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    Ernest Hemingway Home

    4.3 (974 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Debbie W.

    Finally...I have wanted to tour the Hemingway House for the past three visits to Key West. I am so happy the friends we were with also wanted to tour it. The line wasn't super long on a Tuesday morning in late February. The grounds are well maintained and the employees are friendly. It is so interesting to see where Hemingway lived and wrote from 1931-1939. The home and furnishings are beautiful. And you get a real sense of who he was from all the pictures and displays. It is fun to imagine the home in the 1930s with not many if any homes and busy streets surrounding it. If you are a Hemingway fan or you just want a visual on his life during the years he lived there, I recommend touring the home.

    Kelly S.

    Almost all the estate is up for grabs and you learn a little history about the house and the man, including his wives, in particular the second one who technically owned the house. On the property are 57 cats, so they are just as much a part of the tour as the house itself. Many have six toes and a few have seven toes. You get a decent view of the top of the lighthouse from one of the balconies, which was also how Hemingway found his way home many times when he indulged too much at the bar. It also has a gift shop on site. $19 for admission and includes a 30 minute guided tour. 5 stars because... cats.

    Scott W.

    I haven't read all of Hemingway's work, but I've enjoyed some of his most famous pieces, including The Old Man and the Sea, For Whom the Bell Tolls, A Farewell to Arms, and The Snows of Kilimanjaro. So I would definitely consider myself a fan. I'm also familiar with some of the more infamous incidents and accidents in his life. He was, without question, a legendary figure. Many people say that visiting the Ernest Hemingway Home is a must, and while I'm glad we went, I came away a bit underwhelmed. The guides did a reasonable job with their storytelling, but the experience didn't leave me with a deeper understanding of Hemingway as a person. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I think having more photographs or video of him actually living and working in the home might have helped connect the experience more directly to the man himself. The home itself is very well maintained. The interior is preserved in period style, which helps you imagine what daily life there may have been like. The exterior and landscaping are beautiful, and the estate is lovely to walk through. The writing studio was especially interesting to see. I do wish the second-floor walkway between the home and the studio had been restored, as it would have added another layer of authenticity. If you're a cat lover, you may have mixed feelings. There are many cats on the property, over 60, according to the guide. Most of them were lounging quietly or slowly wandering the grounds. They were very calm and tolerant of attention, but surprisingly unresponsive. While they allowed petting, they didn't seem to react much at all. As someone who enjoys interacting with cats, it felt a bit unusual. I'm glad we made the visit, but I was left wishing for a more immersive and personal connection to Hemingway himself.

    Cat
    Christy C.

    So it was an interesting place to check out. $19 per person entry seems a bit steep. Bring cash...they charge a credit card fee. We chose to do the self tour which we actually liked because we could read all the signage w/out trying to listen/keep up with tour. House was nicely organized and signage told the history nicely. A few cats inside...a whole slew outside. They were all super chill and seemed very well cared for.

    Linda V.

    Came here with my son, who really only wanted to see this place for the polydactyl cats and told me point blank he could care less about Hemingway. Admission includes the optional guided tour so when we came a little after 4 before closing, they had a guided tour that was slated to begin at 4:15. That gave me enough time to go to the restroom first, which left a bit to be desired and a shudder on walking out. There are 3 small gender neutral public bathrooms with a relatively quick line. I waited and upon one opening up to a woman who walked out without washing my hands I quickly overlooked what I just witnessed and looked for a place to set my stuff down on to do my thing. With the amount of admission $$ paid it would be helpful to at least put a hook on back of the bathroom door or a small table so that I wouldn't have to find a sliver of clean place on the TP stand to put my stuff in restroom. Our diminutive tour guide was rather difficult to hear. Although she was quite audible enough, but kind of slurred, if I could sum up an explanation for why I couldn't understand a bit of what was said throughout. I was looking forward to the writing studio but our guide completely skipped it. After the tour we were free to roam the grounds and I rejoined my son to enjoy the weather, watching the cats that are living their best life out here.

    Alli C.

