10 Must-See Stops on a Key West Golf Cart Tour (With Timing and Parking Notes)

Key West Is Not What You See From a Bus Window

Key West reveals itself slowly. The best parts — the side street that opens onto water, the neighborhood breakfast spot with roosters in the courtyard, the boulevard where the Atlantic fills the horizon — stay out of reach on a guided tour with a fixed route and a schedule that moves whether you are finished or not.

A golf cart from HydroThunder of Key West changes that. The island’s original and largest rental fleet since 1994, HydroThunder offers EZGO carts in 4, 6, and 8-passenger configurations from three Key West locations, with free hotel pickup included. All-day rentals give you the full island without a clock running against you.

Before You Head Out

Start early. The Southernmost Point and Blue Heaven both get busy by mid-morning. Getting out before 9 AM means cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Bring: sunscreen, water, and if Fort Zachary Taylor is on the plan, towels and beach gear — the cart handles all of it. The stops below run south to north, closing at Mallory Square for sunset.

Stop 1 — Southernmost Point Buoy

The Southernmost Point buoy marks the southernmost point of the continental United States, 90 miles from Cuba. Crowds build quickly after cruise ships dock, so arriving early makes the experience significantly better.

Timing: Before 9 AM.
Parking: Residential street parking nearby — golf carts find spaces more readily than full-size vehicles.

Stop 2 — Blue Heaven

Blue Heaven in Bahama Village is an outdoor courtyard breakfast spot with roosters wandering the tables and a menu built around fresh local ingredients. It is genuinely good, and the atmosphere makes it better. Weekday mornings are the most relaxed.

Timing: Early — the line grows considerably by mid-morning on weekends.
Parking: Narrow residential streets in Bahama Village, with cart-sized spaces available.

Stop 3 — Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

The Hemingway Home and Museum on Whitehead Street is shaded, genuinely interesting, and home to the six-toed cats that have lived on the property for decades. Tours take about 30 minutes and it connects naturally to nearby stops without backtracking.

Timing: Mid-morning.
Parking: Regular street parking.

Stop 4 — Duval Street

Duval Street runs the full length of the island from the Gulf to the Atlantic. On a golf cart, the whole stretch takes under five minutes — pull off wherever something catches your attention without committing to any particular block.

Timing: Mid-morning before foot traffic builds.
Parking: Side streets off Duval. Golf carts fit in spots traditional vehicles cannot.

Stop 5 — Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor is widely regarded as the best beach in Key West and the stop that most clearly benefits from having a vehicle. The park sits about 10 minutes from Old Town at the western tip of the island. The beach is calm, clear, and far less crowded than the South Roosevelt hotel strips. Plan at least 90 minutes if swimming is on the agenda.

Timing: Mid-morning to early afternoon.
Parking: Inside the park entrance.

Stop 6 — White Street Pier

White Street Pier extends into the Atlantic on the island’s south side with an unobstructed waterfront view and very few people on it. It connects naturally to Salute! on the Beach for lunch — a detour that only makes sense when you have your own vehicle.

Timing: Late morning or early afternoon.
Parking: Street parking along White Street near the pier.

Stop 7 — Key West Butterfly Conservatory

The Key West Butterfly Conservatory houses hundreds of free-flying butterflies, tropical birds, and flowering plants in an enclosed habitat on Duval Street. It takes about 30 minutes, suits all ages, and by mid-afternoon its main attraction has nothing to do with butterflies — it is air-conditioned.

Timing: Midday or early afternoon.
Parking: Side streets off Duval near the entrance.

Stop 8 — South Roosevelt Boulevard

South Roosevelt runs along the Atlantic coast past Smathers Beach — consistently less crowded than the resort beaches — and the drive itself is the point. In a golf cart in the late afternoon, with the Atlantic on one side and the low island skyline on the other, it is the kind of stretch that does not photograph well but stays with you.

Timing: Late afternoon.
Parking: Public parking area along the boulevard at Smathers Beach.

Stop 9 — Stock Island

Stock Island sits just east of Key West across a short bridge and is where the island’s working character still shows. Hogfish Bar and Grill, The Docks Restaurant and Roostica are local institutions. It is where Key West residents go to eat, which is usually a reliable signal. All HydroThunder EZGO carts are street-legal and handle the bridge crossing without issue.

Timing: Late afternoon for an early dinner before Mallory Square.
Parking: Ample on-site at both restaurants.

Stop 10 — Mallory Square at Sunset

The nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square draws street performers, local artists, food vendors, and visitors from across the island. It has been running for decades and is one of the few Key West traditions that genuinely lives up to its reputation. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to find a good spot. The celebration wraps up roughly half an hour after the sun goes down — a natural close to the day.

Timing: 30 minutes before local sunset.
Parking: Street parking on surrounding blocks.

HydroThunder of Key West has operated the island’s largest rental fleet since 1994. All-day golf cart rentals start at $100 and include free hotel pickup. Reserve your cart before your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions