TOP 5 MUST SEE PLACES IN KEY WEST

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May 03, 2024

TOP 5 MUST SEE PLACES IN KEY WEST

If your intention is to discover the finest locations, perfect. However, if your intention is to reply to my email stating that you have dyscalculia, well, this destination is brimming with activities and sights. Therefore, I have sneaked two more into the list of top places. Hey, that's just a part of life, let it go and enjoy an amazing adventure in Key West.

1. Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum - $17.50 adult ticket

Mel Fisher, a well-known American treasure hunter, gained fame for his discovery of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha shipwreck in Florida waters. Within the museum, a vast collection of artifacts from 17th century shipwrecks, including the Henrietta Marie, Nuestra Señora de Atocha, and Santa Margarita, can be found. Fisher dedicated a significant portion of his life to locating the Mother Lode Treasure Ship, which was ultimately located just 35 miles off the coast of Key West. The discovery of this ship brought forth a staggering fortune of $450 million, and the search for treasure continues to this day. In 1973, Fisher unearthed silver bars from the wreckage silver coins known as "pieces of eight," gold coins, Colombian emeralds, gold, and silver artifacts, as well as 1000 silver ingots. As of today, it is reported by experts, the Atocha has not yet revealed the location of its stern castle, which contains a significant amount of gold and emeralds. Additionally, there could be an estimated 300 silver bars and 8 bronze cannons, among other items, that remain missing, or is it just not reported?

Fact: Can you trust the Mel Fisher gang? Mel the leading expert in the World, admitted that he bought treasure coins from a third party and resold these fake coins as authentic treasure that he found within the waters of Florida at his store.  You can make this shit up!

2. Hemingway House and Museum - $18 per adult ticket

Old Man in the Sea is one of my favorite books, it about life changes, struggles, survival and at the end was it defeat or victory?  Ernest Hemingway is one of the best American writer’s residences was in Key West, He in my opinion was one of the greatest American novelists, short-story writer, and cat lovers.  Hemingway House Museum is also famous for its large population of so-called Hemingway cats, many of which are polydactyl – 6 toed cats and cost as much has $2000 per cat.

Fact: They have a full-time veterinarian to take care of the 60 cats ($120,000 worth of cats) …Meow that a lot of bucks.

3. Pirate Museum - $18.37 per adult ticket.

The experience of visiting Key West will reveal that it still maintains its pirate-ways. Key West was once the richest city in the United States per person. A law was enacted by the U.S. Congress almost two centuries ago, stating that any shipwrecks found in U.S. waters must be appraised exclusively by a U.S. court. Key West, with its shallow sandbars and one of the largest shallow reefs worldwide, became the perfect location for shipwrecks. Interestingly, the locals would intentionally turn off the lighthouse lights to attract more wrecks, which they would then salvage. Today, they have found other ways to profit, such as the city use of Arnold's Towing company, which as a 2-star rating for a reason, or Arrr the city parking enforcers or restaurant like the Thai Cuisine who charged $4.95 for iced tea for each glass. So, be cautious and have fun at the Museum.

Fact: Blackbeard, the most notorious of them all Pirates, for two years in 1716 to 1718, plundering merchant ships and burying his treasure in Key West (never found). Then there was Calico Jack Rackham, another well-known pirate who around 1718–1720 captured several ships during his pirating career in Key West.

4. Mallory Square - Free

Since the early 1820s, Mallory Square has served as the central point for Key West's social and commercial activities. Over time, it has gained immense popularity as a renowned destination in the United States for witnessing breathtaking sunsets. As dusk approaches, Mallory Square comes alive with a vibrant celebration dedicated to observing the sunset. Delight in an array of food and craft carts, be entertained by various performers, and join countless individuals who gather in the square to relish the beauty of the setting sun.

Fact: I lot of people don’t know, but key west is one of the only places on the mainland that you can see both the sun rise and sun set on water. 

5. Southernmost Point Buoy - Free

The Southernmost Point Buoy, located in Key West, Florida, is without a doubt the most popular landmark for tourists to capture in photographs. This artificial concrete buoy, although it may appear to float, is anchored, and is made from cement. It proudly signifies the southernmost point of the continental United States, representing the lowest latitude of any land in the contiguous North American states. Standing at a height of 18 feet above sea level, this eye-catching buoy was designated as a tourist attraction by the city in 1983. You should anticipate waiting in line for approximately 30 minutes to have your turn to capture this iconic image for a selfie!

Fact: Rafael Antonio "Tony" Medina, is 5th generation native of Key West, Florida. And his grandfather, Danny Acosta, who was the original creator of the famous Key West landmark, the Southernmost Point Buoy. You can buy one of his paintings at 124 Duval Street.

6. 0-Mile Marker - Free

Situated at the intersection of Fleming Street and Whitehead Street, you'll find the renowned US1 mile marker "0" in Key West. This marker signifies the conclusion of US1, a road commencing 2300 hundreds of miles north in 2,370 miles (3,810 km) to Fort Kent, Maine.

Fact: This mile marker holds the dubious honor of being the most frequently pilfered highway sign in the entire United States. However, if you harbor any desire to possess the genuine marker for display in your dormitory or residence, it's crucial to note that doing so would constitute a fourth-degree offense, carrying the potential consequences of imprisonment for up to 18 months and fines reaching a maximum of $10,000.

6.         Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory $15.50

Butterfly house atrium, houses from 50 to 60 different species of live butterflies from around the world and 20 species of exotic birds in a soaring glass-domed climate-controlled, tropical butterfly habitat. It is stunning and very interesting. 

Fact: Butterfly are feed fruits on plates.

7.         Jimmy Buffett Shrimp Boat Sound Studio – Free Outside

 Legendary singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who passed away Sept. 1 at age 76, is remembered and honored in Key West, but some don’t know his recording studio is down by the This not just a white building with no windows it was Jimmy Buffett recording studio for Shrimp boat Sound. This recording studio is complete with a pre-World War II microphone. A special mic that Buffett has recorded many cd’s with. And when he is not in town, he rents it out to other famous musical artists such as Mac McAnally, Alan Jackson, Zac Brown, The Eagles, George Strait, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney and more. The outside the Shrimp boat Sound Studio has become a Shrine for Parrot heads, who have placed flowers all along the wall   and if your smart enough the second clue on Bucket List Treasure Hunt for $250 is on the that wall – tweet tweet.

Fact - 2006, Buffett launched a cooperative project with the Anheuser-Busch brewing company to produce beer under the Margaritaville Brewing label called LandShark Lager. The only beer you should drink in Key West.

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