What to do near Blue Flamingo Resort Key West: top activities and attractions
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West sits at 3820 North Roosevelt Boulevard at the gateway to Key West. From the resort you can relax at two pools and poolside bars, take the included shuttle into Old Town for beaches and sunset sails, or book reef snorkeling and Dry Tortugas trips with local operators.
In this guide
- Nearby beaches, landmarks and Old Town
- On-site dining and bars: Rum Row, Toasted Coconut and more
- Pools, The Backyard Pool & Social Club and on-site activities
- Water excursions: reef snorkeling, sunset sails and Dry Tortugas trips
- Getting around Key West from the resort
- Family services, events and weddings
Nearby beaches, landmarks and Old Town
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West is in New Town, about 3.1 miles from Old Town Key West and minutes from Key West International Airport. The resort’s location makes it a practical base for visiting Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, and Old Town sights such as Duval Street and Mallory Square.
Use the resort shuttle (included in the daily resort fee) or a short taxi/ride-share to reach the waterfront, or rent a bike to explore Old Town’s compact streets at your own pace.
- Smathers Beach — popular public beach near the resort area
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park — best natural beach and shore snorkeling on Key West
- Mallory Square — evening sunset celebration and waterfront shopping
- Duval Street — bars, shops and museums in Old Town
| Attraction | Typical access from the resort |
|---|---|
| Smathers Beach | Short drive or bike |
| Mallory Square | Shuttle, taxi, or Duval Loop + short walk |
| Fort Zachary Taylor State Park | Taxi or ride-share |
On-site dining and bars: Rum Row, Toasted Coconut and more
The resort has two primary poolside venues: Rum Row (a tiki Caribbean bar and food truck) and Toasted Coconut (an island-inspired poolside restaurant). Both run dedicated happy hours and serve casual island-style plates and cocktails throughout the day.
There is also a lobby bar/lounge and an on-site Starbucks for coffee and quick snacks. Breakfast at the property is optional and not included in standard room rates.
- Rum Row: poolside tiki bar and food truck; hours Mon–Thu 10:00–18:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–22:00; daily Happy Hour 16:00–18:00
- Toasted Coconut: poolside restaurant; regular hours listed as 8:00–16:00 with a daily Happy Hour 14:00–16:00 (some sources list extended evening hours)
- Lobby bar/lounge and on-site Starbucks for coffee and pastries
| Venue | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Rum Row | Cuban-inspired cocktails, frozen drinks, poolside bites |
| Toasted Coconut | Breakfast and daytime island-style American fare |
| Republica Bar & Lounge / Lobby Bar | Casual drinks and evening seating |
Pools, The Backyard Pool & Social Club and on-site activities
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West has two outdoor pools, cabanas available for rent (additional charge), a hot tub/jacuzzi, and a poolside social program called The Backyard Pool & Social Club. Pool hours are year-round; one source lists 7:00 AM–11:00 PM for the outdoor pool.
The resort-fee programming includes live music, karaoke, lawn games, billiards and arcade activities. If you want a quieter room-facing view, consider booking one of the Pool View or Ocean View room types listed by the hotel.
- Two pools with lounge chairs and rentable cabanas (surcharge)
- Backyard Pool & Social Club: lawn games, karaoke in a converted airstream, live music
- Hot tub/jacuzzi on site; no standalone named spa facility was found in sources
| Recommended room types for pool access/view | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Room, Pool View | Direct pool-facing windows and easy pool access |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View | Larger space with pool outlook |
| Room (Island View, High Floor) | Higher-floor island views while remaining near pool areas |
Water excursions: reef snorkeling, sunset sails and Dry Tortugas trips
Key West is a hub for snorkeling, diving and sailing. The coral barrier reef lies about seven miles offshore and local operators run half-day and full-day snorkel trips to reef sites that are known for tropical fish and sea turtles.
Guests can also book sunset sails, dolphin-watching cruises, and day trips to Dry Tortugas National Park by high-speed ferry or seaplane. The resort's website lists local partners and excursion options; check departure locations (usually Old Town marinas) and timing when you book.
- Barrier reef snorkeling trips (reef ~7 miles offshore) — typically depart from Old Town marinas
- Sunset sails and dolphin-watching cruises — popular evening options from Duval/Front Street
- Dry Tortugas day trips — full-day ferry or faster seaplane options
| Trip type | Typical duration / notes |
|---|---|
| Reef snorkeling | Half-day to full-day; snorkel gear usually provided by operators |
| Sunset sail | Evening cruises lasting a few hours; depart near Old Town |
| Dry Tortugas | Full-day ferry (about 2.5 hrs each way) or shorter seaplane option |
Getting around Key West from the resort
The resort fee includes a complimentary shuttle to and from Old Town Key West; sources indicate the shuttle operates within roughly an 8-mile radius. The Duval Loop (free hop-on/hop-off bus) also serves Old Town and can connect you to many downtown stops.
Key West International Airport is about one mile from the hotel (roughly a 3-minute drive). Taxis, ride-share services and bike rentals are widely available for short trips around the island.
- Resort shuttle to Old Town — included in the daily resort fee
- Duval Loop — free local bus for Old Town stops
- Bike rentals — a popular way to explore Old Town; taxis and rideshares are also common
| Mode | Best for |
|---|---|
| Resort shuttle | Direct to Old Town; included with resort fee |
| Duval Loop | Free short hops around Old Town |
| Bike or scooter | Quick, flexible local sightseeing |
Family services, events and weddings
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West is marketed as family-friendly with on-site amenities such as a children's play area, cots, board games, and family-oriented pool programming. The property does not have an adults-only section.
The hotel also offers meeting space and outdoor event lawns for weddings and larger gatherings; the Backyard and Sunset Green Event Lawn are used for ceremonies and receptions, and the property provides on-site catering and event support.
- Children’s play area, cots and board games available
- Event venues include poolside Backyard and large outdoor lawns; event capacity ranges up to roughly 1,200–1,500 depending on source reporting
- Meeting rooms and indoor event space available for corporate or small group use
| Event option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Backyard Pool & Social Club | Poolside weddings and social events |
| Sunset Green Event Lawn | Large outdoor ceremonies/receptions (high-capacity) |
| Conch Republic Meeting Room | Indoor meeting space for smaller groups |
