Key West is an iconic location for your bachelorette party. With its beautiful beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and fun activities, you’re sure to enjoy every moment of your trip!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to plan and enjoy your Key West bachelorette party – from places to stay and things to do, to restaurant and bar recommendations. Let the fun begin!
5 Reasons We Love a Key West Bachelorette Party
There are so many things to love about Key West! Here are our top five reasons why Key West makes the list of excellent bachelorette party locations:
- Year-round fair weather. The weather in Key West supports activities at any time of the year. While certain seasons are preferred, you can have your bachelorette party at any time of the year in Key West and it will be amazing.
- Key West is packed with Historical sites if you want to feel cultural.
- There are tons of beautiful beaches to work on that tan.
- The city has gorgeous aesthetics. Key West’s atmosphere is swoon-worthy from its beautiful sunsets to magnificent old architecture.
- The locals are incredibly friendly!
Things to Do in Key West
Whether you’re looking to spend a chill weekend relaxing in the pool, or exploring the city, Key West has great activities for you and your group!
City Explorers
If you and your friends love exploring new places, try visiting these fascinating sites while you are in Key West:
- Take a walk on Duval Street. This street is home to many shops and restaurants that will keep you busy on your day out and about.
- Visit the Key West Aquarium and view its vast collection of marine life (plus shark feedings!).
- Take in the view from the Key West Lighthouse and explore the keeper’s quarters.
- Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and walk the same rooms as the man himself! And don’t forget the six-toed cats you’ll see around the property (and Key West as a whole). Just a tip: admission to the museum is cash only.
Food Lovers
Key West has a great food scene for you and your crew. There are great restaurants and bars (which we’ll get into later), as well as food tours and festivals for you to check out!
A few popular food tours in Key West include:
- Key West Southernmost Food and Cultural Walking Tour: The Southernmost Food Tour celebrates the Cuban and Caribbean influences on both food and culture. These are small group experiences that stop at five locations in the Key West area.
- Key West Historic Seaport Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: This tour explores the depth of Key West’s fresh seafood through its charming historic seaport. You’ll try five local specialties during this tour.
- Key West Bar Crawl: This tour will take you to discover the city’s best hidden gem bars and signature drinks!
There are also some great food festivals that could be a great event for your group:
- Key West Food & Wine Festival: If sampling a wide range of food and wine is your speed, this could be the event for you! The Food & Wine Festival typically takes place in January, and is a great way to try wines, cocktails, local foods, and attend special events in the Key West area.
Weekenders
Are you planning a weekend bachelorette party in Key West? Below are a few great ways to enjoy the entire weekend.
- Go to the Southernmost Point Sign, marking the southernmost point in the continental United States. It’s best to go in the morning to beat the crowds!
- Spend a day getting lost in nature at the Dry Tortugas National Park, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, or the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.
- Attend Fantasy Fest, a 10-day festival that includes parties, marches, parades, street fairs, and glamorous balls that takes place every October.
Outdoor adventurers
Key West is one of the most laid-back places you can visit, but there are also many outdoor activities if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush.
- Key West Parasailing Adventure takes you up in the air for spectacular views of Key West and the surrounding beaches.
- Key West Jet Ski Tours offers an action-packed way to explore Key West’s beautiful coastline.
- Ride a glass bottom boat where you can stay cool and dry while seeing the wonders of North America’s only living coral reef.
- Take a snorkeling tour that drops you and your guests from a catamaran to explore the coral reef.
Where to Eat in Key West
Restaurant suggestions
Key West has a great restaurant scene and we’ve rounded up some of our favorites for you and your bachelorette party crew.
- Blue Heaven is a breakfast and brunch spot located on Petronia street. It tops the list for both locals and tourists in Key West with its live music and open-air scenery. Blue Heaven also serves vegan options available on their menu that the girls are sure to love.
- Southernmost Beach Cafe is the place to be if you especially love a good view to go with your meal. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Glazed Donuts may not be a restaurant, exactly, but we promise these donuts will be worth the stop! Make sure to try the Key Lime pie donut topped with torched meringue.
- Bad Boy Burrito serves up phenomenal burritos and tacos with fresh seafood that will have your crew fueled for a day of fun!
- Café Marquesa is an award-winning restaurant at the Key West Hotel Marquesa in the historic district of Old Town Key West. Snag a dinner reservation for a special night out with your girls!
Bar suggestions
You might be looking for a few good bars for a bachelorette party, and we have you covered! Here are some of our favorite options in Key West:
- Captain Tony’s Saloon is the oldest bar in Florida and is full of historical stories. Earnest Hemingway frequented the bar while he lived in Key West, and Jimmy Buffet started his music career there!
- The Green Parrot Bar has stood in Key West for over 125 years and is still a local favorite. They offer great drinks, live music, and fresh popcorn!
