Key West is continental USA's southern-most town, set at the furthermost end of the string of islands called the Keys. The town is well known for its liberated spirit; it harbors a community which prides itself for free thinking and tolerance. Even after the railroad connected all the Florida Keys in 1912, followed by the highway in 1938, Key West remained a home to the independent and easy-going.
The town's community is made up of a disparate population - Conchs (originally from the Bahamas), freshwater Conchs (long time residents) Hispanics (mostly migrants from Cuba) and a big helping of drifters, and dropouts. You'd be hard-pressed to find such a cosmopolitan mix anywhere.
As recently as 1982 you can find an amusing example of the residents' way of thinking outside the box. The US Border Patrol set up searches for vehicles flowing through Key Largo, to search for illegal substances. These actions had a harmful effect on business in Key West. The town seceded from the United States Union, established the Conch Republic, and declared war on the United States. They then surrendered, demanding foreign aid. The traffic restrictions were rapidly lifted.
Key West plays host to all sorts of visitors with its laid-back culture, rich past and dependable climate. Add a little Ernest Hemingway, unbelievable treasure hunting tales and the cosmopolitan locals to give you a great tourist port of call.
Key West Cruise Piers
Key West was first visited by a cruise ship in 1969, and rapidly became a don't miss destination. Today over 500 cruise ships call each year.
The port provides three cruise ship docks, Mallory Square , Pier B and Outermole (or Navy Mole) often abbreviated to M, B and OM. If your cruise ship moors at Outermole, expect a ten minute bus ride to the town center.
Sightseeing in Key West
Sloppy Joe’s on Duval Street
Sloppy Joe's formally opened on Dec 5,1933 the very day that Prohibition ended. At first it was called Russells, next the Silver Slipper. Then it was Hemingway himself who encouraged the proprietor John Russell to update the bar's nameonce more to Sloppy Joe's. In the late 1930s the bar moved from one location to another - when in typical Key West fashion, the customers carried their drinks from the old bar to the new. The bar provides an extensive choice of food. For dessert, there's just one choice, Key Lime Pie.
Trolley Tour
The conch train terminus is situated in the heart of Old town, and you can get tickets for the tour at the kiosk. Here you'll also able to get brochures and maps ofKey West. The tour runs about every 30 minutes. There are 9 stops on the route - you are allowed to get off/get back on the tour as you want. On the tour the guide introduces you to the sites of interest.
Southernmost Point Buoy
At the meeting of South Street and Whitehead Street sits the much photographed Southernmost Point, marking thefurthest south place in mainland United States futher south lies Hawaii. The buoy inscription notes that Cuba is no more than 90 miles away, and just to its right, a sign remembers the desparate Cubans who have drowned trying to reach to America.
Mel Fisher Treasure Museum
In 1622 a fleet of twenty-eight galleons laden with treasures from South America sunk in a hurricane forty miles off the Keys. In 1985 diver Mel Fisher with a team recovered the booty from 2 of the sunk galleons, the Santa Margarita and the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The treasure recovered formed part of the looted riches of an empire, silver from Mexico and Peru, and gold and emeralds from Colombia. The fascinating tale of the quest for the wrecks is nearly as amazing as the riches on display. Another interesting display concerns the Henrietta Marie a slave vessel. The wreck was discovered at the same time as the hunt for the treasure galleons, and the recovered material give information on the shocking West Indies slave trade.
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
In his 30s Hemingway divided his time between the Keys for the winter, and Wyoming for the summer hunting season. His wonderful book To Have and Have Not is centered on the 1930s in Key West. Hemingway was a notable character in the town, with his fondess of marlin fishing, late-night drinking, and feral cats. His Key West house is now a museum with many items evocative of those memorable years.
Finding a Cruise Visiting Key West
Key West is a favorite destination, and is incorporated in many itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa and Miami. Key West often forms the first stop in a round to Mexico. A further popular route is the circumnavigation of Cuba, calling at Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Holland America, Carnival and Royal Caribbean provide these itineraries. For the more daring, Key West is sometimes included as a port-of-call in lengthier trans Panama canal routes, travelling from the West to the East coast of the US.
To go to a listing of cruise lines calling at Key West, and timetables, click Cruises to Key West Florida at cruise schedules.
To go to a listing of cruise lines calling at Key West, and timetables, click Cruises to Key West Florida at cruise schedules.
