Key West

[MissAnnaMae]

I'm embarking on a cruise at the end of April and one of the ports will be Key West. What is there to see, Civil War-wise?

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Key West

Ft Taylor
Mallory Square (Union Monument)

That's all folks

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Key West

The Wrecker's Museum (the oldest house) is a really neat place, right on Duval St.

There's also the Fort East Martello.

And, if you have time, you'll want to head out to Dry Tortugas National Park.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Key West

You can also take a glass-bottom boat over the wrecks out there too, as my family has. You can see some of the wrecks on the bottom as you pass over them. Pretty neat.

Cheers -Johnny Lloyd

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Key West

The Wrecker's Museum (the oldest house) is a really neat place, right on Duval St.

There's also the Fort East Martello.

And, if you have time, you'll want to head out to Dry Tortugas National Park.

Isn't Dry Tortugas where Dr. Mudd was "vacationing" courtesy of the US Government? I haven't studied up on him in a while so that definitely sounds like a must-see. Thanks, everyone, for the recommendations!!

[rdr5mo]

Re: Key West

A ferry runs from Key West to Fort Jefferson, but it is a bit on the pricey side!:tounge_sm

http://www.sunnydayskeywest.com/fastcat.htm

NPS web site

http://www.nps.gov/drto/

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Key West

Ft Jefferson is 8 hours is boat time anyway you look at.....longer if the seas are up..... not including your visit time.

I was there 3 weeks ago and is was $160 for the trip to the Fort.

[Philo]

Re: Key West

Make sure to visit Fort Zachary Taylor, along with the other places already mentioned.

http://www.forttaylor.org/

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Key West

Unfortunately the Fort will be out of my itinerary this time.. boohoo We dock at 7am and leave at 1pm, how dare they cut my potential side trip so short?? But, it sounds like there is plenty else for me to see and a grand excuse to go back and visit at another time.

[Matt Caldwell]

Re: Key West

While not related, I would recc the Hemmingway house tour (if you are into lit.). I have been all over the place, and this one rates up in my top 3 of "best tours." Was there 2 years ago in July (heat is horrible, see sweat in pic) and was well worth it! Sure beats the pants off of Ripley's and the spray paint artists near the port.

[IMG][/IMG]

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Key West

Matt-
That's one of the recommended tours by the cruise line so it was already on my "must-see" list. I'm not into the bar scene, don't care for the blatantly tourist-y spots (sort of like seeing Ripley's in Gatlinburg..come on now!!) and will likely get plenty of beach time in Cozumel. Pretty sad when we go to paradise and purposely seek out historical sites!! :-)

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Key West

There's also the Audubon House on Whitehead Street, which is a nice place to spend some time.

The Mel Fisher Musem with its 17th century shipwreck goodies is also fun!

Ripley's used to be in a gorgeous old movie theater on Duval St., but has since moved -- the old theater now houses a drug store, of all ridiculous things. Last time I was there, though, they had an 1860s Vampire Killing Kit! (Ripley's, not the drug store...)

One of the members of the 6th NY picked up a pet alligator while in Florida. During their return to New York, he had it strapped to his knapsack, albeit too tightly -- the poor guy didn't survive the homecoming parade.

[YoungCampaigner]

Re: Key West

I was just in Key West last week (my second trip there). Fort Zachary Taylor is a must-see. The fort is well restored and there is a nice beach adjacent to it.