Key West Sample

24 Places to Visit and Color

Jake Rose Illustrations by Various Artists

Photo by mariakray

1. Key West Lighthouse Completed in 1825 at Whitehead’s Point, the first Key West lighthouse stood at 65 feet tall. After a hurricane destroyed the first lighthouse in 1846, the current tower was built in 1848 on one of Key West’s highest points. Over the following years, the Key West Lighthouse was upgraded numerous times–which included installing a Third Order Fresnel Lens, extending the tower to 100 feet above sea level, adding the Keeper’s Quarters, implementing a balcony, electrifying the light, and automating the beacon. Retired in 1969 by the U.S. Coast Guard and made into a museum in 1972 by the Key West Art and Historical Society, this sentinel of the sea now stands tall as a historical landmark dedicated to Key West’s maritime heritage and to those who kept the light burning through threats of war and weather. Visitors can walk up the 88 steps to the top of the lighthouse to see stunning views of Key West and the ocean. Tour the nearby Keeper’s Quarters and view the artifacts, furnishings, maps, and photos of the lighthouse keepers that lived a now obsolete, yet never forgotten, way of life.

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Photo by Radomianin

2. Southernmost point Buoy Whenever the winter chill sets records in much of the nation, those in the know huddle around the pot-bellied stove-like monument marking the Southernmost Point in the Continental United States. The marker stands at what is supposedly the furthest south tip of Key West. Although painted like a buoy, the monument is actually a piece of concrete storm drain. Crafted in 1983, the monument denotes that Cuba is only 90 miles away; to its right, a plaque commemorates the Cubans who have drowned trying to get to America, "The Leader In Democracy." On the top of the monument is the painted logo of The Conch Republic. In the 1970s, Key West declared itself the Conch Republic and “seceded” from the United States as a way to enhance its reputation as a free-wheeling town.

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Photo by Wangkun Jia

3. Key West Museum of Art & history At the Custom House Towering over Mallory’s historic seaport, the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House is as stunning a sight to visitors today as it was when it opened in 1891. Originally home to the island’s customs office, postal service, and district courts, this four-story Richardsonian Romanesque marvel was built to keep pace with the population and wealth from Key West’s trade routes and maritime industries.

Positioned near the U.S. Naval base, the Custom House was the site of many significant historical events, most notably the inquiry into the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor in 1898. In 1932, the building transferred to the U.S. Navy and became headquarters for their Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico operations. Bought by Florida’s Land Acquisition Advisory Council in 1991 and leased to the Key West Art & Historical Society for use as a museum, “Old 91” now stands on the harbor as a national landmark, an award-winning museum, and official headquarters of the Key West Art & Historical Society. Experience two floors of exhibits that weave together two centuries of history, art, people, and events.

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Photo by Acroterion

4. Tropic Cinema Opened in 2004, Tropic Cinema brings amazing independent films, international favorites, and unique cinematic classics to Key Westerns who longed to see something more than Hollywood blockbusters. The theater features a sparkling, aqua-blue Art Deco marquee, a sculpture by Seward Johnson depicting Marilyn Monroe in her white dress as she leans over a grate, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame with an island twist. Inside, the Tropic boasts a fourscreen multiplex with digital projections, neon accents, and comfy seating. Each theater space is intimate and unique, providing the perfect setting for an entertaining cinema experience.

The Stanley and Judith Zabar Concession Bar features popular beers and wines, Zabar’s coffee, and the island’s favorite popcorn with butter and their array of seasonings.

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Photo by Upstateherd

5. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum Welcome to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Nestled in the heart of Old Town Key West, this unique property was home to one of America’s most honored and respected authors–Ernest Hemingway. Built in the Spanish Colonial style in 1851 by Asa Tift, the famous Hemingway House was acquired by Ernest Hemingway in 1931. Over the next ten years, this legendary author wrote some of his most beloved works like Death in The Afternoon, The Green Hills of Africa, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and To Have and Have Not. Step back in time and visit rooms that boast vintage furniture, beautiful paintings, and gorgeous chandeliers. Wander through the gardens to check out Key West’s first in-ground pool and be amused by the over fifty polydactyl (six-toed) cats that live here. Established as a museum by Bernice Dixon in 1964, the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is a significant locale for any Key West itinerary. As Key West’s single largest residential property, the museum is always looking forward to welcoming you into their quirky little world.

