Key West, Florida is an iconic destination that has a lot to offer including nice weather, beautiful scenery, good food, and a relaxed chill atmosphere.
Key West, Florida is a small 7-sq mile island that is apart of the Florida Keys archipelago. It is home to residences of famous Americans, the southern-most point of the continental US, beautiful Caribbean-style homes, dozens of bars on the famous Duval Street, and wonderful beaches with snorkeling spots. Due to its small size, it is an extremely walkable city that you can do on your own.
We arrived in Key West on a Disney Cruise. The cruise ship docks are near all of the major sights which make for a fun day of exploring.
Tour Ernest Hemingway House and Museum
Hemingway House and Museum is where the late noble prize winner lived and wrote during his most productive years. He lived in the house from 1931 to 1939. You can take a guided tour or you can explore the house, grounds, and gardens on your own. Be aware that they only accept cash.
Hemingway’s cats might be just as famous as he is. The property (grounds and house) are home to about 50 polydactyl (six-toed) cats. While all the cats on the property have the polydactyl gene, not all the cats show the trait.
Southernmost Point Buoy
Located on Whitehead and South Street is the Southernmost Point Buoy. At this spot, you are closer to Cuba than you are to Miami, Florida. However, it technically is not the southernmost point in the continental US, which is actually a private island in the keys. It is also not the southernmost point on Key West, because that spot is on the US Naval base.
It is, however, one of the most photographed spots in the US and the line to take a photo can be up to an hour long on busy days. We choose to skip the line and take a photo in between tourists from a distance.
Eat a Slice of Key Lime Pie
It’s the “Official Pie of the State of Florida” and is quite the specialty in Key West…Key Lime Pie. It’s a sweet creamy dessert pie made from the juice of the tiny yellow-green key lime. We got our slice of heaven at Key Lime Pie Bakery. It has a plaque out front that announces it’s the Birthplace of Key Lime Pie, 1856. I don’t know if that’s true or not, however, the pie was delicious! They also serve coffee, ice cream, and have a whole store full of souvenirs.
Hwy 1 Mile Marker Zero
Head to the end of the road or the beginning of the road….the Mile 0 marker sign of US Highway 1. This is a good spot to take a quick picture of yourself and then move along. There are also many souvenir shops around this area.
Harry S. Truman’s Little White House
This was the Key West vacation home of President Truman for over 175 days while he was in office. The house has been used by other presidents as a spot for working vacations and of other significant events such as the site of international peace talks between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2001. You can admire the house from the outside or take a tour for a fee.
Additional Ways to Explore Key West
- Attend the nightly “Sunset Celebration” – One of the longest traditions in Key West by both locals and tourists is to gather at Mallory Square on the waterfront to watch the breathtakingly beautiful Key West sunset nightly. The celebration includes street performers and vendors.
- Smathers Beach or Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park – Visiting an island such as Key West means a stop at the beach might be at the top of your list.
- Conch Tour Train – Train will take you on a loop through Old Town Key West with three stops for sightseeing.
- Parasailing – Key West is one of the most popular spots for parasailing and the prices are quite affordable.
- Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
- Key West Aquarium
Have you visited Key West, Florida?
