Historic Seaport at Key West Bight, from Greene to Grinnell Streets at the north end of the island. Some 100 land- and sea-based waterfront businesses bring Key West's seafaring heritage to life. Along a half-mile harbor walk are shops, restaurants, bars and a 156-slip working marina that is home to tall ships, ferries and catamarans which provide dive, snorkel and sunset cruises.
Mallory Square, Mallory Pier. Street performers take center stage here at sunset. Read more Key West Sunset Celebration.
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene St. This museum showcases the richest single collection of 17th-century maritime and shipwreck antiquities in the Western Hemisphere - including the treasure of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha. Hours and additional information available at www.melfisher.org or call 305-294-2633.
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden, 1 Free School Lane. Self-guided tours and customized horticulture tours are offered through a lush habitat, along with outdoor seating for enjoying bagged lunches.
Pat Croce's Pirate Soul Museum, 524 Front Street. Nearly 500 authentic pirate artifacts and state-of-the-art interactive technology depicts the pirate era from 1690 to 1730. Artifacts in the 5,000 square foot museum include the world's only authenticated pirate treasure chest. Visit www.piratesoul.com or call 305-292-1113 for more information.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, 108 Duval St. Exhibits the unusual collections of adventurer Robert L. Ripley, along with artifacts from the Keys not found in other odditoriums. More information at www.ripleyskeywest.com or by calling 305-293-9939.
Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center, 5901 W. College Road, mile marker 5 bayside, Stock Island. Named for one of Key West's most famous writers, the Fine Arts Center - located on the campus of the Florida Keys Community College -offers stage presentations throughout the winter. Call 305-296-1520 or visit www.tennesseewilliamstheatre.com for more information.
The Conch Tour Train, 301 Front St., and Old Town Trolley Tours, 6631 Maloney Ave. Both tour operations offer guided and informative expeditions throughout Key West. Visit www.conchtourtrain.com or call 305-294-5161 for more information.
The Ernest Hemingway House & Museum, 907 Whitehead St. The late author's home and second-story writing studio. While living here, Hemingway wrote some of his most notable works - including "To Have and Have Not," which is set in Key West. For more information call 305-294-1136 or visit www.hemingwayhome.com.
The Key West Aquarium, 1 Whitehead St. Showcasing the diverse marine life that inhabit the waters of Key West, the aquarium offers guided tours, a touch tank and daily fish feedings. For hours and additional information visit www.keywestaquarium.com or call 305-296-2051.
The Key West Cemetery. Look for creative headstones that read, "God Was Good to Me," "I Told You I Was Sick" and "Devoted Fan of Julio Iglesias." Another plot here pays homage to the 27 sailors killed in the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine.
The Key West Lighthouse Museum, 938 Whitehead St. Erected in 1847, this is one of Florida's oldest lighthouses. Both the keeper's quarters and the lighthouse have been restored. Visitors may walk 38 steps to the top for a wonderful view of the city. Visit www.kwahs.com or call 305-294-0012 for more information.
The San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St. Founded in 1871 to preserve Cuban culture and promote the freedom of Cuba, the San Carlos functioned as a school and cultural center. In a historic 1892 speech from the building's balcony, Cuban patriot Jose Marti united the Cuban exile community and launched his drive for Cuba's independence. Today the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, with library, art gallery, theater and school classes centering around Cuban history and the Spanish language. Call 305-294-3887 for more information.
The Southernmost Point, Whitehead and South Streets. Features a larger-than-life buoy for capturing Kodak moments only 90 miles from Cuba.
Take these links to find out more: Florida Keys FAQs, Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys.
