We were staying at The Perry for the final leg of our Florida Keys trip. Doing well to fully explore Key West and take note of why they make such a unique travel destination.
Still apart of the United States of America, but given its own feel thanks to its position. It is so close to the equator, within proximity to Cuba and the Caribbean. There is only one way to travel in and out. And because of all of the above they have unique tropical plant and wildlife to admire.
We saw plenty of geckos darting around and even more roosters and chickens chasing after them. The latter had the run of the city streets and outdoor patios, as protected animals.
We were equipped with the Key West Attractions Association VIP pass with 19 different recommended museums, experiences, and even shops to visit. These included guided tours, nature exhibits, shopping + dining, water sports, and attractions. We did our best to visit a handful that we found interesting. Plus stopped at other points of interest as we encountered them, as we spent 2 days travelling by foot.
There are 3 different trolley/train tours to consider. All of which a tour guide led experience, travelling its own route. This is ideal for those who rather not walk, but have a hassle free transportation on someone else’s effort.
The Conch Tour Train seemed the most popular, as you travelled by actual train with conductor and a caboose. They focused on the general downtown Key West as we spotted several roaming from street to corner.
At night this became the Ghosts & Gravestones “Frightseeing Tour”, a reservation required tour that I dared not entertain for fear of ghosts, and we would get enough of a scare below.
For those most interested in the history and architecture, the Old Town Trolley Tours of Key West was the one to go with. It included historic Old Town where you can see numerous examples of 19th-century buildings.
Not being partial to tours and experiences that go by a general group pace, we opted to not take any of them, but explore with our own discretion. Similarly, although I was interested in snorkelling and exploring the reef, I was not a fan of having to dedicate a large chunk of time to board a water vehicle, sail out to the ocean and engage in a group learned skill.
Had I been, we could have opted for some water sport excursions with either of the top 3 charters, each requiring reservations as they take large groups out and planning is necessary for safety equipment and drinks from the sunset wine sails.
Danger Charters has a wind and wine sunset sail. Sebago Watersports had morning or afternoon snorkeling, and a champagne sunset sail. Fury Water Adventures did the most. They offered a sunset cruise but with live music, reef snorkelling, glass bottom boat reef eco tour, ann island adventure, dolphin watching, and something they called their “Ultimate Adventure H2.0”. This is a 7 mile offshore sail with the ability to experience North America’s only living coral reef.
We opted for more self guided museum tours. We missed seeing the homes of Hemingway and Harry Truman, but did walk around in The Key’s Oldest House Museum. This originally belonged to a builder and merchant, who was also hailed as a sea captain.
The house told a story through its individual rooms. From the entertainment parlour with piano, backgammon, and lace stitching accoutrements; all served with high tea.
The dining room was set with fine China and even plastic cakes and cream puffs on plates and towers, to better illustrate life in 1829. Here we would learn that meals were brought in through the only window connecting the dining room with the backyard cook house.
We passed quickly through the bedrooms with a headless mannequin dressed in a traditional night gown beside the four post bed. And the kids room with worn wooden rocking horse and porcelain dolls with chipped faces. We were too frightened to venture upstairs where the lights were switched off. We decided not to disturb any spirits, and instead head into the backyard.
Funnily enough my partner ended up being surprised and scared by the only other family exploring the space. So our fears were not fully unfounded.
Our favourite was the captain’s room full of models, maps, and charts; telling the story of Floridian travel.
We would go on to explore more sea travel and life at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. Named after the man who headed a large scale wrecking expedition and uncovered one of the largest sunken bounties in The Keys.
The exhibit spoke to the way of life through excavated antiques from sewing kits to cannons and their artillery. I was mostly interested in the details of the silver coins, gold bricks, and emerald jewelry.
From there we went to the Key West Aquarium, the oldest in all The Keys. There we learned about turtles and the 8 different species that are all on the endangered list. Each considered a key stone species, that without them the ecosystem with break down.
The Key West Aquarium is home to 7 out of the 8 species of turtles. All but the leatherback, that consumes far too much jellyfish for them to supply. The rest are all injured and rehabilitated, unfit to return to the wild.
A few of them were caught in motors and have lost a limb or part of its shell. The hospitals have tried to make them whole with patches and counter weights, offering the turtles the best lives possible.
We were in time for Spike’s feeding and got front row seats to watch her take in 3 squid and 3 fish whole. Hand fed to her by a pair of long and large tweezers.
Behind glass we also got a look at the local spiny lobster. They are blue in colour and without claws, so all there is to eat are their tails.
This was a great way for us to get a look at the coral and local sea life without being in the water ourselves. This also served as an enjoyable way to get out of the direct sun.
Continuing on with our theme, we then headed to the nearby Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. An ornate experience that engages all of the senses.
You enter through a dark passage way and join a playing film. The 3 storey building surrounds you with the scent of actual salt water stained wood, real artifacts scoured from sunken ships, and replicas of the pulleys and knots use aboard a sailing ship. There was even a live actor at the centre of it all to engage and answer any questions.
