Are you planning a trip to Key West (& FL Keys)?
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Browsing Key West (& FL Keys)
A Key Encounter Nature Theater
A three-screen theater introduces you to the Key deer, birds, fish, and sea life of the Florida Keys in living color during a 20 minute movie presentation. The planetarium movie, dubbed "The Ultimate Encounter," features the history of the telescope, the constellations, and a special presentation on the Big Dipper.
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African Queen
Docked at the Holiday Inn Marina, the African Queen is the boat from the 1951 movie of the same name, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Come and see the boat and check out others from around the world.
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Alligator Reef Light Tower
Part of the West Indies Squadron in the early 1800s, the USS Alligator tracked and intercepted pirate ships. The ship ran aground at Matecumbe Reef in 1821 and limped her way northward, throwing cargo overboard and unloading most of her cannons to a sister ship. The Alligator finally succumbed and began to sink at what is now aptly named Alligator Reef. She was set on fire so the pirates couldn't claim her. The light tower was finally built to mark the dangerous reef in 1873. The area surrounding the light tower is a popular fishing and diving spot.
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Anne's Beach
You'll see this delightful park as you travel the Overseas Highway. It's just a half-mile south of MM 74 and stretches alongside the ocean, making it a popular stop for a brief stop, sunning and swimming. You can also set up a picnic here and enjoy the quiet tropical environment. A winding boardwalk that passes through short, leggy mangrove trees also offers a scenic stroll. There is no admission fee.
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Artists in Paradise
Members of the Lower Keys Artists Network display their artwork in this privately owned gallery here on Big Pine Key. Open daily, the gallery displays and sells work in all mediums.
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Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Artist John James Audubon, famed for his detailed drawings of birds and animals, once visited this handsome and historic two-story house that now bears his name. Audubon House, whose construction is typical of historic Key West, offers a self-guided audiotape-tour guiding guests through the home and its lush, tropical garden. In the house are antique furnishings, old photographs and Audubon prints. A gift shop sells unusual items associated with the artist and the house, as well as souvenir items. Admission: USD10 Adults, USD5 Children aged 6-12.
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Bahama Village
Settled by free Bahamian blacks in the mid 1800s, the Bahama Village section of Key West (south of Duval on Petronia, Virginia, Emma, and Thomas streets) still reflects the cultural contributions this group of immigrants had on the city. Galleries, restaurants, and the Lofton B. Sands African-Bahamian Museum are testimony to this cultural niche.
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Bahia Honda State Park
Popular with both tourists and locals, this 524-acre state park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. Visitors can indulge in hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and more. The park also features a white sand beach and seaside picnic areas with tables and grills. Miles of hiking trails pass through tropical foliage. Admission: USD2.50 per person, USD5 for 2 people, USD0.50 for each additional person pedestrians and USD1.50 per bicyclist.
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Boondocks Mini-Golf
Opened in 2006, Boondocks Mini-Golf takes a gigantic rock formation and fashions 18 holes of fun among waterfalls, ponds, Tiki huts, and tunnels. Lushly landscaped to make it seem more Keysy, this long-awaited miniature golf is a welcome addition to the Key West family scene.
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Bougainvillea House Gallery
Housed in a quaint Keys cottage under massive branches of pink bougainvillea, this artist's co-op gallery displays the works of Middle Keys artists. You'll find that the artwork and crafts depict many of the natural vistas you'll encounter in the Keys.
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C. B. Harvey Rest Beach Park
Every evening visitors and residents gather to this strip of sand on the Atlantic to watch the sun slide into the sea. At other times of the day, you'll find families and visitors spreading out picnic lunches or relaxing in the shallow waters and soft sands for a soak and some sun. There are five picnic areas here but the expanse of beach is limited to 300 yards. Still, it's a nice place to be to chat with locals and out-of-towners.
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Christ of the Deep Statue
One of the most popular snorkel/dive sites in the Upper Keys, the 9-foot-tall Christ of the Deep Statue stands on the ocean floor, arms upraised toward the surface and the heavens. The statue, which resides in the Key Largo Dry Rocks section of the barrier reef, keeps company with schools of tropical fish and colorful corals.
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Cornish Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Before the Civil War, blacks in Key West had to sit in a limited number of pews in the rear of St. Paul's Episcopal or St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. The congregation actually formed as the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1846 under a lime tree in Key West. They built the present-day structure in 1865 and by 1880 had 300 members. Of architectural interest, the sharply pitched roof is constructed without nails, and the church showcases beautiful stained glass windows.
