Museums & Historic Sites
History here doesn’t hide—it strolls the streets, sails the waters, and lingers in lighthouses, forts, and railways. Museums and historic sites across the Florida Keys tell stories of shipwrecks, pioneers, and a railroad that once seemed impossible. Wander through homes of famous writers, climb old fort walls, or step into tiny museums bursting with artifacts. Each stop layers new depth onto the turquoise backdrop. These listings will guide you to the places where past and present meet—sometimes quirky, often surprising, always unforgettable.
Fred the Tree: The Florida Keys’ ‘Celebri-Tree’
Fred the Tree — the Florida Keys’ beloved, thriving and resolute “celebri-tree” that grows improbably on the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge — is a movie star.
Ernest Hemingway
Learn about Ernest Hemingway, his literary reputation and his larger-than-life persona. Credited with establishing Key West as a literary haven, Hemingway left a legacy that remains vibrant today.
Key West African Cemetery
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a memorial honors the African Burial Ground at Higgs Beach.
Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad
On Jan. 22, 1912, when Ruby Whitlock was eight years old, she watched the arrival of the first train that ever traveled down the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad tracks from mainland Florida to Key West.
Henry Flagler: Railroad Visionary
Henry Morrison Flagler never lived in the Florida Keys, but he left a lasting and valuable mark on the island chain.
Filters
Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.
Southernmost Point — iconic landmark & photo destination in Key West, where geography meets tropical charm.
The Lower Keys
Little Duck Key Veterans' Memorial Beach
Explore Little Duck Key Veterans Memorial Beach - history and views.
Key West
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Discover treasures and history at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West!
Key West
Elizabeth Bishop House & Garden
Elizabeth Bishop House — historic home of poet Elizabeth Bishop in Key West, where literary heritage meets island charm.
Key West
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Eco Discovery Center
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center — immersive marine sanctuary exhibit in Key West, where education meets ocean conservation.
Key West
Tennessee Williams Museum
Tennessee Williams Museum — dedicated to the life and works of the famed playwright in Key West’s Little White House complex.
Key Largo
Mike Forster Memorial Park
Mike Forster Memorial Park is a cozy, open 3-acre park in Key Largo (20 Sunset Road) with limited parking, open daily from 7 a.m. until sunset.
Key West
Hellings Curry Museum/ Home of the Key West Woman’s Club
Explore Key West history in a stunning Queen Anne mansion with free guided tours!
Key West
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
Explore the legendary Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in beautiful Key West!
Key West
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
Discover the only frost-free tropical garden in the continental US—serene, native, and full of life!
Marathon
Marathon Air Museum
Join EAA Chapter 1241 in Marathon, FL—where aviation passion takes flight!
Key West
Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower
Tropical garden paradise by the sea at the historic West Martello Tower—free-admission gardens, beach views, volunteer-run, perfect for nature lovers in Key West.
Key West
The Historic Armory
The Armory — historic 1903 arts & performance center in Key West, where preservation meets creative community.
Key West
Shrimpboat Sound Studio
Shrimpboat Sound Studio — historic recording studio in Key West, where legends like Jimmy Buffett made music in a humble, iconic space.
