Key West Hamingway House

[NKsDogWalker]

One of my ports in June is Key West. On my "bucket list" has always been a trip to visit the Hemingway House. I love American literature and I am facinated by the "Hemingway cats". Has anyone every been on the Hemingway excursion Carnival does? Should I just save the $40 and do it on my own? I kind of like the fact that there is a tour guide. Learning facts about the place I am and the history of the locations is aways fun.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

One of my ports in June is Key West. On my "bucket list" has always been a trip to visit the Hemmingway House. I love American literature and I am facinated by the "Hemmingway cats". Has anyone every been on the Hemmingway excursion Carnival does? Should I just save the $40 and do it on my own? I kind of like the fact that there is a tour guide. Learning facts about the place I am and the history of the locations is aways fun.

 

Have done the Hemmingway house three times since our Son loves the cats! Do not waste your money on the excursion. It is an easy walk from the cruise terminal along Whitehead St. to the house. You also have the option to walk around by yourself or there is a guide at the house who will escort you and tell you all the information - price is the same, so you can take the tour first and then walk around some more. Also, on the way back, you may want to stop at the "little white house" which is just off the same street (Whitehead) on the way back to the ship. Have fun!

[Sundiego]

Have done the Hemmingway house three times since our Son loves the cats! Do not waste your money on the excursion. It is an easy walk from the cruise terminal along Whitehead St. to the house. You also have the option to walk around by yourself or there is a guide at the house who will escort you and tell you all the information - price is the same, so you can take the tour first and then walk around some more. Also, on the way back, you may want to stop at the "little white house" which is just off the same street (Whitehead) on the way back to the ship. Have fun!

 

Agree with this post 110% Key West is such a walkable little town. You will love it. No need to do an excursion.

[cruisenanny]

As others have said, NO need to do the ship tour. It will be a lovely walk from the ship and admission is only $12.50 per adult and $6 per child. You can even buy your tix in advance if you want at hemingwayhome.com. We have never cruised to Key West but have done several land vacations there and the Hemingway House was a highlight:) I also recommend the Old trolley tour (you can do Hemingway and trolley tour for less than the $40), it should be a short walk from the ship and we really enjoyed it. The tix are 27.42 if you buy in advance at http://www.trolleytours.com/keywest. You can even just take the trolly to stop #5 and get off near the Hemingway house, then reboard to finish the trolley tour when you are done.

[jbhcw]

Agree with everyone...very walkable..and the Hemingway House is amazing..especially the cats...Doing the tour of the house we spotted what looked like a kitty dozing between two pillows on a bed in one of the bedrooms...we didn't think it was a real cat..but it was...Then when we walked the grounds kitties every where...I've got lots of pictures of their six toes...a great tour you can do on your own:):):)

[lillian marie]

I'd walk to it and go on my own. It is a great house tour and the cats are everywhere on the grounds. We have been there several times. Just love cats and it is an interesting tour.

[miched]

Save your money. The ship docks in Mallory Square. Everythigng is in walking distance and it is a enjoyable walk. Hemminwayis about 9 blocks away. On the way back stop at Kelly's. It is a micro brewery that has a very good happy hour. It is the original Home Pan Am Airline and now owned by Kelly McGinnis. Google Key West and you will see a map of the area.

 

You can also get a tram pass but we found it is easier to just walk instead of wasting time waiting for it. You could have walked to where you wanted to go in the time of waiting for it.

 

Dont waste time in the few stores that the ship recommends. You won't find any bargains. Too many interesting local shops.

 

 

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[mara93]

Definitely walkable from the pier.

If you don't want to walk, I would recommend City View Trolley - one of their stops is at Hemingway House. Hop off, tour the house then hop back on back to the pier or other sights. :)

Have fun.

[elcuchio24]

Do it yourself. Save $20 bucks. It's the same tour, and a smaller group if you go on your own. Short walk from the port. Fun time, the highlight of our time in Keywest.

[finsupcruiser]

One of my ports in June is Key West. On my "bucket list" has always been a trip to visit the Hemingway House. I love American literature and I am facinated by the "Hemingway cats". Has anyone every been on the Hemingway excursion Carnival does? Should I just save the $40 and do it on my own? I kind of like the fact that there is a tour guide. Learning facts about the place I am and the history of the locations is aways fun.

 

Do not do the excursion --You can easily walk to Hemingway and buy your ticket there.

 

Have been ther 3 times and love it. Each guide has some different "favorite" stories. Most are Key West natives or Conchs and are a show of their own.