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Crane Point
Crane Point is an expansive 63-acre museum/nature complex, ever expanding and ever fascinating. The Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys introduces the flora, fauna, and early settlers of the islands. The Children's Museum is a hands on place, where kids can come in contact with native sea creatures in touch tanks and dress up in pirate garb. Adderley Town Historic Site showcases the tabby-built c.1890s home of George Adderley. The Marathon Wild Bird Center rescues and rehabilitates injured shore birds. An extensive nature trail system winds through a dense hardwood hammock, culminating at Florida Bay.
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Curry Hammock State Park
Not one of your larger parks in the Keys, it's still one of those lovely spots you are drawn to stop at for a short visit. A tropical refuge right on the ocean, it's easy to reach being right off the main highway. Tucked in alongside the Atlantic at MM 56 on Little Crawl Key, this delightful park offers surf fishing, swimming and snorkeling in the warm Atlantic waters, sunning, of course, and picnicking.
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Curry Mansion Museum
Milton Curry arrived in Key West from the Bahamas penniless, then proceeded to make a fortune trafficking in the sale of goods recovered from ships wrecked on the outlying coral reef. He began building his mansion home in 1869, which was subsequently finished by his son Milton in 1899. The home's architectural details reflect the goods Curry salvaged from the passing ships, so bits of New England, New Orleans, and the South are evident. You can even visit the attic and the widow's walk on this self-guided tour.
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Custom House Museum
The Customs House chronicles the history of Key West. In the 1820s, the city became an official port of entry to the United States, permitting cargo salvaged from wrecked ships to be legally brought here for sale. Eventually, that booty made Key West the richest spot in Florida. The red brick and terracotta Customs House features a main gallery of rotating art exhibits and smaller galleries with exhibits related to Key West history. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children aged 12 and under.
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Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
Key Largo Hammock is the largest contiguous West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the continental United States. More than 84 federally protected species of plants and animals coexist here. Miles of paved trails wind throughout the dense foliage.
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Dolphin Cove Research & Education Center
Devoted to their roles as a research and education center, this operation also lets you swim with its bottlenose dolphins or meet them in nose-to-bottlenose sessions. A number of other activities are offered, ranging from sunset cruises, ecology tours into the Everglades, kayak and canoe voyages, and crocodile tours to see the endangered American crocodile. Dolphin swims are $150 for about 90 minutes with the friendly creatures, an observation opportunity with the dolphins is $21.50, and other tours vary in price so give them a call to explore the options.
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Dolphin Research Center
Experience fintastic family fun with the Dolphin Research Center's dolphins and sea lions. Learn their different "dolphinalities" while watching specialized sessions that demonstrate their amazing abilities. From high-flying athletics to research, no two sessions are alike. Exciting interactive programs include Trainer for a Day, Researcher for a Day, dolphin swims, wade-in programs, and more.
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Dry Tortugas National Park
This national park is the nation's only at-sea national park and is home to the historic Fort Jefferson. Located about 70 miles west of Key West and accessible only by boat or chartered seaplane, the park and fort lure divers, snorkelers and nature lovers who flock here to get a close look at stag horn coral, angel fish, rare birds and the loggerhead turtles that gave the island its name. Built in 1846, the five-sided fort covers more than 11 of the island's 16 acres.
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Duval Street Wreckers Museum
The aptly named Oldest House Museum was reportedly built in 1829 by Francis Watlington, a seafarer. Watlington, his wife and his nine daughters lived in the house for decades. The architecture of the house was heavily influenced by the Colonial frame buildings of New England, it was moved to its present location on Duval Street in 1829. Inside, you'll see gold salvaged from shipwrecks, paintings, model ships and a separate cookhouse with a beehive oven. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children under 12. Cash only, credit cards not accepted.
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Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
A must for visitors to Key West, this historic property offers guided tours through Hemingway's former home, where he lived and wrote from 1928 until 1940. The attractive Spanish Colonial house was built in 1851. You will see Ernest Hemingway's writing studio and his swimming pool, the first one built in Key West. Feline descendants of Mr. Hemingway's many cats roam freely on the premises. The home is occasionally used for private events and parties. Admission: USD11 for adults, USD6 for children. Free parking.
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Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park, at the top of the Keys, supports eight separate ecosystems among more than a million acres. One of these ecosystems encompasses some of the shallow backcountry waters of Florida Bay and is easily accessed by boat from the Upper Keys. Flamingo Visitor Center serves as the kingpin for a wide range of ranger-led activities.
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Flagler Station Over-sea Railway Historeum
Henry Flagler brought the railroad south to Florida. At this 'historeum,' Flagler's Railroad That Went to Sea, traversing 130 miles of sand and water, comes to life in rare motion pictures and photographs. Videos show construction and chronicle the stirring arrival of the first train in Key West. A train's journey through the Keys is recreated in video, and you can roam a 16,000-pound restored payroll car. A collection of memorabilia is joined by a restored home dating from the era. Admission is $5 adults, $2.50 children under 13.
