Blooming flowers, glorious weather, seasonal cuisine, and lots of only-in-Key-West things to do hit the calendar every spring in Key West. With the promise of warmer (and longer) days, it’s not hard to see why so many locals eagerly greet spring with open arms. Welcome the new season with these ways to celebrate springtime in Key West.

[Guide to Key West Spring Break 2024]

1. See Flowers in Bloom at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden

Hit the ground running this spring with a visit to the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden on Stock Island. You’ll see nature reawakening as colorful flowers from native flora like the Lignum Vitae, Sweet Acacia, Locustberry, Simpson’s Stopper, and Plumeria Pudica come into full bloom. The only frost-free, subtropical, natural conservation habitat and native plant botanical garden in the continental United States has over 15 acres of garden and forest to explore. Best of all, the garden is just a 10-minute walk from The Gates Hotel.

2. Watch the Butterflies at The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

Although Key West’s seasonal changes are subtle, they are still a wonderful excuse to embrace spring. Like spring, butterflies represent renewal. Visit the beautiful fluttering insects at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy on Duval Street (pictured above). The famed butterfly park, named the “Best Attraction in Key West,” houses between 50 and 60 species of butterflies from around the world in an enclosed habitat. It is also home to over 20 species of exotic birds, including two bright pink flamingos. The birds are getting busy outside as well! See if you can spot migratory birds like the Least Tern and Antillean Nighthawk that pass through Key West each spring.

3. Welcome the Longer Days with a Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square

The increased daylight spring brings means it's time to celebrate. Join other visitors from around the world at Mallory Square for the nightly Sunset Celebration. The event brings all sorts of people, street performers, and food vendors together for an incredible cultural experience. Find out when the sun sets in Key West and jump on The Gates Hotel’s air-conditioned shuttle to be whisked to Old Town to partake in the shenanigans.

4. See the ‘Shadow & Light’ Exhibition at the Key West Art & Historical Society

Speaking of brighter days, the Key West Art & Historical Society’s ‘Shadow & Light’ art exhibit runs until April 28, 2024. The new exhibition features works by over 50 local artists that capture the essence of natural light in the Keys, in a way that evokes the interplay between nature and human mindfulness.

[Key West Experiences You Have to Book]

5. Eat Meals with Key West’s Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Eating in-season food is a delicious way to usher in spring. Pick up some fresh in-season fruits (blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, tangerines, watermelons, star fruit, guava, and papaya are in season come spring) and cuisine to match at the Truman Waterfront Market on Southard Street every Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. You’ll find a wonderful assortment of seasonal farmer’s market fare like produce, fruits, and fresh seafood, as well as food stands and trucks serving items like poke, smoothies, freshly baked bread, and international cuisine. Stay up to date with where to find the island’s delicious eats and chilled libations on our Key West Travel Blog.

6. Enjoy an Outdoor Adventure

Spring is the sweet spot of Key West weather, with clear skies and temperatures averaging around 80 degrees. Get that extra spring in your step by taking in the fresh air with an outdoor adventure. Be it biking, a sunset cruise, or simply eating and drinking al fresco, embrace the sunshine and make the most of the springtime that lies ahead.

[Book Your Key West Sunset Sail with The Gates Hotel’s Fury Watersports Package]

7. Celebrate Rainbow Season at Key West PRIDE

Key West’s ‘One Human Family’ celebrates PRIDE June 5 - 9, 2024 with a stacked lineup of activities, street fairs, themed parties, and one epic disco-themed parade featuring the iconic “sea to sea” 1.25-mile long rainbow flag.

8. Check out Key West’s Outdoor Art

Key West is full of colorful outdoor art that costs absolutely nothing to see. Among the most popular stops are the ‘Living Reef’ mural by renowned muralist Robert Wyland (201 William St.), Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden (401 Wall St.), the 25-foot high bronze ‘Kissing Statue’ (in front of the Custom House Museum), and the ‘Greetings from Key West’ postcard-style mural on the side of Cuban Coffee Queen near Bahama Village.

9. Have a Picnic on Smathers Beach

What’s better than a picnic in spring? It’s hard to pick just one Key West beach worthy of a picnic, but Smathers Beach’s soft sand, coconut palms, and view of the deep blue Florida Straits has its advantage. Key West’s largest public beach stretches along New Town, just three miles from The Gates Hotel. Plus, there are always a few great food trucks lined up along the beach if you don’t feel like packing a cooler.

10. Take a Nature Walk in Key West

A walk in nature is one of life's simple pleasures, and our four-mile island has a few places to get off the beaten track. Explore the natural ecosystems of the Florida Keys at places like Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (which has 1.2 miles of trails), Little Hamaca Park (with its various small paths and boardwalk through mangroves and salt flats), and Indigenous Park (a seven-acre lush green space with an Audubon sanctuary pond and a deck for birdwatching.

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Planning a spring break in Key West? Choose from our best rates and special offers when you book direct with The Gates Hotel, a Conde Nast award-winning Key West destination. The Gates Hotel offers shuttle services to Old Town, great amenities, on-site food and beverage options, and a spectacular swimming pool.