Key West: Fort Zachary Taylor?

[donkthemagicllama]

Anyone walked from the ship in Key West?

We’re traveling in late November, and trying to decide what to do in Key West.

We’re thinking lunch somewhere, then then if it's cool, the aquarium, if it’s warm, Fort Zachary Taylor beach.

Is it a reasonable walk? We have an 8 and 5 year old.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Anyone walked from the ship in Key West?

We’re traveling in late November, and trying to decide what to do in Key West.

We’re thinking lunch somewhere, then then if it's cool, the aquarium, if it’s warm, Fort Zachary Taylor beach.

Is it a reasonable walk? We have an 8 and 5 year old.

I'm not sure which dock the ship will be at. One of the docks you have to take a shuttle from the ship to outside the port area (due to it actually being in a military base area).

But, we got off on the Ft Zachary Taylor beach stop on our hop-on hop-off trolley, and the walk from there (near the FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary building) to the actual fort/beach, was a bit of a jaunt (maybe 10 minutes).

 

[donkthemagicllama]

Hmm... Didn’t realize that was a possibility. Last time we didn’t need to take a shuttle.

Is it possible to find out ahead of time where the ship will dock?

 

[cmph]

Hmm... Didn’t realize that was a possibility. Last time we didn’t need to take a shuttle.

Is it possible to find out ahead of time where the ship will dock?

Yes! You just need to know the date your cruise is in Key West. Another helpful poster put this link on another thread I was on. http://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/department/calendar.php

 

[DizneyNutz]

Hmm... Didn’t realize that was a possibility. Last time we didn’t need to take a shuttle.

Is it possible to find out ahead of time where the ship will dock?

This is where we docked on our trip there. You are not allowed to use your camera once you get off the ship until you are outside the military compound. You must have picture ID and Key to the world to be allowed back onto the compound to get back on the ship.

 

[Dug720]

The good news is it looks like the Magic is at Pier B - which looks like it's NOT the Naval "Outer Mole" one per the calendar and map. At least in February.

 

[Quellman]

I was there in April this year. Its about a mile from the Wesitn (Pier B) to the Fort. You can see a bunch of things along the way, including the Mile 0, Hemingway House, the Lighthouse, and Southern Most point is near by. Then you can take a return trip back up Whitehead or Duval. Not a whole lot to see really on the walk down that would keep a 5 year old entertained, so I would consider a taxi or the hop on hop off

Just as a tip, there is no Lyft or Uber on the island. Taxis are plentiful, but you do need to ask if they have a card reader since some do not.

 

[dcassetta]

If the ship docks at the Outer Mole that is actually more convenient to Zachary Taylor as the gate to the state park is just outside the control area for the naval base. The shuttle from the ship to Mallory square stops to let people off and on at the state park gate.

 

[egesicki]

We walked with a 7yo and a 2yo in a stroller. We docked at Pier B, walked to the Hemingway house, Southernmost point, then Zach Taylor. It's doable, but our 7yo complained. Bring water or snacks for the walk to take the edge off. And sunscreen. There is a nice snack bar with shady seating. The beach was kind of rocky but you could see the ship channel so that was cool.