10 Things to Do in Key West in February

The island city of Key West is a very popular place due to its wide range of tourist activities. On this island, you will discover natural spaces with an incredible scenic scene, cultural and historical destinations. You can visit some museums, practice water sports, taste the local gastronomy and much more.

In February you will have the opportunity to celebrate Valentine's Day on the island, take advantage of the lobster season and delight your palate with its exquisite taste. You can also enjoy the pleasant weather this month to take a boat ride , dive into the water, explore the wilderness, among other of the best things to do in Key West.

Celebrating Valentine's Day in mid-February is one of the things you can do if the date coincides with your trip of at least 2 days in Key West. In the city you will find a real atmosphere of celebration in the squares, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions.

You will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities to celebrate with your partner, friends or family. For example:

• Take a stroll through Mallory Square. During this Valentine's Day season you will find music shows and some handicraft stalls. In addition, you will enjoy a beautiful view.
• Enjoy a dinner, in some restaurants with sea view like Latitudes, Sunset Pier, among others.
• Take a moonlit boat trip around Key West.

Similarly, if you want to celebrate and discover Key West at night, you can take a pub crawl around Key West. You'll find themed parties with live music and great drinks.

The low temperatures and low chance of rain (about 3 days) in Key West during the month of February make for ideal weather conditions to take a boat tour of the island. You'll be able to enjoy the city's skyline while the sea breeze brushes against your skin.

Throughout this adventure, considered among the best Key West tours, you'll have the opportunity to see iconic Key West landmarks. For example, the Key West Marina (lined with dozens of terraces with bars and restaurants), the Key West Lighthouse, the USCGC Ingham Maritime Museum, among others.

Also, if you keep an eye on the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, you might spot some waterfowl, dolphins and sea turtles. And, if you take this sunset boat trip around Key West, you'll enjoy an unforgettable sunset, as the skies are mostly clear in February.

February in Key West marks the peak of lobster season in Key West , making it a great time to enjoy lobster. Take advantage of your stay in the city to visit some of the traditional local markets and delight your palate with the fresh flavours of the sea.

Some of the markets you can visit to sample fresh lobster and other seasonal products include the following:

• Truman Waterfront Market, located on the city's waterfront. This is a place with dozens of open-air stalls where you'll find everything from lobster to fish such as snapper, shrimp and the famous dogfish (small shark).
• The Green Market on Petronia Street, less than five minutes from the Hemingway Museum, with fresh produce and seasonal food ready to eat. Such is the case of the Stone crab claws, shrimp cocktail, various lobster preparations, and so on.

Undoubtedly, these are places not to be missed if you wish to embark on a gastronomic tour of Key West. You will discover the colours, aromas and flavours of the cuisine of this important island city.

Key West' s beaches are paradisiacal places you won't want to miss, especially if you visit in February, which is a season with very pleasant weather conditions (an average of 21ºC in the sea water and 23ºC outside). You can soak in the water for hours, practice water sports or just lie on the sand.

In Key West you will have several beaches to choose from depending on your needs. For example, some of them are:

• Smathers Beach. This is a very busy beach, where you can swim, enjoy the sun and a lively nightlife.
• The Sunset Beach: it is a place with a privileged panoramic view if you want to watch the sunrise or sunset.
• Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach, a quiet place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and with no waves, so it's safe if you're travelling with children.
• La Rest Beach: with stunning coral reefs and waters ideal for snorkelling.

While this is an activity you can undertake on your own, you also have the option of joining some guided activities to enhance the experience. Perhaps a jet ski tour in Key West, a surfing adventure, etc.

If your trip coincides with the last week of February, then you'll have the opportunity to attend the Winter Winds Festival. This is an annual event that usually lasts about 3 days in Key West and offers fun for all ages: music, food and much more.

To enjoy this festival you should head to Mallory Square. This is an iconic spot in town, which is incorporated into the Key West tourist tram route. In fact, you can take advantage of this means of transport to get closer to the place.

There, you will find a lively atmosphere and a series of activities, some of them being the following:

• Food stalls, with street food, seafood, conch fritters, Key lime pie, etc.
• Some live shows, where you will get to know the local and national music scene.
• Entertainment for children, with various games specially designed for the little ones.
• A magical parade, with floats and parades.

Weather factors such as moderate temperatures and winds in February in Key West make it the perfect time to practice any water sport. On the island, you have the opportunity to join an unforgettable experience in which you will enjoy different adventures in the open sea: snorkelling, parasailing, jet skis, etc.

