3 Famous Key West Attractions Worth Seeing

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Key West is a remarkably walkable island.

In fact, my partner and I walked a good part of it in one day on a trip there a few years ago. We rented a sailboat as our accommodation for a few days, and then walked or drove everywhere we wanted to go.

At about four miles long and one mile wide, Key West is just small enough to make sightseeing on foot a possibility for those who are avid walkers, but I wouldn’t suggest trying it if you aren’t used to walking long distances or have a family in tow. There are lots of other ways to get around the island as well, such as bicycles, taxis, buses, trolleys, driving yourself, etc.

Since we both love walking and had the time to spare, we spent many of our days wandering around leisurely and stopping whenever something piqued our interest. For us, this was a great way to save money and the headache of parking and logistics. We got to see a lot more of the island by meandering around its streets on foot and taking different routes each day.

Key West has plenty to see and do, even for a short stay. The island’s history and architecture are some of its biggest draws in Old Town, and many of its biggest attractions can be found in what’s known as the “Historic District.”

Below are some of the most popular attractions in Old Town and why they’re worth seeing.

Southernmost Point Buoy

It may seem strange that a big concrete marker is on the list of top sights in Key West, but this attraction is less about the actual physical marker and more about what it represents.

Key West is as far south as you can go in the United States, but this particular point on the island marks the very southernmost point in the continental United States! Standing at this spot is a pretty neat feeling, and getting a picture there just proves it.

“The massive, brightly painted buoy that marks the Southernmost Point sits on land and is visited and photographed more than most buoys. It has the ability to attract people from around the world around the clock.” — Southernmost Webcam

Based on how popular this attraction is, it seems that we all love exploring unique locations found nowhere else in the world! From this buoy, it’s only 90 miles to Cuba.

The Hemingway Home and Museum

As one of the most famous writers in the world, people have long been fascinated with Hemingway and his special connection to Key West. Here, visitors get a chance to be part of that story as they step into his home to learn more about his colorful life and his prolific body of work. Some of Hemingway’s most productive writing years were the decade he spent in Key West, having produced about 70 percent of his life’s work there.

Hemingway’s home, which is now a museum, was built in 1851 in Spanish Colonial style, but it needed extensive repairs when they first took ownership of it in 1931. As the website explains, “The massive restoration and remodeling they undertook in the early 1930s turned the home into the National Historical Landmark that thousands of tourists visit and enjoy today.”

In 2010, the home was also designated a Literary Landmark by a division of the American Library Association. Today, you can get a guided tour of the home, enjoy the gardens and grounds, admire the six-toed cats, or even host your wedding at the number one tourist attraction!

Truman Little White House

As the state of Florida’s only presidential site, the building now known as the Little White House was originally constructed on the waterfront as housing for naval officers in 1890.

Over the years, the residence has hosted a number of famous visitors including Thomas Edison, and has been used by several U.S. presidents. However, it’s best known as President Truman’s winter White House. The NPS states that “this Key West retreat gave Truman a restorative atmosphere to deal with the tumultuous events of the time.” They report that he spent a total of 175 days here during his presidency.

Today, the Little White House is open to the public as a museum, but it’s still used by some departments of the United States government for “dinners and diplomatic missions.”

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