Key West Florida Weekly

Getting around Key West


 

 

1. Southernmost Point The corner of South and Whitehead streets www.southernmostpointwebcam.com The city of Key West erected this concrete buoy in 1983 to denote the southernmost point in the continental United States.

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

3. Sloppy Joe’s 201 Duval St. 305-294-5717 www.sloppyjoes.com A Key West tradition since 1933, this bar’s famous patrons include Ernest Hemmingway and rum runner Habana Joe.

4. Mallory Square Sunset Celebration 1 Whitehead St. 786-565-7448 www.sunsetcelebration.org This nightly festival begins at water’s edge an hour or two before sunset and includes street performers, local artisans, food carts, palmists and psychics.

5. Truman Little White House 111 Front St. www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com 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. 305-294-1136 www.hemingwayhome.com Take the tour and say hello to one of the 40-50 six-toed cats, all descendants of Hemingway’s cat, Snowball.

7. The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory 1316 Duval St. 305-296-2988 or 800-839-4647 www.keywestbutterfly.com More than 50 butterfly species from around the world and 20 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. 305-294-2633 www.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 and continues 2,369 miles north up the East Coast before ending in Fort Kent, Me. Stop here to commemorate your visit to Key West with a photo next to the iconic Mile Marker 0 sign.

10. Key West Express Ferry Terminal 100 Grinnell St. 239-463-5733 www.Keywestexpress.net Traveling via the Express is truly the best way to get between Key West, Fort Myers Beach or Marco Island. 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 www.Audubonhouse.com Original lithographs by John James Audubon are on display in this former home of shipwreck salvager Capt. John Geiger.

12. Key West City Cemetery Bordered by Angela, Frances and Olivia streets and Windsor Lane 305-292-6718 www.historicfloridakeys.org Stop by the sexton’s office near the entrance at Passover and Windsor lanes and pick up a map that includes a free walking tour.

13. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach At the ocean end of Southard Street and bordering the Naval Reservation. 305-295-0037 www.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, the 54-acre park has nature trails, bike paths, picnic tables and grills and Historic Fort Zachary Taylor. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Key West Shipping Channel. ¦

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