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Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Opened in September 2006, the 6,000-square-foot Eco-Discovery Center showcases interactive exhibits depicting the biodiversity of the Florida Keys. The Center focuses on the land and water habitats of the keys, as well as human interaction within these habitats, protecting the marine environment, and the maritime history of the Florida Keys.
Be sure to see their newest exhibit, Mote Marine Laboratory's Living Reef, which features a 2,200-gallon tank with live coral and schools of reef fish. The exhibit also shows their coral nursery, where they actually raise coral for transplantation out to the reef. More »
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center rescues, treats, rehabilitates, and then releases a myriad of winged creatures back into their natural environment. While some of the birds reside in natural netted "cages" perched in trees, others roam the grounds freely. A winding path leads to Florida Bay, where many "not-so-sick" birds like to congregate at feeding time, trying to score free meals. A small but nicely labeled hardwood hammock adjoins the property.
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Fort East Martello Museum and Gardens
This circular fort's design became outdated before the Civil War era structure was ever completed. The fort now showcases historic artifacts, documents, photographs, and artwork by some of Key West's most renowned artisans.
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Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site and Park
Built in 1845 and occupied by Yankee forces in 1861, the fort was finally completed in 1866. Now a National Historic Landmark, the fort has tours at noon and 2p. If you're here in February, you'll be treated to Civil War Days. Admission is $2.50 per person for the first two people in your car plus 50 cents for each additional person up to $8, and then it's $1 a person for the rest of the crowd. If you arrive by bicycle or on foot, you pay $1.50 per person. The west side of the State park is ideal for fishing and snorkeling. In addition, the park also provides tables and grills for a picnic.
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Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Three hundred square miles of backcountry Gulf of Mexico waters and scores of uninhabited mangrove islands make up the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, which stretches from just north of Marathon to just north of Key West. Accessible only by boat, the sanctuary is home to more than 250 species of birds, provides a critical nesting area for endangered sea turtles, and its protected waters serve as a nursery for myriad species of fish and other sea life.
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Guild Hall Gallery
Key West artisans join forces by showcasing their collective works in the Guild Hall Gallery. The art reflects the island culture of Key West as well as the historical influences of the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Cuba.
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Harry Harris Park
A city park popular with local residents and daytrippers from Monroe County, Harry Harris Park is fronted by a stone jetty that creates an intriguing tidal pool. The park features playgrounds, ball fields, an in-line skating area, and a small beach.
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Harry S. Truman Little White House
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, loved Key West so much so that he established a residence known as the Little White House. Built in 1890 as officer's quarters at the naval station, the wooden waterfront duplex became a single family home that also welcomed inventor Thomas Edison and Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and John F. Kennedy. Take the guided home tour, then take a self-guided stroll of the grounds. The gift shop on-site offers great little trinkets to take home.
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Historic Seaport at Key West Bight
An amazing revamp turned a slightly seedy part of town into a sleek 8.5-acre historic restoration area with more than 100 businesses, restaurants, open air bars, museums, boutiques, bait shops, a marina, markets, dive shops, a Waterfront Market enclave of outdoor kiosks, and even a wedding chapel. A two-mile Harborwalk ties it all together and runs from Front to Grinnell Street. Along the walk you'll see schooners, sunset cruisers, cruise ships, charter boats and an amazing variety of Key West residents and visitors.
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Hurricane Monument
This understated monument honors those railroad workers and Florida Keys residents who lost their lives in the category 5 Hurricane of 1935. Many of the people who perished in the historically significant storm are buried below the memorial, reminding residents and visitors of the dangers that come along with living in paradise.
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Indian Key State Historic Site
This key on the ocean side of the Matecumbe Islands was once home to Native Americans and ship-wreckers. Today it lies slumbering in the sun, awaiting visitors with an interest in the heritage of the Keys. Recent hurricanes have taken a toll on the island's ruins so there are no longer guided tours, but you can go on your own to walk marked trails and sites. To reach the island, go by ferry or for additional adventure, rent a kayak. In October, a festival called Indian Key Festival salutes the history of the key.
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Islamorada Village of Islands Founders Park
Formerly a resort called Plantation Harbor, this expansive property was purchased by the newly incorporated city of Islamorada in 1998. Since then, the fledging city has transformed the previously dormant 40-acre parcel into a public recreation showcase.
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Island Arts
This co-operative gallery of Key West artists displays some zany creations. From pelicans and manatees made out of recycled paper to sculptures fused from junk metal, this collection proves the old adage, "all it takes is imagination."
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Jessie Porter's Heritage House Museum
This pretty house is as Key West as such houses come, with columned porches on two floors, lots of doors and windows, a white picket fence and an arresting array of antiques and seafaring artifacts. Built in the Caribbean style with colonial touches, the house has been home to seven generations of a noted Key West family that has collected the treasures you'll see here. Robert Frost's cottage is also here and is open to tours. Admission is $6 adults, $1 for children 12-18, with other children admitted free.
