If you are looking for a sign to go to the most southern point of the continental U.S., this is it! Located just 90 miles North of Cuba and being just 8 square miles, Key West is very walkable and makes for a delightful visit. It’s beautiful, clean, colorful, artsy, and all around charming. The people are laid back and friendly.
The Conch Republic is Key West’s moniker named by it’s own community as a humorous and rebellious response to U.S. Border Patrol blockade back in 1992. I loved hearing about this and think that is a perfect representation of the spirit of the community that is the heart of Key West still felt today.
One of the first things you will hear as the sun starts to creep up in the morning, is a wake-up call from the free roaming roosters welcoming you to their corner of the world. Throughout the day we seen chickens, roosters, and chicks walking around living their best life.
What your day will look like depends on your vacation style. If you are active, there are plenty of water and outdoor activities. If you love to drink alcohol and socialize, their are a ton of bars and nightlife. There is shopping with unique to Key West, boutique style, and artsy items. History is in abundance, so many eateries line the streets and we can not forget the key lime pie.
There are a few different types of key lime pie. One has meringue piled high, if this is your jam, I’d recommend Blue Heaven. Some come frozen on a stick dipped in chocolate, if this is your jam, even if it’s not, Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe is the cutest shop and has key lime pie everything. You can also get something and go walk around if you don’t want to sit. My favorite is the traditional classic key lime pie slice which I always get from Banana Cafe.
BANANA CAFÉ
Banana Cafe is the most adorable little French cafe found on the east end of Duval st. They have a great breakfast menu and the service has always been great. They leave a bottle of water on the table and when it’s hot and humid, it’s so convenient to serve your own refills. They do draw a crowd, but the wait never seems unbearable. I’m not sure if it’s exactly considered a pet friendly restaurant, but whenever I have been there, someone has always had a dog under their table. They have outdoor seating upstairs. The building is older and the stairs are steep. If you need an accessible restaurant, this may not be the spot for you, but I just love this place.
HEMINGWAY HOME
The Hemingway Home and Museum is Ernest and Pauline Hemingway’s home that they remodeled in the 1930’s. One of the main focuses of the home is the inground pool that is said to be made of solid coral bedrock. It cost so much at the time, it is rumored Hemingway said it took his last penny and the penny is still imbedded in the stone at one end of the pool. Equally interesting are the descendants of the Hemmingway’s beloved polydactyl cat Snow White, who roam the grounds. The grounds themselves are beautiful and the home is well maintained. There is a stone fence completely surrounding the home, so if you’d like to explore the property that includes a guided tour, you’ll need to purchase tickets for $20 per person.
THE LITTLE WHITE HOUSE
Within blocks of the Hemingway house is The Little White House. Originally Navy headquarters during the Spanish-American war. In 1946 it was converted to the winter residents of President Harry Truman. He is said to have loved the home and island and consequently so have following presidents such as Roosevelt, Eisenhower, JFK, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. Thomas Edison also resided here for a short time during World War I. Private events are held here and anytime we’ve been, that seems to be the case. There is a small museum you can tour for about $23 per person.
If you are coming from the cruise port, you’ll likely pass another famous house, the Custom House Key West. At one time this massive brick building was used as a U.S. District Courthouse, post office, and was part of the Navy’s operations headquarters. It’s now a museum for the Key West Art and Historical Society. Admission was $10 per person.
Back to your sign. The most southern point of the continental U.S. has an istagramable buoy statue that has a long line of people waiting to get their shot. The oceans waves crash over the barriers so prepare to get sprinkled with saltwater and have wet shoes. Some people were saying they could see Cuba. We could be blind bats, but neither of us seen anything. It’s still cool just knowing your at the very last stop on the U.S. soil train. There is also a cheater’s trick at getting a maybe not quite as cute background, but still says you came pic. That’s outside of a bar just North maybe half a block or so and on the opposite side of the road. It’s fittingly named the Southernmost Point Bar.
I would recommend to anyone who is the least bit curious about Key West to go see it for yourself. It makes a great weekend, day trip, or cruise port stop. You can really get a lot in because of it’s small and walkable size. The weather will most likely be perfect.