Introducing 19 recommended tourist spots in Key West, Florida!

Key West is one of the cities in the state of Florida in the United States. Located at the very end of the Florida Keys, which stretch southwest from the Florida Peninsula, this area is the southernmost point of the mainland United States. This land, loved by many artists and literary figures, is close to Cuba and is a Caribbean-like resort with blue waters, white beaches, and palm trees.

There are also plenty of marine sports to enjoy, such as parasailing, diving, jet skiing, and snorkeling. There are also plenty of shallow beaches, small museums, and aquariums. It is also recommended for families as you can get around Key West by trolley or train. Here are some recommended sightseeing spots in Key West.

1. Seven Mile Bridge

When it comes to sightseeing in Key West, the Seven Mile Bridge is a must. Some of you may have seen this bridge, which often appears in movies and commercials.

This bridge, which connects the southern side of the Florida peninsula to Key West, is 10,931 meters long, or about 7 miles. By the way, in centimeters, it is 1,093,100 cm.

The contrast between the wide blue sea and the endless white bridge is overwhelming. A refreshing and magnificent view spreads out before you. It is especially recommended on sunny days, as the color of the sea is beautiful.

By the way, there are two bridges that run parallel to each other. The northern bridge was once used as a railroad track. However, it was damaged by a hurricane in 1935, and although restoration work was carried out, it remains as it is without being used. You will be surprised at the sudden separation of the bridge in places. You can walk or bike on the other side to sightsee.

2. Ernest Hemingway Museum

Ernest Hemingway, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature for "The Old Man and the Sea", lived in a house in Key West that has been turned into a museum and offers tours.

The typewriter, desk, furnishings, and other items are all exactly as they were when he lived there. But that's not all there is to see here, you can also see the descendants of Hemingway's pet cats. There are 60 of them! Half of them have polydactylism, meaning they have six fingers. Hemingway's beloved cat was the same, and he called it "the cat that brings good luck". It's become a bit of a tourist spot where cat lovers gather to get good luck.

By the way, if you go out into the garden, you can see the bottles that serve as the cats' drinking fountains. Don't miss the tropical plants in bloom.

Also, don't forget to see the swimming pool, which is said to be the largest in Key West. He built a pool that was so luxurious that Hemingway buried a cent on the poolside, saying "this is the last money I have." You can see his "last cent." It's a unique line that is so typical of an American author.

3. Southernmost Point

Southernmost Point is the southernmost point of the United States. To be precise, the adjacent military facility is the southernmost point. It is the southernmost point that can be visited.

An object has been set up as a marker, and it says that Cuba is 90 miles (145 km) away. Cuba is much closer to Key West than Miami. It's no wonder that it is filled with a Caribbean atmosphere. By the way, this object has been stolen several times, and each time it has become bigger and heavier.

There is nothing to see here other than the object, but there are food stalls and souvenirs around, so it is a tourist spot that is always crowded. For that reason, it is said that it is difficult to find a parking lot. If you are worried, it is relatively empty if you head there early in the morning.

4. Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is recommended for those who want to enjoy marine sports in the beautiful sea of ​​Key West. It is said to be one of the top 10 beautiful beaches in the United States, and the contrast between the white sand and the emerald green and deep blue sea is amazing.

The long bridge over the sea also enhances the perspective of the sea, making it ideal for sightseeing. Although there is a fee, the sea here is shallow, so it is a popular spot for families with small children.

There is also a campsite and barbecue area, and you can rent kayaks and snorkeling gear. When snorkeling, there are tours that take you by boat to tourist spots with coral reefs.

In addition to the campsite, there are also accommodations, so why not enjoy the beautiful sunset? It is about an hour's drive from Key West to get here.

5. Duval Street

Duval Street is a 1.5km long street in Key West. It is an area lined with bars, restaurants, cafes, and other establishments, and is crowded with people even during the day. There are also many souvenir shops for tourists and a Harley Davidson goods shop.

On this street, Sloppy Joe's, a bar that Hemingway frequented, is still open. It's a must-see for Hemingway fans. Why not take a walk and explore the area from one end to the other? If you head south, you will reach the Southernmost Point at the end, so visiting it at the same time will make for an efficient tour.

