Key West Journals

Florida Keys

A July 1999 trip to Key West by Mamaofboyz

Quote: I have lived in the Florida Keys for the last 7 years.

18 Photos

Key West Aquarium

Attraction

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Small aquarium, but a good deal. There is a touch tank near the entrance and a side exhibit that holds tarpon and other fish. The tanks outside in the rear of the building hold the sharks. On clear days you can see quite a bit, if they are feeding when the keepers toss in bait it is an added bonus, otherwise you just watch them swim. Lots of variety for a small aquarium.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 27, 2006

Key West Aquarium
1 Whitehead St.
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 296 2051

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Petting Zoo (Monroe County Detention Center)

Attraction | "Petting Zoo"

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Under the county jail is a petting zoo that is a great treat for the kids. Its hours of operation are few, normally the first and third Sundays of the month. The zoo houses confiscated animals and others that have been on a trade/rotation program with other facilities in the state. Retired horses from the mounted police, cows, pigs, peacocks, birds, snakes, and rabbits. A chance for the local kids to see animals without having to go the distance to Miami.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 27, 2006

Petting Zoo (Monroe County Detention Center)
5501 College Road
Stock Island, Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 293-7300

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Key West Shipwreck Historeum Museum

Attraction | "Key West Ship Wreckers Museum"

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A walk through times past when the industry of ship wrecking was alive and strong here on the island. A bit of fun, lots to see, and the view from the tower is pretty cool.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 27, 2006

Key West Shipwreck Historeum Museum
1 Whitehead St.
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 292-8990

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Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum

Attraction | "Truman Little White House"

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Not much for the kids, but a good look at presidential history for the adults. Well kept, and the picture of what it was in its prime. Hard to get a good tour, as the groups are shuffled from room to room, as in any house tour, and you often lose touch of what is being said.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on June 27, 2006

Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum
111 Front St.
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 294-9911

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Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum

Attraction | "Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum"

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Today's the day! Wish I could have found a treasure like that one! Beautiful layout of the actual process used to uncover the treasure. Definitely a must do on a trip to Key West.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 27, 2006

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
200 Greene St
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 294-2633

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Old Town Trolley Tours

Attraction

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See the island in a tour atmosphere that is around 90 minutes in length. The trolley makes stops throughout the island. Admission allows you to get off the trolley and wander through shops or sight-see and then get on board again. Although you can get off and back on again, a one-time round-trip is the price coverage. It is not island transportation. The tour train, on the other hand, makes stops, but you must re-board the train when it is time to leave. The two tours differ slightly, but I feel that the trolley is the better value, even though the prices are the same for both the trolley and train.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 28, 2006

Old Town Trolley Tours
6631 Maloney Ave.
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 296-6688

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Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square

Attraction | "Sunset Festival"

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Every evening, locals celebrate the beautiful sunsets that occur. The view from Mallory Square is unobstructed, and the entertainment can't be beat. It is a circus side show at its best. Fire jugglers, live statues, steel drum bands, and Dominique the Cat Man are just some of the sights to take in. The time? Sunset and the hour prior to it. It is definitely unique and a typical Key West oddity. There's no charge; just come and enjoy!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 28, 2006

Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
1 Whitehead Street, Mallory Square
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 296-4557

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Botanical Gardens

Attraction

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This offers a wonderful look at the native plants of the islands. Over the last few years, the gardens have been redone, now including a boardwalk to guide you through most of the trails. It is growing by leaps and bounds weekly. Plants are very well-labeled and the paths are maintained, so there is no climbing through the brush to find the path. There is no charge for admission, although donations are accepted.Depending on the time of year you visit, the bugs can be bothersome and the heat can become unbearable. Try going in the morning, while temps are down, and it should be fine. We go about once a month to let the kids roam without worry of what they fall into. There's nothing really poisonous ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 28, 2006

Botanical Gardens
5210 College Rd
Key West, Florida
(305) 296-1504

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Crane Point Hammock

Attraction

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It is a 63-acre site that holds a few things: Adderley house, Children's museum, natural history museum, and wild bird center. Be prepared to walk, there is no easy way to navigate a stroller for the young ones. The children's museum part is okay. Lots of bugs in drawers and cases to look at. There are a few play areas where they can pretend to captain the pirate fleet. The natural history museum is nice, and the bird center is about the same. Overall, it was too much walking for young kids and not enough to keep their attention. The mosquitoes were horrific the two times that we visited, but it was a change of pace and something to see. Adults are $7.50 and children under 6 are free. Discoun...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on June 28, 2006

