Top Ten Attractions in Key West!

Top Ten Attractions In Key West, Florida You Probably Never Heard Aboout!
By: Barbara Weibel

I’ve been visiting Key West for years. Like most people, I did all the normal tourist things on my first few visits. I walked from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic along Duval Street; stopped into Sloppy Joe’s bar to soak up the atmosphere Hemingway so loved; set foot on the southernmost point in the US. and tried to make out Cuba, just 90 miles away; spent an afternoon the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory; toured Hemingway’s house; climbed 88 steps to the top of the Key West Lighthouse for a bird’s eye view of the island; took the Conch Tour Train to learn some local lore; wandered around the historic Seaport district; and attended the daily ‘Sunset’ celebration at Mallory Square.
While all of the above are worthwhile and certainly should be done at least once, over the years I have discovered many other things to do that are just as fascinating as the hyped activities. The following is my list of the top ten Key West attractions that you probably never heard about but are absolutely worth a visit:
Little White House at Truman Annex

Little White House at Truman Annex

Historical photo of Truman family at Little White House, 1948
Eisenhower had Camp David and George Bush has Kennebunkport, but when President Harry Truman wanted to relax he came to Key West. Truman spent 11 working vacations in Key West, staying at a sprawling white clapboard house on the south side of town that eventually became known as the Little White House. The restored home, now a living museum, offers a fascinating glimpse into history beginning in 1890, when it initially served as the command headquarters of the naval station during the Spanish American War, through the World War I and World War II years.
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Truman Annex, Key West
This relatively new educational facility has more than 6,400 square feet of exhibits, including a 74-seat movie theater, which screens an excellent 20-minute film on the underwater ecosystems of the Keys. Other displays include an interactive map of the Keys that shows the location of shipwrecks, coral reefs, and historic forts; a replica of the Aquarius underwater laboratory; an underwater video camera that allows guests to observe coral spawning, assess damage from a boat grounding or monitor the health of a coral reef; and a baby conch farm. Admission is free!
Heritage House Museum & Robert Frost Cottage

Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage
Hemingway wasn’t the only writer to fall in love with Key West. Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder, Gloria Swanson, Sally Rand, and Robert Frost are among the more famous literary figures that have been drawn to its shores. Robert Frost spent many winters in a cottage in the garden at what is now the Heritage House Museum. Visitors can sit in the same flowering tropical garden and listen to recordings of Robert Frost reading his poetry.
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Treasure hunter Mel Fisher, ever the eternal optimist, arose each morning declaring, “Today is the day.” His perseverance paid off when, after 18 years of searching, he discovered the wreck of the Spanish galleon Atocha in 1985. The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum displays many of the items from the Atocha, including ropes of pure gold and fist-sized emeralds, as well as artifacts from numerous other salvaged shipwrecks around the world.
Key West Cemetery
This intriguing graveyard is tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood on the west side of Old Town. Established in 1847 following the disastrous hurricane of October 11, 1846, its headstones read like a historical who’s who of Conchs. The wealthy and prominent ordered fancy stone monuments to mark their graves, while those of modest means placed grave markers of brick, cement or tile. Symbols on the graves provide insight into a person’s career, family life, participation in the community, and personal sentiments. The Historic Florida Keys Foundation has produced a Key West Cemetery Map & Self-Guided Tour that is an invaluable source of information for a walking tour of the site.
Fort East Martello Museum

Fort Martello and Tower East

Within the restored fort, displays chronicle the economic ups and downs of Key West
The displays at Fort Martello Tower East, one of three historic forts in the Key West, tell of the industries that alternately made Key West the richest city in Florida (shipwrecking, cigar making) and the poorest (sponge harvesting). The three story brick citadel in the center of the restored fort holds a collection of sculptures by Stanley Papio, known locally as “the dynamic junkman.” Papio welded together scrap metal from junk autos, appliances, beds and other discarded iron and steel to create his unique sculptures, which often represented actual people, animals or objects, and then displayed them in his front yard. Since his death, Papio’s pieces have become recognized as culturally important American artworks.
Fort West Martello Gardens

Lush tropical gardens at Fort Martello West are a lovely place for quiet reflection