Most can tell you the names of each cat

 

You might want to do Hop On Hop Off Conch train.

 

Have a great time. I love Key West:)

[welldone60]

There are now two trolley company's in Key West.

 

Old Town Trolleys

http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/mallory-square.asp

 

Cityview Trolleys

http://www.cityviewtrolleys.com/keywest/index.php

 

Cityview is cheaper and stays in the old part of key west. Old Town goes into the newer part of key west and takes longer to make the loop. Both are hop-on hop-off trolleys. We used Cityview and were happy with it.

 

Don't waste your money on the Conch Tour Train. It takes you around Key West, but you can not get on and off.

[<3 2 Cruise]

Walk to Sloppy Joes. Eat. Get on trolley, ride around to Hemingway house. Get back on the trolley, ride around to Sloppy Joes. Eat. Get back on trolley. Ride around to Kermits. Eat. Back on trolley.

 

Hmm. Wonder what my favorites in Key West might be???

[BSQ]

ditto what the others have said. Do it on your own. Although I used the City View Hop on Hop Off Trolley to get around town, I very easily could have just walked the whole area and still visited everything I wanted to. At the end of the day I felt my trolley ticket was underutilized, but it I got a lot of information about the area during the parts that I rode it.

 

On your own, you'll be able to spend some time wandering the grounds and not be herded off with a big group. The Map however, was quite useful.

 

 

I have a few pictures of the home in my Imagination Cruise photo album linked in my signature

[MickCruiser]

Just bring water when walking or peddling around as the heat and humidity can get out of control. Perhaps not as bad as Aug or Sept in June.

[Lady_Jag]

As others have said, you should do it on your own or get a trolley tour. We did it in November and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Also, Hemmingway House gives a AAA and Seniors discounts. I think you might also find a coupon for admission on their web site.

 

Enjoy!

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

On the way back stop at Kelly's. It is a micro brewery that has a very good happy hour. It is the original Home Pan Am Airline and now owned by Kelly McGinnis.

.

 

It's actually Kelly McGillis from Top Gun fame and she no longer owns it. Her second ex-husband is a silent partner in the restaurant. Food there is good, athough a little pricier than other places. Highly recommend the Top Gun margarita.

[TXSAIL]

I think this is it..Or is it ?:confused:

 

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

I think this is it..Or is it ?:confused:

 

 

No, that's not Hemmingway house. That's the art museum right by the Westin near Mallory Square. It's right accross the street from the Mel Fisher Museum.

 

This is it:

[NKsDogWalker]

Thank you all! I might do the Trolley tour (done them in Boston, NYC and Chicago). They are fun, you learn alot in a short time and I know Orlando is hot in June so I imagine Key West will be much worse so walking might be a bit much. You all are making me much more excited then I was about visiting Key West. Maybe I will surprise you all with a trip report when I return. :)

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Thank you all! I might do the Trolley tour (done them in Boston, NYC and Chicago). They are fun, you learn alot in a short time and I know Orlando is hot in June so I imagine Key West will be much worse so walking might be a bit much. You all are making me much more excited then I was about visiting Key West. Maybe I will surprise you all with a trip report when I return. :)

 

While it will probably be hot in Key West in June, just remember that it's "cooler" there than anywhere else in Florida. Many locals have told us that the rest of Florida goes down there to "cool off"! LOL

[vacruizer]

Definitely walkable to the Hemingway House if you are in any shape to walk a bit. It's a beautiful old house and the kitties are great for cat lovers. We walked to the house, toured, then walked to the southernmost point and back up to the Green Parrott. If you are interested in stopping for drinks at a "locals" watering hole that's not so touristy hit the Green Parrott. Laid back, old Key West dive. :D

[Sargent_Schultz]

We walked there. I think much better to do on your own - you can piddle and paws (sic) as much as you want.

 

Some pictures:

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/free_08/mon2.htm

 

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof! {I know not by Hemingway}

 

[bhopal21]

No, that's not Hemmingway house. That's the art museum right by the Westin near Mallory Square. It's right accross the street from the Mel Fisher Museum.

 

Actually that is the old Customs House and part of it is rented to the Key West Art and Historical Society.

 

Mike:)

[TXSAIL]

Photo of wife with Hemmingway himself..;)

 

[pauleydm]

Book the tour directly from the Hemingway House website. Or you can just pay when you get there. We did the Hemingway House, the Audubon House and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and we pre-paid for them online which save you a couple of dollars. You will love Key West:)