Key West Florida Weekly

Getting around Key West




 

 

1. Southernmost Point The corner of South Street and White head Street southernmostpointwebcam.com The city of Key West erected this now-famous concrete buoy in 1983 to denote the southernmost point in the continental United States.

2. Conch Tour Train 303 Front St., Key West (305) 294-5161 or (888) 916-8687 conchtourtrain.com The Conch Train has been winding its way through the streets of Key West since 1958.

3. Sloppy Joe’s 201 Duval St. (305) 294-5717 sloppyjoes.com The historic bar has been a Key West tradition since it opened in 1933. Its most famous patrons were Ernest Hemmingway and the rum runner Habana Joe.

4. Mallory Square Sunset Celebration 1 Whitehead St., Key West (786) 565-7448 sunsetcelebration.org This nightly festival begins at the water’s edge about an hour or two before sunset and includes street performers,

local artisans, food carts, palmists and psychics.

5. Truman White House 111 Front St. The Little White House adds a presidential luster to the Conch Republic. Originally built for naval officers in 1890 and used as a command headquarters in three wars, the Little White House later served as lodging for President Harry S. Truman’s winter retreats from 1946 to 1952.

6. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum 907 Whitehead St., Key West (305) 294-1136 hemingwayhome.com Take the tour and say hello to one of the 40 to 50 six-toed cats, all descendants of Hemingway’s cat, Snowball.

7. The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory 1316 Duval St., Key West (305) 296-2988 or (800) 839-4647 keywestbutterfly.com More than 50 different butterfly species from around the world and 20 different exotic bird species coexist in this climate-controlled, glass-enclosed habitat that includes waterfalls, flowering plants and trees.

8. Mel Fisher Maritime Museum 200 Greene St., Key West (305) 294-2633 melfisher.org Exhibits include treasures from the Spanish galleons of 1622 discovered by Mel Fisher and his crew.

9. Mile Marker 0 Sign 490 Whitehead St., corner of Fleming Street U.S. 1 begins here in Key West, continues 2,369 miles north up the East Coast, and ends in Fort Kent, Maine. Stop here to commemorate your visit to Key West with a photo next to the iconic Mile Marker 0 sign.

10. Fort Myers-Key West Express Terminal 100 Grinnell St. (239) 463-5733 Keywestexpress.net Traveling via the Express is truly the best way to get to Key West or Fort Myers. You’ll enjoy air-conditioned interiors, exterior sun decks, couches, tables and even reclining airline-style seating. There’s a full-service galley, full service bar and flat-screen TVs with satellite television.

11. Audubon House and Garden 205 Whitehead St. (305) 294-2116 Audubonhouse.com Original lithographs by John James Audubon are on display in the former home of shipwreck salvager Capt. John Geiger.

12. Key West City Cemetery Bordered by Angela, Frances, Olivia Streets and Windsor Lane (305) 809-3986. Stop by the sexton’s office near the entrance at Passover Lane and Windsor Lane for a map containing a free walking tour.

13. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach Located at the ocean end of Southard Street and bordering the Naval Reserva tion. (305) 295-0037 Fortzacharytaylor.com “Fort Zach” is known to locals and tourists alike as one of Key West’s best beaches. In addition to the expansive beach, there are nature trails, bike paths and Historic Fort Zachary Taylor, all within a 54-acre park with picnic tables and grills. Experience the beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Key West Shipping Channel. ¦


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