For this type of activity, you will go into the sea aboard a boat, together with an expert guide and his crew. From the deck you will be able to contemplate the city and identify some places in the distance such as the Key West lighthouse, the Key West Nature Reserve, etc. You'll also enjoy the vastness and tranquillity of the Atlantic Ocean before the real fun begins.

With a Key West adventure and water sports pass, you'll have the opportunity to snorkel Key West's living coral reef and parasail over the waters. Also, glide through the sea on a banana boat, ski or jet ski, and finally visit the ocean water park with slides, obstacles, climbing towers, etc.

Useful information

• Price: the value of the activity starts at around 197€ per person.
• Duration: the experience could last around 6 hours.

Another great thing to do in Key West in February is to explore the city by bike for a different kind of adventure. You won't have to worry about the sweltering heat or rainfall, as the weather in this month is cool (around 22ºC and winds of around 25km/h).

You can move around the city discovering destinations of great historical, cultural and tourist interest such as the following:

• The historic city centre, with its Victorian houses, restaurants, bars and shops.
• The White Street Pier, a pier with a beautiful natural backdrop for your photographs.
• Mallory Square, noted for its vibrant atmosphere and a privileged view of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Mile Marker Zero, which marks the beginning of US1.

For this Key West bike tour, you can rent a bike and get around the city on your own. You also have the option of connecting with a guided activity to learn how to get around Key West on two wheels with an experienced local.

Visiting some of the best museums in Key West is another suitable activity during the month of February, as these are low tourist days on the island. You'll be able to wander the halls of the respective museums at your leisure and appreciate the exhibits without the annoying crowds.

Some of the museums you can visit during your stay in the city include the following:

• The Alan S. Maltz Gallery, ideal if you are passionate about photography. You'll discover the history of the city through a series of stunning images in vibrant colours.
• The Sails to Rails Museum in Key West, you'll see a complete chronology from sailing ships to the railway.
• Fort East Martello Museum, an 1862 fortress.
• Truman's Little White House in Key West, where you'll discover many anecdotes about the 33rd president of the United States of America.

This experience of visiting the museums of Key West can be done on your own. However, some museums offer guided tours and audio guides, which may help you better understand the history of the city.

The Key West Aquarium is a destination you can visit any time of the year, but during February you'll enjoy touring the outdoor exhibits much more. This is because the weather is cooler during this month and it is also low tourist season.

Upon arrival you will be amazed by the variety of sea creatures arranged in the different areas of the aquarium. You will have the opportunity to interact directly with some of them in the touch tanks. For example, you will be able to carefully touch some horseshoe crabs, starfish, conches, snakes, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, among others.

Also, with the Key West Aquarium tickets you will meet some rescued sea turtles, a living mangrove ecosystem, the famous smiling alligators, the amazing glowing jellyfish and much more. Without a doubt, a unique experience where you will have fun and learn. Ideal if you are in Key West with children.

Useful information

• Price: admission costs approximately €21 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Boarding the Conch Train is a great option in February. You'll be able to leisurely stroll the streets of Key West without being directly exposed to the sun's rays, which in this month reaches a maximum UV index of 6. You'll enjoy the urban and natural panorama of this picturesque island city from the carriages of this traditional means of transport.

As you move through the old town of Key West, you'll have the opportunity to identify some of the most emblematic places. Such is the case of Harry Truman's Little White House, Mallory Square, the Key West Shipwreck Museum, the open-air aquarium, among others.

Moreover, along this route on the Key West Conch Train, you will enjoy live narrations by the driver in charge of the circuit. This way, you will learn about the history of the monuments and personalities of the island.

Useful information

• Price: the average cost of this panoramic tour is €42 per person.
• Timetable: The train runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, approximately.

Temperatures in Key West in February range from a high of 27 degrees Celsius to a low of 21 degrees Celsius. You'll enjoy a warm environment, but one that still retains that January coolness that is characteristic of Key West.

The chances of rainfall are usually only about 3 days of rain. And, as for sea water temperature , it averages around 22ºC. Meanwhile, the wind speed at this time of year is 25km/h and the UV index is around level 6. Ideal conditions for parasailing in Key West, or other water activities.

Key West receives a large number of tourists all year round and February is no exception. However, during this season the influx of visitors is considered low compared to summer or Key West in December, which is when the number of tourists peaks.

You can walk the streets and enjoy the island' s paradisiacal beaches without experiencing the annoying crowds. Also, buy tickets for the Sails to Rails Museum in Key West or other popular attractions without fear that they will be sold out by the day of your visit.