Location: Key West
Top Things to do in Key West
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Things to do in Key West, Florida (FL): The Best Specialty Museums
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.
Restaurants in Key West
1. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20,095 reviews
Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in this for ten years. During that time he wrote seventy percent of his life-time works. Today we operate as a museum providing guided tours every fifteen minutes from nine to five. The Museum is available for weddings and corporate events. Visit this National Historic Landmark, Literary Landmark and recognized by the Library of Congress for its importance in U.S. History. Grand Architecture, Lush Gardens, Educational Tours, Book Store/Gift Shop and the world famous Poly dactyl (six-toed cats).
Reviewed By candiemerlot
Wonderful to see, the home and grounds are beautiful, six toed cats all around the house, loved the history and events of the Hemingway life.
2. The Oldest House Museum & Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 518 reviews
The Oldest House in South Florida is located at 322 Duval Street in Key West. The house and gardens are open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. Staff and volunteering docents are available to provide historical information about the house and family, and to answer questions. The house features family portraits and original furnishings, as well as other period pieces, ship models, and documents telling the story of old Key West. In the rear of the house is a spacious, peaceful garden, where benches invite you to sit and reflect. There, you will see the only surviving Cook House in South Florida.
Reviewed By TheRebelChick - Miami, United States
I love history and I have always been fascinated by the history of Key West in particular - such a strange and sordid past! I really liked that this museum was free and it was so interesting to learn about what life was like back then. We even saw the captains logs from his time on ship!
3. 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!
4. Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,864 reviews
We are a fully accredited museum in the Florida Keys. Come discover a museum rich in history! We have amazing treasure in our 1622 Fleet exhibit of the Spanish galleons discovered by Mel Fisher and his crew. Also thought provoking Spirits of the Passage and Key West African Cemetery exhibits to glean insights into the transatlantic slave trade and Key West's unique role in it. And don't miss our three new exhibits -- Spanish Coins in the New World, the Real Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Science of Shipwrecks. You can even take a lab tour to see how history is revealed through excavation and conservation of shipwrecks. Make plans to visit. We're open seven days a week, 365 days a year!
Reviewed By curiosityseeker19
I wrongfully avoided this place the first time I visited Key West thinking it would be too dry and uninteresting. It turns out it's quite fascinating with it's exhibits, photography and wonderful gift shop. I didn't time it but I'd say you need an hour. It starts on the ground floor with an exhibition of Mel Fisher the deep sea diver whom made it his personal quest to find sunken Spanish treasure, which he dragged his whole family into his passion. Discovered the sunken treasures of Nuestria Senore de Atocha and Santa Margarita which the various finds are on display here along with family photographs and media cover articles. The treasures include a wide variety of objects from weapons to metal bars to jewelry. Upstairs are wonderful educational exhibits on slavery and the slave trade, African Cemetery, slave cargo shipping, The Cuban revolution and the Cuban Missile Crisis and ocean photography. My favorite was the honest and realistic historically accurate accounts of the god awful slave trade. Just unimaginable. Even included the illegal slave traders as well. Enjoyed the Cuban historic news exhibit. Don't forget the second floor, it's easy to overlook. Entry is by buying a ticket on your smart phone.
5. Tennessee Williams Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Tennessee Williams Exhibit is an educational and historic attraction. Visitors can enjoy and learn about Williams' literary accomplishments during his 34 years in Key West through an extensive collection of photographs, first edition plays and books, plus rare newspaper and magazine articles, and videos. Artifacts are on display in a newly remodeled, expanded 700 square foot space.
Reviewed By GayVagabond - Fort Lauderdale, United States
Tennessee Williams lived a rather tortured life. But the truth is that life’s challenges can bring out the writer in some. Williams took refuge for some time in Key West in addition to New Orleans. I can see some similarities between the two towns. The museum does a nice job at highlighting his life. It is worth a visit to learn more about this great author.
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. Key West Turtle Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
The only Sea Turtle museum in the world.
Reviewed By Walsh13k - Saratoga Springs, United States
It's a very small museum right on the water. Diaramas and displays show how the turtle industry, once very popular, almost eliminated them completely. Very informative. Please leave a donation-no charge to get in.
8. Lofton B. Sands African-Bahamian Museum
Overall Ratings
1.0 based on 1 reviews
