Location: Key West
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10 History Museums in Key West That You Shouldn't Miss
Does time ever pass in the Florida Keys? Everyone and everything in Key West seems to go at its own pace, right down to the ice melting slooooowly in your margarita glass. Of course, it’s not all limes and leisure – Key West is known as the “Winter White House” because of its appeal to visiting U.S. presidents, and the island has been home to literary greats like Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. The diving here is phenomenal, as is the kid-friendly Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.
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1. Key West Firehouse Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 289 reviews
A museum dedicated to the history of fire fighting in the Florida Keys
Reviewed By floridakeyz - Lower Keys, United States
We went and thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Chief Eddie. He told a lot of history about the Fire House and we were surprised how much we learned that day.
2. Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,022 reviews
Operated by the Key West Art & Historical Society, the Keys oldest cultural non-profit. The mission of the Key West Art & Historical Society is to preserve the culture of the Florida Keys through exhibiting and displaying regional art, architecture and history for the purpose of educating the community and visiting public.
Reviewed By rachels142 - Knoxville, United States
Almost everyone goes to the Hemingway House. The Key West Lighthouse is basically right across the street, so you might as well tack this tour on to your Hemingway House tour. The small lighthouse museum has recently been redone. It has lots of good information/artifacts plus a short video. You also get to take the steps to the top of the lighthouse. Plan to go on a clear day to see the entire island. My only complain is that it is a little pricy, but most things in Key West are. Go see the Hemingway House and the Key West Lighthouse and top off your day with lunch (or dinner) at Moondog Cafe (located right next to the Hemingway House).
3. Harry S. Truman Little White House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,407 reviews
As Florida’s only presidential museum, the Harry S. Truman Little White House was the winter White House for this country's 33rd president. Truman spent 175 days during 13 vacations in the home that is filled with original furnishing and memorabilia from Truman’s days. Presidents Taft, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter and Clinton also used the house. Guided tours offer guests a window into the world President Truman and life of a US president.
Reviewed By gemflanagan - Strokestown, Ireland
We loved the tour of this house in Key West. It was a great history attached to it and if you're interested in Presidential history then dont miss this attraction in Key West!
4. Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 476 reviews
Towering over Mallory’s historic seaport, the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House is as stunning a sight to visitors today as it was when it opened in 1891. It has been faithfully restored and stands on the harbor as a national landmark, an award-winning museum and official headquarters of the Key West Art & Historical Society. Experience two floors of exhibitions that weave together two centuries of history, art, people, and events.
Reviewed By Huldah906
We were greeted by a friendly employee who suggested we approach the exhibits chronologically which turned out to be a very good idea. The floor plan map she gave us make the route simple to follow. The entire museum is informative and interesting; the train, big storms, Tennessee Williams, local artists--all were covered. The Custom House museum store is a gold mine of top quality items at reasonable prices--not exactly what you'd expect in a beach town. Books by local authors, art, fun decor pieces, jewelry . . . so many pretty things!
5. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,167 reviews
327 Foot museum ship from WWII and Viet Nam. It is a National Historic Landmark. INGHAM served our country from 1936 to 1988 and in 1985 was the most decorated ship in United States Service as noted in a letter from President Ronald Reagan in the exhibit room. It is the last American Warship afloat to have sunk a German U-Boat (626) in WWII. It served as the Flagship for the seaside operation of General MacArthur's return to Corregidor in the Philippines. She served from 1936 to 1988. The ship is totally intact as if was on decommissioning day. Offering one of the best Sunset viewing venues in Key West on Friday and Saturday Evenings, serving wines and various Beers.
Reviewed By River55land
I've been traveling to Key West for decades and only learned about this maritime museum through TripAdvisor this trip. I've pretty much done everything there is to do in Key West and I was looking for something new when this popped up. The Ingham has been docked in Key West since 2009. A confession: I served on board the CGC Reliance as a radioman stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas for 18 months. As you might expect, there were some good and bad experiences. Throughout my 4 years in the Guard, I had heard about the Ingham. It was a thrill to tour such an historic ship. The ship, contrary to the photo on Trip Advisor which makes you think you have to take a boat to the ship, is moored at Truman Park, part of the Truman Annex. It's the star of the show. I was welcomed aboard a little before 10 am by a dedicated volunteer. When he found out I was a former CG, he broke off his briefing and said have at it. They provide you with a card that has all the "stops" with information on the card. Many of the stops are narrated. You pretty much get to see the entire ship. You can't go in some rooms but all are visible on the tour. My favorite was, of course, the radio room. When you tour this ship, it's like stepping into a time machine to WWII. Like any ship commissioned in 1936, it is showing its age and rust is a constant companion. Volunteers do all the work including chipping, scrapping, and painting. It's a donation entrance fee and they suggest $10. It'll be the best $10 you will spend. Part of the crew quarters and mess facilities are turned into a museum for WWII and Vietnam (Ingham participated in both). A ship this decorated (2 Presidential citations) has some interesting history: convoy duty where it sank a U-Boat, the Mediterranean during WWII, the Pacific Theater, also, WWII, and Vietnam. Be sure to wear shoes with good treads. They warn you of the steepness of the ladders (stairs for landlubbers) and there are quite a few on the tour. It's not really handicapped accessible but it would be pretty much impossible to do that. I would plan at least one hour for the tour. Getting there is a short walk from Whitehead Street. While in the vicinity, you should also visit Fort Zachary Taylor, another short walk from the ship.
6. Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,212 reviews
Discover the rich history of Key West’s shipwrecking past at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Shipwreck artifacts, including a silver bar you can hold, fill the museum that is recreation of 19th century wrecker’s warehouse. A lookout tower and audio-visual displays share with guests the experiences of the dangerous world of ship wreckers. Storytellers, in period costume, bring history to life with tales ensuring a fun and fascinating experience for the entire family.
Reviewed By rfoent
The Key West Shipwreck Museum (formerly Shipwreck Historeum) is located in Key West, Florida, United States. The museum itself is a re-creation of a 19th-century warehouse built by wrecker tycoon Asa Tift. Many of the artifacts on display are from the 1985 rediscovery of the wrecked vessel Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856 on the Florida Keys ree
7. Heritage House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
This Caribbean Colonial House dating from the 1830s features original furnishings, rare antiques and unusual marine artifacts collected by the Porters, a notable Key West family.
8. Fort East Martello Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 449 reviews
In 1950, the Key West Art & Historical Society, with its own army of volunteers, cleared away years of debris and dust to open Fort East Martello as its first museum. With continued community support, the Society restored this national landmark in accordance with its original 1860s design. Today, visitors can explore the preserved battlement’s collection of relics from the Civil War, learn about the wrecking and cigar-manufacturing industries which shaped the Florida Keys, view the imaginative metal sculptures of Stanley Papio, as well as meet the Ghosts of East Martello, including the infamous Robert the Doll.
Reviewed By celenab2014 - Augusta, United States
Loved the museum's charm and all of the items that they have on display. There are lots of things to see here and the attendant there was wonderful. This is a great stop if you have a couple of hours to spend.
9. Florida Keys Natural History Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
10. Sails to Rails Museum Key West
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By E1091EKbarbarah
Located in the historic Flagler Station, this museum is definitely worth a visit. Excellent exhibits, short film, hands on experiences. We only had an hour so we'll have to go back. So educational. Great new addition to the activities in Key West.
