Columbus → Key West | Thursday–Sunday
One of the easiest tropical escapes from Central Ohio just got better: Allegiant Air launched nonstop service between Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) and Key West International Airport (EYW) in May 2026.
That means you can leave Columbus and land directly in Key West without wasting vacation time on a connection.
This Thursday-to-Sunday itinerary combines a beachfront resort, Old Town Key West, incredible restaurants, sunsets on the water, snorkeling, and a bucket-list seaplane trip to Dry Tortugas.
✈️ GETTING THERE: Allegiant Nonstop LCK → EYW
Fly Allegiant Air nonstop from Columbus Rickenbacker (LCK) directly into Key West International (EYW).
The route began May 21, 2026, making Key West an especially easy long-weekend destination from Columbus.
Ideal trip: Thursday → Sunday
The other huge perk? Once you arrive in Key West, you don’t necessarily need to rent a car.
🏝️ WHERE TO STAY
Margaritaville Beach House Key West
2001 South Roosevelt Boulevard
Key West, FL 33040
Book Margaritaville Beach House Key West
This is a great home base if you want the resort experience without giving up easy access to Old Town. It’s located across from Smathers Beach, close to EYW, and has rooms and spacious suite options with an island-inspired coastal feel.
One of its best perks is the complimentary shuttle. The resort provides transportation to Key West International Airport, Duval Street and the Downtown Seaport Harbor, making a car-free weekend very doable.
Spend downtime at the lagoon-style pool, relax in the hammocks, walk over to Smathers Beach, or grab breakfast or a casual meal at the resort.
🌺 THURSDAY — HELLO, KEY WEST!
✈️ Fly LCK → EYW
Take your nonstop Allegiant flight from Rickenbacker straight into Key West.
Once you land, take advantage of the Margaritaville airport shuttle and head to the resort.
🏝️ Check into Margaritaville Beach House
Don’t over-plan your arrival day.
Change into something tropical, explore the resort, walk over toward Smathers Beach, relax by the lagoon pool and officially switch into island mode.
Upon arrival, make a stop at the hotel bar and grill – Tin Cup Chalice.
Later, take the complimentary downtown shuttle and get your first taste of Key West.
🌴 First night: Duval Street
Walk Duval, explore the shops, listen to live music and experience Key West after dark.
One classic stop is Irish Kevin’s at 211 Duval Street, a lively live-music venue right in the heart of Old Town.
Then head back to Margaritaville and grab a Chocolate Mousse Dessert and get some sleep—you have a full Friday ahead.
🌴 FRIDAY — CLASSIC KEY WEST + SUNSET SAIL
☀️ Breakfast at Margaritaville
Wake up slowly and have breakfast at the Beach House before heading downtown.
🚎 Ride into Old Town
Use the hotel’s complimentary downtown shuttle and spend the morning exploring historic Key West.
If it’s your first trip, one of the easiest ways to understand the island is a sightseeing tour.
Old Town Trolley Tours Key West
Or take the iconic:
The Conch Train has been touring Key West since 1958. Its approximately 60-minute loop introduces you to Old Town and passes many of the island’s major landmarks.
🍍 Lunch
Head to Kaya Island Eats inside the Key West EmPOURium at 618 Duval Street.
It’s a fun Caribbean-meets-Pacific concept right on Duval—perfect for a casual tropical lunch.
🌊 Afternoon exploring
Spend a few hours wandering Duval, Mallory Square, the Historic Seaport and Key West’s side streets.
For a more upscale waterfront stop, try Lolita’s Coastal Cocina at Opal Key Resort & Marina.
It’s an elevated coastal Mexican restaurant overlooking the waterfront, with lunch served daily.
⛵ FRIDAY NIGHT: Sunset on the water
This is one experience I wouldn’t skip.
Sebago Watersports Sunset Sails
Sebago offers several sunset sailing experiences aboard large sailing catamarans.
There’s something about seeing a Key West sunset from the water that makes the whole trip.
🏝️ SATURDAY — DRY TORTUGAS BUCKET-LIST DAY
This is the splurge day—and the experience I’d build the trip around.
✈️ Seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park
Book Seaplane Adventure or take the Yankee Freedom Ferry
The seaplane takes you roughly 70 miles west of Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park and historic Fort Jefferson. The flight itself is part of the experience, with sightseeing and narration along the way.
Choose between a half-day excursion or a full-day excursion.
Reservations are strongly recommended well in advance.