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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
A protected underwater paradise, the park is home to 55 varieties of coral and 600 species of fish. Snorkeling, diving, glass-bottom boat tours and sailing expeditions are popular, offering recreational and educational adventures. The park also has a beach, picnic areas, a 30,000-gallon aquarium and museum, and two nature trails. Overnight camping is by advance reservations. Snorkeling is USD25 for adults, USD20 under 18, and equipment rental USD3-6. Kayak, pedal boat and canoe rental is USD10-15 per hour. A glass-bottom boat trip is USD18 for adults, USD10 for ages 12 and under.
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Key Colony Beach Golf & Tennis
You can hack your way around a nine-hole, par-3 public course or play tennis on either of two lighted hard courts. Conveniently located in the middle of the Middle Keys, this dual golf and tennis facility is open from 7a to dusk for golf and from 7:30a to 10p for tennis. Golf fees are $9 for nine holes; tennis costs $4 per person per hour for singles play, $6 each for doubles play. You need to call for reservations before 5p. Rental equipment for both sports is available.
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Key West AIDS Memorial
Key West has lost scores of lives to AIDS, and it now recognizes those lost by engraving their names on a granite slab in the walkway leading to the White Street pier on Atlantic Boulevard.
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Key West Aquarium
Opened in 1934, this educational and entertaining aquarium features diverse exhibits on sea life in the area and live demonstrations. Wander among the many varieties of marine life or take a guided tour. Aquarium demonstrations include shark and fish feedings daily at 11a, 1p, 3p and 4:30p. Children usually enjoy the touching area, where visitors can touch marine creatures in shallow pools. Admission costs USD9 for adults, USD4.50 for children between ages 4-12, while children under three years of age get in free.
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Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
If you're a fan of the delicate winged creatures, then this is definitely the place for you. The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, which treats visitors to amazing sights and smells of mother earth, has a climate controlled enclosure for about 60 species of butterflies. The colors, size, shape, history and lifespan can be studied at the Learning Center - a great experience for children and adults alike. The gallery and gift shop have lots more in store. Admission: adults USD10, seniors/military personnel USD8.50, children (4-12)USD7.50, children under 4 enter free.
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Key West City Cemetery
It may sound morbid to go strolling through cemeteries, but this cemetery is also a historical landmark. Established in 1847 and covering nearly 20 acres, the cemetery includes the graves of sailors killed in the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898. You will see unique headstones, like a ship's mast or the famous one reading, "I told you I was sick." Admission is free to tour the site on your own. For a USD10 donation, a 90-minute tour leaves at 9:30am on Tuesday and Thursday from the main gate, reservations are not necessary.
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Key West Harbor
While once pirate ships, cargo vessels, naval ships, and steamships plied their trade and moored their bows, Key West Harbor, deepest in the Keys at 33 feet, now plays host to myriad cruise ships, luxury yachts, and excursion vessels.
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Key West Historical Memorial Sculpture Garden
Dozens of Key West's favorite sons and most influential citizens are immortalized in bronze and commemorative bricks in this small sculpture park located in front of the Waterfront Playhouse in Mallory Square.
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Key West Lighthouse Museum
Long ago, hazardous reefs off Key West wrecked many ships. To keep ships off the reefs, a lighthouse was built in 1825. Although it was destroyed in 1846, it was later rebuilt inland on Whitehead Street and was manned for more than 120 years. It's now open for those who can climb the 88 steps to the top of the tower, and tour the grounds. A small museum of nautical artifacts and vintage photos has been set up in the Keeper's Quarters. Admission is $8 adults, $4 for children 6-17.
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Key West Marine Park
The city of Key West and the Reef Relief environmental protection group have joined forces to create a new protected swim lane 600 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. It runs from the White Street Pier area westward to the foot of Duval Street. The area is marked by buoys. Motorized vessels may cross the swim lane at only two marked spots.
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Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1908, this wildlife sanctuary of 190,00 acres of uninhabited mangrove islands and more than 200,000 acres of marine waters is a protected paradise for sporting enthusiasts interested in fishing, snorkeling, diving, photography, and wildlife viewing. The only access to the refuge is by boat.
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Key West Resort Golf Course
Play a round at the end of the road! Designed by Rees Jones, this 18-hole public golf course is 6,526 yards, par 70 from the back tees, 5,183 yards, par 70 from the front tees. Although caddies are not available, walking the course is permitted at certain times. The course offers reduced fees during the low season (May-December), for twilight play and for juniors. Discount packages and rental clubs are available. Call up to 14 days in advance for tee times. Green fees: On season USD48-USD160, off season USD38-USD90.
