We came down to Key West for the week and hadn't originally planned to visit the museum. However,…read moreseveral friends recommended it, so we decided to go. I'm glad we did. The most striking thing, and something others have noted, is how low key everything feels. The structure, furnishings, and grounds are modest and very much middle class in character. Compared to how government operates today, the accommodations felt surprisingly austere. The exhibits and tour provide a fairly balanced view of Truman's presidency during that time. He seemed to have a more relaxed approach to the executive branch, often trading formal suits and ties for khakis and Hawaiian shirts. There are also reprints of newspaper clippings and political cartoons that don't always portray him or his administration in a positive light. To me, that made the experience feel more authentic, especially compared to the highly polished and carefully branded narratives often associated with modern political figures. Definitely worth the visit.

From 1946 through 1952, President Harry Truman used this house as his winter vacation home, and…read morebecause he spent 175 days of his presidency here, it became known as the Little White House. Originally built by the U.S. Navy in 1890, the Little White House served as naval command headquarters during the Spanish-American War, and also played roles in both World Wars and the Cold War. Since Truman's days, many other presidents have also vacationed here, including Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Today, the Little White House has been restored and turned into a museum. Also, don't forget to check the famous limousine while you are there. The only way to see inside the Truman Little White House in Key West is via a guided tour. But there is a small section near the gift shop that is free for visitors.

Happy International Museum Day! Here's a brief review of one of the museums I visited on my cruise…read morein March 2026. Although a bit overpriced ($17.50 for adults) for the size and scope of this museum, Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida is an important stop for those interested in maritime archaeology and shipwrecks. This museum, which opened in 2000 in a historic building, focuses on the artifacts from a few 17th-century shipwrecks, especially on the historic find of the Spanish galleon ship, the Nuestra Senora de Atocha which sunk off the Florida Keys in 1622. The history behind the ship, the wreck, and its discovery are all incredible so do a deep dive on your own. As for the museum part of it, the exhibits are pretty permanent - this isn't the kind of place with rotating exhibits - and they could use a dusting/refresh. The gift shop up front is decent, the staff were nice, and the section that focused on the slave ship, Henrietta Marie was a sobering at the cruel treatment and conditions human beings subjected to other human beings. I had a good visit, spending about an hour here in all, and was pleased to have crossed it off my very long list of museums I want to visit!

Treasure on display! A little outdated but still full of history with many plaques! Lots of silver…read moreingots and gold chains. Slave trade section on the 2nd floor was included with many artifacts as well.

the only lighthouse in USA entirely within city limits…read more Visitors can climb 88 iron steps, explore the restored Keeper's Quarters, and view maritime artifacts. Originally built in 1825, the current structure was completed in 1848 and raised in 1894 to reach 100 feet. The view from the top is considered one of the best in Key West. One of the highest points in Old Town, the lighthouse offers unmatched panoramic views and the chance to enjoy Key West's legendary sunset in peaceful privacy; far from the crowded Mallory Square

Last day in Key West and we finally made it to the Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters…read moreMuseum. So glad we did. It was an excellent visit. The entire site is beautifully maintained. If you go, make sure you climb to the top. The view is spectacular and absolutely worth the steps. The lighthouse keeper's house and surrounding grounds are first rate and give you a real sense of what life was like more than 100 years ago. There are numerous displays explaining both the daily work and the technology required to keep the lighthouse operating. It's informative without feeling overwhelming. A must-visit when you're in Key West.

A must see while in Key West!…read more It's quiet, serene, beautiful place to just sit among lush garden and watch the sea. So many amazing views and benches available to sit and just relax. It's free, but they do request a donation that is voluntary! There was a kind woman sitting at the desk who gave us a map, and explained their history briefly. It's a beautiful place to stop in and visit, with their butterfly garden and orchid arbor stealing the show. Bathrooms were very clean as well.

This garden is also called "Key West Gardens at Fort West Martello", free entry, free street…read moreparking and run by volunteer, donation are welcome. It's a well maintain garden in the Martello Fort, the volunteer lady was very helpful and friendly. Pretty place with lot of orchid and a small butterfly garden, very relaxing walk and there are picnic tables and benches. Every corner of the garden is a beautiful spot for photographers

This self-guided museum may be of interest to a die-hard Williams fan, but for the casual visitor,…read moreit was a bit lackluster. Mostly old playbills and reviews. I was also interested to know that the paintings displayed of Williams' were just prints. The originals are in the Custom House Museum.

