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EYW Layover Ideas Key West Airport Layover Guide

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Top 5 Layover Ideas for Key West Airport

If you find yourself with a long layover at Key West Airport (EYW), there's no need to fret. This vibrant, historic city is packed with activities to keep you entertained. Here are our top five suggestions for your layover in Key West.

1. Explore Key West Parks and Beaches

Key West is renowned for its beautiful parks and beaches. Just west of the airport on S. Roosevelt Blvd, you'll find Smathers Beach, one of Key West's longest beaches complete with picnic areas, restroom facilities, a volleyball net, and watersports.

Alternatively, head to Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach, a strip of beach located near the south end of White Street. This beach offers swimming, a great pier, and recreational facilities for children. Across the street, you'll find free tennis courts.

2. Visit Dry Tortugas National Park

About 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible by scheduled ferry service or chartered seaplane. Activities include diving, snorkeling, bird watching, and exploration of Fort Jefferson National Monument. This could be a perfect adventure if your layover allows for it.

3. Discover Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Park

Enter through Truman Annex on Southard Street to visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Park. The fort is a fascinating step back into Key West's history. Outside, you can enjoy what locals call "the best beach in Key West". This is also a great spot for a picnic or some fishing.

4. Stroll Down Duval Street

Key West's Duval Street is known for its vibrant nightlife, with a multitude of bars that stay open until the early hours. This lively street is also home to South Beach, a small public beach with picnic tables and bathroom facilities. Whether you're looking to relax by the sea or experience the local nightlife, Duval Street has something for everyone.

5. Dive into Key West's History

Key West's unique history is proudly displayed throughout the city. Walking tours of the Old Town reveal beautifully preserved Victorian-era houses and the residences of famous figures such as Hemingway and President Truman. Museums, art galleries, and bookstores abound, offering a glimpse into the island's rich cultural heritage.

Helpful Tips & Resources

Need help navigating your way through an unfamiliar airport? Look no further than iFly.com for expert tips and advice. Here are some helpful tips to help you travel stress-free through EYW Airport:

  • Don't let heavy bags slow you down! Make use of our airport's complimentary baggage carts, available for all travelers in the baggage claim area.
  • If you have some time before your departure, relax, grab a bite at one of EYW's restaurants, peruse the shops, or jump on the free internet and surf galore!
  • If you are flying in business or first class (or are a member), check out where the airline club lounges are located.
  • Once you have passed through security, you can use the airport map to find your gate, as well as the various restaurants and shops that are available on your route.
  • Surf to your heart's content. Jump on Key West airport's internet (free!)
  • For those (dreaded) early-morning flights, consider one of the airport hotels on or near EYW to spend the night prior to your flight. In many cases your parking for the trip's duration is free!
  • Have a flight arriving and want a fast way to get to your destination? Here are a few taxi and limo airport service providers that service the airport.

Nearby Attractions for an Extended Layover

Having an extended layover of 12-48 hours opens up a wider range of activities to explore in the surrounding areas of Key West. Here are some suggestions that will make your layover feel like part of the vacation.

1. Explore the Florida Keys

Key West is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and the last of the Florida Keys island chain. If you have the time, consider renting a car and driving along the scenic Overseas Highway. This 113-mile highway offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, and connects a string of islands with unique attractions such as diving, fishing, and wildlife refuges.

2. Visit the Everglades National Park

A few hours' drive from Key West, the Everglades National Park is a unique and fragile ecosystem. Here, you can take an airboat tour, hike, bird-watch, or even camp overnight. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther and the American crocodile.

3. Experience Miami's Vibrant Culture

If you're up for a longer trip, consider a visit to Miami. This bustling city offers a vibrant nightlife, world-class dining, shopping, and arts scene. Don't miss the Art Deco Historic District in South Beach, the vibrant neighborhoods of Little Havana and Wynwood Walls, and the luxury shops in the Design District.

4. Visit the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Located in Key Largo, the first of the Florida Keys, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the U.S. Here, you can snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat tour to explore the vibrant coral reefs and their marine life. The park also offers canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

5. Discover the Lower Keys

Just a short drive from Key West, the Lower Keys offer a quieter, more relaxed pace. Visit the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, home to the tiny Key Deer. Check out the Blue Hole, the largest body of fresh water in the Keys, and keep an eye out for alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds.

Updated on: November 22, 2023