- Sunset Pier is the place to go if you’re looking for drinks with a view (you’re literally on a pier!).
- Sloppy Joe’s Bar is an infamous spot that opened in 1933 and is full of history as well. Be ready: most of the drinks are frozen beverages!
- The Bull & Whistle Bar is an open-air bar with three floors of entertainment: The Bull, The Whistle, and The Garden of Eden. Be warned: the Garden of Eden is aptly named and “clothing is optional.”
Where to Stay in Key West
Key West is a tourist hotspot and there are many places you could book to stay for your bachelorette party. Here are some of our favorite locations.
Mallory Square
Mallory Square is located on the waterfront in a prime location for tourist activities.
- NYAH Hotel (which stands for Not Your Average Hotel) is an excellent choice for your party crew. It’s an adults-only property that offers bunk bed accommodations where up to 6 people can have their own bed per room. You can also book a private room for your party, or stay in a shared room. The hotel is close to Duval Street and offers bike rental services. Rates start from $72 per bed per night.
- Opal Key Resort & Marina is a waterfront resort with spacious rooms in a very central location and stunning sunset views as well as a pool for guests to enjoy. Rooms start at around $245 per night.
Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is the largest public beach in Key West. It’s about ½ mile long and located on the south side of the island.
- Margaritaville Beach House Key West is located right next to Smathers Beach and just a short distance from the historic Old Town. Relax in a poolside cabana or gather around a fire pit for a night of fun! Rooms start at around $220 per night.
- Hampton Inn Key West is an oceanfront property just moments from Smathers Beach. You can take the hotel’s free shuttle to downtown attractions like Mallory Square and Duval Street (the shuttle will also take you to the airport). Rooms start at around $175 per night.
Old Town
Old Town is a historic district containing 187 historic buildings and structures.
- La Pensione is a bed and breakfast with Key West charm and spacious verandas perfect for watching the sunset. And get ready for a delicious breakfast that you can enjoy from the covered patio or even poolside! Rooms start at around $150 per night.
- Kimpton Ella’s Cottages are charming bungalows in a historic hideaway on a block off of Duval Street. The property offers continental breakfast, a boozy welcome drink upon arrival, snorkeling kits, and bikes to explore the town. Rooms start at around $230 per night.
- The Marquesa Hotel is a blend between historic and modern, with a luxurious feel that is just right for relaxing. It is the perfect spot for some shared time with your crew with its pool, candlelit dining room, and mouth-watering meals at the Café Marquesa. Rooms start at around $290 per night.
Duval Street
Duval Street is the action-packed main street in Key West with over 200 bars and restaurants.
- The Curry Mansion Inn is a historic bed and breakfast in the heart of Key West. The mansion was built in 1869 and is open for tours daily. It now is home to 28 guest rooms that overlook the pool area where breakfast and cocktails are served daily. Rooms start at around $220 per night.
- Old Town Manor is another great bed and breakfast property in Key West, offering 14 guest rooms only half a block from Duval Street. The property is a charming and comfortable retreat, as well as a top-ranked wedding venue! Rooms start at around $155 per night.
Historic Seaport
Historic Seaport is a waterfront district offering some of the freshest seafood on the island.
- The Garden House is an intimate bed and breakfast with cozy rooms on a quiet, tree-lined street. Full concierge services are also available to help you plan activities! Rooms start at around $120 per night.
- Key West Harbor Inn is a luxury bed and breakfast on Elizabeth Street with a picturesque island view. The property is a three-story mansion enclosed by a private, tropical garden. Rooms start at around $190 per night.
- Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa is an oceanfront boutique hotel that is a great jumping-off point for all your Key West adventures. Rooms start at around $350 per night.
How to Get Around in Key West
You can fly or drive to get to Key West. The Key West International Airport (EYW) operates flights from six carriers. You can also fly into the Miami International Airport (MIA), which offers a wider range of flights, and then drive down to the Keys.
To get from the Key West airport to your accommodations, first check if your hotel or bed and breakfast offers a transfer service (some do!). You can also easily take a taxi or rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber.
Once you’re in Key West, you can easily get around via car or bike (or walking!). If you have a car with you, keep in mind that most parking (even at hotels and accommodations) is paid. There are also paid parking garages available.
Rental bikes and scooters from companies like Bird and Lime are available for quick trips around Key West and are an affordable, fun, and easy way to get around. Your hotel may also have bikes available for you to use! Key West is also very walkable.
If you want to take public transportation, the Duval Loop is a free hop-on hop-off bus that takes riders to 16 stops through the main downtown area of Key West.
Get Ready for Your Key West Bachelorette Party!
We hope this guide has you feeling inspired for a Key West bachelorette party! As you’re planning, be sure to check out our other resources, including Bachelorette 101: How to Plan a Bachelorette Party.
We’d love to see pictures from your trip – don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @BDR for a chance to be featured.
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