Is this ultimate touristy? Sure thing. Is there also a line to wait in to get your picture? Also,…read moreyes. But get there earlier in the day and it's much shorter before the cruise ships come by! The line moved fast and I think they'd done a little building up around the tourist attraction since I last visited in 2014. I say stop if you're ever in Key West!

So I normally write long and detailed reviews, but this one will just be a quick one so I can…read morereview my recent 2026 vacation while the memories are still fresh! You might have to endure a long line to take a picture of yourself, posing with this large buoy, but the line goes fast and there's plenty to do around the buoy, including food trucks, restaurants, and shopping. Get your picture in and enjoy knowing that you are at the southernmost point in the United States!

When you like weird and unusual stops like I do when you travel, then be sure to make a stop here…read more Standing in front of you will be an almost 20 foot high conch shell. Its location is at Key West High School and the local mascot is called the Fighting Conch. This fitting conch shell is truly a symbol of the city of Key West and makes for a fun stop and photograph.

YES, ITS A GIANT CONCH…read more.. We finally got the chance to devour the unmatched beauty of the Giant Pink Key West Conch at the Key West High School. The mascot for the school is properly named "The Fighting Conch" It surely brings attention to the school for every visitor driving thru Key West. During the pic, a rooster walked by to say hello which is very common in Key West.

My vacationing motto? Do all the stupid touristy ish, then do what the locals do…read more Therefore, a stop at the 0 Mile marker on the corner of Whitehead and Fleming is a must do when in Key West. We went at night and had the sign all to ourselves for about 10 minutes before another group of tourists showed up. The photos are funny and we can now say, "We did it!". Good on us. 114/2025

Another fun local photo op at Mile Marker 0. However, I chose to utilize photo editing to remove…read moremyself from the photo (with the exception of my disembodied hand on the signpost!)

It's definitely a must visit when you're in Key West. Luscious greeneries all over the property…read more Keep an eye on the six-toe cats all around. Some of them occupy the cat house that looks like the Hemingway house itself. Very cute. The gift shop is at the back. You can find some cats there too. Very friendly and helpful staff

If you're visiting Key West, the Hemingway House is practically a required stop, but your mileage…read moremay vary depending on what brings you here. We went during the off-season, so we didn't have to wait long for our tour to start or stand in any real line to get in. By the time we were leaving, though, we noticed a small line starting to form. Personally, I wouldn't wait more than five minutes to get inside unless you're a die-hard Hemingway scholar. The tour itself is totally fine, you get to walk through his small, modest home (which thankfully has air conditioning) and check out some historical memorabilia from his life and writing career. It's neat, but straightforward. Honestly, it seems like most people visiting are just cat people, and fair enough, the grounds are littered with six-toed cats, and they are indisputably the real star attraction of the property. On a side note: after our visit, Ernest Hemingway actually appeared to me in a dream. He made a direct request, asking if I could bring him some Krispy Kreme doughnuts because he is utterly exhausted from people bringing him Dunkin' Donuts. I told Papa I'd do what I could, but if there's a long line at the drive-thru, he's out of luck, I'm strictly not waiting in lines on this vacation.

Bronze statue of Bishop Albert Kee in seen blowing a conch shell in front of the temporary spot of…read morethe recent replica Southernmost Point buoy. The sculptor Tom Joris lives in Bahama Village and built the statue in 2015 in honor of the beloved "Conch Ambassador" Bishop Albert Kee. The statue is surrounded by random pieces of art by local artists.

This bronze statue is located right next to the Southernmost Point landmark at the corner of…read moreWhitehead and South Street. It's a nice remembrance of the history of the town and the struggles that some of their residents had to endure decades ago. The statue, erected in March 2015, celebrates the life of Bishop Albert Kee, a preacher, businessman, and Key West's official ambassador of goodwill. Each day, Bishop Kee could be seen at the Southernmost Point, greeting the Conch Train with a cheerful wave and toot on a conch shell. He educated visitors about the origins of conch and various uses for conch meat and also explained how Key West's natives came to be called Conchs. Bishop Kee, and his father before him, left a 50-year legacy of welcoming all who visited the Southernmost Point and popularized conch blowing. More important, they were emissaries of the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community that had made Key West unique since its inception. Bishop Kee witnessed the Southernmost Point evolve into a spot that thousands of tourists flock to for their photos. And he was there when the old wooden southernmost billboard was replaced with the oversized buoy proclaiming that it is the southernmost point in the continental United States. The buoy design originated from a large floating buoy that marked the entrance to the Black Beach. A number of years prior to this, President Harry Truman took a big step in support of equal rights when he ordered that the military become desegregated. His orders were interpreted to mean that desegregation applied only to military personnel. President Dwight D. Eisenhower took this a step further and desegregated the entire military.The historic Black Beach could not be returned to the community since a large portion of it was now a military base with Navy housing built along the adjacent shores. However, as a gesture to the community, the city built a large community pool and community center at the edge of Bahama Village. The pool was situated to look over the beaches that were once Black Beach and toward the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It had ground level space for community gatherings and was open to all. The pool is currently called the Martin Luther King Community Center and is located at 300 Catherine Street in Bahama Village.