    We self-guided our tour but listened into the guided tours a bit; loved experiencing this piece of history as the property is beautiful and a great view into the life of this amazing writer. I don't love cats, but the cats were so chill and friendly! Had a cuddle with Walt Disney and enjoyed seeing Betty white from a distance!

    Mathew H.

    If you're in Key West and curious about Ernest Hemingway or just love quirky historic homes, don't miss the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. This place is truly special. The moment you walk through the gates, the lush gardens with koi ponds and shaded courtyards make you feel like you've stepped into Hemingway's own world. The home's interiors are fascinating -- packed with original furniture, photos, books, and artifacts that give real insight into Hemingway's daily life. You're surrounded by pieces of history that you'd never see in a generic museum. And the best part? The guided tour. Our guide was full of stories and rich detail that you just wouldn't get from wandering alone. From the way Hemingway wrote in his studio to personal anecdotes about his time in Key West, the narrative brought the house to life. A fun extra: the famous six-toed cats! They wander the grounds and are cared for on site. They're super friendly and absolutely Instagram-worthy. Perfect for couples, families, and solo travelers alike -- especially if you like history, literature, or beautiful old homes. Highly recommend taking the guided tour to get the most out of your visit. A wonderful, memorable stop in Key West!

    Kelly R.

    I was honestly surprised the admission was $20. The guided tour tried a little too hard, focusing a lot on the affairs -- I feel like we could have learned more about other things. But honestly, the cute cats make it worth it. They steal the show every time!

    Lea D.

    I love this place and always try to stop by when I'm in key west! I'm a big fan of all the cats but just walking around the grounds is pretty, too. There was actually a wedding being set up the last time I was there and it looked like it was going to be gorgeous. There are a few rooms/etc you can view that are still set up like Hemingway had and I recommend doing one of their tours if you have time so you can hear some cool history about the house!

    Mj J.

    This was my first time in Key West and the Hemingway Home was most certainly on my list! First of all, I love history and it was so exciting to see this famous home and learn all about Hemingway's life. One of my favorite parts were the 61 cats that live on the property! They are such an integral part of the Hemingway story.

    One of approximately 60 polydactyl cats on the property.
    Nancy G.

    Here's what I knew about Ernest Hemingway before touring his home: he wrote a bunch of popular books that I never read, that were made into movies that I never saw, he is the grandfather of Margaux and Mariel, and he had/has polydactyl cats on his property. Here's what I know about Ernest Hemingway after taking the tour: Psych! I'm not going to spoil it for you, as I'm not a monster! C'mon! I WILL say this: I like it when a tour guide dishes the real dirt on a celebrity, the good, bad, and the ugly. We're all human, and we're all fallible. Tell us the good stuff! For $19 per person, you get a guided tour of the house and a small portion of the estate. After the tour, you can roam around at your leisure. You can even pet the cats, if they'll let you! The gift shop is small, but has some really nice and unique gifts in it. I bought a Key Lime scented bar of soap shaped like a cat's head, for example. Our tour guide did a great job of dishing the dirt on Hemingway, as well as weaving his history into that of Key West and some of the local businesses. I don't need to come back here for a visit, but I would, just to hear the stories. And the cats. Always for cats! 96/2025

    Sweet cat getting a drink from the fountain
    Rachel R.

    I could've stayed here FOREVER. This was my first time visiting and it was so interesting! But to be honest, the best part (for me) was the sweet kitties!! I was in heaven - I spent a lot of my time on property looking out for them and getting some pets in (if they allowed). As far as the property itself, it was so beautiful and amazingly preserved! Our guide, Rusty, was super! He was really funny, kind, and very knowledgeable - he's been employed there for many years! I would definitely recommend to be on one of his tours (which are free with your entry!) I really learned so much about Ernest Hemingway! To be able to see his writing studio was very cool too! You really could feel it when you saw it (as Rusty said!). This is totally a must if you are in town! Lots of amazing history, stories, and lots of kitties! A lot of the Polydactyl cats (famous on this property for their 6 toes) made themselves known and loved to get some love from the guests - super cool!

    Hemingway's writing room.
    Bill F.