6. Conch Tour Train

The Conch Tour Train takes you around Key West's tourist attractions in about 90 minutes. It's a cute train that feels like it's running through an amusement park, and since it has no windows, you can enjoy the view of the city while cruising through the wind. Small children will definitely be excited.

The train is shaped like a train, named after Henry Flagler, who was called the railroad magnate. He opened a railroad from Jacksonville in northern Florida to Miami and then to Key West, and was an important figure who supported the development of Key West. Although the railroad no longer runs through the area, there is a statue of him, and he is one of the heroes of Key West.

The train departs from the north side of Duval Street. There are gift shops for tourists, toilets, and ice cream shops in the area. Please note that you cannot get on or off the train along the way. If you want to get on and off freely while sightseeing, we recommend the trolley.

7. Old Town Trolley Tours

We recommend taking a trolley tour when sightseeing in Key West. This trolley travels around the main tourist spots and runs every 30 minutes. It's convenient because you can get on and off whenever you want. There is also a guide on board.

Key West is a small city, so you can get around the city on the trolley. There is also a route that runs all the way along the beach, which is nice. The city center is small, so you can get around on foot, but the trolley is convenient for those who want to get around efficiently or for families. Tickets are sold at Mallory Square and can also be purchased in advance online.

8. The Little White House

The Little White House was named after the 33rd President Harry S. Truman, who dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who visited the house many times. It was originally used as a military facility during World War II but is now open to the public as a museum.

Truman's furniture and other items remain, allowing you to imagine what life was like at the time. There is a free exhibition area inside, as well as paid guided tours.

Many famous historical figures have used the house. President Eisenhower came here to recuperate, and John F. Kennedy used it as his base of operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Inventor Thomas Edison also invented weapons during his six-month stay here, and President Bill Clinton and his wife also visited the house.

Be sure to visit the museum, which was the stage where many important decisions were made for the United States and where history was made.

9. Dry Tortugas National Park

This island, located 100km west of Key West, is designated as a national park, including the surrounding sea area. The island is surrounded by an unfinished fort called Fort Jefferson, and there are many coral reefs around it. The sea is a clear emerald green, and it is said to be the most beautiful sea around Key West.

You can enjoy snorkeling in this park. There are many sunken ships in this area, and legend has it that many jewels still lie hidden there.

There is also a ferry from Key West, and if you are lucky, you can see schools of dolphins on the way. The ferry takes about two and a half hours.

10. Dolphin watching and snorkeling

Key West has a popular tour that combines dolphin watching and snorkeling. The boat will take you to a spot where you can see dolphins, and you may encounter dolphins swimming with their families.

After dolphin watching, you will move to another spot and snorkel. You can see various fish up close, including tropical fish, sea turtles, lobsters, moray eels, and angelfish.

This tour takes about four hours, so if you have time, we recommend the afternoon tour. From the boat, you can watch the bright red sunset quietly sinking into the horizon with nothing around.

11. Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a place where you can see various animals and plants kept in a greenhouse. There are about 60 kinds of butterflies, with a variety of sizes and wing colors. When you enter the greenhouse, colorful butterflies will land on your body. There are also about 20 kinds of birds collected from all over the world, and you can see everything from flamingos to quails up close.

There is also a learning center where you can learn about the biology and body parts of butterflies. You can learn not only about butterflies but also about caterpillars. It is a popular spot for insect lovers and children.

12. Mallory Square

Sunset viewing events began in the 1960s and have become popular among Key West locals. Various performances start two hours before sunset at Mallory Square. You'll never get bored of magic, juggling, clowns, and more.

After enjoying the entertainment, a gorgeous sunset awaits. The deep pink and orange sun slowly sinks into the horizon of the Gulf of Mexico. It's a little strange to see tourists from all over the world gathering in one place to watch the same sunset.

There are many shopping spots and restaurants in the area, so you can enjoy it even after the sun goes down. It gets crowded every day, so it's recommended to secure a seat early.

13. Mile Marker Zero

This cute and photogenic sign has a significant meaning. Mile markers start at 127 in Florida City, and the numbers decrease as you go south on the driveway. This sign's spot marks the southernmost point of the United States, where the number reaches 0. People in the area often use the mile marker numbers as a guide for driving and directions.

The "BEGIN" and "END" above the number 0 represent the beginning and end of Route 1. Route 1 is the longest national highway in the United States, connecting major cities on the East Coast from north to south. It's a whopping 3,846 km long! The starting point of this road, which continues to Maine, is in Key West.