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Key West Shipwreck Historeum
Before tourism became Key West's major source of income,'wreckers' earned their living by salvaging what they could from ships wrecked on the reefs. At the Key West Shipwreck Museum, you can learn about the 'wreckers' and see jewelry, china, house wares and other artifacts from the Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856. An observation tower offers a great view. The tour guides are living history actors. Admission is USD8 for adults and USD4 for children. There are shows every 30 minutes.
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Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
This beautiful tropical forest presents a tranquil place for visitors to stroll and experience the bright array of colorful flora and fauna that Key West has to offer. While touring the garden, you'll be treated to sights of animals such as birds, frogs, butterflies, geckos, dragonflies, and more. Some of the plant life that makes its home here includes commonplace Florida plants such as palm trees, as well as rare vegetation such as orchids. The garden offers five different self-guided tours, which include areas such as wetlands, tropical forest, boardwalk and butterfly habitat, rare Cuban palms, and native plants.
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Keys History of Diving Museum
This museum, which will open in 2006, tells the story of man's exploration under the sea. Exhibits of antique diving equipment are combined with artifacts, photography, and art, to depict a timeline history of diving throughout the ages. A special section of the museum is devoted to South Florida and the Florida Keys' contribution to dive exploration and treasure hunting.
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Little Arsnicker Keys
A sprinkling of out-islands seven miles northwest of Lower Matecumbe Key in Florida Bay and devoid of human habitation, Little Arsnicker Keys host migratory white pelicans from November through March every year. The flock, which numbers more than 500, keeps company with hundreds of cormorants and scores of great white herons and snowy egrets. In recent years, a pair of bald eagles has nested on one of the islands.
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Little Duck Key Beach
This tiny strip of natural beach located roadside just over the Seven Mile Bridge offers a nice place to take a refreshing dip in the ocean and then have a picnic in one of the handful of picnic shelters. Restrooms are on the premises.
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Lofton B. Sands African-Bahamian Museum and Resource Center
Bahamians were among the first settlers in the Keys and their influence remains strong, as seen in the city's Bahamian Village neighborhood. At this museum, you can learn more about the influence of Bahamians in Key West in a collection of photos, letters, vintage clothing and memorabilia outlining the Bahamian connection. Even the building has Bahamian ties: it was once the residence of Lofton B. Sands, part of a prominent Bahamian family, who built this home in the 1920s. Admission is $1 per person but additional donations are welcome.
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Long Key Bridge
When the new Overseas Highway was completed in the early 1980s, the old highway bridge spans were abandoned for a time. The State of Florida has turned several of its older bridges into pedestrian fishing piers, clearly marked with signs, on which anyone can come and fish for free. Because of the tide, this pier attracts many varieties of fish. Long Key Bridge is considered one of the most prolific in the Florida Keys by local anglers.
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Long Key State Recreation Area
Outdoor adventurers intent on camping, and boating will like this recreation area that snuggles up to the warm waters of the Atlantic. You'll find camping facilities, canoeing and nature trails, a small beach and tables for picnics. Camping is $23.69 without an electrical hook-up, $25.84 with electricity. You can rent a canoe for $4 an hour or $10 a day. If you're camping here, admission to the park is waived; otherwise, the fee is $3.25 a car and $.50 for each passenger.
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Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary
The remains of H.M.S. Looe still lie beneath the waters of this 5-mile, Y-shaped reef, where coral formations have been growing for more than 7,000 years. The waters teem with tropical fish and sea creatures, and 39 buoys are sprinkled throughout the area for boat moorings. Looe Key is a spur and groove-type coral reef, not an island. It lies submerged about five nautical miles south of Big Pine Key.
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Mallory Square
Located by the historic Key West waterfront, this open-air marketplace and entertainment complex is a great place to start or end your visit to Key West. Known for its magnificent sunsets, the area is also home to many shops, including Shell Warehouse, Key West Sponge Market and Caribbean Cargo. The Square also features daily entertainment, which includes guitar music, juggling, and animal performances. Local sightseeing tours also depart from the Square. Call for additional information.
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Marathon Community Park
Ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, an inline skating rink, and expansive grassy fields invite both Marathon residents and visitors to stop and play a while. A jogging path, picnic facilities, and restrooms are also on the premises.
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Marathon Community Theatre
From Sweet Charity to Chicago and beyond, the Middle Keys thespians ham it up for the public in up to six productions a year. This is amateur theater at its most fun.
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Marquesas Keys
Called the only atoll in North America, the Marquesas Keys are 22 miles west of Key West. The group of ten mangrove islands, which are configured like a donut, encompasses a prolific fishing area. With patch reefs and wrecks in the deeper water and shallows in the center of the island ring, the Marquesas offer both deepwater and flats fishing experiences. Fishing the Marquesas is a multi-day trip.