    We were in Key West on a cruise stop, and found that the Hemingway House is a short walk from the cruise terminal. From Mallory Square, turn right on Whitehead Street, then walk about half a mile and you'll see a brick fence around the two story house. Tickets were $19, and that gets you a guided tour which takes about 30 minutes. After that, you are free to roam around the property and can take as many photos as you wish. Just don't get in the pool! You'll get to see most every room in the house, including the bedrooms, dining room, and even get to walk around the upstairs porch. There are some unique furniture pieces and lots of photos from over the years. Don't expect much A/C, so be ready for that during the summer months. If you're a cat person, you'll love the many polydactyl cats. They have extra toes, which is considered good luck on ships. Hemingway had a bunch named after various stars of the 50's and 60's, and the cats there now are their descendants. The guides will tell you which ones are friendly enough to pet. The main reason to visit here, in my opinion, is to see Hemingway's writing room. It's in a separate room right next to the house, and inside is the actual typewriter where he composed many of his most famous fictional works. Just being able to look inside is pretty amazing if you think about what was created there.

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    Ask the Community - Ernest Hemingway Home

    How much time should I allot to view?

    Based on my experience, I would say allotting about 2 hrs should give you time to purchase tickets, possibly a short wait to hang out before the next tour starts, taking the tour and a little time to walk around to take pics and visit the gift shop.… Read more

    Can this place be rented out and if so, what would the cost be?

    Yes! They have events at the location, and its a nice space, its a very laid back venue, with some grass and wood chips kind of flooring on the other side. When I went, there'd been a private wedding the night before. As far as prices and what it… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Ernest Hemingway Home

    We never bore of Ernest Hemingway's Key West home & menagerie of 6 toed cats, I've been here more than a half a dozen times.

    Mentioned in 56 reviews

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    Ghost Key West

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    4.6(7 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    During the Sloan's Key West Ghost Hunt in the city, we learned about Robert the Doll who was…read morebrought to the island as a gift to some kid and that kid basically was mesmerized by said doll. Who knew dolls could be so big? Anywho, it was interesting enough for us to visit said doll and sign up for the 2nd tour bearing the Sloan name. This one was conducted at East Martello Museum, an old Civil War fort which surprisingly dates back to the 1860's. Our tour was conducted by local author David Sloan. He literally wrote the book on Robert the Doll, which you can buy on this tour and around the city. He also wrote other Key West ghostly tales like Haunted Key West, Ghosts of Key West and The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook ("limes have to die for this delicious pie" may or may not be words used in that book). David is a masterfully engaging storyteller who explains the history of Robert as well as the ol' Civil War Fort known now as the East Martello Museum, which sits at the entrance to the Key West Airport. Equipped with one Dowsing Rod and an EMF Reader that lights up when spirit energy is nearby, we wandered around the fort, into dark hallways, trying to bring out some spirits. People occasionally got hits (red and orange) but mine stayed green so spirits must be avoiding me like the gals did in high-school. The tour ends with everyone sitting around a glass case containing Robert the Doll. He's the main attraction. Great storytelling by David as some sounds are heard on the thingy that plays sounds (I forget the name). There were tales of people taking pictures of the doll or disrespecting the doll having horrible things happen to them. It was believable enough for us NOT to take pictures or whip it out and taunt the doll. I did take a picture of the poster of Robert the Doll though. The only thing bad that happened was my Windows PC rebooted on me without asking! Ugh! There's an extra add-on to stay afterwards to explore the fort on your own. We did not participate, but a few on our tour did. I haven't heard from them since! Should you go? Yes! It was interesting and informative and captivating. You can tell David has a passion for telling this tale and the stories of the fort and all things spooky. He's as Key West as a chicken crossing the road.

    The guy that did our tour was amazing! So much fun, looking forward to going back again! Enjoyed…read morehearing all about Robert the Doll and seeing him!

    Photos
    Ghost Key West  - Cool art during the tour

    Cool art during the tour

    Ghost Key West
    Ghost Key West

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    Ernest Hemingway Home - museums - Updated May 2026

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