superduper123 Posted February 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I have never been to Key West. We are docked from approximately noon until 5pm. I want to do/see something that is unique to KW, and that I won't find in other ports, (unlike dolphins, paddle board, snorkel, kayak etc.) What is the best use of my time as a tourist for a few hours? How much of this is walking distance? Or should I plan on transportation? Thanks for any suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keywester33 Posted February 2, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 2, 2017 What is unique about Key West is our walkable historic district full of beautiful homes, shops, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent local seafood worth sampling. The best use of time for a short visit in my opinion is to walk around and explore. Everything is walking distance from either the dock or where you will be dropped off if docking at the Navy Mole pier. If you go to this sites sister site, TripAdvisor, you will see a list of top attractions so you can see if anything specific interests you. Truman's Little White House, The Lighhouse and Hemingway's home are three of the more popular sites. You can also take a tour on the Conch Train or one of the hop on hop off Trolleys. Cityview Trolley is a good choice if you're interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superduper123 Posted February 2, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted February 2, 2017 What is unique about Key West is our walkable historic district full of beautiful homes, shops, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent local seafood worth sampling. The best use of time for a short visit in my opinion is to walk around and explore. Everything is walking distance from either the dock or where you will be dropped off if docking at the Navy Mole pier. If you go to this sites sister site, TripAdvisor, you will see a list of top attractions so you can see if anything specific interests you. Truman's Little White House, The Lighhouse and Hemingway's home are three of the more popular sites. You can also take a tour on the Conch Train or one of the hop on hop off Trolleys. Cityview Trolley is a good choice if you're interested. This is excellent, thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT Sean Posted February 3, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Wandering is what I'd also recommend for a first timer with limited on-island time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_krynicki Posted February 3, 2017 #5 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I have never been to Key West. We are docked from approximately noon until 5pm. I want to do/see something that is unique to KW, and that I won't find in other ports, (unlike dolphins, paddle board, snorkel, kayak etc.) What is the best use of my time as a tourist for a few hours? How much of this is walking distance? Or should I plan on transportation? Thanks for any suggestions! If you did one of the self-guided walking tours you'd see Key West unique things and discover others in between stops. The Pelican Path walking tour is good since it begins at Mallory Square ---> https://oirf.org/page.php?p=pelican Pjk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvery Seas Cruiser Posted February 4, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 4, 2017 As a frequent visitor to Key West, some things I find unique there include the Historic Schooner Wharf docks. That entire dock area is very picturesque and has a variety of restaurants, some better than others. Another unique site is the Fisher museum of treasure which has many artifacts found from Spanish ship wrecks off Florida Keys' shores, notably the Atocha. If more modern history is your thing, the Truman Winter White House offers tours that take you back to late forties and early fifties lifestyles and decor. Also the Hemmingway House is a very popular tour. Don't miss their six-toed cats that roam freely there. I have also enjoyed Conch Train tours because they give you an interesting once over of the Old Town Key West providing a taste of the special architecture and tropical vegetation of the area. Others prefer the on-off trolleys because, unlike the Conch Train, you are free to leave the trolley at given places and get back on later. Lastly, don't miss a taste of key lime pie somewhere because it is the home of key lime pie. It is a shame to go top Key West and not try some. My favorite is key lime pie dipped in chocolate. True "free-range" roosters, hens and chicks populate the streets and by ways of Key West. They just go where they want when they want. Have your camera ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superduper123 Posted February 4, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted February 4, 2017 More great suggestions, thanks everyone! Can't wait to check out Key West! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckygurl1227 Posted February 5, 2017 #8 Share Posted February 5, 2017 We have a large group going in July and these are some great ideas! Thanks for the tips everyone!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefffrompawpaw Posted March 13, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 13, 2017 As a frequent visitor to Key West, some things I find unique there include the Historic Schooner Wharf docks. That entire dock area is very picturesque and has a variety of restaurants, some better than others. Another unique site is the Fisher museum of treasure which has many artifacts found from Spanish ship wrecks off Florida Keys' shores, notably the Atocha. If more modern history is your thing, the Truman Winter White House offers tours that take you back to late forties and early fifties lifestyles and decor. Also the Hemmingway House is a very popular tour. Don't miss their six-toed cats that roam freely there. I have also enjoyed Conch Train tours because they give you an interesting once over of the Old Town Key West providing a taste of the special architecture and tropical vegetation of the area. Others prefer the on-off trolleys because, unlike the Conch Train, you are free to leave the trolley at given places and get back on later. Lastly, don't miss a taste of key lime pie somewhere because it is the home of key lime pie. It is a shame to go top Key West and not try some. My favorite is key lime pie dipped in chocolate. True "free-range" roosters, hens and chicks populate the streets and by ways of Key West. They just go where they want when they want. Have your camera ready. So where are a few places you would recommend for Key Lime pie? I've been to KW one other time and I recommend a good spot to visit for a photo op is the Southern most point of Continental US Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrigley80 Posted March 15, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 15, 2017 So where are a few places you would recommend for Key Lime pie? I've been to KW one other time and I recommend a good spot to visit for a photo op is the Southern most point of Continental US Definitely go to Kermits Key Lime shop for Key Lime Pie Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hannibal54 Posted March 16, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Duval St. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corfe Mixture Posted March 25, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 25, 2017 We normally go to Key West for three or four days before our cruises out of PE but have never visited on a cruise ship. Subject to that limitation, if you don't feel up to the walk, my suggestion would be to take the Ho-ho trolley tour. Not only will you get a commentary with a tour of Key West, but there is also a stop (Stop 5 I think) which is very close to Hemmingway's House. https://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/hop-on-hop-off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted March 26, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 26, 2017 If you decide to take a trolley tour I would recommend http://www.cityviewtrolleys.com Their equipment is much more comfortable with padded seating and more than $9 cheaper pp than Old Town Trolley. Both follow basically the same route and you can pick up either right as you walk onto Front St. Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquility Base Posted March 30, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Thanks for the suggestions everybody, those will certainly help plan our day. We are there early August and we are leaving before sunset. Any recommendations for a nice place for a drink around 4pm on a Tuesday which is not too far away from the ship ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corfe Mixture Posted April 4, 2017 #15 Share Posted April 4, 2017 (edited) If you decide to take a trolley tour I would recommend http://www.cityviewtrolleys.com Their equipment is much more comfortable with padded seating and more than $9 cheaper pp than Old Town Trolley. Both follow basically the same route and you can pick up either right as you walk onto Front St. Mike:) I appreciate that, although I visit reasonably regularly, you are based in Key West and clearly know the area better than I do. However, am I not correct in thinking that, whilst both tours cover basically the same 'tourist sights' route, and, for folks visiting on Cruise Ships, as the OP is, it is fair to say that the City View route does not waste time vising the hotel district, in the case of anyone planning to stay in Key West it is important to note that, if you are in a hotel on either N or S Roosevelt Boulevard, then it is only the OTT which has stops near to your hotel? Edited April 4, 2017 by Corfe Mixture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted April 4, 2017 #16 Share Posted April 4, 2017 It is correct that City View Trolley confines itself to Old Town Key West and does not travel to the area mentioned. Most tourist prefer to stay in the Old Town area where most everything is easily walkable and they don't have to take transportation each time they leave their lodging. Using the sightseeing trolleys as a form of transportation can get quite expensive in Key West. Hopefully the city fathers can see to lift their restrictions on Uber and Lyft in the near future which will help greatly. Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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