The interior Citadel, surrounded by tropical plantings
Originally meant to be a twin to East Martello, this fort was never completed. By 1949, the dilapidated structure was an eyesore and would have been razed but for the intervention of the Key West Garden Club. Although still undergoing restoration, the West Martello Tower is now one of Key West’s most beautiful sites. Stroll past native and exotic trees and plants, including blooming orchids and bromeliads, all of which have been creatively planted around the original vaulted brick ceilings, partially completed central Citadel, and gun mounts. And since this fort is located in the center of Higgs Beach, it provides a cool, shady escape from the mid-day heat. Admission is free, although donations for the ongoing restoration are gladly accepted.
Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas

Aerial view of Garden Key, largest of the seven Dry Tortugas Islands. Photo courtesy of National Park Service.
Yet another in the series of forts that were originally constructed to protect against piracy, Fort Jefferson is located 68 miles west of Key West, on Garden Key, one of the seven coral reef islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park. Fast ferries provide access to this remote site, leaving daily from Key West’s historic Seaport. Once on the island, visitors are free to wander the grounds of the fort and lighthouse, take a 45-minute tour of the facility provided by the Park Service, or hit the stunning beach, where snorkeling in the crystal clear waters is a favorite activity.
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens

Audubon House houses 28 original bird sketches by the famous naturalist
Named for John James Audubon, world renown ornithologist, this house was the first ever to be restored in Key West. During his visit to Key West in 1832, Audubon drew 18 new birds for his “Birds of America” folio. It is believed that many of those drawings were conceived in the Audubon House garden. In addition to displaying 28 first edition Audubon works, the The 19th-century home contains furnishings that would have been found in a prosperous Key West home during the 1800’s.
Pan American Airlines Original Headquarters

Sign tells brief history of the original headquarters of Pan Am Airways

Original headquarters of Pan American Airways is now Kelly's Restaurant, which offers delicious alfresco dining
Aviation buffs will want to visit the original home of Pan Am airlines. Although the building now houses Kelly’s Bar & Restaurant (started by the actress Kelly McGillis), numerous Pan Am artifacts are scattered around in display cases and the owners have been true to the airline theme. The bar is shaped like an airplane wing and ceiling fans look like the rotary engines of an airplane. Coops hanging over the bar are the original ones that held homing pigeons that were released when the plane reached its final destination, signaling the folks back home that it had landed safely. As an added bonus, the food at Kelly’s is fabulous, so it is a great mid-day break from touring, or end-of-the-day final pit stop.
Key West is a fun-filled destination where history mingles with revelry. Every time I think I have seen everything it has to offer, it surprises me with another intriguing discovery.

The Home buying process in the Keys

Information unique to buying a home in the Florida Keys”

As you may be aware, the environment that makes the Keys so attractive to thousands of people is a fragile environment the requires considerable attention to protect its health and beauty. This fact has created a requirement for close management of all activities that have or might have negative impact on the environment now or in the foreseeable future. The result is a number of "unique to the Keys" regulations and procedures concerning property ownership. They are provided for information purposes of broaden your understanding of what
is invalided when purchasing property in the Keys.

Flood Insurance:
The buyer must determine the insurability of the property against flood damage by seeking the advice of a qualified insurance agent. Structures built before January 1, 1975 (pre-firm) are subject to rules governing substantial and non-substantial improvements to pre-firm structures which may
limit the reconstruction, rehabilitation or addition
to the pre-firm structure. Structures built after January 1, 1975 that has enclosures below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) are typically not habitable. The existence of habitable space below the BFE may require demolition or an increase in insurance premium. Buyers should contact the Monroe County Federal Emergency Management Coordinator or the City of Key West, City of Key Colony Beach, City of Layton, City of Islamorada and City of Marathon to ascertain how these rules may impact on the
property of interest.

Coastal Barrier Resources
System Act (CBRS):
Certain properties in Monroe County may be affected by the Federal Coastal Barrier Resources System Act or proposed amendments. For information contact the United States Department of the Interior, the Monroe County Planning Department or your legal representative. Property so designated is not eligible for federally subsidized flood insurance as well as other benefits.

