Fun for all ages!
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Key West Aquarium

4.1
·3k reviews·Key West, United States

Discover marine wonders at America's oldest aquarium! Engage with sea life in a historic setting, perfect for families.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, cooler temps

CrowdLow
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Fun for all ages!

Key West Aquarium

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, cooler temps

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover marine wonders at America's oldest aquarium! Engage with sea life in a historic setting, perfect for families.

4.1
(3k reviews)

"Friendly and informative staff! It definitely shows its beauty of being the oldest aquarium in Florida."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Two-Day Wristband Magic

Your ticket grants access for two days! Perfect for revisiting or catching different shows.

❄️ Cool Down Indoors

Escape the Key West heat in this refreshing, air-conditioned attraction. Great for families!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.1 · 2,822 reviews

Type

Aquarium

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Interactive Touch Tank

Interactive Touch Tank

Main Exhibit Area

Get hands-on with sea stars, horseshoe crabs, and even baby sharks! A must-do for all ages.

InstagramReddit
Majestic Sea Turtles

Majestic Sea Turtles

Central Tanks

Marvel at the impressive size and grace of the resident sea turtles. Learn about their conservation.

InstagramReddit
Local Marine Life Displays

Local Marine Life Displays

Various Tanks

Discover the diverse aquatic life native to the Florida Keys, from colorful fish to unique invertebrates.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Heat and Crowds

Key West can get hot! The aquarium offers a cool indoor escape. Consider visiting during off-peak hours or on weekdays to avoid larger crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience. InstagramReddit

Two-Day Access & Value

Your admission ticket is valid for two consecutive days, allowing you to revisit favorite exhibits or catch different feeding shows. This offers great value for exploring the aquarium at your own pace. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, cooler temps
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon (rainy day)
Why
Perfect indoor escape
Crowd
Medium
When
Feeding show times
Why
Engaging and informative
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

this was SO underrated though 📍 Dry Tortugas National Park #yankeefreedom #ferry #seaplane #drytortugas #keywest
@lattesnluggage
83.9K likes • 753.9K views

🎯 Two-Day Wristband Magic

Your ticket grants access for two days! Perfect for revisiting or catching different shows. Reddit

❄️ Cool Down Indoors

Escape the Key West heat in this refreshing, air-conditioned attraction. Great for families! Instagram+1

A Key West trip isn’t complete without a sandbar excursion. This is beyond a normal beach experience and is a local favorite. Add this to your Florida Keys checklist! @lowtidecharter #keywest #floridakeys #florida #floridacheck #visitflorida #visitkeywest #bestofkeywest #floridakeyschecklist #loveflorida #sandbar #floridabeaches #floridatravel #boatdays #beau...
@keywestguide
59.1K likes • 1.7M views
Just hangin' out with the marine life at the Key West Aquarium! If you are looking for an indoor activity to shade you from the sun, or you have kids in tow, we loved our trip to America's Oldest Aquarium!
teamcarterfamily
4 likes • 99 views

🗣️ Chat with Staff

The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable! Ask them anything about the marine life. Reddit

🐢 Turtle Talk Time

Don't miss the feeding shows, especially for the sea turtles – very informative! Reddit

The first dog friendly Florida aquarium is the Key West Aquarium which is $21 per person. There are also packages that include the Shipwreck Treasure museum that is also dog friendly. The second dog friendly Florida aquarium is the Gulf Specimen Aquarium in Panacea Florida, near Tallahassee, which is $15 a person. They have windows on the bottom of some of the tanks for your dog to be able to see...
tessa.travels
37 likes • 654 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Two-Day Wristband Magic

Your ticket grants access for two days! Perfect for revisiting or catching different shows. Reddit

❄️ Cool Down Indoors

Escape the Key West heat in this refreshing, air-conditioned attraction. Great for families! Instagram+1

🗣️ Chat with Staff

The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable! Ask them anything about the marine life. Reddit

🐢 Turtle Talk Time

Don't miss the feeding shows, especially for the sea turtles – very informative! Reddit

🛍️ Souvenir Stop

The gift shop is extensive, offering a wide range of souvenirs to remember your visit. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.1
(3k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the Key West Aquarium for its friendly and informative staff, historical charm, and engaging touch tank. While some note its smaller size, many appreciate the two-day access and the opportunity to learn about local marine life. It's considered a worthwhile stop, especially for families and pet owners. InstagramReddit

"One of my favorite things I did in key west. Very small but had lots of shows you could watch for each sea animal. Definitely recommend. The bracelets are good for two days. Noah was the speaker and the information we got about the turtles was very interesting. Glad we got to go and learn."

