For people planning to have unforgettable vacations, Key West, Florida is the place they shouldn’t miss. How many people like to say, Key West is the beginning of the Caribbean adventure. The Key West tours offers are a tourist hot spot, however, there are several things you MUST do and see.
Multiple cultures shaped the Miami to Key West Island. But it is not just the water and water activities that attract so many tourists every year. Even if you took out all the water, Key West itself would have so many things to offer as it is one of the most charming cities in the US. Which cultures created this amazing place? Well, let’s just mention the Caribbean, African, Cuban etc which all contributed to the architecture that Key West today offers.
Miami to Key West Tours
If you want to go from Miami to Key West you basically have two options. You can either take a Miami to Key West guided tour with door-to-door service from your hotel, or you can get a Miami car rental. Of course, you can also get there by air and sea as well.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. The Key West tour option is more economical if you are a group of two fewer people. Additionally, the Key West tour allows you to enjoy the ride down without the work of having to drive yourself. On the other hand, if you are a group of four or more, it might make more sense to simply rent a car. The cost of sharing a car rental may be lower than the cost of taking a tour from Miami to Key West for groups of four or more. Additionally, the freedom of driving a rental car from Miami is undeniable, as you can stop and go as you like. Nonetheless, don’t forget to add in the additional costs of fuel, parking, and liability insurance. Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent, at the southernmost point and tip of the Florida Keys. The island is just over 90 miles from Cuba. The distance from Miami to Key West is 168 miles. By car, it will take approximately 3hours and 21 minutes to travel this distance. By taking a bus from Miami to Key West you will increase your travel time by about 30 minutes, or roughly, a total trip time to Key West from Miami of 3 hours and 51 minutes. Which isn’t really that bad when you consider it would take you 52 hours to walk there, and about 14 hours to ride a bicycle. Obviously, there are different advantages to each mode of transportation, but the most popular forms of transportation to Key West from Miami being by car and by bus. No matter which way you choose to visit Key West, our team is here to give you all your options. If you prefer to go to Key West by boat, call us at: (786) 519-2413. Nonetheless, please note that the cost of a round trip from Miami to Key West by boat will cost you over $200 per person. Obviously, if you are looking for the cheapest way to get from Miami to Key West, a bus is probably your best bet.
Key West tours have hundreds of beautiful locations and activities. But in order to get most out of Key West, it is enough if you just spend a few hours each day wandering around the streets. The best time to experience the beauty of the town is in the morning.
One of the world´s famous writers – Ernest Hemingway, lived in Key West in the 1930s while he was working on his two most famous novels. The house where he used to live for more than a decade is open to tourists. This Key West tours destination is a must for book and history lovers.
The truth is that Key West is situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It is an excellent place for many water sports such as boating, fishing, diving, snorkeling, etc. This is one of the reasons why Key West tours are an excellent place for sun lovers. A sunset sail together with snorkeling is one of our recommendations. Another great thing you should definitely do is kayak tour and some of the popular dolphin watching adventures.
After a hard day, anyone would deserve a great dinner. This is why Key West is known very well for its great dining in simple yet extraordinary restaurants with ocean views. One of the things you shouldn’t miss is their famous key lime pie.
As for many Key West tours, the sunset celebration at Mallory Square is something that shouldn’t be missed. This event happens every night. This event combines many different performers that are doing many interesting things from cat tricks to playing music. During this event, you can as well buy different types and kinds of unique art.
If you want your adrenaline to start jumping, Key West tours with ghosts are an excellent choice. These guided tours will teach you about interesting histories of the island while making you scared at the same time. For a fun night, Key West ghost tours are an excellent decision.
For world-class shopping, visiting Duval Street is a must. Here you will be able to buy anything from popular clothing to unique art. You can buy something for every family member as a souvenir, or for yourself to remember your trip to this island.
Key West Tours
Some of the most popular points of interest include the Old Town, Harry Truman’s White House, Ernest Hemingway’s house that was turned into a museum, Dry Tortugas National Park, Fort Jefferson, Mallory Square that is famous by every night’s sunset celebrations, etc. As you can see, there are many interesting things that one can experience on the island.
One thing is for sure – you will never forget your Key West Tours vacations and will want to come back for more. If you decide to do so, a bus Miami Key West line can take you here any time of the day, every day. Here are some of the important pickup points, except the Miami Airport and Miami Beach – Bal Harbor, North Beach, Brickell Ave, South Beach, and Downtown Miami, etc.
