If you’re visiting Key West on a cruise ship, you’re in luck!
There are so many exciting activities tailored perfectly to the limited time you’ll have on port. From water sports to cultural attractions, festive Duval Street to off-the-beaten path Bahama Village, you’ll easily fill your afternoon in Key West with fun things to do.
All Aboard the Conch Tour Train
Join the world-famous Conch Tour Train to see the sights of Old Town Key West, like the Historic Seaport, the Hemingway House, or the Southernmost Point. The tour itself is entertaining and informative, packed with fun facts from an expert narrator, who also serves as your friendly train conductor. You’ll learn about the history of Key West, its unique architecture, and the fascinating people who shaped the island.
And Conch Tour Train gets you to the fun even faster! Purchase your Conch Tour Train tickets from the cruise ship’s Shore Excursions desk. Our tours are designed to maximize your time here in Key West. You’ll be met on the pier and escorted to your train for a one-hour, fully narrated tour. You’ll receive an overview of the historic district, covering 100 points of interest, including the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum, the Audubon House, world-famous Duval Street, the Southernmost Point in the continental US, the neighborhoods of Old Town, one of the largest historical districts in the US, the Key West Bight, West Martello Fort, and tropical flowers and plants. The tour ends in Mallory Square. And rest assured, when purchasing an excursion through the ship, it guarantees that it will wait until the tour returns.
The train boarding location is approximately 250 yards each way to/from the cruise ship.
Special Feature:
The Key West Cooking Show® Key Lime Pie Experience
After concluding your Conch Tour Train ride in Mallory Square℠, an exciting culinary activity awaits just steps away. A visit to Key West would not be complete without enjoying the island’s signature dessert, and guests arriving on Key West cruise ships can now take part in a culinary demonstration created specifically for travelers on tight schedules.
Located inside the air-conditioned comfort of The Shops at Mallory Square℠, the Key Lime Pie Experience hosted by the Key West Cooking Show® provides an exclusive 30-minute culinary session. This fast-paced, flavor-packed demonstration showcases exactly what makes authentic Key lime pie a world-famous dessert.
Bundle Your Island Adventure with Conch Tour Train Packages
Maximize your shore excursion by pairing your train ride with Key West’s top historic attractions! Choose from curated package options to get the ultimate island experience in one simple ticket:
- Conch Tour Train + Key West Aquarium & Shipwreck Treasure Museum: Dive into local marine life and discover authentic sunken treasure.
- Conch Tour Train + Truman Little White House & Shipwreck Treasure Museum: Step into presidential history before exploring Key West’s maritime past.
Discover the Best of Key West
Whether you have a few hours or a full day ashore, Key West is packed with iconic landmarks, rich history, and legendary local charm. From historic presidential retreats and famous literary haunts to world-class aquariums and vibrant coastal views, explore the top must-see stops and experiences that make our island paradise truly unforgettable.
An Author’s Inspiration
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway spent most of the 1930s in Key West with his second wife, Pauline, in a beautiful home on Whitehead Street. His Key West years happened to be his most prolific, completing A Farewell to Arms, For Whom The Bell Tolls, To Have and Have Not, and other novels and short stories. Get a glimpse into the fascinating author’s life by touring the home, which features his writing studio and lush gardens. You may even catch a glimpse at a descendant or two of his famed six-toed cat, Snowball, wandering the property. Opt for a guided tour to get the most out of the experience. You’ll learn about how the Hemingways’ pool came to be, the toilet that he carried home from Sloppy Joe’s one night, and his travels to Africa and Cuba. An on-site bookstore allows for further reading if you’re feeling inspired after the visit.
Flutter Among Nature
At the far end of Duval Street, you’ll discover an enchanting world where butterflies flutter freely amidst flowering plants, waterfalls, exotic birds and tropical trees. Wander among these winged wonders as they fly about and, remember, it’s good luck if a butterfly lands on you. The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a wonderful activity for families with children curious about nature and science. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the gallery, the learning center and the conservatory. There’s also a boutique filled with souvenirs, books, jewelry and butterfly art.
Nowhere to Go but North
Make a beeline to the end of Whitehead Street for the most coveted photo opportunity on the island: The Southernmost Point Buoy. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this is where the saying “90 miles to Cuba” is famously scrawled. In fact, while in Key West, you’re closer to Cuba than you are to mainland Florida, which is 150 miles away. Be patient if there’s a line; this is one photo opp you don’t want to leave Key West without. Enjoy the views due south to the Atlantic Ocean and wander one block over where you’ll find both the Southernmost House and the Southernmost Beach Cafe. At the Southernmost House, $10 will get you a cocktail and an afternoon pass to their beautiful pool at this iconic conch shell pink and sea foam green Victorian mansion that’s now a bed and breakfast. At the Southernmost Beach Cafe, you can rent loungers at South Beach, pull up a stool at the al fresco bar or snag a table for lunch of fresh fish surrounded by some of the best views on the island.
A Key West Staple
Key West’s most picturesque beach is also a beautiful and historic state park. Accessed through Truman Annex at the end of Southard Street, enjoy an afternoon at the 54-acre Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Whether it’s relaxing on a beach blanket along the rocky coastline, swimming in the crystal blue ocean, hiking through nature trails shaded by Australian pine trees or touring the Civil War era fort, Fort Zach is the perfect destination for those who want to be surrounded by nature. You can rent snorkel gear and beach chairs and there’s also a snack bar for when you get hungry.