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Photo by j loveland

6. Southernmost House Built in 1897, the Southernmost House was home to Judge Vinning Harris and Florida Curry.

During Prohibition the Mansion served as a Speakeasy where gangsters like Al Capone came through there en route to Havana, Cuba. In 1939 the Ramos family bought the home and operated it as the Café Cayo Hueso nightclub–which hosted notable celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Truman Capote, Louis Armstrong, and Charles Lindberg. The family then renovated the mansion to become their residence in 1949. Due to their ties to the Spanish Royal family, the Ramos family hosted King Juan Carlos of Spain on several occasions.

In fact, the landing pad was added to the oceanfront deck to accommodate his helicopter. The family also hosted United States Presidents Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter. The house served as the Ramos-Lopez family residence until 1996 when the mansion was renovated to the hotel you see today.

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Photo by Avebelli

8. San Carlos Institute Founded in 1871 by José Dolores Poyo and Juan María Reyes to promote Cuban cultural and patriotic values, the San Carlos Institute is a Cuban heritage center that helped to forever change Cuba's history.

Named after Cuba's Seminario San Carlos, the San Carlos was one of the nation's first bilingual and integrated schools. In 1892, José Martí announced at "La Casa Cuba" that a united front would be created to lead the effort for Cuba's independence. This led to the Partido Revolucionario Cubano’s formation–which organized the War of Independence that ended Spanish rule in Cuba. Designed by Francisco Centurión, the current building opened in 1924 as Key West’s splendid little jewel. After Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba in 1959, the subsequent lack of governmental financial assistance led to the school’s closing in 1973. However, the San Carlos was saved and revitalized due to the dedicated efforts of Robert Peñalver.

Restored and reopened in 1992, the San Carlos has since served as a shrine to Cuba's heritage, a place of pilgrimage for Cubans everywhere, and a host for major cultural, historical, and artistic events.

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10. Mallory Square

Established in 1823 by Commodore David Porter, Mallory Square has always been the hub of Key West’s social and commercial life. Named after Ellen and Stephen Mallory, the Square was revitalized in 1961 by Key West and the Old Island Restoration Foundation to serve as a communal center of activity. Today, this world-famous carnival-like destination is the perfectly festive place where tourists and locals can flock to see a variety of acrobats, artists, and tightrope walkers. The Conch Republic’s focal point has it all – from delicious restaurants to bustling shops, exciting theaters, informative museums, and spectacular sunsets where the sun smoothly dips behind the Gulf of Mexico and calmly ushers in the night.

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Photo by Marc Averette

16. Key West Aquarium Dreamed up by Dr. Robert Van Deusen and built as part of the Works Progress Administration Program, the Key West Aquarium opened in 1935 as the first aquarium to utilize an open air concept. This allowed for natural sunlight to illuminate the concrete marine displays. In 1943 the U.S. Government leased the Aquarium to the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to use as a rifle range. In 1946, the Aquarium was returned to Key West and restored to its former glory. In the 1960s the roof was added to the aquarium to cut down on algae in the exhibits.

More modern methods of illuminating the tanks were developed and thus came the end of the open air aquarium. Today the Aquarium stands as one of Key West’s top attractions and is home to sharks, turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish found in the waters of Key West. It is actively involved in conserving the Florida Keys’ ecosystem.

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Photo from National Archives and Records Administration

17. Smathers beach Built with sand brought in from the Bahamas in 1961, Smathers Beach offers a mile-long stretch of gorgeous white sand, lush coconut palms, and pristine water.

Running along Roosevelt Boulevard, the beach provides a festive vibe where the people-watching and socializing are as important as the sun and waves. On Smathers Beach you can play intense beach volleyball, have a relaxing parasailing venture, go swimming, and snorkel with the wildlife.

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Photo by C Watts

18. Key West Butterfflly and Nature Conservatory Founded by butterfly aficionado Sam Trophia as Wings of Imagination – The Butterfly Gallery in 1992 and expanded in 2003, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a spectacular spot that combines artistic and naturalistic beauty under one roof. As you stroll through their magical paradise, experience a fantastical collection of flowering plants, 20 species of vibrant birds, cascading waterfalls, and massive trees that set the stage for 60 awe-inspiring variations of these "flowers of the sky." In the Learning Center, explore the Monarch’s butterfly anatomy, physiology, life cycle, feeding, and migratory world. At Wings of Imagination – the Butterfly Gallery, you can find masterpieces of Nature’s creation preserved and suspended in flight — making it a perfect piece of art from your vacation in Key West!

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Color Key West is filled to the brim with the town's most iconic settings, like Mallory Square, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, and the San Carlos Institute, among many others.

Through its 24 beautiful black-and-white line drawings and detailed descriptions, “Color Key West” masterfully highlights what makes the Conch Republic so special to its residents and visitors.

www.colorourtown.com