Audubon House and Tropical Garden

Considered a gem of historical interior design, the Audubon House is a restoration project which is furnished as a replica of a prosperous 1800s Key West home. The constructor and first owner of the house was one of the ten most affluent men in the Florida Keys during this time. Both the house and its tropical garden give the visitor a glimpse of everyday life in a rich man's home of the mid-19th century. It has a cookhouse, a gift shop and a herb garden alongside 200 blooming orchids.

• Web:

  audubonhouse.org

• E-mail:

  audubonhouse@audubonhouse.org

• Address:

  205 Whitehead Street, Key West

• Phone:

  +1 305 294 2116

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9:30am–4:15pm

• More info:

  The gift shop stays open until 5 pm

Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea

The Basilica of St. Mary made partly of limestone rock from the area offers opportunities for quiet contemplation, a visit to the shrine or simply a stroll in the garden nearby. Being the oldest Catholic church in South Florida, it has been given the title of "basilica" in 2012 because of its historical significance, its spiritual weight and being an excellent example of the eclectic period of American Victorian architecture.

• Web:

  stmarykeywest.com

• E-mail:

  stmary@stmarykeywest.com

• Address:

  1010 Windsor Lane, Key West

• Phone:

  +1 305 294 1018

• Opening hours:

  Gift Shop: Mon–Fri 9am–3pm, Sun 8am–noon, Sat closed

Duval Street

Duval is the most famous and most visited street in Key West. It stretches out from shore to shore, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, with a multitude of restaurants, pubs and shopping opportunities unfolding before you. Duval Street is not only home to Ernest Hemingway's favorite pub Sloppy Joe's, but also to a rich nightlife. Several times a year the street attracts crowds to take part in diverse festivals that celebrate art, lifestyle, history and culture.

• Address:

  Duval Street, Key West

Ernest Hemingway House & Museum

Located in the Old Town, this was the official Key West residence of Nobel Prize winning author Ernest Hemingway, as in 1968 it enjoyed the distinction of becoming a U.S. National Historic Landmark. Tour the spectacular gardens, with an impressive variety of flowers and trees, and observe the 20,000-dollar swimming pool — an unusual opulence at that time. You'll also be able to visit the bookstore lined with the author’s famous books and a plethora of other souvenirs.

• Web:

  www.hemingwayhome.com

• E-mail:

  info@hemingwayhome.com

• Address:

  907 Whitehead Street, Key West

• Phone:

  +1 305 294 1136

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–5pm

• More info:

  Cash only for admission

Ferry to Dry Tortugas & Fort Jefferson

A ferry trip to Dry Tortugas is a full-day affair that is worth embarking on. This spacious ocean vessel offers comfort and relaxation as you drift along on the open blue waters. Explore the 19th-century fort and learn about this great piece of history, and enjoy snorkeling in the surrounding island waters. This 100-square-mile park is also a sanctuary for endangered species.

• Web:

  www.drytortugas.com

• Address:

  100 Grinnell Street, Key West

• Phone:

  +1 800 634 0939

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–6pm. Boarding time: 7:30am

• More info:

  It is a 2 hours and 15 minutes boat ride from You Key West harbor to the National Park

• Tickets:

  Ticket booth at 240 Margaret Street, Key West

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is a unique ecological phenomenon with a one-of-a-kind underwater ocean laboratory that will take you to its depths. You will find the native flora and animals of the Keys and the spectacular and diverse ecosystem of this region. The living reef exhibit and the Center's theater give you easy access to information about both on-land and underwater life.

• Web:

  floridakeys.noaa.gov/eco_discovery.html

• E-mail:

  Emily.Kovacs@noaa.gov

• Address:

  35 East Quay Road, Key West

• Phone:

  +1 305 809 4750

• More info:

  Located at the end of Southard Street in the Truman Annex