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Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
Anyone who enjoys tales about pirates and buried treasure will appreciate this small museum. Named for a local salvager who found sunken treasure aboard a wrecked Spanish galleon, the museum currently houses a collection of these treasures, including doubloons, solid gold bars and four sunken ships from as far back as 1560. The museum also shows a film on Mr. Fisher that describes his 1985 discovery. Admission: Adult-$11.00 Student with ID-$9.50 Child-$6.50.
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Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden
Located right in the middle of crowded Old Town Key West, this place is an "island in the stream." Owner Nancy Forrester has somehow managed to face down the pressure of development and the tree-tearing fury of hurricanes in order to keep this 30-year-old garden pristine and magnificent. Here you will see the tropics in all its foliage glory with exotics such as orchids nestling in branches, huge ferns, bromeliads, red ginger, pink heliconias and a "sunburn" gumbo-limbo tree. Bring a picnic lunch and tour the onsite art gallery, as well. Admission is USD6.
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National Key Deer Refuge
This refuge, created in 1947, saved the Key deer from near extinction. On over 8,500 acres, most concentrated in Big Pine Key, the small native Key deer roam free in their natural surroundings. There are a few nature trails to wander and an observation platform overlooking a watering hole. You're sure to catch a site of the deer as the population here is abundant. To visit this refuge, stop by the park ranger's office to obtain information, a map of the area, and a brochure on these wild animals and how to best observe them. The rangers are happy to offer viewing rules and to answer any questions you may have.
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Old Seven Mile Bridge
When the new Seven Mile Bridge was constructed, the old bridge was left in place. It's become a favorite spot for fishing, jogging, rollerblading, cycling, sunset viewing and just general absorption of atmosphere. It's even been used as a location for many action films. You can get to it at MM 47 on Pigeon Key, which is, in itself, a fascinating place to get a look at Keys history. There is no admission fee.
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Perky's Bat Tower
One of the Keys' early dwellers, Richter Perky, tried to combat mosquitoes, which were big as bombers and numerous as mangrove roots, with known enemies of the mosquito: bats. In 1912, he built a big tower but the bats weren't having any part of this belfry and just never bought into that bat-ty condominium project. Here it stands, however, just quirky enough to be part of the Keys and just quirky enough to find its way onto the National Register of Historic Places. There is no admission charge.
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Pigeon Key
Museum exhibits trace the history of railroad baron Henry M. Flagler, the man who spent millions to build the Railroad That Went to Sea. Exhibits and information focus on Florida Keys culture, environmental research and marine issues. You can catch the $7.50 shuttle from 10a-5p M-Su on Knight's Key at Mile Marker 47. A catamaran called Keylpso offers four-hour eco-tours of the area for $39.95 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at noon. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment. Call +1 305 289 0025 for current information.
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Pirate Soul
Pirates of the Caribbean are closer to you now than ever before and one man is responsible for it: Pat Croce. He's been a live commentator on the NBA on the NBC show and has been a bestseller author. But this time he's done things differently. The Pirate Soul Museum opened by him in Key West pays tribute to pirates across the world. Don't be surprised if you find Captain Johnny staring at you with weird hair-dos and masks, because it's a winding journey into the alleys. You can touch Captain Kidd's loots and weapons and see history unfold.
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Rain Barrel Village of Artists and Craftspeople
Artists in residence fill this garden village of studio galleries. These ten artists work on-premises in varied mediums, from pottery to etchings to paintings to stained glass. Large galleries in the front and back areas of the complex display the works of 90 more local artists. Nestled under a hammock of gumbo-limbo and palm trees, the village is an artistic haven away from the fray of U.S. Hwy 1.
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Red Barn Theatre
Producing Broadway-quality comedies, musicals, and dramas for decades, the Red Barn Theatre brings up the curtain in a quaint restored carriage house tucked behind the Key West Woman's Club building on Duval Street. Professional actors, singers, dancers, and directors from Key West join forces with national stars to produce stellar entertainment.
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Reef World
Reef World is a part of Reef Relief and has several activities. You can check out the Original coral reef diorama and displays on reefs, turtles and even sharks. Special classes for school groups can be arranged but it is necessary to make a reservation. It is a great opportunity to learn about coral reefs so make your reservation right away! Entry is free.
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Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Can you imagine a man without a stomach, who eats his food and then uses his hands to push it down to his intestines? Grosse! You think? Well apparently not… Mr. Robert Ripley visited 201 different countries to find the most unusual stories. These acts are now on display at this crazy Believe It or Not venue. There are over 500 exhibits and 13 galleries on two floors, with different themes. Ripley's Archive documents weird experimentations and actions undertaken in the past - there is one section on Amazing Acts and Unbelievable Stunts. Check the website for more information.