Do the Duval Crawl
Key West has a reputation for its raucous nightlife, live music and an “anything goes” spirit. Just because your cruise doesn’t stay in post overnight doesn’t mean you can’t get a taste of Key West’s wild side while you’re here. It’s never too early, or too late, for a Duval Crawl. Start at the base of this famous stretch by the Ocean Key House and let the live music lead the way to famous bars like Sloppy Joe’s, Irish Kevin’s, Captain Tony’s and Fogarty’s. Further up the street you’ll come across Margaritaville, Willy T’s, Jack Flats and the Green Parrot. How far will you get? From rum punch to cold beer, frozen drinks to mojitos, it’s easy to sample Key West’s nightlife in the broad daylight during your cruise vacation.
Discover a Hidden Gem
Venture off the beaten path and stroll down Petronia Street into the heart of Bahama Village. This historic neighborhood is where Bahamians initially settled in Key West. Today, adorable boutiques, local eateries and art galleries have popped up within this residential neighborhood, making it ready for exploration. Pop into Firefly, Santiago’s Bodega or La Creperie for a delicious lunch at these local hidden gems. Don’t miss Blue Heaven, where you can either have lunch or simply enjoy a drink at their beautiful patio bar with a ping-pong table shaded by boat’s sails. Sometimes there’s even live reggae music to really put you in an island state of mind. Swing into Besame Mucho for some of the best shopping on the island. This beautifully curated boutique boasts home goods, candles, skincare, jewelry, art and clothing. There’s also Wanderlust across the street for fashionable women’s apparel.
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Conch Tour Train Tickets
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Since 1958, the Conch Tour Train has treated guests to a close-up view of the Southernmost City’s most popular places including Mallory Square, The Harry S. Truman Little White House, Overseas Railroad Museum, the Key West Aquarium and more. While on the tour, your engineer offers an interesting and amusing narrative filled with historical facts, trivia and humor, and recounts fascinating stories of the colorful people that make Key West so unique.
- 60-minute tour of the Conch Republic
- One full loop through Old Town Key West
- Open-air sightseeing perfect for taking pictures
- FREE Two Guided Walking Tours included
- FREE coupons filled with valuable discounts to use all over the island
- FREE Full color map
EXCLUSIVE KEY LIME PIE SHOW
Join us at the Key West Cooking Show for a fast-paced, flavor-packed session that showcases exactly what makes Key lime pie such a staple dessert on the island. In just half an hour, we’ll reveal the secrets behind the Conch Republic’s most iconic treat.
This is the perfect “bite-sized” activity for travelers who want the secrets to the best Key lime pie, a taste of the treat for themselves, and a take-home recipe card — all without spending the whole afternoon in the kitchen.
Includes: Professional instruction, official recipe card, and a fresh slice of pie.
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TOUR KEY WEST AND TWO TOP ATTRACTIONS
Since 1958, the Conch Tour Train has treated guests to a close-up view of the Southernmost City’s most popular places. While on the tour, your engineer offers an interesting and amusing narrative filled with historical facts, trivia and humor, and recounts fascinating stories of the colorful people that make Key West so unique.
Discover the undersea world at the Key West Aquarium. A Window of Wonder comes alive as expert guides explain the mysteries of the water surrounding the Florida Keys.
Journey back to the mid-19th century in the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. Highlights include displays and video presentations on the history of wreck salvage in the Florida Keys and the sinking of the legendary Isaac Allerton.
- Conch Tour Train:
- 60-minute tour of the Conch Republic
- One full loop through Old Town Key West
- FREE Two Guided Walking Tours included
- FREE coupons filled with valuable discounts to use all over the island
- Key West Aquarium:
- Daily turtle feedings
- Touch Tank offers guests hands on experience
- A wide variety of fish including grouper, moray eels, barracuda, tropical fish and more
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum:
- Discover the world of Shipwrecking
- Hear the story of the Isaac Allerton which wrecked off Key West
- Climb a 65' Captain's Observatory
- Attraction tickets do not have to be used on the same day
Save up
to 9%
to 9%
TOUR KEY WEST AND TWO MUSEUMS
Since 1958, the Conch Tour Train has treated guests to a close-up view of the Southernmost City’s most popular places. While on the tour, your engineer offers an interesting and amusing narrative filled with historical facts, trivia and humor, and recounts fascinating stories of the colorful people that make Key West so unique.
Visit Florida’s only presidential museum at the Harry S. Truman Little White House built on the waterfront of the harbor of Key West.
Journey back to the mid-19th century in the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. Highlights include displays and video presentations on the history of wreck salvage in the Florida Keys and the sinking of the legendary Isaac Allerton.
- Conch Tour Train:
- 60-minute tour of the Conch Republic
- One full loop through Old Town Key West
- FREE Two Guided Walking Tours included
- FREE coupons filled with valuable discounts to use all over the island
- Harry S. Truman Little White House:
- See the home Harry S. Truman came to relax and rest
- Visit where Eisenhower recuperated from his heart attack in 1956
- Thomas Edison resided here during World War I
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum:
- Discover the world of Shipwrecking
- Hear the story of the Isaac Allerton which wrecked off Key West
- Climb a 65' Captain's Observatory
- Attraction tickets do not have to be used on the same day
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