Popular tourist attractions in Key West include:
- Dry Tortugas Nested approximately 70 miles from Key West and accessible only by air and sea are the Dry Tortugas islands. The 100 square mile National Park contains 7 smaller islands and is a paradise for snorkelers containing innumerable aquatic life as well as a plethora of historical shipwrecks. The main center island is home to Fort Jefferson and rich colorful history. Beginning with the discovery of the Dry Tortugas in 1513 by Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish conquistador, explorers and merchants have traveled through the Dry Tortugas to and from the Gulf Coast. The collection of islands begins appearing on Spanish maps and charts because the route was frequently used for Spanish ships home from Veracruz, the Caribbean, or the Gulf Coast of Florida, as early as in the mid-1500s. Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect New America’s gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. Due to their low and flat geography, these islands and reefs pose a significant navigational hazard to ships passing through the 75-mile-wide straits between the gulf and the ocean. Consequently, these high-risk reefs have created a natural “ship trap” and have been the site of hundreds of shipwrecks. A lighthouse was constructed at Garden Key in 1825 to warn incoming vessels of the dangerous reefs and later, a brick tower lighthouse was constructed on Loggerhead Key in 1858 with the same purpose.
- Ernest Hemmingway House – Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote here in Key West for more than ten years. Calling Key West his home, he found tranquility and great physical challenge in the turquoise waters that surround this tiny island. The house was built in 1851 by Asa Tift, a marine architect, and salvage wrecker, and became Ernest Hemingway’s home in 1931. The house still contains the original furniture that he and his family possessed. The house was built by Asa Tift, a ship’s architect, and captain. Construction began in 1849 and was finalized in 1851. Tift later moved in 1851 with his wife Anna (Wheeler) and daughter Annie, two sons were born in 1852 and 1854. Mr. Tift lost one son in 1852 and his wife and another son in 1854 due to the yellow fever epidemic. Tift remained in the home as a widow and died in 1889.
- Harry S. Truman Little White House –With a rich and colorful history the Little White House since 1890, the Truman Little White House is a must-see. Originally, it served as the naval station’s command headquarters during the Spanish-American War, then World War I, followed by World War II. In 1946 the historic building first served as the Winter White House of President Harry S. Truman and a quickly became used as a site for the Cold War response by later presidents. Today, the Truman Little White House serves as a public, living, Key West museum and additionally as a retreat and place of government business by our nation’s leaders.
- Key West Aquarium The Key West Aquarium was the long-time dream of Dr. Van Deusen, formerly the director of the Fairmount Park Aquarium, in Philadelphia. He began construction during the Great Depression in 1933 as part of the government’s Works Progress Administration Program which had the purpose of helping to build many of the historic Key West Attractions that have historically inhabited the island to this day. Consequently, it’s construction and subsequent operation created many jobs to local Key Westers or “Conchs” as they are called nowadays, during this hard financial time where jobs were limited, and people were in want of monies in order to support their families.
- Crown Plaza Key West History, jubilant and vibrant nightlife, and tropical paradise all come together at the La Concha, located on Duval street. Throughout the years, famous authors, writers and artists such as Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams have visited this tropical island and found inspiration and contentment; and also indulging in Key West’s notoriously playful nightlife – centered on Duval Street. Explore Florida’s diverse island paradise, discover its pristine crystal clear turquoise waters and warm sublime sunshine, and learn its historic past through attractions, and architecture, La Concha is the perfect hotel to experience Key West!
- Key West Lighthouse The first Key West lighthouse was a 65-foot (20 m) tower completed in 1825. It had 15 lamps in 15-inch (380 mm) reflectors. The first keeper, Michael Mabry, died in 1832, and his widow, Barbara, became the lighthouse keeper, serving for 32 years. The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 destroyed the lighthouse; the USS Morris, which was wrecked during the storm, reported: “a white sand beach covers the spot where Key West Lighthouse stood”.
- Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage MuseumExibits: On the historical date of September 4, 1622 the Tierra Firme flota of twenty-eight ships left Havana bound for Spain. And within the bowls of these ships was carried the wealth of an empire; Silver from Peru and Mexico, gold and emeralds from Colombia, pearls from Venezuela. Each ship carried its crew, soldiers, passengers, and all the necessary materials and provisions for a successful voyage. The following day, the fleet found itself being overtaken by a hurricane as it entered the Florida straits. By the morning of September 6th, eight of these vessels lay broken on the ocean floor, scattered from the Marquesas Keys to the Dry Tortugas. In them were the treasures of the Americas, and the untold stories of scores of Spanish sailors, soldiers, noblemen, and clergy.