The southernmost point in the United States and a free-spirited resort area that has defied the gentrification of mass tourism, Key West has become a bona fide family destination filled with fun and educational attractions. Key West's colorful Old Town offers rich people-watching and is the only Florida city to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For further information, call 800/FLA-KEYS or visit www.fla-keys.com. Also, try www.KeyWestAttractions.org.
Great Fun for the Kids
(Toddler to Age 8)
Key West Aquarium
1 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
800/868-7482
This is a small and manageable, old-fashioned aquarium with many opportunities for handling fish and mollusks under the watchful eyes of trained guides. There are feedings four times a day, but it's a worth a visit any time.
Key West Shipwreck Historeum
1 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/292-8990
Loosely based on the story of the shipwrecker Asa Tift and the discovery of the Isaac Allerton, this museum presents a colorful recreation of pirate times with holograms, live actors, cobwebs, lots of memorabilia, stage sets to climb on, music, creaking sounds and other multimedia effects to delight kids.
Fun for Older Children
(Up to Age 18)
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
200 Greene Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/294-2633
Pick up a copy of Scholastic's story of Mel Fisher before heading in and you'll likely all enjoy a look at the fantastic gold treasures from the sunken Nuestra Senora de Atocha, only one of the galleons raised by the late salvager Mel Fisher that yielded gold, buckets of dubloons and many historical details from the 18th century age of shipping. On rainy-weather days, this is our favorite collection of pirate booty and stolen treasure valued at over $20 million. The museum has taken on a more educational tone since our first visit; a film explains archeological work being done and a newly salvaged slave ship, added to the museum in 2002, is very intriguing.
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
108 Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/293-9939
When they claim Incredible Oddities, they aren't kidding. As at all the Ripley, museums inspired by explorer Robert Ripley and his newspaper cartoons of the 1930-40s, this museum has some standard exhibits and then some local oddities (white shark caught by the mayor; preserved human torso once owned by Hemingway). It is fun and a bit scary for little ones, but a good way to spend an hour on a rainy day. Pricey at $15 for adults and $12 for children. There is free admission for children four and under.
Pat Croce's Pirate Soul Museum
524 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/292-1113
This contemporary black glass emporium offers state-of-the-art exhibits of pirate lore, artifacts such as Captain Kidd's journal, and Blackbeard's weapons. On the lower level there's a re-creation of a "pirate village" and multimedia displays throughout.
Fast Buck Freddie's
500 Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/294-2007
FTF doesn't usually endorse department stores as local attractions but -- Fast Buck Freddies has to be seen to be believed. It has lots of tropic-ana: wicker furniture, lamps with seashell bases, cookie jars shaped like Hawaiian dancers, underwear with a palm tree pattern. Then it has the really kooky stuff, like the most elegant designer linen shirts and suits; an entire Tommy Bahama department for the golfers; authentic handmade Guayabera shirts; an eclectic collection of flip flops and shoes; cheap and stylish evening wear and lots more. We think all ages will enjoy a spin through here. And beware, there's a Fast Buck outlet just a few blocks away.
Fun for the Whole Family
Mallory Square at Sunset
Foot of Duval Street & Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
Mallory Square is the center of the sunset celebration in Key West, a place where tourists and locals gather each evening to enjoy the view of the Gulf of Mexico, the tiny island of Sunset Key, and the many performers and artists who come out to entertain. There are many opportunities to shop, snack, drink and watch passersby and it should not be missed. Just south of the tourist information booth is the Hilton Hotel Marina, another extension of the promenade where performers and spectators gather. Look for the eccentric Frenchman with the trained cats and the tattooed gymnasts who swallow fire.
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
907 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/294-1136
The home where Papa Hemingway and wife lived for many years is today a well-kept museum run by the most dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Tours are entertaining and light, and kids love the focus on Hemingway's six-toed cats, many of whom still live on the premises. The house is part of the historic district that encompasses nearly 2,600 structures ranging from gingerbread-trimmed Victorian gems to tiny cottages that once housed cigar-industry workers.
Harry Truman Little White House
111 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/294-9911
You can take the free self-guided tour of the gardens, but we think it's worth joining the guided tour inside the house, where President Truman's casual side comes to life in memorabilia, letters, and stories from the 175 days he spent in the Keys during his presidency.
