How to Visit Key West on a Budget with your Pets

When traveling on a budget it is challenging to decide what to spend your hard earned money on that will allow you to not only enjoy what your destination has to offer but to also learn about the area's history and culture. The nice thing about Key West is that there are a whole slew of activities to do that are free or budget friendly. This blog post shares what to see and do while in Key West with your pets all while maximizing your trip budget!

Key West is the southern most point in the United States, roughly 90 miles from Cuba, and is known for watersports, beaches, and pastel-hued conch-style architecture. It is a beautiful island that is part of the Florida Keys archipelago. If you have the pleasure to drive The Overseas Highway, which is 113 miles long, make sure to stop along the way to enjoy the some of the sites each island has to offer.​

Overseas Highway - Highway 1 

The Overseas Highway is so beautiful especially with the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico on either side! It goes from Miami to Key West and takes you to a tropical savanna environment and provides access to the largest area of coral reefs on the U.S. mainland. Many exotic animals such as the American Alligator, American Crocodile and Key Deer inhabit the tropical islands of the Florida Keys, though we didn't see any when we were there. 

As you make your way over the 42 bridges that take you to key to key, stop along the way to enjoy some of the sights! There are spots to pull off to swim, fish or just enjoy a picnic lunch. Also stop by the Key Largo Visitor's Center and grab some brochures to read in your down time to learn more about the Florida Keys! 

There are a variety of state parks along the way that you should also check out:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
• Long Key State Park
• Curry Hammock State Park
• Bahia Honda State Park​

Lastly, the seven mile highway is cool and the history of the Overseas Bridge is pretty interesting! If you are into architecture, click here for more information!

Watersports

• There is a TON of water activities to do while in Key West! You can tour the island on a jetski, SUP board through the channels, snorkel the reefs and so much more.
• If you are planning to go on a boat or ferry ride, I would suggest booking before you go since those fill up fast. 
• Everyone recommended we take the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park. It is an island that is almost 70 miles west of Key West and only accessible by ferry or seaplane. It is an all day affair since you arrive at the ferry at 7:30am and are gone until 5:30pm. It costs $180/person which includes the park entrance fee, breakfast/lunch, a 30 minute tour of Fort Jefferson, and time to snorkel or explore the island. 

Walking Tour

The highlight for us was just walking around and learning about the history of Key West and the influential people who played a part in making the island what it is today. Here are some of our favorite or most interesting spots:​

​Fort Zachary​​ Taylor

William Curry Homestead
Born on Green Turtle Key in the Bahamas in 1821, immigrated to Key West in 1837. Curry homesteaded this lot in 1852 and was Key West's leading merchant for 40 years. Wm. Curry Sons maritime business amassed a fortune during the Spanish-American war building ships, salvaging wrecks, operating a ship chandlery, and erecting wharves. Curry was reportedly Key West's wealthiest citizen and Florida's first millionaire.

Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters
In 1823, the US Navy established a base in Key West and a need for a lighthouse became evident. Erecting a warning beacon was essential to reduce shipwrecks on the treacherous shoals surrounding the island. By the mid 1800's there was an average of a wreck per week. The first lighthouse was constructed in 1825 and was washed out to sea by the 1846 hurricane. The current structure, first lit in 1848, stands half a mile inland, with the Keepers Quarters added in 1887.

Turtle Kraals Museum
As long as humans have inhabited Key West turtles have been a valuable and much sought after food source. For decades, this building and its kraals have operated as a cannery in the center of the turtle industry. Kraals take their name from the Dutch African word for "corral". They functioned as holding pens for captured turtles. Two hundred years of over fishing led to near extinction of the turtle population. The Endangered Species Act of 1971 led to the demise of the cannery.

Chickens on the Island
Do you know why there are so many chickens in Key West? They are protected by the city and are considered a symbol of Key West!

Marine Life

Make time to stop by the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. It is free to get in but no pets allowed. It doesn't take too long to learn some interesting information about the native plants and animals of the Keys. They also have a cool display of Aquarius, the last operating underwater sealab of its kind.  The habitat allows scientists to live and work underwater 24 hours per day for up to two

week missions where they can participate in the world's longest running and most detailed coral reef monitoring program. ​

Botanical Gardens

We love learning and smelling the flowers of the area we are visiting! Here are a couple of the botanical gardens in the Florida Keys:

• ​Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
• Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden​

Food and Drink

There are so many delicious places to eat when in Key West. One of the perks of being in a tourist destination is that even the economical places have yummy food! We shopped for happy hour specials for food which allowed us to try the local fair without having to pay full price! But note, every place has discounted drinks so make sure to check that the food is 1/2 price as well. Our favorite place was Boathouse Bar & Grill! Great food, service and they gave special attention to our dog!

Key West is known for their key lime pie and we were not disappointed! You must stop by Key Lime Pie Co. and Kermit's Key West Lime Shoppe. It is a toss up which one is better! 

What to do with your pets?

Traveling with your pets can be a challenge, especially when it is super hot outside. Though we decided to not put our dog in the kennel during our time in Key West here are a couple places that are available with the best reviews online:

• Wagnificent! Pet Sitting of Key West
• Pawadise Pet Sitting

If you decide to keep your pet with you do not worry since there are MANY pet friendly restaurants and bars that allow pets and will even bring over a fresh bowl of water with ice cubes floating in it! Just check before you go! We found that many of the activities that cost money do not allow dogs so that really helped keep our budget in check! 

And on the activities that we did not want to pass up we took turns with the dog outside so we wouldn't miss out. Just note, no pets are allowed on any beaches, except for the one dog beach on Key West. 

After having spent almost a week there in the middle of May, our biggest recommendation would be to visit Key West during the tourist season which is November through early May then it is not so unbearably hot, especially if you are not able to afford (or just do not want to) to kennel your pets. 

​To hear more about our time in Key West, listen to our podcast episode!

Blog post written by Amy and Jacob Karras
Unnamed Adventures
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