What to Do in Key West in December

Plan your December trip to Key West and celebrate the holiday’s island style with Rent Key West Vacations. Find the perfect accommodations for your winter escape, and join us this December for holiday events, beautiful weather, and outdoor adventures. Enjoy beautiful 75-degree weather as you embark on holiday tours, shop for gifts, stroll through twinkling lights, and watch lighted boat parades. Experience the magic of Key West in December, and read on to discover the top things to do during your stay!

Key West Weather in December

Winter weather on Key West is beautiful, with average temperatures hovering around 75 degrees. Water temperatures also remain comfortable for swimming and recreational activities. This means you can enjoy all your favorite activities year-round, like boat tours, snorkeling, jet skiing, fishing, boating, and sailing.

Festive Happenings on Key West

Plan your vacation around one of our annual events and make the most of your December getaway in Key West. Find more details on these annual events on the Key West Christmas website:

Kick off the holiday season during the Key West Holiday Parade and watch decorated floats drive down Duval Street.
Visit the Key West Historic Seaport and stroll through the magical Harbor Walk of Lights from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Watch dozens of decorated boats cruising along the waterfront during the Lighted Boat Parade.
Head to Truman Waterfront Park and enjoy fun for the whole family during the Waterfront Winter Wonderland celebration. From ice skating to Santa visits and riding the Christmas train, there is something for everyone.

Key West Holiday Tours

Explore Key West’s historic properties decorated for the season during the Holiday Historic Inn Tour.
Join Old Town Trolleys or Conch Tour Train for their Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tours, taking you on a guided tour of the island’s best-decorated homes.
Sign up for the Ultimate Key West Christmas Tour with Fury Cat and play at Key West’s ocean water park for an afternoon.

Plan a Key West December Vacation

Discover the magic of Key West this December and book your getaway with Rent Key West Vacations. Spend the holidays at the beach and soak up the warm Florida sunshine while enjoying the island’s festive atmosphere. Whether you are visiting with your spouse or extended family, we offer the perfect lodging for your holiday escape. From oceanfront studio suites to Grand Estates hosting up to 30 guests, we have something for everyone!

Where to Find the Best Key Lime Pie in Key West

No trip to the Florida Keys is complete without savoring a slice of our signature key lime pie. Indulge in Florida’s official state dessert in Key West, the birthplace of this delectable dessert. Check in to your Rent Key West Vacations home and discover the best key lime pie in Key West during your visit. This tangy treat is the perfect end to any meal, made with tart key limes that grow on the island, sweetened condensed milk, graham cracker crust, and meringue. From the family recipes of Key West Key Lime Pie Company to Kermit’s signature pie bars, every bakery on the island offers their own spin on this iconic dessert!

Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe

A Key West staple for over 30 years, Kermit’s Key West Lime Shoppe offers a wide range of key lime pies and products on Elizabeth and Duval streets. Order one of their traditional key lime pies made with tart key lime flavor, graham cracker crust, and topped with whipped cream. Or sample one of their pie bars dipped in dark, milk, or white chocolate.

Blue Heaven

Enjoy a slice of key lime pie amidst canopies of tropical foliage at Blue Heaven in the historic Bahama Village. Their key lime pie is made with a buttery cracker crust, freshly squeezed lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and topped with meringue. They are one of the only restaurants in town that serve key lime pie with mountains of baked meringue!

Key West Key Lime Pie Company

The team at Key West Key Lime Pie Company has been making their pies the same way for 100 years. Stop in and try the family recipe, which uses all-natural ingredients, real key lime juice, and a handmade graham cracker crust. Then, go behind the scenes and learn how to make your own key lime pie during one of their classes.

Key Lime Pie Bakery

Locally owned and operated, the Key Lime Pie Bakery offers freshly baked key lime pies daily. Pick up one of their signature pies and walk through the aisles, browsing key lime products like cakes, cookies, drink mixes, saltwater taffy, and tea.