Last day in Key West and we finally made it to the Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters…read moreMuseum. So glad we did. It was an excellent visit. The entire site is beautifully maintained. If you go, make sure you climb to the top. The view is spectacular and absolutely worth the steps. The lighthouse keeper's house and surrounding grounds are first rate and give you a real sense of what life was like more than 100 years ago. There are numerous displays explaining both the daily work and the technology required to keep the lighthouse operating. It's informative without feeling overwhelming. A must-visit when you're in Key West.

the only lighthouse in USA entirely within city limits…read more Visitors can climb 88 iron steps, explore the restored Keeper's Quarters, and view maritime artifacts. Originally built in 1825, the current structure was completed in 1848 and raised in 1894 to reach 100 feet. The view from the top is considered one of the best in Key West. One of the highest points in Old Town, the lighthouse offers unmatched panoramic views and the chance to enjoy Key West's legendary sunset in peaceful privacy; far from the crowded Mallory Square

A must see while in Key West!…read more It's quiet, serene, beautiful place to just sit among lush garden and watch the sea. So many amazing views and benches available to sit and just relax. It's free, but they do request a donation that is voluntary! There was a kind woman sitting at the desk who gave us a map, and explained their history briefly. It's a beautiful place to stop in and visit, with their butterfly garden and orchid arbor stealing the show. Bathrooms were very clean as well.

This garden is also called "Key West Gardens at Fort West Martello", free entry, free street…read moreparking and run by volunteer, donation are welcome. It's a well maintain garden in the Martello Fort, the volunteer lady was very helpful and friendly. Pretty place with lot of orchid and a small butterfly garden, very relaxing walk and there are picnic tables and benches. Every corner of the garden is a beautiful spot for photographers

I don't know what impact AIDS has on Key West these days but there is this AIDS memorial to…read morerecognize people that have passed away to AIDS that have lived here, worked here or visited here. It's located directly along the path into the White Street Pier; not very large but its worth taking notice, not because it's overly impressive but to recognize these victims of this terrible disease. There are many many names etched into the granite memorial and if you know of someone that you feel deserves to be added, you can submit a name for nomination. They add names yearly.

It's a very stressful experience to visit the Key West AIDS Memorial. It's a gorgeous looking…read morememorial but looking at all those names of the deceased, for the most part young, a few of whom I knew, brought tears to my eyes. Worse it remains unfinished as HIV victims are still dying. The memorial has been enlarged twice and names are still been added. The Key West AIDS Memorial was built with private funds and donated to the City of Key West in 1997. At that time not only was Key West battling an epidemic few people understood, but it was also becoming a refuge for hundreds of people who were diagnosed elsewhere but felt they could not remain at home in what many considered to be hostile environments. So they moved to Key West, which drove the "real" numbers much higher and put an overwhelming strain on the medical resources of the tiny island community. I might add that the Key West AIDS Memorial was the first municipal memorial to AIDS victims in the world.

Wow , lots of things have changed! First, they have barricaded it so that you don't just sit on the…read moreedge of the floor, hanging your feet in the ocean (ofcourse it's dangerous) This popular town square, adjacent to excellent dining and lively bars, is home to one of Key West's longest-running traditions. Perched on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico (or America?), Mallory Square hosts Key West's Sunset Celebration every evening of the year. Same suggestion: Arrive at Mallory Square 2 hours prior to sunset to see the celebration kicking off. Street performers spread themselves out across the square. You'll have the chance to listen to live music, be amazed by magicians and illusionists, or laugh at the antics of clowns. Enjoy an ice cream as you walk around or pick up some local street food from the food carts that occupy part of the square. As the sun gets closer to the horizon, all eyes turn toward the gulf. Position your group in a good spot to see pink and red tones flood the sky as the sun disappears. Take a photo to remember the occasion. Parking: its $6/hr- street or garage, so plan for it, especially on weekends, or you can be late for sunset have

So I normally write long and detailed reviews, but this one will just be a quick one so I can…read morereview my recent vacation while the memories are still fresh! So obviously I am going to give this Key West cultural landmark and plaza 5 stars because IT SHARES MY NAME!! Like many others have said, this is a tourist hot spot with lots of beachy shopping, restaurants, and museums. My dad made sure to take lots of photos of me by my namesake plaza while we visited Key West on family trips back when I was a kid. I wasn't so enthused to pose back then but I am now as an adult!! Mallory isn't a common name so I have a biased opinion of anything or anyone that is named Mallory. I can't wait to come back and get even more time in MY square! :)