Your Guide to Key West Museums

Key West, Florida, attracts beach lovers, water & eco adventurers, foodies & nightlife enthusiasts, and seekers of spectacular sunsets. Visitors can also discover a confluence of history, art, and culture at our museums. Stay with Rent Key West Vacations and enjoy easy access to Key West’s museums.

Discover Key West Art, Architecture & History

Key West’s Oldest House Museum & Gardens (Circa, 1829): Visit Key West’s oldest home and surviving cookhouse. Learn the history of the house, the family, and life in 1800s Key West.

Audubon House Museum & Tropical Gardens (Circa, 1849): This museum commemorates Audubon’s 1832 visit to Key West and shares his artwork.

Key West Museum of Art & History (Circa, 1891): This museum is housed in the former Customs Offices, District Court, and Post Office. It now showcases art and exhibits highlighting local history, people, and events.

Amsterdam’s Curry Mansion (Circa, 1869 & 1901): Visit the elaborate Georgian Revival mansion and the original cookhouse.

Explore Key West Maritime Museums

Key West, located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, has a rich maritime history which can be discovered at one of these museums:

US Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum: This maritime museum is a National Historic Landmark docked in Key West Harbor.

Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters Museum: The lighthouse opened in 1848. Climb the 88 steps to the top and also tour the keeper’s quarters and its artifacts.

The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum: This museum resides in the former naval storehouse circa 1910 and contains a collection of artifacts from 17th-century shipwrecks. “Today’s The Day!”: Learn the story of Fisher and the 16-year quest to find the Spanish galleon Atocha.

Learn About Famous Key Westers

Key West has attracted presidents, artists, and authors. Visit their historic homes:

The Hemingway Home & Museum: is filled with photos, books, and antiques. Greet the six-toed cats and view the swimming pool, which was an extraordinarily rare construction feat and luxury in 1930s Key West.

Truman’s Little White House: is Florida’s only Presidential Museum and was known as the Winter White House from 1946-‘52. Constructed in 1890 as naval officers’ housing, it features artwork, photographs, antiques, and artifacts.

Tennessee Williams Museum: offers a collection of the great American playwright’s original works, photos, and memorabilia.

Meet Robert the Doll at Fort East Martello Museum: Once you have paid homage to Key West’s most renowned “haunted” resident, you are entitled to blame all of your vacation shenanigans on Robert! The museum offers art, history, and an expansive view of Key West and the ocean from the fort’s tower.

Family Vacation: Things to Do in Key West with Kids

It’s time to pack your family’s bags and head to the southernmost point in the United States for an epic Florida Keys getaway. Key West is a vibrant island paradise offering picturesque beaches, endless watersports, historic sites, fascinating museums, and plenty of activities for our youngest visitors. Discover the best things to do in Key West with kids, from snorkeling with marine life in our turquoise waters to walking among hundreds of colorful butterflies. When you are ready to book your trip, you can rest assured that Rent Key West Vacations has the perfect vacation rental for your family! Read on to learn more about our favorite experiences for families on and around the island of Key West.

Beaches & Water Activities for Families in Key West

Key West is a unique location where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico meet, which means there are unlimited ways to have fun on the water. Popular watersports include scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, fishing, jet-skiing, and paddling. Rent your equipment from local companies like Sunset Watersports and Fury Key West Watersports. And if you are looking for the best beach to take the family to, we recommend:

The Top Things to Do in Key West with Kids

After you have spent time exploring the water, shake off your sea legs and discover endless things to do in Key West with kids:

Key West Aquarium: Get up close and personal with Key West’s native marine life at the aquarium. Head to the touch tank to interact with marine life like sea urchins and conchs. There are also exhibits with sharks, sea turtles, and jellyfish where you can watch daily feedings, sign up for tours, and learn about conservation.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: This attraction allows visitors to stroll through a state-of-the-art enclosed tropical garden as 60 varieties of beautiful butterflies flutter around you.
Conch Tour Train: Sign up for a “train” ride around Old Town Key West and see the best landmarks in town. The tour is led by a local guide who will take you on a journey through time with stories of local legends and fun history.
Key West Shipwreck Museum: This is a one-of-a-kind Key West experience that will take you back to 1856 when the Isaac Allerton shipwrecked along the Florida Keys reef. The experience combines actors, films, and authentic artifacts to tell the tale of the shipwreck.
Dry Tortugas: Although technically not on Key West, this National Park is worth the extra boat trip or seaplane excursion. The park is home to historic Fort Jefferson and some of the best snorkeling in North America.
Don’t leave Key West without taking a family photo at the Southernmost Point buoy!

Spacious Key West Vacation Homes for Families

Escape to our tropical paradise and discover all the fun things to do in Key West with kids. Rent Key West Vacations offers everything you need to plan a successful family getaway with our collection of over 65 vacation rentals and convenient concierge services. Whether you want to stay in the heart of the historic district or near the beach, we have the perfect Key West vacation home for every family!

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