Hi Folks
Here is some info on Key West if there is any interest?
The heart of Key West is the historic Old Town area, which runs from White Street west to the waterfront. In the early 19th century, wharves, warehouses, chandleries, ship-repair facilities, and the U.S. Customs House sprang up around the deep harbor to accommodate large vessels - both commercial ships and those of the U.S. navy. The lavish Victorian houses the town's wealthy merchants and sea captains built, along with the dwellings of famous writers, artists, and politicians who've come to Key West over the past 175 years, are among the area's approximately 3,000 historic structures. Old Town also has the city's finest restaurants and hotels, lively street life, and popular nightspots. Take a taxi, rent a bicycle or moped, walk, or take a shuttle to get around, as parking is scarce and costly.
Here's a selective list of things to see and do.
AUDUBON HOUSE AND GARDENS. This three-story house, built in the 1840s, commemorates the 1832 stop in Key West of the ornithologist and artist John James Audubon while he was traveling through Florida to study birds. Admission includes an audiotape for the self-guided tour of the house and tropical gardens, complemented by an informational booklet and signs that identify the rare indigenous plants and trees. Several rooms of period antiques and a children's room are also of interest. 205 Whitehead St., PHONE: 305/294-2116. COST: $8.50. Daily 9:30-5.
CITY CEMETERY. Within Key West's celebrated 20-acre burial place are a bronze statue resembling a ship's mast and the graves of sailors killed in the sinking of the battleship U.S.S. Maine. Although you can walk around the cemetery on your own, the best way to take it in is on a 90-minute tour given by volunteers of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. Tours leave from the sexton's office. Margaret and Angela Sts., PHONE: 305/292-6718. COST: Free, tour donation $10. Sunrise-6, tours Tues. and Thurs. 9:30.
EAST MARTELLO TOWER. This Civil War citadel contains a museum with historical exhibits, including relics of the U.S.S. Maine, a Cuban refugee raft, and books by famous writers who have lived in Key West. The tower, operated by the Key West Art and Historical Society, also has a collection of Stanley Papio's "junk art" sculptures and Cuban folk artist Mario Sanchez's chiseled and painted wooden carvings of historic Key West. 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., PHONE: 305/296-3913. COST: $6. Daily 9:30-5, last admission 4.
FT. ZACHARY TAYLOR STATE HISTORIC SITE. The fort, completed in 1866, was used during both the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. Visitors can take a 30-minute tour of this National Historic Landmark. In February, a weekend celebration called Civil War Days includes costumed reenactments and demonstrations. The park's uncrowded beach is the best in Key West. There is an adjoining picnic area with barbecue grills and shade trees. End of Southard St., through Truman Annex, PHONE: 305/292-6713. COST: $2.50 per vehicle, $1.50 per pedestrian or bicyclist. Daily 8-sunset, tours noon and 2.
www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district_5/fortzacharytaylor/index.html
HARRY S TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE MUSEUM. The museum includes a photographic review of visiting dignitaries and audiovisual and artifact exhibits on the Florida Keys as a presidential retreat, starting with Ulysses Grant in 1880 and ending with George Bush in the 1990s. Located on the grounds of Truman Annex, a 103-acre former military parade grounds and barracks, the home served as a winter White House for Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy. 111 Front St., PHONE: 305/294-9911. COST: $8. Daily 9-5, grounds 8-sunset.
www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com
HEMINGWAY HOUSE. Infuriated that the local visitor bureau had added his home to a tourist brochure, Ernest Hemingway built the tall brick wall surrounding the home where he created about 70% of his literary output. His Spanish Colonial dwelling is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The staff gives guided tours rich with anecdotes about Hemingway and his family. Tours begin every 10 minutes and take 25-30 minutes; then you're free to explore on your own. 907 Whitehead St., PHONE: 305/294-1575. COST: $8. Daily 9-5.
www.hemingwayhome.com
HIGGS BEACH. This Monroe County park is a popular sunbathing spot. A nearby grove of Australian pines provides shade, and the West Martello Tower provides shelter should a storm suddenly sweep in. Atlantic Blvd. between White and Reynolds Sts., PHONE: no phone. COST: Free. Daily 7 AM-11 PM.
HISTORIC SEAPORT AT KEY WEST BIGHT. This 8.5-acre historic restoration project includes waterfront restaurants, open-air bars, museums, shops, a marina, a wedding chapel, the Waterfront Market, and the Key West Rowing Club. It's all linked by the 2-mi waterfront Harborwalk, which runs between Front and Grinnell streets, passing big ships, schooners, sunset cruises, fishing charters, and glass-bottom boats. 201 William Street, PHONE: 305/293-8309.
www.keywestseaport.com
KEY WEST AQUARIUM. Explore the fascinating underwater realm of the Keys at this kid-friendly aquarium. A touch tank enables you to handle starfish, sea cucumbers, horseshoe and hermit crabs, even horse and queen conchs - living totems of the Conch Republic. Built in 1934 by the Works Progress Administration as the world's first open-air aquarium, most of the building has been enclosed for all-weather viewing. Guided tours include shark feedings. 1 Whitehead St., PHONE: 305/296-2051. COST: $8. Daily 10-6, tours 11, 1, 3, and 4:30.
www.keywestaquarium.com
LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM. For the best view in town, climb the 88 steps to the top of this 92-ft lighthouse that was built in 1847. About 15 years later, a Fresnel lens was installed at a cost of $1 million. The keeper lived in the adjacent 1887 clapboard house, which now exhibits vintage photographs, ship models, nautical charts, and lighthouse artifacts from all along the Key reefs. 938 Whitehead St., PHONE: 305/294-0012. COST: $6. Daily 9:30-5, last admission 4:30.
MALLORY SQUARE. Mallory Square is a Key West tradition: Every evening at sunset this stretch of waterfront comes alive with street performers, musicians, vendors, and panhandlers intent on getting a rise - or a buck - out of the faithful who gather to worship the day's final rays. A truly festive atmosphere prevails - be prepared to applaud the moment the sun falls below the horizon.
MEL FISHER MARITIME HERITAGE SOCIETY MUSEUM. In 1622, two Spanish galleons loaded with riches from South America foundered in a hurricane 40 miles west of the Keys. In 1985, Mel Fisher recovered the treasures from the lost ships. In this museum, you can see, touch, and learn about some of the artifacts, including a gold bar weighing 6.3 troy pounds and a 77.76-carat natural emerald crystal worth almost $250,000. 200 Greene St., PHONE: 305/294-2633. COST: $6.50. Daily 9:30-5:30, last video 4:30.
www.melfisher.org
SAN CARLOS INSTITUTE. The institute was founded in 1871 by Cuban immigrants, and it now houses a research library and museum rich with the history of Key West and 19th- and 20th-century Cuban exiles. Cuban patriot Jose Martí delivered speeches from the balcony of the auditorium, and opera star Enrico Caruso sang in the Opera House. 516 Duval St., PHONE: 305/294-3887. COST: $3. Tues.-Sat. 11-5, Sun. 11-4.
SIMONTON STREET BEACH. This beach facing the gulf is a great place to watch boat traffic in the harbor. Parking, however, is difficult. North end of Simonton St., PHONE: no phone. COST: Free. Daily 7 AM-11 PM.
SOUTH BEACH. On the Atlantic, this stretch of sand, also known as City Beach, is popular with travelers staying at nearby motels. It has limited parking and a nearby buffet-type restaurant, the South Beach Seafood and Raw Bar. Foot of Duval St., PHONE: no phone. COST: Free. Daily 7 AM-11 PM.
thanks cmatt I'll be watching for it 
