| Key West Travel Guide - Visitor Information for Key West, FL in the Florida Keys

Audubon House Garden

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:32:59 +0000

Ship captain’s home and the beginning of Key West’s architectural preservation movement

The Audubon House Museum – former home of Key West’s first harbor pilot.

The Audubon House Museum was established in 1960 by Key West native, Colonel Mitchell Wolfson, and his wife Frances. They saved and restored the historic building which had been the family home of Captain John Geiger, Key West’s first Harbor pilot. He had made his fortune as a wrecking master salvaging ships that foundered on the treacherous reefs.

This elegant 1846 example of American Classic Revival architecture is a perfect setting for the work of one of America’s first truly original artists, John James Audubon, who visited the home while working on his famous bird images. The style of the house and Audubon’s art represent the new flowering of American design that flourished in the early 19th century.

A wonderful tropical garden in the back is very enjoyable with collections of orchids, palm trees, and lilly pool.

Self guided audio tours daily. Their gallery of antique lithographs is across the street, and for collectors and admirers of Audubon prints, it is well worth a visit.

Cost:

Adults – $12
Students – $7.50
Children (6-12yrs) – $5
Children (under 6) – FREE

Hours:

9:30 am – 5:00 pm daily.

Location

205 Whitehead Street

East Martello

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:27:04 +0000

Early strategic fort and home to an interesting museum filled with early island artifacts

East Martello is hard to miss when you arrive in Key West. Located next to Key West International Airport, the large brick structure overlooks the ocean and today is home to a museum of Key West history.

Key West, being one of the most important strategic locations for the early United States, had a series of large brick forts built along the southern shore.

East Martello was one of them, and today houses an impressive museum of early island artifacts, eclectic folk art, and treasures from the sea. One of the museums strangest and most photographed exhibits is Robert the Doll, a Victorian era cloth doll that is purported to be haunted. Many visitors claim that photographs of the doll end up with streaks of light through the picture.

Located next to the Key West airport at the eastern end of the island, East Martello is well worth visiting for anyone interested in the rich history of Key West.

Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, daily (except Christmas)

Cost:

Adults – $12
Children, age 6 and over – $5
Children, under age 6 – FREE

Location: 3501 South Roosevelt Blvd (next to Key West’ airport)

Phone: 305-296-3913

Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Museum

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:20:44 +0000

Climb to the top of the 15th oldest lighthouse in the United States and get an incredible view of the island

Key West Lighthouse – the United State’s 15th oldest lighthouse still standing.

Built in 1847 to 46 feet high, the Key West lighthouse was later extended to 85 feet in 1894 . This Key West icon originally ran on oil, but in 1927 was converted into an “electric torch” beacon.

By 1969, the lighthouse was decommissioned and after changing hands with the local historical society, opened to the public in 1989.

Today you can climb the 88 steps to the observation deck for one of the best views of the island and the beautiful water surrounding it. We highly recommend it.

The museum is an excellent historical site with many artifacts of the era and stories of the keepers that lived there. The quarters, grounds, and the lighthouse itself have all been faithfully restored.

Hours: Open daily 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (except Christmas)

Cost:

$12 per adult
$9 per senior, ages 62 and over
$5 per student, must show ID
$5 per child ages 6 and over
FREE for children under 6.

Phone: 305-295-6616

Location: 938 Whitehead Street

Truman’s Little White House

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 16:06:55 +0000

The working vacation White House of President Truman who visited the house eleven times while in office.

The restored winter White House used by Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, & Kennedy.

President Harry Truman found this tropical island the perfect winter getaway.

He chose this West Indian style dwelling to be his working winter “White House” for his vacations from 1946-1952.

Truman loved being outdoors in Key West. In the morning he would often go to the beach. He was an avid fisherman and whenever he could he loved to fish the Key West waters.

Situated on the former Navy property today known as Truman Annex, with entrance through the Presidential Gates on Whitehead St., it has been restored with complete authenticity.

Guided tours daily. Also offers a free self-guided botanical tour.