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Robbie's Marina
At Robbie's Marina, you can find fishing gear and bait, and sign up for ferry trips to San Carlos Institute
Opera star Enrico Caruso sang here. Cuban patriot Jose Marti delivered speeches from the balcony. Blessed with a stirring past, this handsome building has a new role as home to a research library and museum chronicling the island's Cuban ties. You'll find exhibits that detail the history of Key West and the contributions of 19th and 20th century Cuban exiles. San Carlos Institute is an affiliate to the Smithsonian Institution and was founded in 1871 to preserve Cuban culture and promote the freedom of Cuba. Admission, by donation, is $3.
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Sand Key
Six miles south of Key West, Sand Key reef emerges partially from the ocean at low tide. Topped by a 110-foot red iron light tower to mark the marine hazard, Sand Key is a popular Key West snorkeling and diving spot.
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Seven-Mile Bridge
Although this isn't a traditional attraction, it's the only way you're going to get to Key West, and it's also one of the wonders of Florida. While it falls a bit short of seven miles, this amazing span bridges the Middle and Lower Keys and has nearly 40 expansion joints. As you cross, with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, you can see the Old Seven Mile Bridge, now on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Smathers Beach
This strip of sand is one of the best-known beaches in Key West. Named after a former governor, it is just west of the airport and, at two miles long, it is the island's longest strip of silica. This beach is an excellent choice if you have children. With plenty of parking, restrooms, concession stands, chair rentals, picnic tables, watersport rentals and more, everything you need to have a great day in the sun is right at hand. The beach was hit hard by a hurricane in 1998, but it has recovered well and is flourishing once again.
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Sombrero Beach
At Sombrero Beach, the youngsters, and you, too, even if you're not traveling with kids, can frolic on the sands of this public beach, and chow down at picnic facilities. If you're very young at heart, you can join in the fun at the children's playground here. Separate areas are outlined for swimming, jet skiing, and windsurfing, and facilities include barbecue grills, showers, restrooms, and baseball and volleyball areas. Disabled travelers can negotiate this park, which also allows leashed pets. There's no admission fee.
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Southernmost Point in the Nation
Before you head back home, be sure to make your way to the corner of Whitehead and South streets. Why? Because geographically it is the southernmost point of the United States. You'll know you're in the right spot by the posted sign proclaiming the site's fame, and by the street vendors selling souvenirs and conch shells. Believe it or not, standing here you are closer to Cuba than Miami; from here, it is 150 miles north to Miami and only 90 miles south to Cuba. If you are so inclined, hang out until the evening, as this is also a great place to watch the sun set.
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
The fourth time turned out to be the charm for the structure of St. Paul's Episcopal church. The first three church buildings were destroyed, by fire or hurricanes, in 1846, 1886, and 1909. The present-day church was completed in 1919. Its nave was designed to resemble an inverted ship hull and was constructed of termite-resistant Dade County pine. St. Paul's received a major restoration in the early 1990s, when it was discovered that its load-bearing walls were pulling away from its foundations because the concrete used to construct it had been combined with an unstable mix of sand and sea water. Today structurally sound, St. Paul's will attempt to ride out the 21st century.
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Stargazer Reef Sculpture
Constructed as an artificial reef on the sea bottom between Rock Key and Sand Key, the Stargazer Reef Sculpture is the brainchild of Ann Lorraine Labriola. Ten steel pieces, each up to 6 tons and 168-feet long, have been assembled to resemble a primitive navigational instrument. Symbols of the constellations cover the structure. Labriola built the reef as a tribute to the ancient mariners who navigated by the stars.
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Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center
Located on the campus of Florida Keys Community College, the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center is the Keys answer to D.C.'s Kennedy Center. The Center offers a full season of lavish dance and theatre productions, chamber music concerts, and hosts the Key West Symphony Orchestra. National music, dance, and theatre traveling troupes also perform here.
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The Dolphin Connection
Located within the confines of Hawk's Cay Resort on Duck Key, Dolphin Connection offers a 25-minute, intimate in-water encounter with bottlenose dolphins. You won't be swimming with the popular mammals at this facility, but instead, after a short orientation, you'll stand in waist-deep water and allow the dolphins to come to you to be touched, petted, and played with.
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The Grotto Shrine
Over the decades, the coral rock grotto at St. Mary Star of the Sea church, built in 1922, was credited with keeping Key West safe from hurricanes. The grotto has achieved legendary status, with locals lighting candles there before every major storm and visitors flocking to the place just to see what the fuss is all about.
