According to locals, here are the major places to visit if you�re just in Key West for a day or two:
MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS
#1. Sunset At Mallory Square: Click here to see unretouched photos.
Popular nightly display of street acts prior to sunset. Key West hypes its sunsets, but they are spectacular... especially if there are a few clouds in the sky.
Click here for the offical Mallory Square web site.
#2. Conch Train Tour: Click here to see photo.
The $20 tour will give you a broad overview of Key West. The tour departs from the Mallory Square area.
Click here for the Conch Train web site.
#3. Reef Tour: See this country's only living coral reef. The marine life is impressive! Two companies offer glass bottom boat trips and others offer snorkeling.
Tip: We did the sunset reef tour on The Pride Of Key West (departs from the Mallory Square area). This included a reef tour immediately prior to sunset, then a brief sunset cruise with Champange and snacks. The Pride Of Key West offered a good tour, informative crew and a nice catamaran-style cruising boat. This was a highlight of our trip! Click here for more general reef information.
#4. Ernest Hemingway�s Home: Click here to see photos.
See where the writer�s most famous works were penned and descendants of his multi-toed cats.
The home is across the street from the lighthouse because Hemingway wanted to find his way home after a night of drinking at Sloppy Joe's. Only Key West house with a basement (and it has never flooded.)
Click here for the Hemmingway House site.
#5. Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum: Treasure hunter�s display of his $400,000,000 find from the wreck of the Atocha. Click here for more.
SHOULD SEE ATTRACTIONS
Truman Little White House: Florida's only presidential museum, the Little White House provides a personal glimpse President Harry Truman, who spent time in Key West. Click here for more.
Dry Tortugas By Ferry Or Seaplane: Unspoiled keys and the unusual Fort Jefferson. The Dry Tortugas are actually the last Keys in the chain. They are about 70 miles west of Key West. Click here for more.
The Southernmost Point In The Continental United States.
Click here to see photo.
Click here for more information.
Sloppy Joe�s: Ernest Hemingway�s favorite drinking spot.
Click here to see photo.
Click here for more information.
Ricky�s Blue Heaven: Famous for its free-roaming chickens and outdoor dining. Said to have been the site of cockfights and boxing matches in Hemingway�s time. Building is also said to have been a one-time brothel. Click here for more.
Kelly's: Great place to eat. Owned by actor Kelly McGillis (Tom Cruise's girlfriend in Top Gun.) Click here for more.
Hog's Breath Saloon: Fun bar near Mallory Square. Check out their live web cams by clicking here.
NOTES
By car: Key West is 225 miles south of West Palm Beach. To get there, take Florida�s Turnpike until it ends at U.S. 1 near Miami. Take U.S. 1 south to Key West.
By boat: It is difficult, if not impossible, to get to Key West heading south on the Florida Bay side. Use Hawk Channel. Click here to see sample navigation plan. The Galleon Marina is a good Key West marina.
Hotels: All of the shops, restaurants and bars are located along Duval Street. The accomodations in this area tend to be limited to historic bed and breakfasts.
"New Town" is an area well east of the downtown tourist district. It's too far to walk to downtown, but for $7 a day you can ride all day on a shuttle bus. The hotels in "New Town" are (you guessed it) newer. It's where all of the chain hotels and time shares are located.
Parking: Parking can be EXTREMELY difficult in Key West. Walk, take a bike, rent a scooter or take the shuttle bus if you can.
Fantasy Fest: Key West hosts Fantasy Fest each October. It is extremely wild and clothing is very optional. It's crowded and not for the faint of heart! Click here for more information.
Cruise Ships: Key West is a stop for many cruise ships. Don't be surprised if the town suddenly fills up for a few hours.
KEY WEST LINKS
Good Restaurants
Attractions
Key West Kids Attractions
Middle & Lower Keys Kids Attractions
Key West Sailing Charter: Double Decker
PHOTOGRAPHS
Key West Attractions
Sunset At Mallory Square
Florida Keys Computer Desktop Wallpaper
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