The Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters is a historic 19th-century maritime navigational tower and museum located in Old Town Key West, Florida. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026, highlighting the $1.50 discount available when booking online, ensuring you receive the best possible entry rate.
Quick facts about the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | 10:00 to 17:00 daily. |
| Ticket prices | Adult $17, Senior/Military $13, Youth (7-18) $9, Under 7s free. |
| Address | 938 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, United States. |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Duval Loop free bus; Metered street parking. |
| Typical time needed to visit | 1 hour. |
Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters opening hours
Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters opening hours run from 10:00 to 17:00 every day of the week, year-round. Final admission is strictly enforced at 16:30 to ensure visitors have enough time to climb the tower before the site closes.
The museum is open nearly every day of the year, but visitors should note that the outdoor tower climb may be temporarily suspended during severe thunderstorms or high winds for safety reasons. Special after-hours “Sunset Experience” bookings are also available on select evenings.
Why book the Key West Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?
- 🚋 Unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off: Explore Key West at your own pace with a ticket that allows you to board and depart at any of the 13 conveniently located stops across the island.
- 🎤 Live Narrated Commentary: Enjoy “transportainment” from expert local guides who share fascinating stories of pirates, wreckers, and the Civil War as you cruise.
- 🏝️ Comprehensive Island Views: See over 100 points of interest, including iconic landmarks like the Southernmost Point, Duval Street, and the Ernest Hemingway House.
- 🏛️ Sails to Rails Museum Included: Your ticket grants you free admission to this unique museum, offering a deep dive into the history of the Florida Keys and Henry Flagler’s railroad.
- 🚶 Bonus Walking Tours: Take advantage of included guided walking tours through the Historic Seaport and the downtown area to discover hidden gems on foot.
Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters ticket prices
A standard adult ticket purchased at the door to the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters costs $17. Seniors (65+), local residents, college students, and retired military personnel pay $13, while youth tickets (ages 7 to 18) cost $9. Active military, children under seven, and Key West Art & Historical Society (KWAHS) members enter for free.
Booking your tickets online in advance via the official website provides a $1.50 discount across all paid ticket categories (e.g., adult tickets drop to $15.50).
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
5 great Key West experiences to book
- 🛶 Look for wildlife in the mangroves on a guided kayaking tour.
- 👻 Go on a ghosts and mysteries tour and discover Key West’s dark side at night.
- 🐬 Combine dolphin-watching and snorkelling on a half day adventure.
- 🍴 Take a cultural food tour and learn about Keys heritage as you eat and drink.
- 🍹 Explore lesser-known bars on a craft cocktail crawl.
How to get to the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
To get to the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters, visitors should travel to Whitehead Street in the historic Old Town district. The attraction is highly central, located immediately opposite the famous Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
For public transport, the free Duval Loop bus operates regularly throughout Old Town and stops at the corner of Whitehead and Petronia Streets, just a few steps from the lighthouse entrance. The Old Town Trolley Tour and the Conch Tour Train also feature designated stops nearby.
Parking at the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
There is no dedicated, free visitor parking at the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters. The residential streets surrounding the attraction are heavily restricted, with many spaces reserved strictly for local permit holders.
Visitors driving a private vehicle must rely on paid city street meters along Whitehead Street or use commercial car parks. The most reliable option is parking at the City of Key West Old Town Garage on Grinnell Street and taking the free Duval Loop bus to the site.
How long to spend at the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
Visitors typically need about one hour to fully experience the site. This allows adequate time to climb the 88 steps to the top of the tower, take in the views, and safely descend.
The remainder of the hour can be spent exploring the air-conditioned Keeper’s Quarters and reading the historical exhibits scattered throughout the grounds.
Accessibility at the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
Due to its historic 1848 construction, the Lighthouse Tower is not accessible for wheelchair users, as reaching the top requires navigating 88 narrow, spiral stairs.
However, the rest of the property is fully ADA accessible. Visitors with reduced mobility can freely explore the grounds, access the restored Keeper’s Quarters via ramps, and use the accessible toilet facilities located within the Museum Store.
Inside / what to see at the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
The Lighthouse Tower is the main attraction. Visitors can climb the 88 iron steps to the exterior observation deck, which offers unobstructed, panoramic views over the rooftops of Key West and out to the surrounding turquoise waters.
The Keeper’s Quarters is a restored, air-conditioned home on the grounds. It functions as a museum detailing the daily lives of the lighthouse keepers and their families, featuring original belongings, historical photographs, and journal entries.
The First-Order Fresnel Lens is a massive, highly intricate glass navigational lens previously used at the decommissioned Sombrero Key Lighthouse. It is currently displayed on the grounds, allowing visitors to see 19th-century maritime technology up close.
The Historic Grounds feature lush tropical landscaping and a massive, picturesque Ficus altissima (banyan-style fig tree) that provides a shaded canopy over the courtyard.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
| Timing | Visit early in the morning right at 10:00 to climb the tower before the intense midday Florida heat sets in. |
| Crowds | The site can become busy in the early afternoon when cruise ship shore excursions pass through the area. |
| Layout | The spiral staircase inside the tower is narrow; yield to descending visitors if passing space is tight. |
| Entry process | Purchase your tickets online via your smartphone before arriving to secure the $1.50 per ticket discount. |
| On-site logistics | Wear sensible, flat, enclosed shoes. Flip-flops and high heels are dangerous on the historic iron steps. |
Frequently asked questions about Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Key West Lighthouse suitable for children? | Yes, but toddlers and young children must be closely supervised while climbing the 88 steep tower stairs. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Key West Lighthouse? | No, walk-up tickets are available at the door, but booking online guarantees a discounted rate. |
| Is the Key West Lighthouse open on Sundays? | Yes, the site is open seven days a week, operating from 10:00 to 17:00. |
| Are bags allowed at the Key West Lighthouse? | Small day bags are fine, but large backpacks should be avoided as they make navigating the narrow tower stairs difficult. |
Things to do near Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters
- Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: A historic property located directly across the street, famous for its lush gardens and resident six-toed cats.
- Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: A paid indoor glasshouse featuring thousands of free-flying butterflies and exotic birds, located at the southern end of Duval Street.
- Southernmost Point Buoy: A concrete marker representing the southernmost point of the continental United States, highly popular for photographs.
- Truman Little White House: A historic museum serving as the winter White House of President Harry S. Truman, featuring original 1940s furnishings.
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum: A museum showcasing authentic Spanish galleon treasures and exploring the history of marine archaeology.
More Key West travel
Other Key West travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Rum-tasting in Key West.
- A tour of Harry Truman’s Little White House in Key West.
- See the six-toed cats at the Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West.
- Key West mangrove kayaking guide.
- Know the differences between the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
- What’s so special about Dry Tortugas National Park?
- How to spend three days in Key West.
- What to expect at Key West Aquarium.
- Why you should visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Park in Key West.