Moondog Cafe

Even visitors with dietary restrictions can enjoy key lime pie in Key West. Head to Moondog Cafe and try the mini gluten-free, vegan key lime pie, made with key lime coconut curd, toasted meringue, and a pâte sucrée shell.

Reserve Key West Vacation Rentals and Condos

Head to our island to try the best key lime pie in Key West for yourself. Book your getaway with Rent Key West Vacations and let our knowledgeable, local staff help you plan your dream vacation. Enhance your stay with our concierge services and book a gift basket with key lime pie and sweets to welcome you as you walk in the door. Check out our vacation rentals and call us at 1-800-833-7368 to help narrow down the right property for your getaway!

Uncover the Island’s Haunted History on a Key West Ghost Tour

Beyond Key West’s breathtaking white sand beaches lies a world unknown to most- one of eerie tales and ghostly encounters. Embark on a Key West ghost tour and explore one of the country’s most haunted cities this Halloween season. From the terrifying legends of Robert the Doll at Fort East Martello to the Lady in Blue that still roams the halls of Captain Tony’s Saloon, endless ghost stories are waiting to be uncovered. Stay with Rent Key West Vacations and visit the island’s most haunted bars, restaurants, hotels, and cemeteries on one of these ghost tours:

Ghosts & Gravestones Tour

Sign up for a Ghosts & Gravestones Tour and explore the island’s haunted history with a Ghost Host. These eccentric hosts guide you through the evening on the Trolley of the Doomed, taking you through the historic Old Town to hear tales of murder, disease, and misfortune. Along the way, you will hear the story of Robert the Doll and pass haunted sites like Captain Tony’s Saloon. Then, you will disembark at the Key West Shipwreck Museum and learn about the cursed silver bar from a shipwreck!

Ghost Key West

Get up close and personal with the island’s most famous haunted resident, Robert the Doll, at Fort East Martello. Join Ghost Key West on the Fort East Martello Ghost Tour and learn about the haunted artifacts of the fort before sitting down for a lockdown with Robert the Doll. Want to do some ghost hunting during your visit? Sign up for the VIP ticket and gain access to ghost-hunting equipment and an additional hour at the fort. Explore the fort with your flashlight and try to capture evidence of the supernatural!

Key West Ghost Hunt

Key West Ghost Hunt is the island’s longest-running ghost tour, providing exclusive access to areas not visited by any other tour. Join local experts on a ghost tour around town with equipment like dowsing rods, K-II meters, spirit boards, and spirit boxes.

Key West Ghost & Mysteries Tour

Explore the haunted history of Old Town on foot with the Key West Ghost & Mysteries Tour. Get off the beaten path and walk past mansions, graveyards, and pubs while hearing first-hand ghost stories from your tour guide.

Reserve Your Key West Vacation Rental

Get off the beaten path and discover the city’s haunted history on a Key West ghost tour. Book one of our homes in the historic district and immerse yourself in the charm of Old Town. Every home has its own distinct architecture and history, from the grand Victorian mansions to the cozy conch cottages. Book with us today and experience the paranormal in the Florida Keys!

Experience Frights and Fantasy During the Key West Halloween Season

Rent Key West Vacations invites you to experience Halloween island-style in the southernmost city. Plan your visit during the Key’s spookiest season and experience the perfect blend of mild weather, seasonal events, and haunted attractions. The season’s highlight is the annual Fantasy Fest, bringing ten days of costumes, parades, and libations to our island paradise. Immerse yourself in the excitement of Fantasy Fest while enjoying everything the Key West Halloween season has to offer:

Fantasy Fest

Started in 1979 to increase fall tourism on the island, today Fantast Fest is Key West’s most popular event of the year. This ten-day festival welcomes as many as 75,000 visitors each year. Join the party and attend dozens of adult-oriented events, including costumed marches, street fairs, parades, and glamorous balls. Check out the 2024 schedule of events and experience the island’s biggest party this October.

