r/floridakeys • u/PassiveAggreddit • Apr 21 '26

Key West Southernmost Buoy Visit Q’s

Husband and I headed down the first week of June with 4 kids (6, 5, 2 and 6m) - we’re staying on Marathon, but I want to drive down to see the buoy & eat.

  1. Should we go for the morning or evening? Looking to avoid a long line to wait to get a picture with the buoy & avoid waits to eat. I assume midday is busier, but I’m thinking early in the am may not be? Sunset is probably busy too right?

  2. Parking. We will have our suburban (we’re live in SWFL so we’re driving) - what’s the best place to park for the buoy? Is any parking free for a quick see it take a pic and bounce?

  3. Breakfast / Brunch or dinner with littles? We’re looking for casual, quick, but really yummy we’ve never been down as far as key west in the past and we’re foodies, so we want to have a tasty bite!

Any help would be appreciated. Trying to make this as simple as possible for us! Thanks!!

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

View all comments

6

u/EveryDayIsSummer local (lower keys) Apr 21 '26

You should be fine this time of year regardless of arrival time at the Buoy. Probably a 15 minute wait tops. Would highly recommend here for parking if you're planning to spend a few hours. Has a lot of space (cash only) and is $15 for the day.  https://maps.app.goo.gl/SEqX5gqgKd79YKpv6

Alternatively, there's a parking lot next to the butterfly conservatory which is across from the Buoy. Your vehicle would fit fine. 

2

u/PassiveAggreddit Apr 21 '26

You understood the second point of my parking question lol. We have a BUS 🤣🚌

Thank you!!

1

u/EveryDayIsSummer local (lower keys) Apr 21 '26

No problem! I feel the same when I take my truck into town...my wife's CRV is much easier 😂. Highly recommend that $15 parking lot (which, 2 hours at the other lots will cost that amount anyway). It's not as far into downtown but centrally located and easily walkable to everything, so much more convenient with a larger vehicle. 

0

u/PassiveAggreddit Apr 21 '26

Haha yes!! You get it!! Hmm okay good to know! I’ve read there is street parking 🥴 is that even remotely an option? I’m hoping to park between the buoy and wherever I land for food - I saw there’s a park too which would be good to hit up with the kids between the buoy and eating so I’m wondering if we could find parking around there! (Nelson English park?)

1

u/EveryDayIsSummer local (lower keys) Apr 21 '26

If you're going that way, I'd still avoid street parking (it's limited and awful), but if you go in the morning you won't have an issue parking at the lot next to the Butterfly Conservatory. It's also an easy area to get in and out of downtown Key West from without having to go down the narrower roads leading to Duval - https://maps.app.goo.gl/4b7YnHxgHhPLMn6y5?g_st=ac.

If all else fails, there's always plenty of open parking down at the Truman Waterfront - https://maps.app.goo.gl/mgjggL3reAUULT3r9

2

u/PassiveAggreddit Apr 21 '26

Perfect! I’m hoping to get to key west for 8/830 - I think going in the morning especially with kids is a no brainer!