"I've always depended on the kindness of strangers", one of Tennessee Williams' more famous lines,…read moremay be relevant to the Yelp experience as well. Useful reviews and kind compliments sent by complete strangers? I'll take that any day! OK now more about the museum itself: The Tennessee Williams Museum is a bright modern (circa 2021) space dedicated to the life and literary works of the famous playwright. The small building houses an impressive collection of material ranging from prints of TW's paintings, first edition books, playbills, videos of his interviews and a model of his home in Key West. Admittedly I'm a major fan, but the place would probably appeal to just about anyone with some interest in Key West's colorful history. Admission is reasonable ($7 for adults and $5 for seniors), with discounts available for pre-booking on the museum website. Friendly helpful staff member allowed me to linger a good long while with no hassle. The gift shop has some great finds as well. A unique and wonderful place all around.

We made sure to make it down to Mallory Square for at least one sunset celebration during our…read morevisit. It's been almost 30 years since the last time I was here and it certainly has changed. One of the performers explained to us that there are very few acts who continue participating and that they have to pay a fee in order to perform. We saw perhaps 3 acts scattered about on this evening, which is so vastly different from what I fondly remembered. In years past, I recalled jugglers tossing chainsaws and machetes, trained rescue cats jumping through fiery hoops 8 feet high, a kilt wearing bagpiper, etc. This current evening's visit was rather serene. I try not to wax sentimental about the old days, but this is one of those moments where it's so sadly and obviously less than what it used to be on the excitement scale.

As a "tourist" this is "A MUST"... almost to the point that if you visit the keys, then most people…read morewill ask have you watched the sunset at Mallory Square yet. The square (a very large area with pavers and planters facing due west overlooking the Gulf of Mexico) and shortly before sunset, the place awakens with street performers that live off the tips that guests hopefully give, and various rolling shops/kiosks are present with touristy junk to buy and eventually throw into a drawer in your house since you really have no need for a "southernmost buoy bottle opener" or a key west keychain. There are food carts and coconut water straight from the coconut and there are even some odder booths like palm reading and artists making animal figurines from paper clips and wire. And then the sun begins to set and all the visitors congregate along the Gulf of Mexico seawall and watch the sun drop... the sunset is pretty magical here. In our early years, my wife and I loved coming... it was lively and busy but not nearly as crowded and touristy as it is today. If you're here for the first time or if it's been years, then come check it out, it's worth it.

Works depicting local scenes by local artists. Great collection of art work from the late 1970's…read more By appointment only. A very private affair.

So cool seeing all the boats decorated!. There was about 12…read moreboats maybe more. My favorite was the Kitty cat boat!. Fun watching them race around the marina. It was PACKED in the bar. So getting a drink was hard if you were not at a table. They said it would start at 1 pm. But the boats did not get on the water until 2:30 pm. Fun day but it was HOT! May 2025.

Out for our morning bike ride making our traditional stop at Cuban Coffee Queen 11 AM and we…read morenoticed more cars in the adjacent public parking lot than typical. Not too unusual since Key West has so many festivals and events; it's hard to keep up. We decided to walk our bikes over in the direction of Lazy Way Lane (a road that I still can't figure out if we are allowed to drive thru with our cars or not; no one knows for sure). At the entrance onto Lazy Way Lane from William Street (the corner that is home to Schooner Wharf Bar) we admire this boat that looked like a short, smooshed version of a row boat painted blue with sea shells adhered to the boat with a paddle with "Sand Baggers" painted on as the boat name... it was cool and odd. Looking down the street and a lot of these unusual boats were lined up... all unique, all appeared homemade and all sported an amusing crew. All the crews were dressed or themed just like their Not-So-Seaworthy vessels... We finally noticed a flyer posted beside a registration table for what this event was all about... ANNUAL MINIMAL REGATTA. So we just learned this is one of the many special event that the Schooner Wharf Bar hosts and it benefits the local VFW Post 3911, but we also learned these boats go on display but later on they will be put to the test in the water and all sorts of categories and prizes are up for grabs... COMPETITION/PRIZE CATEGORIES INCLUDE: * Fastest Kayak/Canoe style * Fastest Open Design * Most Creative Design * Best Paint Jobs * Sinker Award * Best Costumes * Sportsmanship * Honorable Mentions Most categories have 1st and 2nd prizes and the prizes are not too shabby... each winner gets a variety of prizes of hats, shirts, gift cards, sailboat excursions, snorkeling trips, VIP Butterfly Conservatory tickets, trophies and more. Continuing our walk was interesting to say the least... the boats were so "MINIMAL" so let's explain that part too... The entire boat/vessel (including the paddles) is limited to be constructed from the Construction Kit that is (you guessed it), minimal: * (1) sheet of 4' x 8' x 1/4" plywood * (2) 2"x 4" 8' pieces of lumber * 1 pound fasteners * 1 roll of 2" x 60 yard duct tape * No caulking or adhesives - Epoxy paint is permitted But then we hung around to watch some of the races... first race that we saw and we totally understand the "SINKER" category. One person from the team must be in boat but some of the boats are so small you just scratch your head wondering how did they now know they were going to sink... ALL IN GOOD FUN THOUGH ! If you're in Key West near the end of May, you must put this festival on your calendar !