Key West excursions

[hamm1207]

Does anyone know if there's a DCL excursion that stops at the southern most point marker (for pictures)? We're thinking about doing Key West on our own, and hitting the highlights (Sloppy Joes, Hemmingway House, etc), but really the only thing we really want/need to do is get to the southern most point marker (backstory: we lived in Alaska and got the northern most earlier this year and now we want to get southern most in the same year). We're only in port for 4.5 hours, so we're nervous to do it on our own. What do you think? Should we just do a hop on/hop off trolley tour on our own?

 

[21stamps]

Key West is like my second home. And I did live there briefly when younger.

You don't need a tour to do that! You can hit all of it on your own. We were just there a few months ago (not on a cruise) and one of our rainy days did the lighthouse museum, shipwreck museum, aquarium, Ripley's, lunch, and gelato all in a few hours.

I doubt you'll head to new town, so wherever you are you can be back to the ship in a few minutes. You'll have plenty of time to get pics at Mile Marker 0 and the southernmost point as well.

 

[wjs3]

you can grab a cab, hop a trolley, or to take a little more time, walk. It is very well known and very easy to get to (fun fact--it was moved a number of years ago from a less convenient location to the current location for traffic/ease of access--not because of southernmost pointed-ness).

With 4.5 hours in port, you'll have 4.25 left.

Very cool about Northernmost and southernmost.

I don't know the key west excursions, but can't imagine tat any island tour available wouldn't stop there.

(additional fun fact--the REAL southernmost point is neither the old one nor the new one. It's located jsut west of the current on at the Naval Air station).

 

[egesicki]

Totally walkable on your own. We did it last time with a 6 yo and a 1 yo in a stroller.

 

[KDG]

We were a party of 8 and went to Key West last Oct. We walked a few blocks away from port and rented two electric cars (more like fancy golf carts) and were able to drive all the way around the island, visit the southernmost point for pictures (you will have to wait in line but it isn't too bad), and have time for a nice lunch and key lime pie. After returning the cars, we still had time for a leisurely stroll back to the ship and shop along the way.

No need at all for a paid shore excursion in my opinion.

 

[phinz]

Easily walkable, but you can also jump on the HOHO trolley (there are two companies) and hit a lot of the highlights as well as get a history tour. The Southernmost Point marker is only about 1 mile from where you either disembark or are dropped off, depending on your pier. You'll pass the Hemingway House on Whitehead as you head that way. I'd recommend going ahead and getting to the marker first , since that's your most important stop, backtrack to the Hemingway House, then if you insist on going to Sloppy Joe's then head to Capt. Tony's first, since that was the original Sloppy Joe's location and has Hemingway history, then just cross Duval for Sloppy Joe's. Watch for the really cool banyan tree on the left at the Banyan Inn - it goes over the driveway - and the awesome kapok tree outside the courthouse as you walk down Whitehead initially. You can do it all easily in 4.5 hours if you kind of rush the Hemingway House or, instead, only stop for a moment at Capt. Tony's and Sloppy Joe's and spend more time at the house.

Alternately, if you're thirsty for libations and want a more real taste of Key West after the Hemingway House, stop at the Green Parrot on Whitehead. The best dive bar on that side of Duval. My favorite dive bar on the other side is Schooner Wharf Bar at the Bight. You can even stop at the Parrot on the way to Capt. Tony's and Sloppy Joe's, since it's on the way. I recommend the Root Beer Shooter for quick refreshment, or just a cold Green Parrot Ale.

 

[MUN]

Depending on when you go, the line for the Hemingway House and for the Southernmost Point could be quite long.

 

[hamm1207]

Thanks for all of the replies! Looks like we'll probably either walk it or do the HOHO trolley. We'll have our one year old daughter with us (most likely in a carrier instead of a stroller). We were just super nervous being that we only have 4.5 hours in port! Thanks again!

 

[phinz]

Depending on when you go, the line for the Hemingway House and for the Southernmost Point could be quite long.

