In spite of being a mere 5.27 sq miles in size, there are probably more than a hundred things to do in Key West. It’s is without a doubt, the most exciting and most interesting of all the Keys, which is probably why literary greats and American presidents made it their home away from home. Key West is more than just a breezy seaside resort town, it is an important part of the American cultural fabric, and there are a number of historical hot spots to check out when you’re in town.
Shipwreck Historeum Museum
The history of key west is as interesting, as it is enlightening. And one of the most interesting things to do in Key West is to take a wander through the Shipwreck Historeum Museum. You will instantly be transported in time to the mid 19th century, and invited take a journey through the mysterious period of shipwrecking. A cast of live actors, coupled with props, artifacts, and laser technology, will regale tales of the treacherous days of old, and tell you all about how shipwrecking was turned from tragedy to treasure. The shipwrecking industry was once the sole contributor to Key West’s prosperity, and a number of families were made incredibly wealthy by way of other’s suffering. This museum experience is unique, and not to be missed, so if you have a spare afternoon, come down and enjoy the show.
Harry S. Truman Little White House
As the 33rd president of the United States, President Harry S. Truman successfully concluded the second world war and saw the beginnings of what was to become the Cold War. He was one of America’s most beloved presidents, and after the war, in 1946, Truman decided to transform an 1890 naval station into a beautiful vacation home on the coast of Key West. It was reported that he spent a heft 174 days of his leisure time in the exquisite little plantation house, and the house later served as a command post during the Bay of Pigs stand-off, and a refuge for President Dwight Eisenhower after he suffered his 1956 heart attack. Many a story was told within those walls, and with all of its celebrity, it easy to see why it’s one of the most popular things to do in Key West
The Earnest Hemmingway Home & Museum
Seven novels, six short story collections, two non-fiction works, a Pulitzer prize for non-fiction and a Nobel Prize for Literature. These are not the accolades of a boring man. Earnest Hemmingway was one of the most influential novelists in American literature, and undoubtedly one of the most memorable. He flit about the globe, playing witness to some of the most historic moments in history, and his life was as rife with tragedy as it was with triumph. A visit to Key West would be no visit without paying homage to this American great, by visiting the Hemmingway Home & Museum. Wander through the halls of this remarkable home and watch the descendants of Hemmingway’s original polydactyl cat, Snowball, scamper around at will. The museum is open 365 days of the year, so be sure to squeeze it into your itinerary.
These are just a sampling of the historical things to do in Key West, there are plenty more. So if you have the itch to learn more about this unique little island, know that there are plenty of places to get your history fix.