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The Horseshoe
Years ago, when the Bahia Honda Bridge was built, workers dug the bridge's supporting coral rock out of an area just south of the bridge in the shallows of the Gulf of Mexico. Known in those days as the Cuban Quarry, the dug-out filled with sea water and sea creatures with each incoming tide, forming a lagoon. A shallow sand bar at the open end keeps predators, such as sharks and barracudas, out of the lagoon and the marine life inside. This natural tropical aquarium is a popular, easy-to-access, free snorkeling spot just off U.S. Hwy. 1.
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The Marathon Hump
The Marathon Hump is a popular fishing area in the Gulf Stream, the 45-mile wide "river-within-the-ocean" that runs outside the barrier reef the length of the Keys. The Hump is so named because the ocean floor rises from a depth of 1,000 feet to a mere 460 feet below sea level. Shark, white and blue marlin, amberjack, and black fin tuna feed on smaller fish and organisms here.
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The Turtle Hospital
Once a private concern run by Ritchie Moretti on the grounds of his Marathon motel, Hidden Harbor, The Turtle Hospital now welcomes the public to view the working hospital, where injured sea turtles are operated on by local volunteer veterinarians, and the rehabilitation center, where the turtles recover until they are ready to be returned to the sea.
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Theater of the Sea
Sprawling across more than 17 acres, this tropical marine mammal facility has been in the Keys for many years, showing the underwater world to curious travelers. Shows focus on conservation, natural history and all the details of marine mammals, particularly dolphins, and you can swim with those friendly creatures. You can also tour the seas aboard a glass-bottom boat or go on a four-hour cruise for a look at marine life in its own environment. Prices for the swim programs range from $50-$155, while admission to the facility is $23.95 (ages 13 and above) and $15.95 (ages 3-12). Children of 2 years and below are admitted free.
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Tom's Harbor Bridge
When the new Overseas Highway was completed in the early 1980s, the old highway bridge spans were abandoned for a time. The State of Florida has renovated a number of these old bridges and turned them into fishing bridge piers, marking them with brown and white signage representing a fish, line, and hook. With a rapid tidal flow under the pilings, the bridges attract myriad species of feeding fish. The general public can fish for free here. Tom's Harbor Bridge is one of the most popular bridge fishing spots.
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Turtle Kraals Museum
Learn all about the care and feeding of turtles at this museum in the Historic Seaport district. In the museum are photographs and historical documents detailing the island's turtle industry. Other exhibits teach you about sea turtles and the perils they face, and show you how their shells work. In residence here is a young loggerhead named Eddie, but the museum hopes to add to their turtle population with injured turtles who cannot live on their own. Admission is free, and there is a turtle feeding daily at 4p.
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USS Spiegel Grove
The largest ship ever scuttled as an artificial reef in the United States, the 510-foot, 6800-ton USS Spiegel Grove did not go down without a fight in 2002. The ship began to sink sooner than was scheduled, capsizing and landing so that it was only partially submerged. It took a salvage team three weeks to successfully roll the ship onto its starboard side, allowing it to sink to the ocean floor. Over time, it is expected that the USS Spiegel Grove will support a complete marine ecosystem and take the pressure off the exploration of the natural coral reef.
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Waterfront Playhouse
Scores of talented thespians call Key West home, so it is no surprise that community theater in our southernmost city often rivals the professional traveling troupes. Serving as the icehouse for Porter's Warehouse in the 1880s, the theater structure was restored and reborn as the Waterfront Playhouse.
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West Martello Tower
The Key West Garden Club is housed in this Civil War-era fort tower. The club maintains a handsome garden featuring native tropical plants. Art shows and flower shows take place here regularly. An orchid show is a particular lure for connoisseurs and the like. March and November are the prime time for shows. Also in March, the club operates a tour of private gardens in the city, which gives you a chance to look at houses you'd never see otherwise. Donations are welcomed but there's no official charge.
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White Street Pier
Locals call it the "unfinished road to Cuba," but the massive White Street Pier is a favorite hangout with anglers and dog walkers. The pier juts out into the ocean between Higs and Smathers beaches.
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Windley Key Fossil Reef State Geologic Site
Windley Key is one the few places where you can see a coral reef that isn't underwater. This one rose to the surface eons ago and here it sits in fossilized splendor. Railroad entrepreneur Henry M. Flagler's construction crews quarried the rock from this site. Today, you can visit the Environmental Education Center, where regional history is chronicled. Nature trails wander through mangrove hammocks and in the quarrying area, you can take rubbings of ferns and coral. Quarry trails admission is $1.50, the educational center is free.
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Wreck of the Northwind
The Northwind was one of the vessels used by Mel Fisher's exploration crew as they combed the waters surrounding the Marquesas Keys for the Senora Nuestra de Atocha, her sister ships, and their sunken treasure. Tragically, due to a leaking bulkhead and a faulty fuel valve, the Northwind sank in 1975 during an expedition. Fisher's son and daughter-in-law drowned in the misadventure.
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