiting?
In our opinion, no, it isn’t.
Aside from the perk of accessing the remote islands of Dry Tortugas, Key West isn’t worth visiting, in my opinion. So if you don’t have plans to visit Dry Tortugas National Park, I’d recommend skipping Key West. Let me tell you why, and give you some alternate destinations to consider instead.
Is Key West Worth Visiting? No. Here’s Why
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!
Prices are sky-high.
Hotels, campgrounds, food, parking – you name it – are all extremely expensive in Key West.
You’d be lucky to find a hotel under $200/night. Many hotels in Key West range from $200-$300 per night in the off-season and $300-$500+ per night during peak season.
We are campers, so we saved a little in that department, but the cheapest campground we could find was $100 per night – for a primitive TENT site.
We found that average campground rates for Key West are between $65-$175 in the off-season and between $85-$250 in the peak season. (The lower rates are for “primitive” tent camping with no hookups, and the higher rates are for RV full-hookup sites). Unfortunately, there is no free camping in Key West.
So why is Key West so expensive?!
One, it’s a tourist trap. Since snowbirds and vacationers alike flock to the southernmost point in the continental US in search of warmth and tropical vibes, naturally, everything is going to cost more.
Two, the island is very remote – Key West is quite literally at the very end of the road. There’s only one way in, and one way out, so delivery and transportation costs are sky-high.
The island gets extremely crowded.
Since Key West is a popular tourist destination, and since it is so small, the island feels crowded all the time. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to find seclusion.
The island of Key West is only about 4 square miles. While only around 25,000 people live there full-time, nearly 5 million tourists visit the tiny island every year.
This equates to major crowd concerns.
To add to the chaos, Key West is a popular cruise ship destination. So when the cruise ships dock in Key West, hundreds (or even thousands) of people infiltrate the tiny island, causing more traffic, more crowds, more lines, etc.
Traffic is horrible.
Small island + too many people + two-lane roads = major traffic jams. In many cases, it’s quicker to walk than drive.
Most highways in and around Key West are just two lanes, have low speed limits, and rarely allow passing, including the famous Overseas Highway. So if you get stuck behind a slow driver, you may arrive late to your destination.
While I thought the drive down the Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys was scenic (especially the Seven Mile Bridge), the constant bumper-to-bumper traffic did spoil the views a bit. The highway is over 100 miles long, and the speed limit never goes above 55. So the drive down to Key West felt extra long.
There are better beaches elsewhere.
Florida has some gorgeous beaches, but in my opinion, they’re not in Key West.
To establish my credibility, I have been to Florida over a dozen times. I grew up going to Florida for many spring breaks. We’d always visit different beaches and explore different areas of the state – from St. Pete and Clearwater to the Everglades and Treasure Island.
Also, my parents own a condo in Florida (Gulf side), and my grandparents owned a condo in Naples for years. Plus, I road-tripped through the entire state in 2023, from the panhandle to Key West.
While I know I’ve barely scratched the surface of Florida beaches, here are some of my favorites so far:
- Beaches on Dry Tortugas
- Boca Chita Key Beach
- Honeymoon Island Beach
- Clearwater Beach
Summary
If crowds, nightlife, and overpriced cocktails are your scene (no judgment), then by all means, have a great time at Key West!
But for adventure addicts who prefer to escape into nature and experience solitude, or for beachgoers who are looking to relax on picturesque beaches, Key West might not be the place for you. Don’t worry; there are plenty of other amazing tropical destinations that I’ll recommend in the next section!
IMPORTANT: If you plan to visit Dry Tortugas National Park, you’ll need to spend some time in Key West. The ferries and seaplanes depart from Key West. Early departures and/or late arrivals make it convenient to stay in Key West for at least one night.
Need help planning your trip to Dry Tortugas? Let me help you with that!
- Should You Visit Dry Tortugas in January? Yes! Here’s Why
- 7 Things to Know Before Visiting Dry Tortugas
- Getting to Dry Tortugas: Seaplane or Ferry?
- Complete Guide to Exploring Dry Tortugas National Park
Other Tropical Destinations To Visit Instead
Have your heart set on visiting a tropical destination, but are unsure if Key West is right for you? Here are some other amazing tropical places to visit instead!
PIN IT AND SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!
