Running total for this whole page: zero dollars and zero cents.
We checked the math. We checked it twice, which is twice more than anyone checks anything on this island after 4 PM.
Each thing below is free, and under each one is what it will actually cost you, because nothing is ever completely free, the sunset charges you in sunburn and the buoy charges you in patience.
And if a few dollars do slip out of your pocket later, our cheap eats and drinks, today's happy hours and last-minute deals are where they go the furthest.
The sunset at Mallory Square: $0.00
Every evening a crowd collects on the waterfront to watch the sun drop into the Gulf, and Mallory Square's own guide puts it plainly, attending is completely free.
There are street performers, arts and crafts sellers, food carts and, according to the organizers, psychics, so for a fee you can learn your future, and for nothing you can watch the sun set, and only one of those comes with a guarantee.
When it hits the water a few hundred strangers applaud, as though it had done something difficult, which, every night for a few billion years now, it sort of has.
What it actually costs you: a good spot, so go early, about an hour before sunset says the Sunset Celebration, two hours says the square's page, split the difference and bring water.
Running total: $0.00.
The Southernmost Point buoy: $0.00
The big brightly colored concrete buoy that says 90 miles to Cuba is free to visit, Mallory Square's guide says, and Visit Florida says the photo line starts at dawn and at sunset still snakes down the block.
Know before you go, the City of Key West says the buoy has been on a temporary spot since September 2025 while the seawall and road get repaired, a stand-in at the southern end of Duval Street, 1499 Duval by the City's count, so check the City's page before you march to Whitehead and South expecting the original.
What it actually costs you: a stretch in a line of strangers, all of whom will ask you to take their picture.
Running total: $0.00.
Mile Marker 0: $0.00
The green sign on Whitehead Street near Fleming marks where US 1 begins, and stopping costs nothing and takes about five minutes, and for a road sign it draws a frankly unreasonable number of cameras.
What it actually costs you: a moment of reflection about all the road between here and wherever you came from, which some people find moving and some people find exhausting.
Running total: $0.00.
The Key West Cemetery: $0.00
Nineteen fenced acres of whitewashed tombs in the middle of Old Town, established in 1847 says the City, 1846 says WLRN, after a hurricane did what hurricanes do here, and the City says a free self-guided map waits at the front entrance, where Angela meets Margaret Street.
Look for Pearl Roberts, who, WLRN found, had "I told you I was sick" put on her stone, which is about the best last word anybody on this island has ever had.
If you'd like it narrated, the Murder, Money & Margaritas Cemetery Walking Tour plays in your ear as you walk, it isn't free, but it's cheaper than a séance and more reliable.
What it actually costs you: your inside voice. People are resting.
Running total: $0.00.
A fort full of flowers: $0.00
West Martello Tower, out on Atlantic Boulevard, is an old brick fort the Key West Garden Club turned into a garden, and its site says free admission, donations gratefully accepted, open daily except Christmas and New Year's Day.
Lonely Planet says it's the only one of the island's three Civil War-era forts you can see for free, and like the British Museum letting you stare at the Rosetta Stone for nothing, the free thing turns out to be better than half the things you pay for.
What it actually costs you: a few dollars in the donation box, if you've got them, because it's a garden and the plants can't pay the water bill.
Running total: $0.00, plus whatever you put in the box, which doesn't count, that's karma.
Two beaches: $0.00
Smathers Beach is the biggest public beach in Key West, about half a mile of sand, open sunrise to sunset, and getting on it is free.
Higgs Beach is free too, TripShock's beach guide says, and since May 1, 2026 it belongs to the City of Key West instead of Monroe County, Keys Weekly reported, which changes, as far as anyone has said, nothing for you.
What it actually costs you: parking, at Smathers, which Visit Florida notes is not free, and sunscreen, which never is anywhere.
Running total: $0.00.
A long walk through Old Town: $0.00
Gingerbread porches, tin roofs, doors painted colors that would get you a stern letter anywhere with a homeowners' association, all free to look at from the sidewalk.
Bahama Village, which Mallory Square's guide says was founded by 19th-century Bahamian settlers, is right off Whitehead Street, and wandering it costs nothing at all.
You will meet chickens, everyone does, and the one rule is that feeding them is against city law, Keys Weekly reported, which saves you the cost of the croissant.
What it actually costs you: shoe leather, and a little dignity when a rooster outwalks you.
Running total: $0.00.
A wildlife rescue center: $0.00
The Key West Wildlife Center, at 1801 White Street inside Indigenous Park, has a freshwater pond and two aviaries, and Florida Rambler says rescue centers like it are free, with donations welcome.
What it actually costs you: planning, because the City's listed visiting hours are short, so check them first.
Running total: $0.00.
Hot dogs, popcorn and peanuts: $0.00
At the Chart Room, the old-school bar at the Pier House, the hot dogs, popcorn and peanuts are free.
What it actually costs you: whatever you drink with it, which is the most honest business model on the island.
Running total: $0.00 for the food, the drink is between you and your bartender.
A magic show: $0.00
Frank's Comedy Island Magic Show at Schooner Wharf Bar is free and, our listing says, the island's longest-running comedy bar magic show, back by the pool table, check the page for which nights.
What it actually costs you: your belief that you can spot a card trick. You can't. Nobody can. That's the point.
Running total: $0.00.
Not on the bill anymore
A few things older lists still call free, so you don't get caught out.
- The Duval Loop bus was suspended in January 2026 and replaced by a paid on-demand service, KeysNews reported.
- The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center on Quay Road is free when it's open, but NOAA says it's temporarily closed for repairs.
- Fort Zachary Taylor is a state park with an entry fee, and the Key West Lighthouse and Fort East Martello, both run by the Key West Art & Historical Society, charge admission, all worth it, none of them free.
Grand total: $0.00
That's a whole day, buoy line to sunset applause, for nothing.
If you've saved enough to spend a little tonight, start with today's happy hours, our cheap eats and drinks and the last-minute deals, or see what's happening today, a good chunk of it costs nothing either.
Tip your bartender anyway. That one's not optional.
Sources
- Mallory Square: Free things to do in Key West
- Key West Sunset Celebration
- Mallory Square: Sunset Celebration
- City of Key West: Southernmost Point (temporary buoy)
- Visit Florida: The Keys' Southernmost Point
- Keys Weekly: Keys history, Mile Marker 0
- City of Key West: Key West Cemetery
- City of Key West: Historic City Cemetery
- WLRN: Key West Cemetery, where last words are sometimes one-liners (2016)
- Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower
- Lonely Planet: Top free things to do in Key West
- Florida State Parks: Fort Zachary Taylor hours and fees
- Key West Art & Historical Society: Fort East Martello
- Key West Art & Historical Society: Lighthouse
- Visit Florida: Smathers Beach guide
- TripShock: Public beaches in Key West (2022)
- Keys Weekly: Key West takes ownership of Higgs Beach (2026)
- Keys Weekly: Don't feed the chickens (2025)
- City of Key West: Key West Wildlife Center
- Florida Rambler: Florida wildlife rescue centers
- NOAA: Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
- KeysNews: On-demand service to replace the Duval Loop (2025)