Alex Avalos

"Friendly and informative staff! It definitely shows its beauty of being the oldest aquarium in Florida. Very cozy atmosphere with lots of cool aquatic life on display. It appears they are improving some of the facilities in rear of complex but was still cool to feed the fish. Look forward to returning in future! 🐟🐠🐡❤️✌️"

Justin Wiseman

"The staff are very friendly, informative and knowledgeable. The history of the aquarium is presented well and they have sea turtles and the local marine life on display. If vacationing in the area I would highly recommend going and seeing this attraction. They have everything from sea turtles to nurse sharks and the staff run shows nearly hourly."

Drew Wally

What People Like

Friendly and knowledgeable staff
Interactive touch tank
Historical significance

What People Dislike

Smaller than expected size

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Key West Aquarium is located at 1 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, right on Mallory Square. Many visitors find it easy to walk or bike around Key West, as parking can be challenging. TikTok

Parking in Key West can be limited and expensive. There are public parking lots and street parking available, but it's often easier to walk, bike, or use a ride-sharing service if you're staying nearby. TikTok

Yes, the Key West Aquarium is centrally located and easily walkable from Duval Street, which is the main thoroughfare in Key West. It's a pleasant stroll through the historic streets. TikTok

While Key West doesn't have extensive public transport like a mainland city, there are trolley tours and hop-on-hop-off services that may stop near Mallory Square, where the aquarium is located. TikTok

Many visitors find biking or renting a golf cart to be the most convenient and fun way to get around Key West. The island is small and relatively flat, making it easy to navigate. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Admission prices are approximately $20.99 for adults and $11.99 for children. It's always a good idea to check their official website for the most current pricing and any potential package deals. Instagram

While specific coupon codes might be rare, look for package deals that might include admission to other attractions, or check local Key West tourism sites for potential discounts. Instagram

The aquarium is typically open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. However, hours can vary seasonally, so it's best to confirm their operating hours on their official website before your visit. Instagram

Absolutely! The interactive touch tank and the variety of marine life make it a hit with children. It's also a great way to introduce them to ocean conservation. Instagram

Information on group rates is usually available on the aquarium's official website or by contacting them directly. This can be a good option for larger families or organized groups. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can see a variety of local marine life, including sea turtles, nurse sharks, tarpon, octopuses, and colorful tropical fish. The touch tank is a major highlight. InstagramReddit

Yes, the aquarium hosts feeding shows for various animals, including nurse sharks and tarpon. These are often scheduled hourly and are very informative. Reddit

Most visitors spend about 30 minutes to an hour exploring the aquarium, especially if they attend a feeding show or spend time at the touch tank. Reddit

Yes, the Key West Aquarium is one of the few dog-friendly aquariums in Florida, making it a great option for travelers with pets. Instagram

Built in 1934, it's one of the oldest attractions in Key West and Florida. It has a rich history of marine research and conservation. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The aquarium itself does not typically have a full-service restaurant. However, there are many dining options available in the surrounding Mallory Square area and along Duval Street. Reddit

Generally, outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the aquarium. It's best to consume them before entering or after your visit. Reddit

The Mallory Square area offers a variety of casual eateries, cafes, and bars. You can find everything from quick snacks to seafood and local Key West specialties. Reddit

Key West has a growing number of restaurants offering vegetarian and vegan options. You'll find plenty of choices within walking distance of the aquarium. Reddit

Dining prices in Key West can vary. While some spots are more upscale, you can find more budget-friendly cafes and casual eateries if you explore a bit. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, photography is generally allowed inside the aquarium. However, flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to protect the animals. Reddit

The touch tank, the large sea turtle tanks, and the colorful fish displays offer great photo opportunities. Try to capture the interaction at the touch tank. InstagramReddit

Avoid using flash photography, especially in darker exhibits, as it can startle or harm the marine life. Be mindful of other visitors as well. Reddit

A camera with good low-light performance is ideal. Many smartphone cameras perform well in these conditions. A lens that can zoom slightly is also helpful. Reddit

You can generally photograph the shows, but always be respectful of the staff and performers. If you're unsure, it's polite to ask. Reddit

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