Just a few hours in Key West, what to do?

[jlynch924]

Our December cruise stops in Key West for just a few hours (like 4, I think). What are the Must-Do things in Key West? We are a family of three... DH, DD (almost 13) and me.

Thanks!

 

[ilovenyc72]

I loved touring Ernest Hemingway's home. Also, the town of Key West itself is fantastic - lots of shops, restaurants, etc. Have fun!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've spent a few days in Key West. My favorite "thing" was Truman's summer white house, next Hemmingway's home. For one trip, I may try a hop on/off trolley ride to get a feel for the place. There's the pirate museum that your son may really like.

If you like it to go back, a visit to Dry Tortuga NP is an excellent Day trip!

 

[over50visits]

If you enjoy a stroll, walk up Duval street to Hemmingway's house, then visit that. Back to the dock area, turn right and explore the street that goes toward the private yacht docks (Wall Street). Some cool stores along there, and you'll quickly find the yacht basin. You might glimpse some pretty awesome crafts.

Back to the dock area, consider the pirate museum, but walk around and enjoy any street performers you might see and the colorful displays outside all the shops.

You might not be able to do all of this, but you will enjoy the sights.

OTOH, if you aren't the strolling type, right off the ship in the market area there are a couple of trolley companies to choose from. Either one is fine, really. They'll take you around the western end of the island. You probably don't have enough time to hop off, but you'll see a lot of great sights.

 

[phinz]

Don't walk up Duval Street. Too many people complain about the adult nature of the humor in the windows of Duval. Take Whitehead to Hemingway's house if you must go to the Hemingway house.

The Pirate Museum is gone. Pat Croce moved it to St. Augustine several years ago.

The aquarium is pretty cool, especially if you get to feed the nurse sharks. The Butterfly Conservatory is *amazing.* The Shipwreck museum is pretty cool.

Unless you're a drinker or want cheap tshirts and tchotchkes, Duval is a waste of time. Heck, it's a waste of time if you're a drinker too, because there are so many better places to go on the Rock.

 

[jrabbit]

taking one of the Hop On/Off trolleys (Old Towne Trolley is my favorite) will give you a good narrated overview of Key West.

I will second Truman's Little White House -- but maybe not so interesting to a 13yo.

I also visited Hemingway's home. Might be more interesting for the 13yo ... or not

I have not been to the Pirate or Shipwreck museums ... they might be more interesting for your kiddo.

Like Key Lime - Visit Kermit's Key Lime Shoppe - lots of Key Lime Stuff!!

 

[scrapshappen]

We did the on/off Trolly on our visit to Key West, did the Southern Most Point, and then visited Truman's Little White House. My DH and I really enjoyed that, but our children thought it was boring. If we were to go back, I think we might stick just to the immediate area that the trams from the ship drop you off and wander down to Kermit's for a white chocolate dipped frozen strawberry Key Lime pie. Right at the drop off is the Aquarium some shops and other touristy things.

I agree with PP on Duval. It held no interest for me. Bars and tee shirt shops.

 

[egesicki]

Our boys loved the 6 toed cats at the Hemingway House. And walking they thought it was cool to see so many chickens and roosters wandering around. I concur, avoid Duval, and do visit Kermit's! Conch fritters at Turtle Kraals were yummy. Key lime wine from Key West Winery to bring on board.

 

[bfamilyx4]

we did the 90 minute narrated tour on the conch train. thought it was informative

 

[Four Swampers]

Go to one of the bars, get up on stage, and harass the performers . . . Oh! I'm sorry, you said KEY West. My bad.

 

[marciemouse]

I'll throw out a really different idea, if you prefer to get out on the water. This past September, we also had just a few hours off the Wonder in Key West. We hired a private charter for a 2 and a half hour "tour" which was customized to our interests. It was PERFECT for our family of five, and we had EXCELLENT service. I highly recommend Captain Shon at Fun in the Sun Charters. You can read more about our charter trip in my trip report. Here's the direct link to the Key West day. http://themceacherns.blogspot.com/2014/10/vacation-day-4-key-west.html

We got to snorkel, swim on a sandbar, see dolphins, and even got in a little fishing. It was a blast.

We also had just enough time to take a walk through Mallory Square and take pictures.

Whatever you choose, have fun!

 

[Mtinkerbell5189]

I was wondering where do you get the "key lime wine?"

Also, do the hop on and off trolley's cost money? Do they run often? Do you need to sign up in advance? Is one company better than another?

 

[phinz]

I was wondering where do you get the "key lime wine?"

Key lime wine from Key West Winery to bring on board.

 

[phinz]

Also, do the hop on and off trolley's cost money? Do they run often? Do you need to sign up in advance? Is one company better than another?

Pretty much everything in Key West costs money. There is only one trolley company and only one Conch Train company. Either one is good.

 

[Dug720]

I've spent a few days in Key West. My favorite "thing" was Truman's summer white house, next Hemmingway's home. For one trip, I may try a hop on/off trolley ride to get a feel for the place. There's the pirate museum that your son may really like.

If you like it to go back, a visit to Dry Tortuga NP is an excellent Day trip!

I think they only have a few hours in Key West - not enough time for Dry Tortuga. (Not to mention how expensive it is to get there!! We looked at it when we were staying on Key West and wowza! It makes some cruise-line excursions look downright cheap!)

 

[wilma-bride]

We visited Key West for a day a couple of years ago. The hop on/ hop off trolley http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/ would be your best bet. I think it takes about 90 minutes to do a full tour but you can get off and look around, then hop back on again (with the Conch train tour you can't do that). My DS was 11 when we visited and he found Ernest Hemingway's house boring but he really enjoyed seeing the 6-toed cats. We got a drink at the bar and a piece of the best key lime pie ever at Blue Heaven; we sat at the outside bar and chilled for a while, which was great.

 

[nunzia]

Go to one of the bars, get up on stage, and harass the performers . . . Oh! I'm sorry, you said KEY West. My bad.

Took me a minute..Badabing!

 

[phinz]

a piece of the best key lime pie ever at Blue Heaven

The only KL Pie I like better than Blue Heaven's is the pie you can sometimes find at Fausto's at Fleming and Bahama. It's just so popular that you have to get there right when it's put out or it's gone. Their crust is amazing, and I'll skip that killer merengue at Blue Heaven (which is hard to do) for that crust.

 

[wilma-bride]

The only KL Pie I like better than Blue Heaven's is the pie you can sometimes find at Fausto's at Fleming and Bahama. It's just so popular that you have to get there right when it's put out or it's gone. Their crust is amazing, and I'll skip that killer merengue at Blue Heaven (which is hard to do) for that crust.

OK, so if it's better than Blue Heaven, now I HAVE to go back to Key West just to try it. Thanks!

 

[jlynch924]

Thank you for all the great suggestions... especially the one to avoid Duval. DD was only 10 when we went to Cozumel and the stuff in the windows at those shops was way too inappropriate, so I appreciate the head's up. Where is Kermit's in relation to the port?