Key West has a dirty little secret that the tourism board and hotels don’t want you to know about. Before you leap to conclusions and think that drug lords and crime syndicates have taken over, calm down. Key West’s dirtiest secret is that it’s not always sunny and 80 degrees. Sometimes, it’s 70 or 90 degrees, and sometimes it’s cloudy. And sometimes, only sometimes, it’s raining.
So here you are, on the island, and you’ve discovered our dirty, wet secret the hard way. What to do? Here’s a list of ten Key West indoor activities only a local would know.
10 Things to Do in Key West When the Weather is...Meh
Sometimes, it’s too much sunshine. There are days when the sea breeze dies, it’s 90 degrees and 99 percent humidity, and it’s “melt-your-face” hot. Other times, it’s not the temperature but the rain…man, can it rain in Key West! Doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you’d better prep your kayak. And sometimes, it’s a bitingly cold wind that a January cold front brings down. Again, not often, but it’s best to be ready when it does!
Here are my top ten favorite activities in Key West when the weather is less than perfect. Thankfully, it’s usually close to perfect. But as the Boy Scouts always say, “Be prepared!”
Drink and Chill at Hotel Bars
If the Conch Republic has an official pastime, it’s chilling. And if you choose to chill with a cool drink in your hand, all the better. In my book, there’s no better way to chill and drink, drink and chill, than to tour all the fabulous hotel lobby bars Key West has to offer. I know, I know, the bar crawl on Duvall is what you were told to do. Well, this is a far more laid-back, everyday experience that is a touch…dare I say, classier? Nicer? Let’s brand it Keys Sophisticated.
A few of my favorites? Well, I’m not going to broadcast my best secret spots—half the fun is in exploring and discovering them, right? But I will say, don’t miss the Orchid Bar, La Concha, and Casa Marina. Cheers!
Brunch Indoors
Nothing can kill a few rainy hours like a nice, long, relaxing brunch. Lobster Eggs Benedict and guava bellinis? There are two things I just don’t get enough of. Pick your spot carefully because the patio places might not have much dry seating.
Where are the best places to get brunch in Key West? Top picks include Breakfast Club, Too, Moon Dog Cafe, and Blue Heaven. There are tons more, of course—maybe it could rain more often so we can sample them all?
Museum Hopping
Key West may be known for its sandbars and drinking bars, but plenty of indoor establishments don’t require indulging (keyword: require). Your first stop should be the Key West Art and Historical Society at the Custom House. In addition to touring the Custom House, KWAHS also administers three other museums: the Key West Lighthouse, the Tennessee Williams Museum, and Fort East Martello.
But there are plenty of other museums in town to check out when you’re wondering what to do in Key West when it rains. The Ernest Hemingway House and Truman’s Little White House are great stops, too. If you’re into pirates and treasure and all that, check out Mel Fisher’s Maritime History Museum or the Key West Shipwreck Museum.
Go to the Movies
I’m a movie guy, and nothing beats sitting in an air-conditioned theater, enjoying the surround sound and recliners. Our local island independent theater, the Tropic Cinema, is a gem. It’s retro and awesome—with real Art Deco-style neon lights, and it shows both first-runs and classics, mainstream blockbusters and indie flicks. A visit to the Tropic is one of my favorite Key West rainy day activities.
Appreciate the Beautiful at the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is located at the end of Duvall near the Southernmost Point monument. There’s a beautiful garden with about a billion butterflies and many birds flying around. It’s a nice place for a stroll before or after lunch, and there are tons of great photo opportunities if you’re a shutterbug.
The Conservatory’s most famous residents are, ironically, not butterflies. The Conservatory is home to some famous flamingoes: Rhett and Scarlett. You can even purchase tickets to “flamingle” with Rhett and Scarlett, a once-a-day special experience limited to six people (Rhett and Scarlett like attention, but not too much attention).
Escape Room
Who doesn’t love being locked in a room? If you find yourself locked in a room in Key West, hopefully, it is at the Key West Room Escape. You and your friends have 60 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles, and work your way out of there. If you can’t do it in 60 minutes or less, everyone dies. Ok, ok, not really…they wouldn’t have any repeat customers if that were the case. Nonetheless, it’s a great way to make your life feel more like an Agatha Christie novel, and who doesn’t want that?
Key West Aquarium
If you are hankering for some snorkeling or sandbar roaming but the weather says no, head over to the Key West Aquarium to glimpse life under the sea. The Aquarium is right on Mallory Square in the heart of Old Town. There’s a touch tank for the little and not-so-little ones, full of conch, sea cucumbers, and all sorts of sea nasties. You’ll get to see some Keys residents up close that you don’t often get to see, like sharks, sea turtles, moray eels, barracuda, and jellyfish. And, of course, lots and lots of colorful tropical fish.
Kayak Down Duval
If it’s really raining, I mean like tropical island Key West-is-sinking-this-time, for-real raining, grab your yak and head for the hills, man. In all seriousness you can literally kayak down Duval Street from Caroline’s to the Pier House during torrential downpours. There is nothing better than making headlines; think of it: “Florida Man Paddles to Bar During Hurricane” or “Florida Man Rescues Rooster on 9-Foot Kayak.” Who even knew the roosters had kayaks??
Rodriguez Cigar Factor Tour
Rodriguez is a family-owned cigar factory, the oldest in Key West. The family began rolling cigars in Cuba in 1947, and today, they make premium cigars with the finest tobacco from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.
The factory tour includes a discussion about cigar making in Key West, and the cigar rollers demonstrate the old-world techniques they use to create their masterpieces. Tours are offered twice daily, every day except Sundays.
Papa's Pilar Rum Distillery Tour
Our local rum distillery, named for “Papa” Ernest Hemingway, offers tours, classes, and a few notable experiences. The tour and (of course) tastings are not to be missed. You can book public or semi-private tours, take a cocktail class, or toast to Papa with a journey through his best-loved novels.
"That's Great. But What Should I Do in Key West When the Weather Is Good, Captain Zak?"
I’m glad you asked! When the weather is good in Key West, you should absolutely be out on a boat. Don’t have a boat? I’ve got you, friend. Give me a call, and we’ll take the Casual Monday out to my favorite Key West sandbars, go snorkeling, or maybe catch the sunset.
