Danielle & John
Things To Do
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
A Key West favorite. It's also the site of our big day! The museum itself will be closed during our event but the grounds will be open to our guests. Check it out during opening hours (9a-5p daily) and try to spy some famous 6 toed cats!
Harry S. Truman Little White House
President Harry Truman used this house as his winter vacation home, earning the estate the name of the "Little White House". Since then, many other Presidents have vacationed here. The grounds are now a museum which documents Key West's role in naval conflicts, as well as the home's history.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
The cleanest beach and best waters in Key West. Great for snorkeling. There is also a picnic area. Admission for vehicles with two to eight passengers is $6; pedestrians and bicyclists pay $2 each; single-occupant vehicles or motorcycles pay $4. Admission include beach access as well as a self guided tour of the fort itself.
Key West Lighthouse
Climb the 88 steps to the top for great 360 degree views of the island.
Mallory Square
For a great view of the Key West sunset, head to Mallory Square. During the Sunset Celebration (a free, nightly arts festival that starts about two hours before sunset), this is one of the best spots on the island to catch the sun's last moments and revel in the end of the day.
Southernmost Point Buoy
A classic Key West photo-op!
Old Town Trolley Tours Key West
The Old Town Trolley “Hop on, Hop off” tours have been delighting Key West passengers since 1980. With 13 different stops to get off the trolley, you’ll be able to visit the best Key West beaches and attractions a little farther than walking distance, such as the East Martello museum. Tours leave every half hour from 9-4:30 daily, with a stop conveniently located only a block away from the manor and 2 blocks away from Rose Lane Villas on Duval Street. They also offer a night time Ghosts and Gravestones tour which explores the darker side of Key West.
Conch Tour Train
The World Famous Conch Tour Train originated in 1958 and has a very distinct “train” look, providing an open air tour. The train stays in the “Old Town” Key West area and dedicates their tour to the architecture and history of the island. Purchase your tickets from Old Town Manor’s concierge, then enjoy a 10 minute walk to their Front Street depot near Mallory Square. Tours operate from 9 am to 4:30 pm daily and conveniently depart every half hour.
Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery, Hemingway Rum Company
Head in for a tasting of Hemingway family rum at this distillery set in an old tobacco warehouse built in 1878. Open daily 9a-6p. Guided tours run every hour. $10/adult
Custom House
Maintained by the Key West Art and Historical Society, the Custom House is one of the best places on to see 200 years of the island's art, culture, history and people. Admission $10
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
A beautifully restored house from the mid-19th century surrounded by an acre of tropical gardens.
West Martello Tower
Beautiful seaside gardens within an old fort maintained by the Key West Garden Club. The gardens are almost completely restored after the devastation of Hurricaine Irma in 2017. Admission is free.
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is filled with about 50 to 60 species of butterflies who share their home with 3,500 plants and over 20 species of exoctic birds in an enclosed 5,000-square-foot aviary. A quite break away from the crowds. Great for kids!
Key West Cemetery
The Key West Cemetery (located in Old Town) has been around since 1847 and is well worth at least a walk-through. The quirkiness of the city's residents extends even to the grave - check out the engravings on the headstones (see if you can find the one that reads "I told you I was sick").
Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is one of the largest of the 4 beaches within the city. Not as good for swimming as Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach but amenities include restrooms, shower facilities, volleyball courts, a boat ramp and jet ski rentals. Parking is free.
Higgs Beach
Higgs beach is a small but beautiful beach approximately 5-10 minute drive from Old Town. $20 gets you two lounge chairs and an umbrella for the day. There is also a scenic promenade for biking or runs/walks, plus tennis courts.
Blue Heaven
A one-of-a-kind local institution that captures the barefoot quirkiness of the island at its best. Come for the backyard al fresco dining with roaming roosters. Back in the day, this space hosted gambling, whoring, cockfighting, even boxing (some matches refereed by Ernest Hemingway himself). They have an awesome brunch complete with lobster eggs benedict and sky high Key Lime pie!
Cuban Coffee Queen
Great take away cuban coffee and cuban sandwiches. Beware - this coffee packs a serious punch. They also have a downtown location at Southard and Duval.
Santiago's Bodega | Key West
A quaint tapas bar in the Bahama Village. Be sure to get the sangria. Reservations recommended.
Sarabeth's Kitchen
Sarabeth's, long a NYC favorite favorite for their fluffy omelettes, offers everything from breakfast to dinner in their Key West outpost.