Yep. That's definitely why I think you guys should hit your most important point, the marker, first. When the daytrip buses from Miami show up at the same time as the cruise ships you have really long lines at the house and buoy.

FWIW, there's also a Northernmost Point (of the original Monroe County) in Ft. Myers, FL. It used to stretch all the way up there before they formed Lee and Collier counties later.

 

[21stamps]

Easily walkable, but you can also jump on the HOHO trolley (there are two companies) and hit a lot of the highlights as well as get a history tour. The Southernmost Point marker is only about 1 mile from where you either disembark or are dropped off, depending on your pier. You'll pass the Hemingway House on Whitehead as you head that way. I'd recommend going ahead and getting to the marker first , since that's your most important stop, backtrack to the Hemingway House, then if you insist on going to Sloppy Joe's then head to Capt. Tony's first, since that was the original Sloppy Joe's location and has Hemingway history, then just cross Duval for Sloppy Joe's. Watch for the really cool banyan tree on the left at the Banyan Inn - it goes over the driveway - and the awesome kapok tree outside the courthouse as you walk down Whitehead initially. You can do it all easily in 4.5 hours if you kind of rush the Hemingway House or, instead, only stop for a moment at Capt. Tony's and Sloppy Joe's and spend more time at the house.

Alternately, if you're thirsty for libations and want a more real taste of Key West after the Hemingway House, stop at the Green Parrot on Whitehead. The best dive bar on that side of Duval. My favorite dive bar on the other side is Schooner Wharf Bar at the Bight. You can even stop at the Parrot on the way to Capt. Tony's and Sloppy Joe's, since it's on the way. I recommend the Root Beer Shooter for quick refreshment, or just a cold Green Parrot Ale.

Because of this post I am now checking flights.....

 

[hamm1207]

FWIW, there's also a Northernmost Point (of the original Monroe County) in Ft. Myers, FL. It used to stretch all the way up there before they formed Lee and Collier counties later.

View attachment 170291

We get into port at 12:00, so I'm thinking we'll head straight there.

Interesting...my in-laws live in Ft Myers...We'll have to go check it out next time we're there!

 

[21stamps]

OP- I'm going to suggest something else as well, Ft Zach park. It's also off whitehead street and worth a visit! I think a lot of people overlook it.
There's always iguanas in Key West, but your 1 year old may enjoy seeing so many of them at Ft Zach, and it's never crowded.

 

[poison ivy]

Thanks for all of the replies! Looks like we'll probably either walk it or do the HOHO trolley. We'll have our one year old daughter with us (most likely in a carrier instead of a stroller). We were just super nervous being that we only have 4.5 hours in port! Thanks again!

We planned our half day in Key West similar what you are describing and initially planned to use the HOHO. I was not willing to pay their price since we really weren't committing to a full ride, just a trip to the point - Hemingway house - walk Duval St.

Here's a thread with photos of the tram vs what we decided on. We only had to walk a few blocks back from the Southernmost Point to reach the Hemingway House.

Key West Conch Train for tall people and young children

 

[egesicki]

OP- I'm going to suggest something else as well, Ft Zach park. It's also off whitehead street and worth a visit! I think a lot of people overlook it.
There's always iguanas in Key West, but your 1 year old may enjoy seeing so many of them at Ft Zach, and it's never crowded.




View attachment 170311 View attachment 170312 View attachment 170313 View attachment 170311 View attachment 170310 View attachment 170309

Lol, in that exact pile of cannonballs in your third photo, my 1 yr old dropped his paci. I spent about thirty minutes wiggling it out with a souvenir pencil my eldest bought at the Hemingway house. Good memories!

 

[21stamps]

Lol, in that exact pile of cannonballs in your third photo, my 1 yr old dropped his paci. I spent about thirty minutes wiggling it out with a souvenir pencil my eldest bought at the Hemingway house. Good memories!

Ha ha. Oh no!!! Glad you recovered it!