Don't miss the fabulous historical museums Key West has to offer!

Thanks to a nearly perfect mix of surf, sand, sun and fun, Key West provides its visitors with dozens of ways to escape reality during their stay. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Florida and appreciated for its relaxed daytime atmosphere and lively nightlife, this little island -- which just happens to be the southernmost point in the continental United States! -- is also home to an exceptional collection of museums that any history buff will love.

You'll soon realize that parking spots are rather limited in most areas of Key West, but the island is so small that most people can easily travel from place to place on foot. Rental bicycles are a popular transportation alternative, and taxis and trolleys are also available. Be sure to plan your mode of transportation accordingly when you decide to go museum hopping.

Audubon House and Tropical Gardens

A visit to the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens provides the opportunity to see original works of John James Audubon, world-famous painter, ornithologist (a zoologist who specializes in birds) and namesake of the National Audubon Society who visited Key West in the 1830s.

This unique home was built by Captain John H. Geiger in the 1840s and has been furnished with antique decor appropriate for the era. The Museum features a stunning collection of Audubon's original works while the adjacent gift shop offers one-of-a-kind gifts and educational items, including books about Audubon and his art. Nearly one acre of tropical gardens consisting of gorgeous native flora and fauna are also located on the property, and the gardens can even be rented for weddings receptions and special events.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Famed American author and Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West for over ten years, and his home is one of the most visited historical destinations on the island. The house still contains furnishings that were used by Hemingway and his family, and the outdoor swimming pool was the first residential pool built in Key West.

The Hemingway Home and Museum is open 365 days a year, giving you the ability to see Hemingway's own writing studio -- complete with his typewriter and chair -- as well as the famous six-toed cats which roam the property.

Truman Little White House

The Harry S. Truman Little White House served as the winter White House during the Truman administration. Originally used as a vacation home, the house became the functioning winter White House from 1946 through 1952. Although the house has been redecorated to match its Truman administration appearance, most of the furnishings are original and were used by Truman himself.

Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter and Clinton also vacationed at the home, and the museum store offers plenty of presidential gifts and souvenirs.

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum

Operated by the not-for-profit Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and located in the heart of downtown Key West, the Mel Fisher Museum contains an impressive collection of various artifacts from 17th century shipwrecks.

The Henrietta Marie, an English merchant slave ship, sank approximately thirty-five miles west of Key West, Florida in 1700 and the wreck was first found by Mel Fisher's divers in 1972. The Henrietta Marie was the earliest slave shipwreck identified by name, and the records and artifacts on display act as an educational tool to teach visitors about the horrific history of the slave trade.

Key West Ship Wreck Museum

If the Mel Fisher exhibits have you itching to learn more about shipwrecks, there's no need to worry. The Key West Ship Wreck Museum provides a truly unique combination of live actors, films, and actual shipwreck artifacts. An extensive collection of treasures rescued from the Isaac Allerton, which sank on the Florida Keys reef in 1856, offers a sense of history and adventure.

Learn about Key West's maritime history and be sure to climb the 65-foot lookout tower on top of the museum for the opportunity to scan the water for possible shipwrecks!