But the highlight here was the ability to scale the watch tower and gain the only 360 degree view point of Key West. This was quite the trek in the suffocating heat, but well worth the scenery that included a distant look towards the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Not to mention being able to ring the watch tower bell in accomplishment.
Looking for a bite we stopped at Irish Kevin’s, where Key West Attraction Association VIP pass holders are given a complimentary drink and their choice of food item. Here we caught their live musician doing well to rile up the crowd with karaoke sing-alongs and chants. He greeted those who entered and went on to ensure they stayed with plenty of back and froth dialogue with the audience as they ate and drank.
For our drinks we had the Paradise Punch which was a sweet tropical punch of Malibu rum, oj, pineapple, sprite, grenadine, and mango.
The Green Gator was one of their signature drinks and comes in a collector’s cup that you can keep. Lemon rum, blue curacao, oj, sour mix, and a 151 floater. Another sweeter cocktail that we found easy drinking.
For food my partner ordered the Fish Sandwich, choosing to have it grilled over blackened or golden fried. Then topped with his choice of cheddar cheese over American and Swiss, and finished with lettuce and tomato. As fish often is, this was served with a side of tartar sauce. A great dip to help rejuvenate the flavour in between bites and as one for the side of crispy tater tots. This was a classically done sandwich, must like my order below.
I was craving something clean so ordered the triple decker club with chicken, bacon, lettuce, and tomato between toasted white bread. I appreciated all the packets of condiments that came with this for self serving. They added moisture with the mayo and acidity with the ketchup. The coleslaw the ideal side for my craving for vegetables.
We enjoyed the lively atmosphere and ate our fill before heading back on to the streets.
Another Key West Attraction Association VIP pass stop is any of The Green House locations offering 50% off any product from pre-rolls, flowers, and vapes. Here, marijunana use is legal, and you can smoke it any where you can smoke a cigarette. There is no smoking in cars and in bars, and you can only smoke products that have a QR code on them. This is to indicate its lab results and that the product has been taxed. So you need to carry the container around to show you are using a legal product, like a pill to a pill bottle.
I enjoyed seeing how all these heritage homes retained their southern charm on the exterior and have been repurposed into bars, restaurants, and shops within. Like this Hard Rock Cafe shrouded by palm trees.
The churches were also a sight to be seen, all ornate and well maintained. The one pictured here was the largest in town.
Based on the flags and rainbow walk ways, plus a few of the surrounding bars in pink painted with the heads of drag queens, I gathered that we stumbled upon their gay district. Here, there was a bar that had sand on the ground, bringing the fake beaches indoors.
We also took a pause at their monument square, a collection of busts dedicated to the memories of the men and women who have put their mark on the land.
And of course we are stopped by the southernmost point marker. A large cement buoy painted in red, black, and yellow indicating this is the furthest south in all of the USA that you can travel. There was a steady line to get the perfect shot, but for those savvy and less particular standing in-front of it from a different angle suffices.
Our visit also coincided with a local event and we thought to take it in as a great way to learn more about the people and the island.
The Key West Brewfest is a weekend of beer paired dinners, pool parties, that culminates with a signature tasting event. We would get a couple of tickets to this, to be able to try over 200 beers and coolers.
Located by the beach shores of the Southernmost Point Resort, there is no other beer event like this, with a view like this.
Unlike other events, entry includes all and unlimited tasters. You can drink as much as you can and try as much as you want. Many of which are from local distilleries and breweries as far as Miami and as local as Key West, and every island in between.
It was a joyous time under the summer sun with live music, ice cold pours, and even the electrolytes needed to help with all the drinking after.
Some interested pours included a Belgium ale with pear, a tropical jalapeño lager, and an amber with the consistency of Guinness.
We took our time drinking our filling and making friends, as we watched the sun set out over the horizon.
Before we left we made sure to stop for some pie. You don’t visit The Keys without having some key lime pie, which originated in Florida. Each with its own recipe and style. One of the most popular key lime pie shops belong to Kermit, who’s been making his gourmet baked goods for years.
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe has several locations and this is the original with a tranquil koi pond and shaded rainforest patio. The shop features an assortment of Key Lime products including Key Lime pie, candy, oils, seasonings, juice, salad dressing, cookies, and snacks. This location is also home to Kermit’s Cafe Kitchen, serving breakfast, lunch and light dinner until 6pm.
We actually got a chance to meet Kermit in person as he ventured outdoors to greet customers in his iconic key lime green chef’s smock and hat with matching shoes. He chatted up those who passed by and posed for photos with a whole key lime pie.
This was the best invitation into the shop to sample many of his key lime related goods as well as others like cookies, nuts, and cake. We sampled key lime seasoned peanuts, key lime soaked cakes, and smelled key lime scented candles.
We also had to try one of their iconic key lime pies, but redone more creatively as a frozen treat dipped into chocolate. They have different varieties including one with lime and coconut, ones dipped in white or dark chocolate. We had it in milk, which gave it a nice crunch to bite into. It also made it a tad too sweet, masking the cheesy tartness of key lime pie as is. This we took to the streets, enjoying our treat as it helped to cool us down in the heat with its slow to melt nature.
