[John S Mosby]

Want to see the real Key West? Well, it has been a while but:

See the Wrecker’s Museum(the major industry at one time making Key West the richest town per capita, was salvaging— and sometime causing- shipwrecks on the reefs).

See Stephen Mallory’s home (the Sec. of the CSA Navy) aka as Hemingway’s House (at the time the most expensive one on the island).

There is also a private tropical palm botanical garden in the area of Calvin Klein’s home (it may have been destroyed- but it was a project by a lady who employed only recovering alcoholics—and was a fantastic garden of major and obscure tropical palms and plants).

The Gato House which was a Cuban cigar magnate’s home. Learn about the cigar rollers in the factories in Key West, who were read daily newspapers by a lector.

Chandler’s Museum, The Custom House and of course Mel Fisher’s Museum of the treasure of the galleon, Nuestra de Senora Atocha.

Martello Towers. Fort Taylor Park.

Take a boat (not plane) to the Dry Tortugas 40 sea miles with Fort Jefferson there— which is a full day trip- and the best snorkeling. The fort which held Dr. Mudd (of the Lincoln Conspiracy). Also along the way— maybe one of the 1800’s era open ocean lighthouse towers.

Do your laundry at a Cuban/American launderette with an Espresso and Cuban sandwich bar included. Cafe con Leche.

Avoid anything with Buffett on it. Jimmy or Warren (cause neither of them was ever from Key West).

[Chgogal]

Took the plane, fabulous!!! But it costs. You get there before the boat by a few hours. You have the island to yourselves except for the handful of campers.

[Scoutmaster]

1. Listen to John S Mosby. Definitely the Dry Tortugas; the wall of the moat around Fort Jefferson is excellent snorkeling, and the reefs and wharf areas are even better. It's a fascinating place and accessible by ferry. The fort itself has been named one of the ten best places in the U.S. to explore nooks and crannies.

2. Consider watching the sunset at Mallory Square. The street performers are entertaining; however, the sunset may be obscured by Stock Island. For a better sunset and less entertainment (no cats jumping through hoops of fire), watch the sunset somewhere else.

3. The beach on Bahia Honda Key at Bahia Honda State Park and Beach (mile markers 36-38) is perhaps the best in south Florida.