There are quite a few lighthouses in the Florida Keys, but you can only go up in one of them, and that’s the Key West Lighthouse. Interestingly, the Key West Lighthouse is actually not on the water, but inland a bit. Similar to the St Augustine Lighthouse, the Key West tower is actually a half mile from the water, so it’s in a neighborhood. It’s very easy to include the Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters Museum to your Key West itinerary.
This is a great place to visit with all age, but especially with people like me who like to geek out over lighthouses, lenses and maritime history. It’s 88 steps to the top of the lighthouse, so it’s not a difficult climb for most visitors, but remember that it’s hot in Key West and climbing a tower is a workout, so maybe it’s not for everybody. If you have any questions about visiting the lighthouse or need additional recommendations for historic things to do in Key West, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an amazing time in the Florida Keys.
Why Visit the Key West Lighthouse?
We’ve been to lighthouses all around Florida and the whole USA. Each one is different, some are really cool and some are even thrilling. The Key West Lighthouse is really pretty, but it’s not one of the thrilling lighthouses. The climb up the tower isn’t too difficult at just 88 steps, which seems so short in comparison to the St Augustine Lighthouse at 219 steps. I love the views from the top because you really can see all of Key West and get a great lay of the land. This is the only one of the 9 lighthouses in the Florida Keys that you can climb.
The other thing I really like about visiting the Key West Lighthouse is the collection of exhibits throughout the museum buildings that occupy the Keepers Quarters and other structures. Between the displays with the cool old lenses to the history of the wreckers in Key West, there is actually quite a bit of neat stuff to check out. Our kids also love the grounds at the Key West Lighthouse. I think the coolest part is actually the giant banyan tree. The stranger fig, as it’s also called, is huge and you can to inside it. It’s very old though, so if you choose to go to the tree and explore it, be careful to not damage the tree and DON’T CARVE INTO IT.
Tips for Visiting the Key West Lighthouse
The best time to visit the Key West Lighthouse is early in the day before it’s too hot in the tower. There is no AC while you’re climbing the stairs in the lighthouse, but since it’s not as tall as other Florida lighthouses it shouldn’t be too bad for most visitors. If you’re visiting the Keys in summertime, remember that the heat and humidity can be intense and this can really have an effect on even the most fit people, let alone those who are visiting from cold weather places or are older.
Note: while the grounds are wheelchair accessible, the lighthouse tower is NOT. Allow yourself a little over an hour for visiting the Key West Lighthouse. It doesn’t take a long time to read through all the exhibits and climb the lighthouse, but if you want to just have a slow, mellow visit and relax in the shade, you can just go at your own pace.
Need to Know for the Key West Lighthouse
You don’t need any fancy gear for photography at the Key West Lighthouse, but if you did want to climb the tower with a good camera you can snap some cool shots all around town. The perspective from the top of the lighthouse is cool and it’s fun to do a bit of a visual scavenger hunt from the top. If you’re here in the Florida Keys in the summer, don’t forget to bring water with you wherever you go. The heat and humidity can be hard, even if you’re a Floridian, so it’s good to keep yourself hydrated.
Parking at the Key West Lighthouse
There is actually dedicated parking for visiting the Key West Lighthouse, which is amazing considering nearby attractions like the Hemmingway House or Audubon House and Gardens don’t have their own parking. The lighthouse is located at the north end of Whitehead Street though, so there are several paid lots in the neighborhood and as you approach Mallory Square in the event the lighthouse parking lot is full. We are usually on foot when we’re in the neighborhood, so that’s what I would recommend for you as well. It’s very easy to get an Uber or Lyft anywhere around Key West, and there are lots of taxis too. It’s a very walkable town and you’ll find that driving is more of a pain than a convenience, so plan your time to be both less stressful and more efficient.
Key West Lighthouse Operating Information
To be sure you have the best experience climbing the lighthouse or checking out the museum and grounds, here’s the operating information for your visit:
- Operating Dates/Season: year round, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, special sunset tours are available
- Office phone number: 305-294-0012
- Company website: KW Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters
- Site address: 938 Whitehead St, Key West FL 33040
More Fun Things to do in Key West
Key West is many people’s favorite destination in the Florida Keys. You can’t blame them; there are so many wonderful things to do, historic sites, so much wildlife and great food. If you know you’re coming to Key West and need some ideas to add to your itinerary or travel plan, take a look at some of our favorite things to do. You can always just play it by ear, walking from neighborhood to neighborhood, but I like to always have at least a loose plan.
Where to Stay in Key West
If you haven’t planned where to stay in Key West yet, of course we have recommendations. We’ve stayed many place, from luxury resorts to family friendly hotels, cute stays in the historic center to spacious condos on the end of town. There’s the right type of accommodation for any type of traveler in Key West. Keep in mind that with so many things to do and beautiful places to just explore on foot, you may not have a ton of time in your hotel room, so you might not need a ton of space and lots of amenities. Also, Key West is pretty costly for accommodations. As you look for where to stay, balance out your budget by considering hotels that AREN’T directly downtown.
Here are some of our recommendations for where to stay in Key West. We’ll keep adding to this list as we enjoy more wonderful hotels and resorts.
I hope you’ll consider checking out the Key West Lighthouse and museum. There is a lot to learn and if you’re into lighthouses, you’ll love spending time at this beautiful maritime site. If you have any questions about visiting Key West or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help plan awesome Florida Keys trips!