Hours: Open 10am – 4:00pm , daily

Location: 111 Front Street, in the Truman Annex neighborhood

Cost:

Adults – $22.52
Children, ages 4-12 – $10.75
Seniors, must show ID – $20.37
Student & Military, must show ID – $20.37

Ernest Hemingway House

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 15:59:45 +0000

Home of the author of For Whom the Bell Tolls, To Have and Have Not, and other famous works.

The Ernest Hemingway Home, where the famous writer lived and worked for over 10 years.

Located at the corner of Whitehead and Olivia St. is the former residence of revered American novelist Ernest Hemingway.

Hidden behind a fortress-like old brick wall is this grand home where he wrote many of his most famous works.

Well versed docents lead regularly scheduled tours through the house filled with priceless mementos and out to the expansive lawn with the writing shack and inhabited by the 6-toed cats reputed to be the direct descendants of the legendary author’s kitties.

Hours: Open from 9-5 daily. Open 365 days of the year.

Location: 907 Whitehead Street

Cost: $15 per adult. $6 per child. FREE for children 5 & under.

Phone: 305-294-1575

Turtle Kraals Museum

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 15:36:21 +0000

Sea turtles are protected now, but were once a delicacy that nearly led to their extinction.

he restored Turtle Kraals museum is dedicated to educating the public about sea turtle awareness.

In the mid to late 1800s Key West was the center for turtle processing and canning. At that time, turtle soup was considered a delicacy in parts of the United States and especially in Europe.

Turtles caught throughout the Caribbean were shipped to Key West, kept alive by cruelly placing them on their backs aboard the turtle schooner ADAMS. Upon arrival in Key West, turtles were kept in dockside corrals called ‘kraals’ until they were slaughtered and processed into soup.

By 1970 the turtle population had been devastated. Through the courageous efforts of visionary conservationists, in cooperation with the Governor of Florida, the first catch size regulations were enacted on March 23rd, 1971, establishing that any turtle smaller than 41 inches was to be released. Turtle canneries went out of business, and the turtle trade came to an end in ’71 with the passage of the Endangered Species Act.

Caribbean turtle populations have somewhat recovered but continue to struggle against natural and man made, life threatening obstacles. Destruction of habitat, reckless disposal of consumable waste products, poorly maintained traps and nets, improperly discarded monofilament and the degradation of marine waters through chemical spillage and improper discharge continue to threaten these vulnerable and gentle creatures of the sea.

Many locals genuinly care about the well being of sea turtles and the museum does a good job of informing the public about past and present dangers.

Location: 200 Margaret Street

Oldest House Museum & Garden

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:47:29 +0000

Built in 1829 by a ship’s captain, this is the oldest standing house in Key West.

Originally built on Whitehead Street in 1829, the house was moved to Duval Street approximately 7 years later. Many building in Key West have been moved over the past 200 years.

This conch cottage is known as the oldest house on the island and was built in 1829. It was home to the wrecker Captain Francis B. Watlington, his wife Emeline, and their nine daughters.

The property has three buildings, the main house, the kitchen house, and the exhibit pavilion which face a garden with benches.

On display – along with the maritime artifacts – are works of art by Mario Sanchez, Key West’s famous folk art wood carver.

Location: 322 Duval Street

Hours: Open daily 10am-4pm, closed Sunday & Wednesday. Museum store is opened 7 days a week from 10am – 4pm.

Cost: $10

Phone: 305-294-9501

For more information, visit their website at oirf.org.

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

David Dlugitch — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:36:40 +0000

One of the largest treasure finds in history happened in Key west and is on display, including gold, silver, and emeralds.

Incredible sunken treasures are on display at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

World famous treasure maritime salvor Mel Fisher uncovered the 1622 wreck of the Spanish galleon Atocha in 1985, after an exhausting search which took over 18 years and cost him the life of his son, a professional diver.