The sign is small and easy to miss, but it's a popular spot. So it's a good idea to look for the group taking photos as a guide. The location is at the intersection of Whitehead Street and Fleming Street.

14. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

This state park, located at the southernmost tip of Florida, combines recreational activities with historical structures and also has a beach.

Of course, the sea is blue and very beautiful. There is a fee, but it is well-maintained and has shower rooms and picnic areas. There are also beach houses, and you can purchase food such as hamburgers and alcohol. By the way, the beach is non-smoking, so please enjoy your alcohol on the premises of the shop.

Another photo spot on this beach is a cute sign with arrows pointing to cities in the United States and around the world, each showing how many miles away, including Tokyo.

Just before the beach is a fort built in 1866. The name of this fort is Fort Zachary, and it is said to have played an important role in the Cold War and the war against Spain. Guided tours are also held daily. This is said to be the largest stone building in the Western Hemisphere, made of more than 16 million bricks. It is quite impressive, with large cannons piled up.

15. Audubon House

Key West is still frequently hit by huge hurricanes. This house was rebuilt by John Geiger, a pilot, after it was destroyed in a hurricane in 1846, and is now known as the Audubon House. The name comes from the fact that the painter Audubon used to stay here.

Geiger was one of the wealthiest people in Key West, so he built a fantastic house in a great location. Even today, the interior is filled with beautiful furnishings and interior design, allowing you to imagine the wealthy lifestyle of the time. Geiger once rescued a shipwreck, and the antique collection that was on board the ship at that time is on display.

16. Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

A Spanish ship that was sunk by a hurricane during the Age of Discovery is said to be hiding a lot of treasure off the coast of Florida. Mel Fisher was a treasure hunter who sought out such sunken ships and found the treasures. The Mel Fisher Museum exhibits the jewels and treasures he found. The Emerald Cross is a must-see.

There is also a tour of the conservation laboratory where you can see 100,000 archaeological relics, including gold, silver, coins, and jewels. There are also several-day summer camps for children and lectures for adults.

17. Smathers Beach

This is the largest public beach in Key West and was named after a Florida senator. It is close to Key West International Airport and is easily accessible.

There are many palm trees, giving it a tropical atmosphere. The beach is about 1 km long, but since it is a public beach, there are many people. You can rent jet skis and sailing equipment, so you can enjoy various activities.

Unlike the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, the sand here is fine and smooth. Some people come here to watch the sunset, but it is also said that you can get a good view of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. You can also enjoy the view of palm trees from this beach, so find a beach that suits you.

18. Shipwreck Museum

In the late 1800s, before railroads were developed, 100 ships passed through the Key West area every day. However, the area is dangerous because of the many coral reefs and frequent hurricanes, and it is said that a ship was destroyed or sunk once a week.

There was a time when hunters were rampant in Key West, searching for sunken ships, rescuing them, and obtaining their treasures. The Shipwreck Museum is a museum that recreates the lookout towers and warehouses of the time when it was run by Eisa Tift, who is said to be the most successful of all the hunters.

Many relics that have been salvaged from the bottom of the sea are on display, but what makes this museum interesting is that it hosts event tours. Eisa Tift will guide you through the museum in an easy-to-understand way. Find a ship that is about to sink while shouting "Wreck Ashore!" and let Eisa know about it. This is a tourist spot that is especially recommended for families.

19. Key West Aquarium

Located in Mallory Square, this aquarium offers a wide variety of sea creatures. There are alligators, crabs, sea turtles, and more, but the one exhibit that is unique to Key West is the conch shell. The beautiful pink conch shell is a specialty of Key West and the Caribbean Sea and is edible.

At the Key West Aquarium, you can touch live shark tails, sea cucumbers, and hermit crabs, and you can even feed rays. By the way, the rays have had their spines removed so they are not dangerous. You can also join a tour, which is held four times a day, and learn about the creatures. It is a small facility, so it is perfect for when the weather is bad or if you bring small children who are afraid of going into the sea.

◎Summary

Key West is full of tourist attractions and places where you can learn about its history. The sea around the islands around Key West is also very beautiful, so be sure to set aside some time to visit. The view of the big, bright red sun sinking into the horizon is spectacular. It's a relaxing tourist spot, so why not give it a visit?