Ghosts and Gravestones Tour

Uncover the island’s haunted history on a Ghost and Gravestones Tour this Halloween. Each tour is guided by a Ghost Host who will take you through the historic streets of Old Town aboard the Trolley of the Doomed. Pass the island’s most haunted sites and learn about tales of murder, lost tombs, strange dolls, and the Lady in Blue. Sign up for their Halloween Sights and Lights Tour for the ultimate outing!

Screaming Green Halloween

If you are looking for family-friendly fun, we recommend planning your visit around Screaming Green Halloween at Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Learn fun ways to save the environment while enjoying kid-friendly activities like arts, crafts, games, and costume competitions.

Haunted Places in Key West

Key West is considered one of the most haunted cities in the country. Pay a visit to our most haunted places this Halloween season:

Audubon House and Gardens
Marrero’s Guest Mansion
Fort Zachary Taylor
East Martello Museum
Captain Tony’s Saloon

Plan an Unforgettable Key West Halloween Getaway

Pack your costumes and get ready for a frightful Key West Halloween getaway. Whether you are visiting for Fantasy Fest or want to soak up the sun on our beautiful beaches, we have an experience for everyone this fall. Visit the island with Rent Key West Vacations and find the perfect home away from home with our collection of over 140 vacation rentals.

7 Unique Things to Do in Key West

Beyond the famous Duval Street and Ernest Hemingway Home, Key West offers a wealth of unique experiences. Rent Key West Vacations invites you to venture off the beaten path and discover all the unique things to do in Key West. From haunted history tours to hidden gem restaurants and one-of-a-kind neighborhoods, our island has something to pique everyone’s curiosity. Head to Key West and discover the quirky island of the Florida Keys:

Stop at the Hellings Curry Museum for a free tour and explore one of the few brick structures on the island. Stroll through the building and learn about the history of this 19th-century mansion.
Pay a visit to Nancy Forester’s Secret Garden and visit the orphaned parrots at this educational sanctuary. Learn about Nancy’s mission to rescue, rehome, and train these parrots during your visit, and stop in for storytime from 10-11 daily.
Wander the streets of historic Old Town with Ghost & Gravestones and learn the haunted history of Key West. Follow your Ghost Host as you hear tales of murder, disease, and misfortune.
Stroll the unique and intriguing Key West Cemetery and use this map to learn about the island’s diverse heritage. Join the Historic Florida Keys Foundation walking tours twice a week.
Experience the Key’s Caribbean heritage at the historic Bahama Village Neighborhood. Stroll the streets and admire the Bahamian architecture, visit the Village Market for souvenirs, and stop for tapas at Santiago’s Bodega.
Learn all about Key West history at our newest museum: Sails to Rails Museum. Visit Key West Bight and stroll through exhibits featuring raw footage, unique artifacts, and a scale model of Fort Jefferson.
Discover the natural beauty of Key West on a Fury Cat Eco Tour. Board a catamaran and head to a backcountry sandbar for snorkeling, kayaking, watching wildlife, and relaxing.

Hidden Gem Restaurants in Key West

If you are looking for some delicious food off the beaten path, we have you covered. Stop at Garbo’s Grill at Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon for seasonal specialties like New England lobster rolls and poke bowls. And if you are looking for bars off the beaten path, we recommend going to Berlin’s behind A&B Lobster House. Settle into a cozy leather chair, order a drink from the speakeasy-style cocktail bar, and listen to jazz music as you sip on your cocktail.

Book Unique Lodging in Key West with RKW

Skip the hustle and bustle and check out all the unique things to do in Key West during your getaway with Rent Key West Vacations. Find unique lodging, like our 1840’s 11-bedroom Watson House Grand Estate, and stay in a piece of Key West history. Whether you want to stay in the historic district or near the beach, we have the perfect Key West vacation rental for your Florida getaway!