Tours provide a wonderful way to get your bearings at a new destination when you first arrive, and they also provide an opportunity to meet other travelers. In Key West, you'll find historical walking tours, ghost tours, pub crawls, bike tours and even culinary tours, depending on what your interests are. Here is a sample of two tour-filled days for travelers who can't get enough of them!
The Pier House — Photo courtesy of Key West Food Tours
Day One
Beach cruisers with wicker baskets are an iconic symbol of Key West, and many islanders rely on bicycles to get around. After checking in to your hotel, set off on a leisurely bike tour of the island with Lloyd's Tropical Bike Tour.
The two-hour tour cruises past picturesque inns and Victorian homes to some of the more hidden treasures of the island. Sample some of the tropical fruits, meet locals and be entertained by Lloyd, the guide and owner of the company. He is passionate about preserving the ecosystem of the Florida Keys. (Note: This is not a historical tour.)
For dinner, try 2 Cents, one of the island's newest venues that lures visitors in with free bacon. But it is the funky ambiance and eclectic menu that keeps them coming back. Thai chicken wings, Moroccan-spiced chicken and fisherman's stew are just a few of the mouthwatering menu items.
Anyone can find a bar on Duval Street, but Kokomo Joe's knows all the best watering holes away from the action. Their 3.5-hour Off Duval Pub Crawl includes five drinks, live music and a souvenir t-shirt to bring home.
Lloyd's Tropical Bike Tours — Photo courtesy of Lloyd's Tropical Bike Tours
Day Two
You may just want to grab a light lunch from Santiago's Bodega (a new tapas restaurant), because the Key West Food Tours lets you wine and dine around town. Sample cuisine from five different restaurants and learn about old Key West on the 2.5-hour tour. The guide will also discuss history, culture, architecture and more.
Lounge by the hotel pool for a bit, or take in some live music at 90 Mile Lounge, a new cigar bar, restaurant and music venue. Gear up for the evening ghost tour.
For more than 17 years, the Original Ghost Tours of Key West has been leading visitors around the island to "meet" some of their spooky past residents. Learn the legends of Robert the Doll - a possessed children's toy that caused disturbances at the Artist House - and Count Carl von Cosel, who would not accept that the love of his life had passed away.