Sunset & Sunshine Sails
Sunset at Mallory Pier is such a large part of the Key West experience that kids often enjoy celebrating the moment after a few hours of snorkeling. Danger Charters (305/296-3272) offers anything but dangerous adventures in the calm waters of the Florida Keys. Sailing, snorkeling and kayak experiences, under the care of a very knowledgeable, helpful and hospitable staff makes for a really fun outing. All gear, drinks and snacks are provided on half day tours ($75/Adult, $55/Child) and a delicious lunch is provided on the full day excursions ($100/Adult; $75/Child). You will snorkel in protected waters to enjoy great underwater visibility, and explore mangrove islands while viewing bird and wildlife via kayak. These adventures are perfect for the experienced as well as complete novices (of which I was one), and special attention is paid to children on board.
During the summer, day-long sail and snorkel trips aboard the schooner Appledore II, moored at the Key West Historic Pier, are available. We didn't think the snorkeling close to shore was very good and this is a fun alternative. Key West Attractions markets a number of Key West's main attractions and several boats, so it's easy to check their website for the latest offers. Families can also stroll down Duval Street and stop at one of the many kiosks offering packaged tours to review their choices. (If it rains like it did at our visit, sailings are canceled.)
Dry Tortugas National Park
One full-day excursion from Key West we did not try is to the Dry Tortugas National Park(305/242-7700), so-named by explorer Ponce de Leon who found turtle meat aplenty for his sailors, but no potable water back in 1513. There are several guided catamaran tours; the 70-mile (113 km) trip west into the Atlantic takes about two hours. The islands, known for their variety of wildlife, are also accessible by scheduled ferry service (call 305/294-7009 for schedules), organized motor boat tours or by chartered seaplane. History buffs can see Fort Jefferson, a Civil War era project which became a bird refuge in 1908, while snorkelers and divers relish the abundant staghorn coral, French angelfish, loggerhead turtles and rare birds. There's a bargain renovated, primitive campground.
Getting Around & Getting There
With a historic Old Town that is only 2 miles by 4 miles, Key West is easily seen on foot, but families with younger children and elder members will enjoy one of the sit-down guided tours, particularly in the May to October hot and humid season.
Conch Tour Train
201 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
305/294-5161; 800/868-7482
Departing every half hour from the main station at 501 Front Street, this small yellow tram pulled by a cute black "steam engine" rolls by most of the island's major sights in a 90-minute, guided tour that will delight train fans. Rates are $29/adult and $14/child. Tickets are cheaper when purchased online. The Conch Tour Train and the Old Town Trolley Tours are both run by the Historic Tours of America.
Old Town Trolley Tours
201 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
800/213-2474
Resembling a bright red San Francisco trolley, this single car tram also circles the major highlights in 90 minutes, but allows passengers to disembark at any of its 12 stops for sightseeing. Because a trolley calls at each stop on the half-hour, families can reboard wherever they like, resuming their guided narrative and enjoying a rest between sights. We found the Trolley guides particularly good-natured, with quips such as "Did you know this was the Conch Republic? My car conched out this morning."
Electric Cars
Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040
If you, like us, are hit up by the kids for a ride in one of the colorful electric cars or snappy golf carts that ply Key West, you may have to stop in at any of the "dealers" that take over empty parking lots along Duval. At our spring 2005 visit, these cars seating four rented for about $45/HR or $200/D, a total rip-off from our point of view. But there must be better deals somewhere, since they are widely used by tourists.
Getting There: Throughout the Keys, a narrow stretch of limestone and mangrove is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. This wriggling strip of civilization hosts Route US 1, one of the most scenic roads in the country. Mile Marker signs begin near Florida City, gateway to the southern Everglades, at around MM127 and descend to MM0, site of the Green Parrot Bar ("The 1st and Last Bar on US 1," proclaims their sign.) If you're planning a family tour of the Keys, you'll certainly need a car.
If you have plans to just pass through the Keys and settle in at Key West, there are many air and land shuttle services available. From the Miami International Airport, Key West is served by Cape Air, American Eagle and other airlines in under one hour. A few other flights are available from Ft. Lauderdale Airport. A high-speed hydrofoil takes 3.5 hours to make the run along the Gulf of Mexico from Ft. Myers, Florida direct to Key West. During the winter peak season, Transfloridian runs luxury motorcoaches to all the Keys from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando.