Land Use Disclosure:
Due to the unpredictable and constantly changing status of the municipal, county and state regulations for property developments in Monroe County each buyer should contact the appropriate local government department(s) to determine how the subject property may be affected by the Comprehensive Plan and the action necessary to ensure compliance with the plan. Additionally, a property may be affected by restrictive covenants in the form of deed restrictions, Homeowners Association Rules & Restrictions, etc. Every Buyer needs to inquire about them. They also should inquire into state and local governmental zoning and land use regulations and restrictive covenants to determine whether the subject property is in compliance with all state and local government laws, codes and ordinances, and restrictive covenants.

Monroe County Growth Management Division, 305-289-2500
Key Colony Beach Building & Zoning, 305-289-0247
City of Key West, 305-295-1000
City of Layton, 305-664-4667
City of Islamorada 305-664-2345
City of Marathon, 305-289-2501

Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan:
The use of the property may be affected by the Land Use Plan, enacted September 15, 1986, revised 1/96 with subsequent revisions due every five (5) years hence or the availability of utilities and sewage disposal now or in the future. The transient rental of single-family residences in I.S. districts has been questioned by Monroe County and regulation by Local or State government may restrict such rentals in certain areas. Properly functioning septic tanks are the minimum permissible on site sewage disposal systems (OSDS). An allocation ordinance exists which limits the number of building permits issued for residential dwelling units. Prior to signing a contract, seek legal counsel or consult with the Monroe County Planning and Zoning Departments. Monroe County is an area of State Critical Concern that heightens the degree of regulation by the State of Florida.

City of Key West Land Use:
The City of Key West has debated the definition of vacation rentals and implementation of legislation to regulate, license, permit or prohibits within the City limits of Key West. If a Buyer is considering renting their property they should discuss the status of this issue with the Key West Planning Dept. to understand its impacts on the Buyer's proposed use of the property.

Non-Conformities:
Structures and uses that do not conform to uses provided for in the land use category that the property or use is located in are considered non-conforming. Such uses and structures are currently allowed to continue but they are not allowed to be expanded, enlarged or continued if substantially destroyed (more than 50% of the value of the structure). Zoning together with the uses provided there under which do not conform to the future Land Use Designations are considered non-conforming. Furthermore, non-conformities are jeopardized if abandoned. Buyers should to seek legal counsel or consult with the Monroe County Planning and Zoning Department to determine whether a property is non-conforming today or may be in the future.

Radon Gas:
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that, when it has accumulated in a building in sufficient quantities, may present health risks to persons who are exposed to it over time. Levels of radon that exceed federal and state guidelines have been found in buildings in Florida. Additional information regarding radon and radon testing may be obtained from your county public health unit. Pursuant to 404.056(8), Florida Statutes.

Energy Efficiency Rating:
The Purchaser may have the Energy Efficiency Rating of the building determined at buyers expense by a person certified by the Department of Community Affairs.

Concrete Disclosure:
Various concrete structures in the Keys have been found to contain excessive levels of Chloride. This has caused a condition known as spalling which results from the rusting and expansion of steel rebar which reinforces the concrete.

Sewage Disclosure Form:
The City of Marathon and unincorporated Monroe County have taken steps to upgrade to central sewer systems. For questions regarding the timing of the upgrades or estimated hook-up fees, contact:
Monroe County Health Department
3333 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050
(305) 289-2450 -OR- City of Marathon
10045-55 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050
(305) 743-0033

Lead Base Paint Warning:
For homes, apartments or condominiums built prior to 1978. Every purchaser of any interest in residential real property on which a residential dwelling was built prior to 1978 is notified that such property may present exposure to lead from lead-based paint that may place young children at risk of developing lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in young children may produce permanent neurological damage, including learning disabilities, reduced intelligent quotient, behavioral problems and impaired memory. Lead poisoning also poses a particular risk to pregnant women. The seller of any interest in residential real property is required to provide the buyer with any information on lead-based paint hazards from risk assessments or inspections in the seller’s possession and notify the buyer of any known lead-based paint. A risk assessment or inspection for possible lead-based paint hazards is reconverted prior to purchase