Crane Point Hammock
5550 Overseas Hwy.
Marathon, Florida
(305) 743-9100

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Perky's Bat Tower

Attraction | "Bat Tower"

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Just a tower out in the middle of nowhere. But the story behind it is pretty neat. Built in 1929 to house bats brought into the area for the purpose of eating the mosquitos, the structure stands alone on the backside of the island. The bats are long gone, so no worries there. And the mosquitos are alive and well. Several stories conflict, but the basis of it is that the bats died and the idea behind the project was a flop. The kids liked to run free and see something neat, but didn't really understand what it was all about.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 28, 2006

Perky's Bat Tower
Mile Marker 17
Key West, Florida 33042

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Dry Tortugas National Park

Attraction | "Ft. Jefferson /Dry Tortugas National Park"

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There are many ways to get there: fly, boats, ferries, etc. We took the trip aboard the Yankee Freedom. The price was $139 per adult and included entrance fees to the park. The fort is pretty cool, the water surrounding it is crystal clear and beautiful! Great snorkeling water! There are a few options for making the trip: day trips and overnight trips. The Yankee Freedom allowed us to leave at 8am and return by 5:30pm. A continental breakfast greets you. They serve a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, drinks, etc. They offer a tour of the park (40 minutes) and then provide snorkel gear to anyone who wants some. The hour trip that it takes to reach the park is comfortable in the cabin and decks. Th...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 28, 2006

Dry Tortugas National Park
70 Miles West Of Key West
Key West, Florida 33041

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Dolphin Research Center

Attraction

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The center is available for the "Swim with dolphins" activity that is so hot today. The center is mainly a research lab, but they offer to educate guests as to their mission and about marine life. The dolphin paint shirts and do swimming tricks. It is a fun time for the older kids, and if you want to spend the extra $$$ to swim with them it would be an even better time! The kids were around 3 or 4 when we visited. So much for them not to touch and do, but they enjoyed watching the dolphin.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 28, 2006

Dolphin Research Center
58901 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33050
(305) 289-1121

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Key West Cemetery

Attraction

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There are maps available at local stores to guide you through the quirky oddities of the cemetery. It took us about 2 hours to walk around and see the sights. Granted, that was with children. There are many odd stones to see and many of them have a sense of humor. The cemetery is old and some stones are cracking, breaking, uplifting, etc. With flooding a major concern, many of the burial vaults, tombs, etc. are above ground. Items such as Roberts' "I told you I was sick" headstone, military memorials, vampire vaults, and one unidentifiable stone (a tree has grown around it) are just a few of the sights to see. If you are looking for a nice walk or bike ride, the cemetery is a change of pace.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 3, 2006

Key West Cemetery
701 Passover Lane
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 292-8177

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Southernmost Point in the Nation

Attraction | "Southernmost Point"

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It is the southernmost point in the continental USA. A big buoy marks the location stating that you are closer to Cuba than you are to the mainland of Florida. A definite picture taking location, but a bit hectic with the traffic that goes through the area. The streets are not really accommodating for large vehicles although many still believe that they are! So, if you go, keep an eye on the young ones. Beautiful view of the ocean from there!

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 14, 2006

Southernmost Point in the Nation
Whitehead And South Streets
Key West, Florida 33040

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Boondock's Mini Golf

Attraction

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An eighteen hole mini golf course. Not much in the way of kiddie obstacles, more a well landscaped challenging course. You don't have to hit your ball through a clown's mouth, rather you must navigate it over a bridge or through a rock cave. They did a great job with the landscaping. Very relaxing and with the garden misters it is cool even in the heat of the day, but don't forget the sunscreen! Accented with Cavemen, it is fun for the kids. This is a newly opened activity for the Keys. Discounted prices for the next round and a chance to win a prize when you turn your ball in. They have putters of all sizes, so the kids will have the right one and can pick from about 10 different colored balls....Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 14, 2006

Boondock's Mini Golf
Mile Marker 27
Key West, Florida
(305) 872 4094