History comes to life on the island of Key West. Tours offer a glimpse into the rich and colorful past that will draw you in and leave you wondering, "How could such a small island have such big stories?"
Old Town Key West Tours
Old Town is the designation for the western part of the island of Key West. Tours here will take you back to the days of the aborigines (The Calusa Native Americans), the swashbucklers (driven out in the early 1800s), the Civil War (a rare, Southern Union strong hold) and writers who are integral to U.S. Literature (like Ernest Hemmingway and Tennessee Williams). With charm and architecture right out of the pages of a novel, the historic tales of the island are sure to leave you longing for a sequel.
Pirates and Shipwrecks
During the 17th century, Key West was a hot bed of pirate activity. Today, you can experience the life of a pirate at what has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in Key West. Tours of Pirate Soul Museum not only take you back in time, but also show you the largest, authentic collection of pirate artifacts under one roof. Many of those come from the most notorious swashbucklers of the Golden Age of Piracy.
However, it wasn't always pirates that led to trouble for sailing vessels in the Key West waters. Even though they make for excellent Key West snorkeling oday, treacherous coral beds beneath the surface and temperamental weather led to the demise of more than one expedition. In fact, it was this ill fate that became the backbone of the Key West economy as the wreck salvage industry emerged. The salvage and sale of the goods from wrecked ships made Key West one of the wealthiest cities in the nation. Key West tours of locations like the Shipwreck Historeum Museum will fascinate visitors to the island.
Harry S. Truman Little White House
The wealth of the city drew many influential visitors to the island of Key West. Tours of the Harry S. Truman Little White House offer a glimpse at the get-a-way of presidents. The building -- which originally served as a naval station for the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II -- was converted into a retreat by President Harry Truman in 1946. It then served as quarters for President Eisenhower as he recovered from a heart attack and President Kennedy when he hosted the British Prime Minister. The building is now open to the public and available as part of Key West tours.
Writers And Thinkers
Perhaps one of the most famous residents of Key West was writer, Ernest Hemingway. Penning A Farwell to Arms, and other key pieces of literature from the island, some of his characters are even believed to be based on friends in Key West. The descendants of his seven-toed cat are still one of the great draws on the island. Tennessee Williams, writer of a Street Car Named Desire was also a permanent resident of Key West for more than 30 years.
Many Key West hotels are located near these writers homes and other touring attractions making it easy to take in one of the many Key West tours amidst your vacation sunbathing, bar hopping or diving in Key West.
If you are looking for adventures in other scenic locales, be sure to check out Bahamas scuba diving, Bahamas dolphin swim or Cabo San Lucas fishing charters. All three are unique water experiences that are not to be missed!
