Key West, Florida: Ten Places I Recommend for Fun

Key West, Florida is my favorite place to visit. Located at the southern tip of Florida at the bottom of chain of islands called the Florida Keys, Key West is a beautiful island with plenty of sand, sun, and shopping. Here is a list of my 10 favorite things to do in Key West:

1) Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square-
Every evening at sunset, the tourists descend on an area called Mallory Square to view the glorious Key West sunsets and to sample the local culture of the Conch Republic. Vendors and performers provide plenty of entertainment for tourists before and after the sun sets.

2) Hemingway House-
When in Key West, you absolutely must visit the home of Ernest Hemingway. Located at 907 Whitehead Street, Hemingway lived here and wrote for ten years. Visitors can tour the house and the grounds and learn more about this influential writer. Over 60 cats descended from Ernest Hemingway's famous six- toed cats still roam the property. The Hemingway House also provides wedding services for couples seeking a beautiful and historic setting for their wedding.

3) Captain Tony's Saloon-
Located at 428 Greene Street, Captain Tony's is actually the original Sloppy Joe's where Hemingway spent his afternoons while he lived in Key West from 1928-1938. There is another Sloppy Joe's on Duval Street that is a lot of fun too, but if visitors want to sit in the same bar as the famous writer, then Captain Tony's is the place.

4) Mel Fisher Museum-
The Mel Fisher Museum is filled with treasures---literally. The museum is filled with the items found by treasure hunter Mel Fisher. Tour rooms filled with jewels and coins from sunken Spanish ships. The museum is located at 200 Greene Street.

5) Key West Cemetery-
Located at Margaret and Angela Streets in the heart of Old Town Key West, the Key West Cemetery is an eerie experience. The cemetery was constructed in 1847 in the present spot after the earlier cemetery near the southernmost point was compromised due to a hurricane. The cemetery is surrounded by a wrought iron fence and features above ground tombs and countless statues. Although the artistry of the cemetery can be appreciated during the day, when you walk past the cemetery at night, you'll certainly feel a chill.

6) Smathers Beach-
One of the few beaches in Key West that actually has plenty of room to sunbathe, Smathers Beach is a great place to bring the entire family to enjoy the beauty of the island for a day of fun in the sun. Smathers Beach is located on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

7) Duval Street-
Visitors absolutely must experience Duval Street. Whether you spend the day shopping in one of the many stores that line the street or spend the night visiting the endless bars and doing the famous "Duval Crawl," Duval Street is a staple for tourists in Key West.

8) Harry S. Truman Little White House-
Located at 111 Front Street, this charming house was the vacation home of Truman while he was President. The home also housed Thomas Edison during World War I and served as a meeting place for presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower. Visitors can tour the house and learn more about its history.

9) Southernmost Point-
On the corner of Whitehead and South Street is the southernmost point in the United States. Tourists flock here to take pictures next to the giant buoy that marks the spot and try to catch a glimpse of Cuba which is only 90 miles away.

10) Dry Tortugas/ Fort Jefferson-
Take a boat or plane excursion to the Dry Tortugas---remote islands 75 miles west of the Florida Keys. Located in the Dry Tortugas is Fort Jefferson, an abandoned fort that was originally built to protect the southern coast of the US. Visitors can snorkel in the crystal clear water and tour the old fort.