Book the Dry Tortugas Seaplane
At Dry Tortugas, explore Fort Jefferson, walk the remote beaches and snorkel in brilliantly clear water.
🤿 Do Not Miss: Snorkeling + sunset
If you take the half-day seaplane excursion, you can potentially make Saturday a double-adventure day.
Sunset Watersports Key West offers reef snorkeling, sunset cruises, sandbar trips, parasailing, jet skis and other water excursions.
☀️ SUNDAY — ONE LAST TASTE OF PARADISE
Have breakfast at Margaritaville and enjoy a final slow Key West morning.
If your flight time allows, spend a little time at Smathers Beach, walk the resort grounds, or squeeze in one last Old Town excursion before taking the complimentary airport shuttle back to EYW.
Then it’s:
EYW ✈️ LCK
Key West → Columbus.
Four days. No connection. No giant road trip through the Keys required.
🌴 SAVE THESE FOR YOUR KEY WEST TRIP
You won’t fit everything into four days, so these are my picks to save for this trip or your next one.
🚎 TOURS
Conch Tour Train — A great first-day introduction to Key West and its history.
Conch Tour Train
Old Town Trolley Tours — Ideal when you want sightseeing combined with transportation around Old Town.
Old Town Trolley Tours
Ghosts & Gravestones — One of my favorite ideas for after dark. You can even purchase a package combining the Conch Tour Train with the evening haunted tour.
Ghosts & Gravestones Key West
🦋 AQUARIUMS + NATURE
Key West Aquarium
Located at Mallory Square, with sharks, sea turtles, touch tanks and marine-life presentations.
Key West Aquarium Tickets & Information
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Walk through a tropical habitat filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds and flamingos.
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
A subtropical botanical garden that’s especially nice when you want something quieter than Duval Street.
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
🛍️ SHOP + WANDER
Don’t miss Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West.
Books & Books Key West
The locally operated nonprofit bookstore is located inside The Studios of Key West at 533 Eaton Street, so it’s an easy addition to an Old Town afternoon.
Also put these on your wandering list:
Irish Kevin’s — a classic Duval Street stop for live music and Key West energy.
Sloppy Joe’s – famous bar and live music stop
Southernmost Point – most recognizable buoy in the country
For art, galleries, souvenirs and boutiques, give yourself time simply to wander Duval, Greene, Eaton and Front Streets rather than trying to schedule every stop.
🌊 BEST WATER ADVENTURES
Key West is one of those destinations where you should spend at least part of every trip on the water.
Sunset Watersports — snorkeling, sunset cruises, parasailing, jet skis, sandbars and all-day watersports.
Sunset Watersports
Sebago Watersports — especially good for sunset sails, snorkeling and catamaran experiences.
Sebago Watersports
Fury Water Adventures — watersports and sunset experiences from several Key West departure points.
Fury Water Adventures
Danger Charters — a smaller sailing experience with snorkeling, kayaking and sunset sails.
Danger Charters
🏛️ KEY WEST HISTORY
Harry S. Truman Little White House
Tour President Truman’s Key West retreat and learn about the history that unfolded here.
Truman Little White House
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
Explore Hemingway’s Key West home, gardens and famous six-toed cats.
Hemingway Home & Museum
Key West Shipwreck Museum
Discover Key West’s fascinating wrecking history and learn how shipwreck salvage helped shape the island.
Key West Shipwreck Museum
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
A fascinating stop for shipwreck treasure, maritime archaeology and the story of the 1622 Spanish fleet.
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
The Oldest House Museum
Another worthwhile stop when you’re wandering historic Old Town, especially if architecture and early Key West history are your thing.
The Oldest House Museum & Gardens
🌺 My Ideal Four-Day Version
Thursday: ✈️ Allegiant nonstop → Margaritaville → Smathers Beach → Duval Street
Friday: ☀️ Resort breakfast → Old Town/Conch Train → Kaya Island Eats → Lolita’s → ⛵ sunset sail
Saturday: ✈️ Dry Tortugas by seaplane → 🤿 snorkeling/water adventure → Key West evening
Sunday: ☕ Breakfast → 🏝️ beach/pool → airport shuttle → ✈️ Allegiant nonstop home
The combination of a nonstop flight, beachfront resort, complimentary hotel shuttle, Old Town, Dry Tortugas and two days on the water makes this a surprisingly easy long-weekend escape from Columbus.
Four days in Key West. Nonstop from Columbus. 🌴✈️☀️
Questions, just ask!
Xoxo,
Heidi
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