The world of shipwreck archaeology is the theme of this awesome museum where you will see the ropes of pure gold and fist-sized emeralds that were recovered. Lift a real gold bar and view a number of artifacts.

They continue to look for more treasure, and repeat Mel’s famous saying “Today’s the day”.

You may never look into the ocean the same way again.

Location: 200 Greene St.

Hours:

Monday thru Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday 9:30am – 5:00pm.

Cost:

Adults – $15.00
Students, must show ID – $14.00
Children, ages 6 – 12 years – $7.00

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

David Dlugitch — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 19:30:25 +0000

Learn about the ecosystem of the Florida Keys, including mangroves, coral reef, wildlife, and seagrass beds

Outstanding exhibits at the Florida Keys Eco Discovery Center, such as this one devoted to Hardwood Hammocks, interpret the eco system of Key West and the Florida Keys.

A terrific educational facility with over 6,400 square feet of exhibits, including a 74-seat movie theater.

Highlights of the Center include an interactive map of the Keys, a replica of the Aquarius underwater laboratory, and an underwater video camera that allows guests to observe coral spawning, assess damage from a boat grounding or monitor the health of a coral reef.

The Center also features a high-definition film by renowned cinematographer Bob Talbot, computer interactive exhibits, murals, graphic displays with text and images, a live weather station and replicas of South Florida habitats such as mangroves, complete with sounds.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s Baby Conch Farm has moved to the Eco-Discovery Center and is now part of its Living Reef exhibit.

The Center, located in Truman Annex, is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and is free to the public.

And they have free on-site parking!

This is a fun thing to do in Key West for the whole family.

Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm (closed Sunday and Monday)

Cost: FREE

Phone: 305-809-4751

Location: 35 E. Quay Road at the Truman Waterfront – located at the end of Southard Street.

Shipwreck Historeum Museum

David Dlugitch — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 19:20:10 +0000

Learn about the wrecking industry during the 19th century, where captains raced to salvage ships run aground on the reef.

The Shipwreck Historeum is home to the last Key West’s Lookout Towers.

At one point in it’s history, Key West was the richest city in the United States of America. Wrecking, or the salvaging of ships run aground on the reef, was big business in the 19th century.

Meet the men who risked their lives and fortunes as you enter the unique world of an 1856 wrecker’s warehouse. You’ll meet the master wrecker and his crew in a warehouse filled with booty and bounty of the reefs and cargo from the past.

Then climb the lookout towers, originally used by salvors to observe wrecks on the reef, and enjoy a view of the historic district and the waters that surround Key West.

This is a museum that the whole family can enjoy.

Location: 1 Whitehead Street

Hours: Open every day, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Cost:

Adults $16.11
Senior $13.96
Children $9.66
Children 3 & under FREE

| Key West Travel Guide - Visitor Information for Key West, FL in the Florida Keys

Audubon House Garden

Museums Menu

Ship captain’s home and the beginning of Key West’s architectural preservation movement

East Martello

Museums Menu

Early strategic fort and home to an interesting museum filled with early island artifacts

Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Museum

Museums Menu

Climb to the top of the 15th oldest lighthouse in the United States and get an incredible view of the island

Truman’s Little White House

Museums Menu

The working vacation White House of President Truman who visited the house eleven times while in office.

Ernest Hemingway House

Museums Menu

Home of the author of For Whom the Bell Tolls, To Have and Have Not, and other famous works.

Turtle Kraals Museum

Museums Menu

Sea turtles are protected now, but were once a delicacy that nearly led to their extinction.

Oldest House Museum & Garden

Museums Menu

Built in 1829 by a ship’s captain, this is the oldest standing house in Key West.

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

Museums Menu

One of the largest treasure finds in history happened in Key west and is on display, including gold, silver, and emeralds.

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

Museums Menu

Learn about the ecosystem of the Florida Keys, including mangroves, coral reef, wildlife, and seagrass beds

Shipwreck Historeum Museum

Musuems Menu

Learn about the wrecking industry during the 19th century, where captains raced to salvage ships run aground on the reef.