Things To Do/ Eat

Pole Vault in Paradise

This is an all-comers meet! If you pole vaulted in the past, are a current pole vaulter, or have never pole vaulted, we encourage you to take part in this amazing event! There will be plenty of poles available here between everyone coming. There may even be rental poles available through Sean Young.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in this for ten years. During that time he wrote seventy percent of his life-time works. Today we operate as a museum providing guided tours every fifteen minutes from nine to five. The Museum is available for weddings and corporate events. Visit this National Historic Landmark, Literary Landmark and recognized by the Library of Congress for its importance in U.S. History. Grand Architecture, Lush Gardens, Educational Tours, Book Store/Gift Shop and the world famous Poly dactyl (six-toed cats).

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Historic site of a Civil War-era fort, currently being excavated; also has a beautiful beach for swimming and snorkeling. There is a $4.00 entry fee per vehicle. 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Fort closes at 5 p.m.

USCGC Ingham Maritime Museum

327 Foot museum ship from WWII and Viet Nam. It is a National Historic Landmark. INGHAM served our country from 1936 to 1988 and in 1985 was the most decorated ship in United States Service as noted in a letter from President Ronald Reagan in the exhibit room. It is the last American Warship afloat to have sunk a German U-Boat (626) in WWII. It served as the Flagship for the seaside operation of General MacArthur's return to Corregidor in the Philippines. She served from 1936 to 1988. The ship is totally intact as if was on decommissioning day. Offering one of the best Sunset viewing venues in Key West on Friday and Saturday Evenings, serving wines and various Beers.

Keys Coffee Co.

Bien

Although it’s blocks off the main drag on the northern edge of Old Town, it’s hard not to notice this former gas station painted in shades of pale pink with splashes of turquoise and fuchsia. Place your order at the little indoor counter and grab a spot at one of the slender rectangular tables outside where cars used to fill up beneath the merciful misters (to help counteract that southernmost heat and humidity) for decadent marinated, slow-roasted pork sandwiches loaded with pickled jalapenos, caramelized onions and garlic mayo that will forever change you. Order it on a tortilla if you like, but the plush Cuban bread option is where it’s at.

Thirsty Mermaid

We had a beautiful date here last time we were in Key West. It's intimate, beautiful, and they have an amazing happy hour. If you're looking for wings and oysters, look no further! Founded by husband-wife duo and longtime Key West restaurateurs Thomas Quartaro and Kristen Onderdonk, Thirsty Mermaid’s prime focus is always good ingredients, well highlighted in their bright, fresh seafood-heavy menu, where oysters and daily-changing ceviche are a must and dishes like the cool-you-down green gazpacho with a dollop of crème fraiche are well-complemented by the think-outside-the-Sauvignon-Blanc wine list and nicely curated craft beers. The driftwood-gray floors and white walls, sparsely decorated in nautical antiques and modern sea-skewed art, imbue a casual, airy kind of sophistication in which you feel thoroughly comfortable tipping back a flute of bubbly in your beach cover-up.

GLAZED

Until you have had the fleeting, seasonal fresh strawberry jelly donut from Key West’s place of pillowy, sugary goodness, it’s a fact that you haven’t lived a full life. There’s the pineapple upside-down brûlée, the salted caramel cake and, of course, the key lime pie. Some, like the cinnamon sugar yum-yum, stay in constant rotation while others make seasonal appearances. The venue closes daily at 3pm (it’s completely closed on Mondays), so your best bet for freshness and breadth of choice is to get here early, order a cup of local Red Buoy coffee and peruse the Key West Citizen for the daily cruise ship arrivals and talk about town.

Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe

Their Frozen Dipped Pies are a must try! We can easily scarf down multiple if we're not careful.